New World, Niraya Island.
A merchant vessel slowly eased into the harbor. This was clearly its final stop. Once it had disembarked every passenger, it would take on new ones and sail back to its point of origin.
A dense crowd streamed down the gangway. Among them, one figure stood out sharply.
His sheer size made it impossible to miss.
Bartholomew Kuma.
The young man carried a suitcase in one hand and clutched a Bible in the other. Clad in a worn missionary robe, he looked around with open curiosity, his head turning constantly.
Ever since he received Valthior's message and set out from the South Blue, almost half a year had passed.
Now, he had finally arrived on Niraya Island. This island was the closest free island to the former Wano, now known as Frost Island. At the beginning of the year, a sea route between Niraya Island and Frost Island had already opened.
With certain people secretly pushing things along, this route became extremely popular on Niraya Island in a very short time.
The reason was simple.
This route did not require a ticket.
As long as someone was willing to go to Frost Island and live there, they did not have to pay. Someone else would cover the cost for them. Because of that, large numbers of poor people from the New World had been gathering on Niraya Island, all hoping to board a ship to Frost Island.
It was said that life there was rich and comfortable, with pleasant weather and a mild climate. Once people arrived, they would be given money, food, and land.
It was also said that the island had a very strong natural position. Outsiders from the sea found it hard to invade, so people would no longer have to live every moment under the threat of pirates or the wars between nations.
In short, all kinds of rumors had spread through the New World. In the eyes of the people at the bottom, Frost Island had already become one of the few heavens in the New World.
It was as if, once they went there, they would be able to live a safe and steady life.
As for Frost Island being the territory of the great pirate Jaygar Valthior?
Who cared about that?
The people of the New World cared least about whose flag flew above their heads. It did not matter whether it was the World Government, the Marines, pirates, villains, or member nations. They did not have much sense of good, evil, or position. As long as someone could provide them with a safe place to live, they were willing to follow anyone.
Aside from Frost Island, another very popular route had also attracted countless poor families in the New World over the past few days.
That place was Whole Cake Island.
With the official founding of Totto Land and the Beasts Pirates, and with the names of Charlotte Linlin and Kaido calling people in, Whole Cake Island had also become a good destination in the eyes of many.
It was said that, after going there, people would have no problem eating and drinking their fill. They might not even have to perform forced labor, and perhaps they would not need to work at all.
However, many people had doubts in their hearts.
If there is no price to pay at all, then what does Whole Cake Island want from them?
Are they bringing ordinary people there just to feed them and let them live like nobles?
Were great pirates like Charlotte Linlin and Kaido really that kind?
Even so, most people were blind when they followed rumors. Even though the talk about Whole Cake Island sounded very strange, many people still moved toward it with the thought of giving it a try.
From another point of view, however, going to Whole Cake Island really was a way to enjoy a better life.
That was because much of the reputation was true. Many of Charlotte Linlin's children had Paramecia abilities, and most of those abilities were related to food. Because of that, Totto Land did have a natural advantage. As long as the population under her rule did not become too extreme, it could indeed guarantee that people were fed.
On top of that, there were Homies, who were more obedient and more loyal. Because of that, when it came to labor, they did not really need those inefficient ordinary people.
So, after going to Totto Land, as long as you paid the soul tax, you really could live a good life.
After walking out of the crowded group, Bartholomew Kuma had just pulled back his curious gaze when he saw a burly man approaching with several people.
"Lord Bartholomew Kuma!?" the burly man greeted him with some hesitation.
In all the years Bartholomew Kuma had lived, he had rarely heard anyone call him "lord." Only a few nobles from the Sorbet Kingdom had sometimes addressed him that way in private.
Because of that, he felt a little embarrassed. With his honest and gentle nature, he quickly waved his hand and said, "You can call me Bartholomew Kuma, or just Kuma."
"Yes, Lord Bartholomew Kuma!" the burly man immediately replied, though he did not change the way he addressed him at all.
After all, when a superior was being polite, would anyone really take it seriously?
Calling him "lord" a few more times would not hurt, so it was better not to take risks.
It was said that Captain Valthior had been thinking about this man for a long time. Looking at his body, which was far from normal, his strength was probably outstanding as well. Once he arrived on Frost Island, he would most likely become an important officer on the ship right away.
"Captain Valthior has been waiting for you on Frost Island for quite some time. We have already prepared the ship heading there. Do you need to rest first, or shall we set off now?" the burly man asked.
After the Valthior Pirates were formed, Valthior had used public talk, rumors, and many other methods to release a call for new members, drawing in pirates from the New World who wanted to serve a powerful figure.
A long time had already passed since then, and the number of people in the Valthior Pirates had grown greatly.
For example, this burly man belonged to the Valthior Pirates, and he served under Bullet.
At present, just counting the Valthior Pirates themselves, their number had already reached more than a thousand people.
Clearly, Valthior had no intention of following the Roger Pirates' path of keeping only a small group of elites.
He wanted numbers and power.
After hearing this, Bartholomew Kuma said with some expectation, "There is no need to rest. I am not very tired, so let us set off now."
In truth, with Bartholomew Kuma's ability, he could have reached Frost Island and met up with Valthior very quickly.
However, when they spoke, Valthior had specially told Bartholomew Kuma, who had not traveled far much, not to rush too much. It would be better for him to come to Frost Island step by step. During this journey, he should look more and think more.
The main reason was that Valthior was worried Kuma was too pure and lacked enough experience with the world, making it hard to give him heavy responsibility right away.
After this journey, some of his childish and innocent thoughts would be worn away first. Later, with Spencer, Bullet, and the others guiding him, Valthior believed Bartholomew Kuma would soon grow into someone useful.
Amid the crowd not far from the harbor, however, an eye-catching figure quietly watched Bartholomew Kuma's departing back with curious eyes.
Those people are from the Valthior Pirates stationed on this island. Judging by how respectful that man was, this missionary should be someone important on their ship, right? the fourteen-year-old Crocodile thought to himself.
The waves of the New World were growing more violent, and the treasure of the Pirate King had drawn the eyes of countless people.
Not long ago, young Crocodile had, by chance, eaten the Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit on this island, becoming one of the rare Logia users on the sea.
His sudden rise in strength, along with his outstanding talent and sharp mind, made Crocodile decide at once to ride the wave of this era.
He was going to sea as a pirate.
It had to be said that Crocodile's thoughts were deep. Though young, he was very mature and had a mind far beyond his age.
Even so, he had not truly seen the wider world yet. Once he obtained a Logia ability, he became somewhat overconfident.
According to his original plan, he intended to visit Frost Island, then head to Merveille and Whole Cake Island, and even search for the Moby Dick. Among the most famous great pirates in the New World, he planned to choose one to join.
That was why he had ended up on Niraya Island instead; Frost Island had originally been his next destination. But now, his thoughts had changed. He felt that he could become a major figure himself.
I'm already a Logia user. I'm this strong already. If I still go serve under someone else instead of becoming a captain… wouldn't that just diminish my value?
Because of that, Crocodile planned to form his own pirate crew. After going out to sea and training himself, he would clash with those great figures and see whether they were stronger, or whether he, the chosen Logia user, was stronger.
It was clear that Crocodile was currently very confident in his own ability.
This could also be considered a common problem among Logia users on the sea.
Bartholomew Kuma seemed to sense something and turned back to look at the crowd. However, after scanning around a few times, he did not find anything strange, nor did he see Crocodile, who had already left. He felt that the feeling of being watched just now had been a mistake, so he shook his head, turned around, and continued to follow the others away.
--------
Read Advanced Chapters on : www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin
~ Every 100 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]