Chapter 102: A Mysterious Visitor on Cake Island

Just as Karl’s group was about to reach Beehive Island, an uninvited guest arrived on Cake Island.

“Bang!”

Notty was training by the shore when he sensed a powerful presence and immediately rushed to block the intruder.

But even after throwing a full-powered punch, the mysterious stranger before him caught it effortlessly, as if it were nothing.

Notty quickly retreated to the beach and confronted the stranger.

“Who are you?”

Never in his wildest dreams did Notty expect someone so strong to show up on a remote place like Cake Island.

“I’m just passing through.”

“Take it easy, kid. No need to get so worked up.”

A tall, slim man stood there in a magenta shirt and blood-red trousers, gold-trimmed leather shoes on his feet. He wore a large crimson cape lined with checkered fabric, a blue rose around his neck, and twirled a slim-handled umbrella in his hand.

“Oh, so you’re one of Karl’s crew.”

“Who are you, and how do you know that?”

Notty stared at the stranger, someone he’d never seen before, amazed that he so casually revealed his name.

Since setting out to sea, they’d never shown their faces in front of the Navy.

They didn’t even have a bounty yet.

“So this is Cake, huh. Looks like Karl’s not all in with the Rocks Pirates—he even kept some cards up his sleeve.”

“I’d like to meet Karl.”

The visitor was none other than Ledfield, still searching for companions.

He’d awakened advanced Observation Haki as a child—able to read the thoughts of his enemies.

Inspired by Brook, he set out to sea, hoping to find true friends he could rely on.

But after years of searching, he hadn’t found a single real companion. Instead, all he’d seen were ugly hearts.

He had started his journey at age 25 and had now searched the seas for three years.

He’d only just arrived in the New World this year. Passing Cake Island, he glimpsed into the minds of some people there.

He found them all to be genuinely kind, though he didn’t understand why. So, he felt compelled to meet the person who’d founded this island.

“Wait here.”

After a brief scuffle, Notty realized he wasn’t a match for this man.

Besides, the stranger hadn’t shown any real hostility so far.

He took out his Den Den Mushi from his coat and called Karl.

Moments earlier, the Golden Lion had just taken the Conqueror’s Haki Infusion Training Manual, and Karl was sitting down for a drink of water.

That’s when the Den Den Mushi started ringing.

“Brrrr-brrrr!”

“Lord Karl? This is Notty.”

“What’s up, Notty?”

“There’s a stranger on Cake Island. His name’s Ledfield. He says he wants to see you…”

He quickly filled Karl in on what had happened.

As soon as Karl heard the name Ledfield, he remembered the Crimson Lonestar.

“Alright. Tell him to wait a few days—I’ll be there soon.”

“Understood, Lord Karl.”

“You heard him. Do us a favor and stay on the island for a few days.”

After ending the call, Notty eyed Ledfield warily.

“That won’t be a problem.”

“Come on, I’ll get you a guest room.”

Seeing just how unfazed Ledfield was, Notty didn’t push it. He grabbed a coat and led the man deeper into Cake Island.

“Linlin, looks like I need to take a trip to Cake Island.”

“What happened, Karl? Did something go wrong there?”

Charlotte Linlin immediately grew worried about the children still living on the island.

“Hahaha, it’s nothing. Honestly, this might be a stroke of good luck.”

If Ledfield joined them, Karl thought, it’d be like a blessing falling from the sky.

“Well, alright!”

“Want me to come with you?”

Karl could read the concern in Charlotte Linlin’s eyes—she was clearly worried about the kids.

He thought for a second. There wasn’t much happening on the island right now—so he agreed.

“Sure, let’s go together!”

“Ma ma ma ma!”

Seeing Linlin grin with excitement, Karl couldn’t help but smile back.

The two of them hopped on Zeus and sped toward Cake Island.

Meanwhile on Cake Island, Ledfield followed Notty to a guest room.

All along the way, using his mind-reading abilities,

and judging from what he saw, Ledfield felt that Karl might just be the companion he’d searched for all these years.

He saw equality on the island, saw freedom, even kindness—things he’d never witnessed anywhere else.

Then Ledfield glanced at Notty.

“How long have you been with Karl?”

Notty turned, eyes a bit wary, and shot him a look.

“Not even a year. Why do you ask?”

Ledfield thought: Looks like I have a ready-made example right here.

“What kind of person do you think Karl is?”

“Hard to say, but he treats me well.”

Ledfield was at a loss after hearing that. No way to dig up anything more useful from this guy.

This one either trained non-stop or obsessed over duels—no worthwhile information in sight.

“Here we are. This is the place.”

“Don’t wander around the island.”

After leading him to the guest room, Notty cautioned him.

“No problem. I’m satisfied.”

Ledfield nodded as a response, then sized up the spacious guest suite, easily a hundred square meters.

First half of the New World!

“We’re back at Sabaody Archipelago again.”

Davis and his group had already arrived on Sabaody Archipelago.

“We don’t have much time to waste—let’s get some rest, stock up on supplies, and get back to sea.”

Once the pirate ship was docked, the crew quickly disembarked and started purchasing all sorts of goods.

“Understood, Lord Davis.”

Before leaving the ship, Davis glanced up at their pirate flag.

“Take the flag down for now, just to avoid trouble.”

He only relaxed after watching the flag come down bit by bit, then walked into Sabaody Archipelago.

While strolling across Island One, he spotted two people on the run.

“You two, stop right there!”

“Hold it! Get back here, brat!”

Davis drew the pistol at his hip.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

“Thud! Thud!”

“Retreat!” The group, realizing someone was blocking their way, quickly withdrew with their men.

“Whew—”

“What’s going on? Why were they after you?”

But when Davis took a closer look at the kid’s face, the answer clicked.

“This is my son Morgans. Somehow, he ate a Devil Fruit today on the island and turned into… this.”

“Those guys are human traffickers. When they saw what happened to my son, they wanted to snatch him and sell him off…”

Davis stood up straight, thinking it all through.

“I get it!”

Morgans… Where had he heard that name before?

Actually, Karl had mentioned a few famous names in a meeting before, Morgans included.

They couldn’t remember all the details, but the name had stuck in their minds.

“Come with me.”

Even if Davis couldn’t recall exactly who these two were, since the name rang a bell, he figured they had to be important.

After all, he’d only remember someone this clearly if they were worth it.

He was a pirate anyway—if he took them along, no one would ask questions.

And anyway, there couldn’t be any harm in bringing them back to the ship.

“Um…”

“Alright, then!”

Mor Morris eyed the towering Davis, not daring to argue. He’d just seen firsthand what the man could do.

The guy’s marksmanship was no joke.

After bringing the two onboard, Davis waited for the rest of the crew to return from shopping.

When everyone was gathered, Davis gave the order. The ship set sail for Clockwork Island.