Sabo and Ace wore grave expressions as they listened to the strange sounds coming from the lower hold. There was nearly crazed laughter, terrified pleas for mercy, and pained groans.
Listening to the sounds below, both of their expressions changed slightly. They exchanged a glance. Sabo muttered, "Ace, maybe we should leave."
But Ace gritted his teeth. "No. Even if we can't get the pirate ship, we at least need to find out what these pirates are trying to do. If they have some scheme to target Uncertainty Terminal and Foosha Village..."
Sabo drew in a breath and nodded firmly. "All right. Then let's go down and take a look."
The issue now was no longer whether the two of them coveted this pirate ship, but whether this group of pirates would affect the Goa Kingdom!
With that thought, they held their breath and slowly descended the stairs, one step at a time.
The lower hold was dimly lit, with a faint reddish glow. It looked like the blood-filled maw of some beast. The shifting shadows, combined with those chaotic noises, made both their palms sweat.
Just as they were about to reach the lowest level, they suddenly felt a faint chill wind blow across their backs. Startled, they hurriedly turned around, only to see Lion Richie sticking out his huge head at the stairway entrance, peering at them timidly.
Only then did they let out a breath. Ace said irritably, "What are you doing there, you stupid lion..."
Suddenly, Lion Richie's protruding head seemed startled by Ace's words and opened its mouth slightly. It immediately lost its balance and went rolling down the stairs, tumbling to their feet.
"Ahhh!" Seeing Lion Richie's head, the two were so frightened that their eyes bulged and their mouths fell open—especially since the