Since Roger's public execution, the Great Pirate Era had begun.
In its wake, the Marines launched a campaign of retribution, ruthlessly targeting anyone connected to Roger.
No one associated with Roger was spared.
If not for Garp's intervention, Ace would never have survived to this day.
The large-scale manhunt naturally focused on the remnants of the Roger Pirates, forcing them to flee or go into hiding.
For the Marines, this operation was meant to end only when the last trace of Roger's crew was wiped out.
However, what the Marines never expected was that Roger's parting words, which ignited the Great Pirate Era, also sparked a frenzy among ambitious individuals. One by one, powerful figures emerged on the stage of the seas, turning the manhunt into a logistical nightmare for the Marines.
The sudden explosion in pirate numbers left the Marines overwhelmed, diverting their forces and gradually weakening their pursuit of the Roger Pirates. Over time, the campaign lost steam and eventually ceased altogether.
It's hard to say whether this outcome was part of Roger's grand plan.
What's certain, though, is that his last words not only ushered in a new era but also inadvertently helped his crewmates escape.
After that, the Roger Pirates scattered across the world, many losing contact as the years passed.
Jabba, one of Roger's trusted confidants, remained one of the few to keep in touch with Sol.
Now, with Mad Hat Town in ruins, Sol had no intention of staying in the West Blue. His immediate plan was to head for Jabba's location on Monmon Island, situated in the East Blue.
Monmon Island was a typical small island with no formal government or Marine presence, only a peaceful village with simple folk.
Such isolated islands, lacking Marine protection, were often easy prey for pirates.
But with Jabba residing there in seclusion, the fate of any pirates targeting the island was predictable.
Sol's plan to reach Monmon Island required avoiding Marine detection—a challenging task on its own.
With Shanks' help, however, it became feasible.
As dawn broke, the faint light of day illuminated the scattered embers of last night's campfire.
After a night of revelry, the group had fallen asleep on the ground, utterly carefree.
Sunny was the first to wake—a habit she'd developed in Mad Hat Town.
No matter how late she slept, she always rose early to prepare breakfast for Sol and the others.
This habit wasn't something she could easily change.
Sunny got up, glanced at the still-sleeping Sol and Maude, and headed into the forest.
After some effort, she returned with two wild rabbits and a handful of berries. Back at the campfire, she stoked the embers to life and began roasting the rabbits after cleaning them.
An hour or two later, the aroma of roasted rabbit meat gradually woke the others.
Yasopp was the first to approach, giving Sunny a thumbs-up. "Sunny, you're amazing! Breakfast ready for us already?"
"This isn't for you."
Sunny didn't even glance at him, focused on tending the fire.
"Uh..." Yasopp awkwardly withdrew his thumbs-up.
Half an hour later, while Sol and Maude enjoyed the breakfast Sunny had prepared, the Red-Haired Pirates watched from the side.
Shanks was lucky enough to get a drumstick from Sunny, savoring it with a satisfied grin.
As for the rest, they had to fend for themselves.
By noon, Sabo and his group departed Little Darling Island.
Before leaving, Morley, the gentle giant, expressed his tearful reluctance to part, clearly fond of Maude and Sunny. But his true affection lay with Bailey, who remained indifferent despite Morley's not-so-subtle hints for a hug.
What a joke—no amount of cushioning could save Bailey from one of Morley's "loving" embraces.
Koala hugged Sunny warmly, saying, "We'll meet again."
"Of course," Sunny replied with a smile.
Their shared experiences had forged a close friendship in just a few days.
Sabo shook hands with Maude, smiling. "Until we meet again."
"Take care," Maude said. "And make sure Tatamu gets proper treatment."
"No problem," Sabo assured him.
Tatamu's injuries from Aokiji's freeze attack had left him with severe frostbite. However, the real reason Tatamu couldn't disembark... well, best not to mention it—it would only hurt Morley's feelings.
As the Revolutionary Army's mast ship sailed off into the distance, Sabo explained that their mission to free the slaves had been completed. The liberated individuals would be cared for by the Revolutionary Army in the West Blue.
As for Sabo's group, their next destination was the Grand Line.
"The Grand Line..."
Watching the mast ship grow smaller on the horizon, Maude murmured to himself.
If he ever reached the Grand Line, his first stop would be Little Garden.
The two giants on that island would make for lucrative hunts.
After Sabo's group left, the Red-Haired Pirates also prepared to set sail.
Under Shanks' orders, his crew busied themselves gathering supplies for their journey.
"Monmon Island, in the East Blue..."
Hearing Sol mention their next hideout, Maude was a bit surprised.
After all, the East Blue was known as the "weakest sea."
Still, it was also Garp's home turf.
Sol hadn't mentioned Jabba to Maude and Sunny, so Maude speculated Sol might be planning to lie low under the radar.
Since it was Sol's decision, neither Maude nor Sunny could argue.
"Sunny, do you know anything about Monmon Island?" Maude asked.
"No, I've never heard of it," Sunny replied, shaking her head.
She had lived her entire life in the West Blue. While she kept up with news through newspapers in Mad Hat Town, the name "Monmon Island" had never come up.
"I see." Maude nodded thoughtfully.
It was a shame Sol was tight-lipped, leaving them in the dark about the island.
Still, if it turned out to be lawless like Mad Hat Town, Maude wouldn't mind.
As the Red-Haired Pirates finished resupplying, Maude suddenly remembered the often-overlooked Lafitte.
Lafitte had saved him once, and Maude felt obliged to check on him.
"Lafitte, we're leaving. Are you staying here or...?"
Knowing Lafitte could fly, Maude didn't offer him a ride.
"Let me follow you. What do you think?" Lafitte asked with a smile, his eyes glinting faintly.
Maude was momentarily speechless, unsettled by the strange gleam in Lafitte's gaze.
"Lafitte, um... how do I put this? I know I'm handsome, but I, uh... don't like men. You get what I mean, right?"
"..."
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