Chapter 83: Farewells and Underlying Plots

After the banquet ended, only Davis and Fields Brown were left standing—everyone else was completely drunk.

With the Fishmen so enthusiastic, nobody could dodge drinking too much.

Of course, Karl was still sober. They helped Thompson and the rest back to their quarters.

“Hunter, man, you’re heavy as a rock.”

Brown tossed Hunter onto his bed with a look of pure disdain, showing no mercy.

“Whew, I’m exhausted.”

After dropping Hunter on the bed, Brown let out a long boozy sigh.

He closed Hunter’s door, turned around, and spotted Karl in the hallway.

Instantly, he walked over, rubbing his hands together and flashing a fawning smile.

“Captain, I’m heading out for a bit. Heh heh heh.”

Just from Brown’s face, Karl instantly knew what he was scheming.

“Got it, but be sure you’re back by morning, got it?”

“Don’t worry, Captain, I’ll be on time, promise.”

Grinning, Brown waved his right hand behind his back and dashed out the door.

He quickly disappeared into the night, obviously off to say goodbye to his lady friend.

“You all get some rest too.”

“Don’t worry, Captain.”

“Yeah, we can’t all get drunk, right?”

Davis patted the pistol at his waist. They all knew about Karl’s situation.

There wasn’t an official first mate on this ship, but Davis was understood as the vice-captain in everyone’s eyes.

Early the next morning!

A sudden scream jolted everyone awake.

“I’m furious!”

“I didn’t even get to spend a night with a Fishman lady…”

Smith might be a cook, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want a scandalous night with a Fishman beauty.

Unfortunately, he overdid it with the drinks last night and totally missed his chance.

Notty was already up and ready and heard Smith’s outburst.

Walking to Smith’s door, he raised his fist and shot him a smug grin.

“What’s the point of that? Can’t beat my fists.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

Smith shot Notty a dirty look, annoyed. He wasn’t about to argue with some brawler—what would a brute know?

He hurried to get dressed and packed, ready to move out.

“Alright, time for us to set sail!”

Karl heard all the ruckus and stepped out of his cabin early.

“Help me carry all these medical books, will you?”

“Didn’t you go a little overboard buying these?”

“That’s payback for how you treated me, so consider it punishment.”

Everyone chuckled as Fields emerged from Jennifer’s room, shoulders piled high with a stack of books taller than him.

After all, back on Skypiea, Fields had hoisted Jennifer into the air for everyone to see.

Honestly, he had it coming—Fields knew this was his way of making it up, so he didn’t mind.

Besides, that mountain of books only looked intimidating. To him, it wasn’t much trouble.

“Hmph, let’s see if you ever try that again.”

Jennifer lifted her chin, looking proud as could be.

After a glance at Fields, she skipped off ahead, bouncing with every step.

The group shared a knowing smile and hurried after her.

Soon they set off with Halil, heading toward the Azure Dragon.

When they reached the harbor, Kano and his men were already waiting.

“Master Karl!”

“Your ship is ready and waiting, sir.”

Kano had known since yesterday that Karl would set sail today.

He’d made sure Karl’s ship was moved to the outbound dock in advance.

“Thoughtful of you.”

“Keep moving forward and keep up the pace.”

Seeing their preparations, Karl looked at Kano with real satisfaction.

“Rest easy, Master Karl.”

“Wishing you a safe voyage, Master Karl!”

Karl nodded, then climbed the stairs onto the ship.

“Thud thud thud!”

As Karl and his crew boarded, Kano’s men snapped crisp salutes, silently watching them depart.

The ship started gliding forward. As they neared the edge of Fishman Island, Brown leaned against the railing, staring intently at the depths and muttering nonstop.

“Lili, Sasha, Lisa, Airy…”

Hearing Brown list off name after name, Smith’s face twisted in rage—he looked like he could crack his own molars. He lurched forward and grabbed Brown by the collar.

“Just how many have you hooked up with, you little punk?”

“Start talking, right now.”

Seeing the look on Smith’s face, Brown panicked, yanking free and racing across the deck while Smith gave chase with no intention of letting up.

“I didn’t! I swear!”

“Out with it, spill!”

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew ignored their scuffle, keeping their eyes peeled on the surrounding waters.

All around them, Fishmen could be seen escorting the ship, offering a safe passage to the surface.

As the ship began to rise, the water grew brighter—clearly, they were almost at the open sea.

The Fishmen who had traveled alongside them now dove back down, making no move to greet them above the waves.

“So, this is the New World?”

“Doesn’t feel any different, honestly.”

Jennifer looked a bit disappointed. She’d expected the New World to be worlds apart from the first half.

“Are we really here?”

Brown and Smith finally stopped chasing each other, exchanged a look of disdain, then hurried to the rail for a view.

“The New World’s not that special. Just the people are tougher.”

“Head for Punk Hazard first.”

“I’ve got a score to settle.”

Back on Fishman Island, Karl had received a letter from Krell.

Not much had changed in the New World over the last eight months.

The Rocks Pirates had taken in plenty of new recruits but there hadn’t been any large-scale battles.

The Navy was the same, except there were just two branches left in the New World, both near Fishman Island.

One was Sengoku’s branch at Punk Hazard.

The other belonged to Garp on Xilu Island.

Together, they kept the New World’s entrance stable.

Most rookie pirates trying to breach the New World got blocked by Garp and Sengoku.

Because of that, the Rocks Pirates found it hard to bring in fresh blood.

Finding out Sengoku was right there on Punk Hazard, Karl was dead set on settling old scores.

If Charlotte Linlin hadn’t showed up back then, Sengoku would’ve killed him outright.

A grudge to the grave. Never to be forgotten.

No matter what, he’d never let that hatred go.

“Understood, Captain.”

Thompson didn’t know why they were heading for Punk Hazard,

but it didn’t matter—he’d follow wherever the captain led.

No one else raised any questions either.

After all, a pirate ship follows the captain alone. Only the captain sets the course.

But right now, on Beehive Island, a new plot against Karl was brewing.

John, fed up with Karl’s absence, was ready to target Karl’s own forces.

“How’s it going?”

“I want this flawless.”

John’s first targets: Long Yi and Long Er.

With Karl gone from Beehive Island for months, John started sensing something was off.

He figured this was his chance, so he had people watching Long Yi and Long Er closely.

From what he’d seen, both made almost daily trips to the island marketplace, buying up different kinds of slaves.

Most were children, with only a handful from rare races.

John didn’t know where they found the money, or why they wanted so many kids.

But this gave him an opening to make his move.

“Rest assured, Lord John.”

“We’ll make sure nothing goes wrong.”

Yali was one of John’s most faithful subordinates.

Their plan: strike as Long Yi and Long Er returned from the market.

Karl’s base was a good distance from the market, so it was easy to strike midway without being seen.

There was just one snag: they’d have to pass by Charlotte Linlin’s territory.

They didn’t know about Karl’s connection to Charlotte Linlin.

It was a big mistake.

…