Chapter 77: Golden Lion's Movements
After thinking everything through, Luo Han realized there was only one path forward: find a way to return quickly and evacuate everyone from Ring Tree Island.
"I need to ask Whitebeard and Sister Shao!"
Luo Han flew up and landed on Whitebeard's ship.
"Brother Newgate, I want to go back to Ring Tree Island—how can I do that?" Seeing Whitebeard on the deck, Luo Han rushed over and asked urgently.
Whitebeard was baffled by the question, unsure of what Luo Han meant.
"If you want to go back, then just go."
"But! Didn't someone return without permission before and get the whole island destroyed by Rocks?" Luo Han asked, confused—this didn't match what he had previously understood.
"Haha! Exactly. You said it yourself—they went back without permission. Of course that's not allowed. But if you notify Rocks in advance, it's fine," Whitebeard laughed.
Smack! Luo Han slapped his forehead. Why didn't he think of that? Something so simple. Of course Rocks wouldn't forbid his crewmates from ever returning to their homelands. That would just spark rebellion.
"Then I'll contact Rocks right now!" Luo Han said, pulling out his Den Den Mushi.
Whitebeard: "No need, Luo Han. It's useless."
Luo Han stopped, confused, staring at Whitebeard with a face that screamed, "What do you mean?"
"We're in the middle of a mission. If not for Golden Lion's intervention, Rocks would've already forced us to move out two months ago," Whitebeard said with a smile.
"Mission? What mission?" Luo Han looked completely puzzled.
Whitebeard sighed. "You forgot why we came out here in the first place!"
Uh… Luo Han looked embarrassed. He had honestly forgotten that their group set out to pursue the Roger Pirates.
"But what does that have to do with me going back to Ring Tree Island?" Luo Han asked again.
Whitebeard replied, "During missions, no one's allowed to go back. That's a rule set by Rocks. You'll have to wait until this year ends. After that, there'll be a roughly two-month break where you can handle your own affairs."
A whole year? Luo Han had no idea how much time had already passed.
"Half a year left until it's over," Whitebeard added, noticing Luo Han's confusion.
Half a year left… The World Government probably won't find Ring Tree Island that soon. I just need to wait. By then, my telekinetic powers should be strong enough to relocate everyone, Luo Han thought to himself.
"But Luo Han, why are you in such a hurry to go back? Did something happen?" Whitebeard finally remembered Luo Han seemed anxious about returning.
"It's nothing," Luo Han said with a shrug.
Seeing that Luo Han didn't want to talk about it, Whitebeard didn't press further. He pulled out a jug of wine and took a hearty swig.
"Right! You mentioned something about Golden Lion earlier?" Luo Han asked, suddenly remembering.
"Golden Lion, huh?"
Gulp, gulp! Whitebeard put down the jug with a sigh.
He continued, "After he left us, he returned to BeeHachinosu Island and gathered Kyo (Silver Axe) , Ochoku (Wang Zhi), and several other strong fighters. Then he set off to pursue Roger's crew.
In the past two months, they've clashed several times with the Roger Pirates and Garp. Each battle lasted three days and three nights, ending in a draw. Thanks to Golden Lion keeping them busy, we've been able to rest on Ark Island for two whole months."
Listening to the explanation, Luo Han started to question Golden Lion's strength.
"Is Golden Lion really that strong? Without your support, Brother Newgate, how could he handle Garp and Sengoku? Let alone Roger's crew—they're all top-tier."
Haha! Whitebeard gave Luo Han a glance and said in a deep voice, "Luo Han, you're underestimating the Rocks Pirates. Do you think we're the only strong ones?
Don't be naïve. We joined midway. Rocks already had his own original crew from the beginning.
Their strength is no less than mine. Dealing with Roger and Garp isn't a problem."
What! Luo Han was stunned. He never imagined there were others on the same level as Whitebeard and Golden Lion—and not just one or two.
Until now, Luo Han had assumed that apart from Rocks himself, only big names like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Big Mom were the powerhouses of the crew.
He had never considered the original members of the Rocks Pirates.
"Then how come we've never heard of them?" Luo Han asked, still puzzled.
"No idea. Maybe the navy is hiding something," Whitebeard said casually, not giving it much thought.
If this isn't a cover-up, then what is? So many powerful figures, and yet the newspapers only mention Whitebeard and Golden Lion, the latecomers. The original members of the Rocks Pirates—completely erased.
Shaking his head, Luo Han could feel himself getting sucked into a massive whirlpool, manipulated by the World Government and Rocks himself.
Truly insane—Rocks, the man who dares play chess with the World Government.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Luo Han suddenly realized—with Golden Lion gone, how were they supposed to pursue Roger now? What if they ran into the Roger Pirates and got crushed?
Seeing how relaxed Whitebeard was, did that mean there were hidden powerhouses on their ship too?
Luo Han leaned close to Whitebeard and whispered, "Hey, Brother Newgate, do we have any of the original Rocks Pirates members on our ship?"
Uh… Whitebeard looked at Luo Han, completely speechless. Which eye of yours saw that?
"No. We're basically the strongest ones here."
No way! Luo Han gave Whitebeard a weird look. Am I underestimating myself—or are you overestimating yourself?
"With just our crew, can we really take on the Roger Pirates? Or do you want me to go all out while the rest of you stand back cheering and shouting 'Awesome!'?"
Luo Han couldn't help but complain in the end.
Heh! Whitebeard gave a mysterious smile and didn't say more. He only told Luo Han, "You'll see when the time comes."
Tch! There he goes again, never giving a straight answer. Luo Han ignored him and flew back to Tucker's ship.
The sun was shining bright, and the calm sea carried the two pirate ships gently forward.
This time, they encountered no storms and arrived smoothly at their next destination.
It was another island under Rocks' control—relatively prosperous, with a layout reminiscent of medieval cities.
It was clearly a central hub for resource trading. The port was much larger than the one on Boter Island.
After docking the ship, Luo Han and Cole entered a large restaurant—the only one on the island that could accommodate someone of Cole's size.
Thud! Luo Han and Cole sat down at a large table.
"Boss! Meat! All your meat dishes—forty servings!" Cole shouted.
Instantly, everyone in the restaurant turned to look at him.
Hmm? A young man wearing glasses took one look at Cole's massive frame, then at Luo Han beside him, and seemed to realize something. He pulled out a thick stack of bounty posters and quickly found Cole's.
"Beastman Cole – Bounty: 400 million Berries." The young man read aloud, excitedly walking over to Cole and saying, "You must be Lord Cole!"
(END CHAPTER)
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