On the vast, boundless Grand Line, a gigantic black whale sped across the surface, pulling a large ship behind it.
Yes, the giant whale was Laboon. Bege's ship was tethered to Laboon, allowing the whale to pull them along. Laboon's astonishing speed increased their travel speed several times over.
However, the journey wasn't without its bumps. In the ocean lived colossal sea beasts known as Sea Kings. They were attacked by Sea Kings multiple times.
These Sea Kings were a nightmare in the open ocean. Pirate ships with weaker crews would essentially be signing their death warrants if they encountered one.
Laboon was also a type of Sea King, but he was still in his infancy, his size far from reaching that of an adult Island Whale. He was no match for some of the larger Sea Kings in the ocean.
The first time they encountered a Sea King, Laboon was injured. Fortunately, Bege and his crew noticed in time, and Modi jumped into the sea to kill the Sea King. After that, whenever they encountered a Sea King, Laboon would first leap out of the water, allowing Bege's crew to deal with the creature.
In any case, the hold of Bege's ship, his castle, was now filled with dozens of rooms packed with Sea King meat, enough to feed his disciples for three or four months.
"Godfather, Whiteleaf Island is in sight. We should arrive in about ten minutes," the navigator rushed over to report to Bege.
Bege sprang up from his reclining chair and went to the railing. In his line of sight, the island grew larger and larger.
The island in front of them was Whiteleaf Island, not Cocoa Island. Three days ago, they had reached Cocoa Island, only to learn that Gecko Moria's pirate crew had already left. Therefore, Bege and his crew had quickly made their way to the next island, Whiteleaf Island.
"Gecko Moria, don't you run."
"Laboon, full speed ahead!" Bege shouted. Laboon responded with a low rumble, then accelerated again, charging towards Whiteleaf Island.
They arrived at Whiteleaf Island shortly after. Laboon's size was too intimidating, so they didn't dock at the port.
"A few of you stay and guard the ship. If anything happens, use a signal flare to notify us," Bege left five men to guard the ship, while the rest of the disciples followed him onto the island. They moved quickly towards the town on Whiteleaf Island.
"Godfather, I've got information! Gecko Moria and his crew haven't left yet. They seem to be on their ship," a disciple hurried back, reporting the news he had gathered to Bege.
At the port of Whiteleaf Town, an incredibly large ship was docked. On the ship's massive deck, a group of strangely dressed men, all carrying swords, weapons, and with tattoos or scars exposed on their chests and arms, exuded a ferocious aura as they sat together drinking, laughing loudly, and chatting.
Among these peculiar men, one stood out as the largest and most unusually shaped. He had a fiery, onion-like hairstyle, a demonic appearance, horns on the sides of his forehead, and pointed ears and teeth. The robust man's laughter was the loudest, each guffaw carrying a considerable distance.
Beside him was a man with two swords at his waist, wearing a cowboy hat, and a diagonal scar across his face. He downed a cup of alcohol in one gulp.
"Boss, before we enter the New World, how about we pull off something big? Get your bounty up to three hundred million?"
"Captain, I think it's doable. Your strength is far beyond the level of a two hundred million bounty," the other men chimed in.
"This is the Grand Line. The end of the first half, the Sabaody Archipelago, is not far from Marine Headquarters. We can't do anything too drastic, since we're heading to the New World, after all. Once we get to the New World, we can cause as much trouble as we want," one man cautioned.
The devil-like man let out a peculiar laugh: "Hehehehe, Roshi is right. We need to avoid direct confrontation for now. It's not the time to go head-to-head with the Marines. But pirates are a different story. Any pirate daring to go to the New World must have some skill. We'll gather intelligence, wipe out a few pirate crews, and make a name for ourselves."
His words drew cheers and laughter from the pirates present.
Suddenly, a voice drifted in, causing their smiles to fade.
"Gecko Moria, I'm afraid your journey will have to be put on hold for a while."
A calm, composed voice reached them, causing everyone to turn their heads. On the railing of their pirate ship stood Bege and his crew.
The pirates sitting in a circle instantly stood up. At that moment, their eyes were filled with murderous intent as they drew their weapons and gradually closed in.
"Who are you? How dare you board my ship? Do you have a death wish?" The devil-like man stood up, his towering height of six or seven meters and muscular physique making him resemble a giant. His deep voice, when he spoke, carried a powerful presence.
The young Gecko Moria was a completely different person from the one he would become twenty years later. He hadn't yet challenged Kaido, and he was brimming with confidence and pride.
Bege looked at the Gecko Moria before him, finding it difficult to connect him with the weakest of the Seven Warlords of the Sea from over two decades in the future.
"I'm the leader of the Masked Bounty Hunter Crew. I came here specifically for you," Bege said.
"Bounty hunters? You really have a death wish," Moria's eyes turned cold, brimming with killing intent.
"Captain, I remember now! They're the Masked Hunters from the West Blue who wiped out the Supernova Fierce Crocodile Pirates," a pirate beside Gecko Moria exclaimed in surprise.
Moria's brow furrowed. He stared at Bege and said in a deep voice, "I remember now, too. Ten days ago, I saw a newspaper report mentioning you. To be able to wipe out a Supernova pirate crew, your strength must be considerable."
He extended his hand and laughed strangely, "Join our Thriller Bark Pirates! Let's go to the New World together, take down those big-time pirates, and conquer the New World."
Looking at the confident smile overflowing on Gecko Moria's face, Bege responded with a peculiar smile, "Conquer the New World? Gecko Moria, what are you joking about? Do you know about the terrifying big-time pirates in the New World? Whitebeard, Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, and many, many other fearsome pirates. Your strength is far from enough. Going there would just be sending yourselves to your deaths."
Moria didn't get angry. He said softly, "Right now, I'm not strong enough to clash with those big-time pirates. But give me a few years, and I'll be able to take them down and become the king of the New World."
The confidence and pride in his eyes were striking.
"Then let's make a bet. We'll fight. If you win, I'll join your pirate crew. If you lose, you join us. How about it?" Bege said gravely.
Moria's eyes narrowed, he stared at Bege, and snorted coldly, "I'm a pirate, a free pirate. I'll never become a bounty hunter."
"Aren't you very confident? Do you think you'll lose?" Bege sneered.
"Of course not. I accept this bet," Moria's eyes flashed with killing intent.
"This is my ship. It's not a suitable place for a battle. Follow me," Moria snorted coldly and leaped off the ship, heading towards a dense forest on the island. Bege and his crew followed closely behind.