Suppressing this highly enticing thought for the moment, Sherlock let out a soft sigh, his racing heart gradually calming down.
"By the way, how come you're the only one on the ship right now?"
Sherlock suddenly changed the subject. Looking at the town—which appeared highly prosperous but clearly had a severe public security problem—he asked, "Luffy and the others have already gone ashore, right? Why didn't you go with them to look around the island?"
Instantly, a flash of awkwardness crossed Zoro's stoic, bronzed face.
"Well, I'd rather just stay on the ship and keep watch." His mouth twitching slightly, the green-haired swordsman turned his head aside. "Besides, I'm not really interested in wandering around town."
This was actually the truth. Compared to those crowd-loving idiots, Zoro truly disliked shopping or wandering around. That was why this moss-head always chose to stay behind and guard the Going Merry whenever they arrived at a new island.
However, Sherlock knew perfectly well that the main reason Zoro chose to stay on the ship was because he was an absolute, ultimate direction-idiot!
Even if someone led him by the hand, there was still a massive chance Zoro would get lost. A small place like Mock Town was one thing, but an island as massive as Hannabal? If he got lost here, he would be gone for good...
Sherlock sometimes even felt that if the Going Merry were just a bit larger or its layout slightly more complex, this guy would manage to get lost right on the ship.
(How utterly stupid...)
Without realizing it, a certain four-eyes' gaze toward Zoro became laced with a hint of pity, making the latter feel inexplicably irritated.
"I'm going to gather some intelligence on this island and pick up some supplies along the way. Is there anything you need me to bring back?" Perhaps out of a sudden prick of conscience, Sherlock felt the need to reward this directionally challenged swordsman, who had practically made a thirty-year career out of guarding the base.
"Oh? That would be great! Thanks, Sherlock."
Zoro's eyes lit up instantly, and he said without a second thought, "Bring me back a few barrels of good booze. I heard from Shuraiya that the rum on this island is pretty famous."
"Also, you'd better come back early. Luffy is planning to hold a beef banquet tonight."
"Yeah, I got it." Sherlock nodded. A certain four-eyes was actually quite looking forward to that premium beef from Stardew Island.
Getting off the ship, the moment Sherlock stepped onto the island's soil, his Observation Haki detected several gazes peering at him from a distance. However, when a certain four-eyes looked in that direction, the sensation of being watched temporarily vanished.
(Is it the Oswald Family? Or another pirate crew?)
Sherlock pushed up his glasses and took out the black cloak that had accompanied him for a long time in the East Blue from his Mirror Space, draping it over himself. Immediately after, he activated his Devil Fruit ability, and his figure instantly blurred until he vanished completely into thin air.
Just as the Sorcerer's figure vanished entirely, a man with a longsword strapped to his back, wearing deep red robes and sporting long, light purple hair, cautiously poked his head out from around a corner.
"What sharp perception. Is that the Observation Haki Vice Admiral Hisoka mentioned? Hehe, as expected of 'The Sorcerer' with a 97-million-Berry bounty."
The young man marveled to himself for a moment. Then, he quietly gazed at the pirate flag fluttering atop the mast of the Going Merry in the distance, before looking down at the green-haired swordsman beneath the mast who had already gone back to snoring loudly. His gaze turned somewhat complex.
"I really never expected to run into you here..."
"...Roronoa Zoro!"
Hannabal was an Autumn Island with a pleasant climate year-round. The island boasted a massive land area, with its terrain steadily rising from the outer edges toward the center. Most peculiar of all, a grand river flowed from the absolute peak of the island out into the sea, splitting the entire landmass in two.
And it was precisely this great river that divided the island into the East Island and the West Island. The two islands faced each other across the river, and though they weren't far apart, the people living on them were worlds apart.
The East Island was the affluent district, a paradise for the wealthy. Because the East Island was under the protection of the Oswald Family, which strictly forbade any violent incidents caused by pirates, the headquarters of almost all Penguin-registered chambers of commerce were established here. In addition, the East Island featured casinos, amusement parks, department stores, and various other entertainment facilities, making it a gold-devouring pit of indulgence and luxury.
The West Island was the commoners' district. Though called a commoners' district, the West Island was actually the home base where Penguin-registered pirates resided, as well as the location of the Penguin weapons factory. Unlike the East Island, which was filled with singing and dancing, pirates, gangsters, and bounty hunters slaughtered each other day and night on the West Island. The law of the jungle—survival of the fittest, where might makes right—was the only truth here.
"A heaven on earth and a hell on earth, a flock of sheep facing a pack of wolves across a river. Hehe, this island sure is interesting."
Looking at the map in his hand, Sherlock took a light sip of the juice in his cup.
At this moment, the Sorcerer was sitting inside a high-end tavern in the affluent district of the East Island. Although a certain four-eyes thoroughly disliked alcohol, whenever he arrived at a new location, he habitually sought out a tavern, ordered a glass of juice, and sat quietly to the side, keeping his ears open.
For no other reason than that taverns were among the most convenient places to gather intelligence.
In fact, according to the regulations set by the Oswald Family, to maintain the stability of public order on the East Island, non-registered pirates without membership privileges were not allowed to land there. Thus, when the Going Merry first arrived at Hannabal, it docked at the pirate-exclusive pier on the West Island.
However, after learning about the specific entertainment facilities on the East Island, Sherlock could guess where Luffy and the others would head after going ashore even if he thought with his rear end. Therefore, the Sorcerer had smuggled himself over without the slightest hesitation.
(But from the looks of it, Luffy and the others haven't caused a commotion yet. Did they also manage to smuggle themselves in successfully?)
Given Luffy's previous attitude toward the Oswald Family, that idiot who was single-mindedly set on becoming the Pirate King would certainly never deign to bow before anyone else. And thinking of Luffy's ability to cause trouble—which never failed to disappoint—Sherlock couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.
"Ahem. Excuse me, guest, could this be your first time in Hannabal?"
Hearing this, Sherlock raised his head slightly and looked toward the speaker from beneath the brim of his hood.
It was a middle-aged waiter dressed in a tailcoat. At this moment, he wore a formulaic smile, quietly awaiting the Sorcerer's reply, with a faint glint of eagerness flashing in his eyes.
Following the waiter's gaze, Sherlock noticed the black diamond cufflink on his own sleeve and couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
As a top-tier wealthy elite who had received an aristocratic education since childhood, Sherlock naturally couldn't be compared to those classless, styleless nouveau riche types. He preferred to elegantly showcase his immense wealth—or rather, "flex"—while maintaining a low-key demeanor.
Rings, cufflinks, pocket watches—these inconspicuous little items were naturally objects of Sherlock's utmost attention.
Even though a certain four-eyes was currently keeping a very low profile wrapped in a loose black cloak, this sharp-eyed, clever waiter still noticed Sherlock's cufflink. Having lived in the affluent district of Hannabal's East Island for so many years, he naturally mistook the Sorcerer for a highly tasteful, refined merchant.
And according to his years of experience, the tips given by this kind of guest were usually exceptionally generous.
Sherlock naturally knew what kind of little calculation this clever waiter was making in his head. He didn't mind it, playing along with the situation. "Yes, it's my first time here. Do you have any interesting places to recommend?"
Instead of answering immediately, the waiter smiled and fished out a palm-sized flyer from his clothes, discreetly slipping it to Sherlock. Upon receiving and looking at it, the latter couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly.
"Talent Trading Market? An auction?"
Sherlock had already learned about this so-called "Talent" Trading Market from Shuraiya, but he hadn't expected to encounter it so quickly.
"Interesting. Tell me more about this place." As he spoke, Sherlock flipped his wrist, producing a 10,000-Berry bill as if by magic.
The smile on the waiter's face grew even more brilliant.
--
Support me & read more advance & fast update chapter on my pa-treon:
pat reon .c-om/windkaze