"Tch, cheapskates. The three of them only had a little over a thousand Belly combined," Ace said in exasperation.
"And all of it's torn at the corners. Who knows if it's even spendable."
"It is. I know a bank that takes this kind of money—they just deduct a fee," Sabo replied.
"That's shady."
"Yeah, it is. Every last one of them is a bloodsucker."
Sabo spread his hands and cursed with a displeased expression, "Those people are all rotten scum."
The two of them pocketed the confiscated money and left, heading in the direction of the forest outside.
"Hey, Sabo, how do you know so much? Did you used to live in the city?"
"Ace, didn't we agree not to ask about each other's pasts?"
"Oh, right. Sorry."
"It's fine. I forgive you."
"Hehehe." "Hihihi!"
Moses watched them walk away before emerging from behind the trash mountain. Crow Dabao also flew down.
"Follow those two. Stay in the air—I'll catch up with you later."
"Caw~ Me, safe, careful."
Crow Dabao took off into the sky, carrying the package of wild honey.
Moses approached the three unconscious men and stared at them expressionlessly.
A moment later.
He left. They weren't dead—since those two brats hadn't killed them, Moses wouldn't overstep either.
However, they would no longer have the means to commit violence in the future.
Perhaps it was a double standard, but that was just how Moses was. This was to prevent them from holding a grudge and striking back in secret later.
When it came to human nature, Moses never overestimated it.
There were saints in this world, but most people were just ordinary.
Moses made his way toward the coast, arriving at the edge of the "Gray Terminal" near the shoreline, gazing at the endless expanse of blue sea before him.
The water was calm.
This area was now completely empty, with only a simple dock but not a single ship moored there.
"No pirates?"
"Never mind, then."
Since there was no target to pursue, Moses had no intention of lingering to breathe in the foul air any longer.
It was unbearable.
The stench of burnt household waste mixed with all sorts of indescribably strange odors was practically lethal.
Before long, Moses returned to the forest's border.
With a single step,
he re-entered the woods.
Taking deep breaths, he circulated Qi throughout his body, exchanging it with the fresh air, refreshing his entire spirit.
Bliss!
Using Observation Haki, he sensed Crow Dabao's location—and also the positions of those two brats.
Without further delay, Moses strode through the forest.
One after another, towering trees with trunks at least five or six meters in diameter passed by.
Rustle, rustle!
Pushing aside the obstructing bushes, Moses emerged and looked up, pinpointing Crow Dabao soaring in the sky. About ten meters away, on a thick branch of a tree that appeared to be a hundred meters tall, he spotted two small figures.
They were at least twenty meters up.
The two were crouched there, wiggling their butts for who knows what reason. Moses couldn't be bothered to use Observation Haki to peek.
Cheerfully stepping up to the base of the tree, Moses entered a state of Unity of Heaven and Man, lightly masking his presence. His fingers dug into the rough bark as he swiftly climbed upward.
A dozen seconds later.
Moses sat on a higher branch, looking down at the storage space hollowed out from the trunk below.
Inside, a sparse collection of jewelry, coins, and gold and silver items were stored.
"Ace, we're one step closer to our goal."
"Goal? You still want to set sail? To do what? Become a pirate? A marine? Or something else?"
Sabo looked at Ace with some confusion. "In this era, pirates are the freest, so unless something changes, I'll become one. What about you?"
"I don't know yet. Haven't decided. Moses hasn't said anything either. I'll ask him later, see what he wants to do.
But a pirate?
Kinda don't feel like it. Seems kinda lame. Just hoisting a pirate flag feels like it'd bring a lot of trouble."
At this, Ace thought of Garp—and his fists. He had a feeling that if he ever said he wanted to be a pirate in front of him, he'd get beaten to a pulp.
The thought made his eyes flicker with fear. That freakishly strong old man.
"Moses? I've heard you mention that name a lot. Mind telling me about him? Not that I'm prying or anything—just curious. Up to you whether you say anything or not. No pressure."
"Pfft!"
Suddenly, laughter rang out above them. Both boys jumped, nearly leaping out of their skins.
They looked up, stunned. Sabo stared in horror—he hadn't sensed a thing.
Ace, meanwhile, first froze, then lit up with excitement, before his face rapidly darkened, cycling through shades of anger.
Sabo watched Moses with wary tension, but Ace shot to his feet, baring his teeth as he pointed and roared:
"Are you insane?! You trying to scare me to death?! Moses, you looking for a beating?! Get down here right now—see if I don't make you kneel and call me 'big bro'!"
Sabo blinked at Ace's incoherent rant, only catching two words before turning his gaze to the figure perched above. He murmured:
"Moses?"
Moses grinned cheerfully, waving at Ace first. "Yo, my foolish little brother! Long time no see!"
Ignoring Ace's darkened expression, he turned to Sabo. "Yo, I'm Moses. You're Sabo, right? Ace's friend."
Hopping down from the branch, Moses landed steadily in front of them, still grinning.
Sabo studied him curiously. "How'd you know my name? We've never met before."
Moses suddenly leaped back, dodging a furious punch, then pressed down with his left hand to block Ace's rising kick.
He sighed, giving Ace a disappointed look. "This how you greet someone after so long?
I don't remember teaching you that."
Ace's anger flared. Glaring at his trapped leg, he snapped, "Let go!"
Moses smirked, yanking his leg and flinging him sideways. Ace went airborne, most of his body flung over the edge.
A startled yelp escaped him.
Moses sidestepped, left arm dangling over the trunk as Ace hung upside-down in midair.
Kicking wildly, Ace shouted in frustration, "Pull me up! Now!"
Amidst the clamor around him, Moses plopped down on a tree branch, swinging his left arm back and forth, deliberately preventing Ace from climbing up.
He was just playing around like this.
At that moment, Moses looked at Sabo before him, nodded with a smile, and gave him a once-over, leaving Sabo utterly bewildered.
"Didn't Ace just call your name earlier?"
"I'm not deaf, I heard it. But you two sure have guts, daring to snatch food from those desperados in the garbage dump."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Moses felt the struggling force on his left hand weaken. He turned his head and met Ace's guilty eyes.
"Was it you? Did you save me earlier? Moses?"
Ace pressed his lips together as he asked.
Sabo also stared at Moses in surprise.
"Yeah, it was me," Moses replied straightforwardly. Then, he added, "Ace, why didn't you swing your axe back then? Or dodge?"
Lowering his head and seeing Ace fall silent, Moses chuckled. "I won't lecture you, but remember—you're my only little brother. If you die, I'd be really upset."
With that, Moses yanked his left hand and pulled Ace up onto the branch.
Ace sat up and looked at Moses, silent for a moment before saying, "Sorry, I won't do it again."
Moses waved his hand dismissively and turned to Sabo. "You shouldn't apologize to me—it's Sabo you owe an apology to. He's your partner."
Hearing this, Sabo quickly waved his hands, looking a little embarrassed. "No need, Ace already apologized to me. Oh, here, take this back."
As he spoke, Sabo pulled the scalpel embedded in the tree trunk and handed it to Moses.
A thoughtful glint flashed in Moses' eyes as he took it. With his right hand, he pulled a sheath from the pouch at his waist, fitting the blade snugly into it.
Then, he handed it back to Sabo with a smile. "First time meeting you, and I don't have a gift prepared. This little knife is one of my proudest works—if you don't mind, take it."
Sabo's eyes lit up, but he hesitated. "This must be really valuable, right? The craftsmanship is better than any weapon I've ever seen."
Moses shook his head with a laugh. "You're a friend Ace approves of. If you don't mind, I'm your friend too. A meeting gift between friends—don't be shy, just take it."
Seeing Sabo still hesitating, Ace clicked his tongue. "If Moses gives it to you, just take it. He's treating you as a friend."
Hearing Ace's words, Sabo grinned and accepted it happily, unable to contain his excitement.
"Thanks, Moses! I love it!"
Delighted, he pulled the scalpel out of the sheath and slid it back in repeatedly, playing with it—tucking it into his pocket one moment, then hiding it in his sleeve the next.
The smile on his face was unstoppable.
Ace watched with a hint of envy, glancing at Moses' waist pouch. He blinked and feigned nonchalance.
"Looks like you've got more. Where'd you buy it? I've got money now—can you get me one too?"
Moses grinned.
"Call me 'bro.'"
Ace's eyes widened. After a moment's thought, he decided it wasn't a bad deal and immediately grinned.
"Bro, I want a knife."
Rolling his eyes, Moses felt like he was getting the short end of the stick, but after some thought, he figured it didn't matter. He could always forge more blades if needed.
He rummaged through his bag with his right hand and casually pulled out one of the remaining four scalpels, handing it to Ace.
Ace took it, unsheathing the blade from its cover, and gleefully examined it. The seamless integration of blade and hilt, along with the intricate grain running through the entire piece, made him reluctant to put it down.
Watching Ace, Moses said, "Gramps is here too. This time, he says he's going to train us. Brace yourself."
Ace's face visibly darkened, and he gulped.
"No way. Seriously?"
Moses shrugged.
At that moment, Sabo chimed in, "Gramps? Your grandfather?"
Moses suddenly grinned at him. "Oh right, Sabo, wanna come train with us?"
Sabo hesitated. Though he was curious and eager, he replied, "I'll pass. I don't even know your grandfather, so I shouldn't intrude."
"Perfect, then you're coming with us. What are friends for if not to suffer together?" Moses said with a laugh.
Ace also smirked mischievously, egging him on. "Yeah, Sabo, come with us. Aren't we good friends?"
Hearing this, Sabo grew even more intrigued. He was already curious about the third person Ace often mentioned alongside their trio.
He'd already met Moses and become friends.
Now, only the mysterious grandfather and foster mother remained.
A thrill of discovery surged through him.
"Caw!"
Crow Dabao descended from the sky, landing on a branch beside Moses. He glanced curiously at the glittering treasure hidden in the hollow of the tree before croaking hoarsely:
"Mei, Gramps… here."
Ace and Sabo's eyes widened in unison as they gasped, "The crow can talk?!"
Moses tilted his head, extending his Observation Haki outward, sensing Garp's presence in the distance.
He wasn't entirely surprised, but still puzzled. Turning to Ace and Sabo, then back at the treasure stashed in the hollowed-out tree, he said,
"Let's go. Gramps is looking for you. We should head over."
The two boys quickly forgot about the talking crow, scrambling to clean up.
They carefully sealed the hollowed-out section of the trunk with the piece they'd removed.
Ace urged, "Hurry, let's get away from here fast. Our secret treasure can't be discovered."
Sabo beside him nodded vigorously.
Both then turned to Moses and said in unison, "Come on, let's climb down."
Unconsciously, they overlooked the fact that Moses had only just learned about their treasure.
Moses chuckled but didn't mind, swiftly descending the tree with them.
Following his guidance, they ran toward Garp's location.
Minutes later, the crow soared overhead while the three boys dashed across the ground.
Suddenly, they skidded to a halt. Standing before them was an incredibly burly middle-aged man wearing a floral-print beach shorts, a short-sleeved shirt, and flip-flops.
While the brothers remained silent, Sabo gaped at Garp, unable to hold back his thoughts:
"Whoa. So this is your grandfather?"
Garp had arrived at the Dadan Family Home early that morning, fully intending to immediately begin "training" his grandsons—or rather, beating some sense into them.
But when he heard Ace had vanished at dawn, he was displeased. Then, learning Moses had also shown up early before disappearing, his mood soured further.
At this moment, looking at yet another kid who had appeared before him—one whose physical constitution Garp could tell was only slightly inferior to Ace's—an amused glint flashed in his eyes:
"Kid, what's your name?"
His voice wasn't loud and was rather gentle, yet Sabo inexplicably felt a hint of tension. He immediately straightened up and bowed respectfully:
"Hello, my name is Sabo. I'm a little over five and a half years old. I'm friends with Ace and Moses. You must be their grandfather, right?"
The amusement in Garp's eyes deepened. This kid had decent danger perception. Clearing his throat, he said, "Good. I am indeed their grandfather. So I take it you're prepared too?"
Sabo looked bewildered: "Huh?"
Moses gave Garp a strange look—the faint but formidable aura he'd just exuded had been quite intense.
"Grandpa, where are we going to train?"