When Yasopp Oldest One saw the Thriller Bark, he also noticed it and reported to everyone that he had seen "islands"—there are indeed some small islands in the Calm Belt.
However, Yasopp then noticed something was amiss. There was something resembling a mast on this "island," and upon closer inspection, he discovered that the sail hanging from the central "mast" was painted with a pirate flag!
It's normal to mistake it at first. First, this thing is too big, it's clearly the size of an island. Second, the "Thriller Bark" isn't actually shaped like a ship, and we're currently in the Calm Belt, with only the mainmast hanging the sails, which are drooping a bit because there's no wind.
The entire "Thriller Bark" is more like an oversized washbasin filled with water, with "potted plants" placed in the middle of the basin.
The whole thing is round, and you can distinguish the head and tail. The front has a "big mouth" that can "prey" on ships entering the basin-like "inner sea" of the Thriller Bark.
Once inside, you are surrounded by towering ship hulls like city walls, essentially sailing on someone else's deck, with nowhere to escape. The "bonsai" in the middle, or the land area, is as big as a small island and is where the "crew" live.
As a "three-masted sailing ship," its three masts are not arranged vertically on the deck, but rather one on the central main body, with the other two on the "rim of a basin," forming a triangular arrangement...
Whitebeard met Moria a few months ago, when Moria was still "on the run".
Unexpectedly, several months have passed, and they have already acquired the "Thriller Bark" from the West Blue. It is currently crossing the Calm Belt, intending to enter the Grand Line!
This was the only way he could get in...
After all, given the size of the Terror Trio sailing ship, the Reverse Mountain channel definitely couldn't accommodate it.
Sig just a little curious about how Moria would get to the first half of the Grand Line —which was separated by the Red Line Continent!
Can such a large ship really be coated?
But considering that Fish-Man Island also has a membrane, Sig felt that this ship was still not as big as Fish-Man Island...
After spotting the pirate flag on the ship's mainsail, Red-Hair and his crew snapped out of their shock at the "huge ship" and immediately pounced on it.
This really came to me without any effort at all!
Moria actually came by himself?
Gecko Moria's pirate flag is very complicated. The most noticeable features are his garlic-shaped hair that closely resembles his appearance, as well as bat wings that fit his character design. In addition, there are flame and heart-shaped elements on the flag, making it look quite messy.
"It's Moria's pirate flag!" Shanks was also stunned after hearing Yasopp's description.
Then he suddenly calmed down and said in a deep voice, "Everything is exactly as I expected!"
"Stop lying! You were clearly scared just now, weren't you?" Sig retorted bluntly.
"Anyway... since we've run into Moria by chance, let's go over there," Shanks immediately said to Sig.
It's not Morio at the helm now; it's the Sea King pulling the ship.
Sig was also very curious about how Moria's massive creature managed to navigate the Calm Belt.
It's not surprising that this behemoth isn't afraid of Sea King; it's even larger than a seven-headed sea Sea King, and ordinary Sea King simply can't budge it.
The Red Force approached the massive, Thriller Bark, not so much to board as to approach a small island and prepare to land.
Moria must have been startled too—what's wrong with this kid? My ship is so big, it can't even scare you? It's actually coming right up to you...
If Moria hadn't learned much about Wano Country after escaping, he would probably be quite unfamiliar with Shanks, since Shanks' status isn't yet at the level of "must be mentioned".
After his battle with Whitebeard, Shanks' reputation in the New World will rise significantly, but... Moria wasn't in the New World before!
Seeing a small boat brazenly approaching, Moria wasn't too careless—after all, this was the Calm Belt, and any pirates who could sail here must have something special about them.
As the Red Force approached, the "mouth" of the Thriller Bark opened, revealing a door on the rim of a basin—though not as large as the "Gate of Justice" at Marine Headquarters and Enies Lobby, it still stirred up a small whirlpool on the Calm Belt sea when it opened.
However, thanks to the Sea King pulling it along, the Red Force sailed in steadily under Sig's "command".
Moria was once again impressed; the "newcomers" these days were all incredibly energetic!
By this time, it was already getting dark, especially after entering the "inner sea" of the Thriller Bark, where the high walls of the ship blocked the setting sun, casting long shadows and making it even darker.
Moria didn't send anyone to greet them, Sig had no choice but to continue ordering the Sea King to swim towards the central "island".
The central "island" appears even darker due to the dense trees.
"Moria is a user of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, so nighttime is probably the best time for him to use his abilities," Sig reminded him.
At this time, the name "Gecko Moria" still carried considerable weight—after all, he was Great Pirate who had gone to Kaido ten years prior to challenge him and had once coveted the position of overlord.
Although he failed and was imprisoned by Kaido for ten years, no one doubted his strength.
Shanks' expression also turned serious at this moment...
I didn't intend to clash with Moria, but... Moria's attitude doesn't seem like that of a welcoming guest!
Even after the Red Force "docked," no one came to "greet" him, which Shanks greatly. "Is Moria not here? Or... is this not Moria's ship at all?"
If not, why fly Moria's flag?
Beckman then sneered, "Perhaps... he's no longer the Moria he once was!"
Sig could tell from Beckman's expression that he was much more relaxed.
Although the other party's attitude wasn't exactly welcoming, their act of playing tricks on a "newbie" shows that Moria has already "backed down"!
If it were Moria from ten years ago, even if war were to break out, he would definitely have taken the initiative to declare war, or at least, if he had been careless, he would have sent his men to confront the enemy.
But now he's just engaging in underworld activities here, leading Beckman to deduce that Moria's spirit has waned considerably.
If it were that powerful Great Pirate who actively challenged Kaido and directly confronted Red-Hair and his crew, neither Shanks nor Beckman would dare to be careless. However... a demoralized "master" trying to ambush everyone by playing tricks actually makes them feel less afraid!