Another three days flew by!
That day, in the waters around Poppy Island.
The sun was setting, and red clouds swirled across the horizon. It would be dark in less than half an hour.
A pirate ship rose and fell with the waves. It was the Oro Jackson.
After learning that Big Mom had no Road Poneglyphs, Roger and his crew had come here.
Their goal was to get rubbings of the two Road Poneglyphs in the hands of the Richest Group.
"Captain, are you sure you want to go alone?"
On deck, Rayleigh furrowed his brow.
The other crew members also looked at Roger with concern.
"We're only here to make rubbings. There's no need to clash with the Richest Group. The World Government has already guessed what we're after. If the Richest Group holds us up, we'll run into trouble we don't need."
Roger looked at Poppy Island, which was barely larger than a fingernail from this distance. He planned to sneak in alone and make rubbings of the two Road Poneglyphs without anyone noticing.
He didn't want to invite unnecessary trouble.
If he could settle this simply, why complicate things?
"Then be careful. We can go ashore and back you up at any time."
Gaban blew smoke rings. The others said nothing more.
They all knew Roger's temperament. Once he'd made up his mind, he wouldn't change it easily.
"Okay!"
Meanwhile, on Poppy Island, the night's festivities were just getting started.
The streets were already festooned with lights and decorations. They bustled with people and excitement, and every tavern, Red Light District, casino, and bathhouse was packed.
There were pirates and thugs, as well as mobsters and pirate hunters.
Others were from various organizations doing business with the Richest Group, such as those in the pharmaceutical industry.