Times Had Changed

He was telling the truth.

His previous voyages had gone smoothly for the most part. This time, he had suffered a rare setback: a fierce ocean storm.

Against nature's terrifying fury, a warship was as fragile as paper. They had no choice but to steer around the storm, losing more than ten days.

Noah had spent the journey fretting, fully prepared to face Momousagi's wrath. Fortunately, his commanding officer—and wife—seemed to be taking it much better than he had expected.

"As long as you know how hard I've had it lately."

Momousagi gave a soft huff. "I've been doing the work of two people. I've nearly run my legs off... I'm staying aboard the warship to rest during this operation. You're in charge."

"No problem. Leave it to me."

Noah accepted without hesitation, then asked, "Oh, right. Who are we up against?"

He had barely arrived before being pressed into service. He still had no idea what had happened to warrant Momousagi personally leading three whole warships into battle.

"Read this and you'll understand."

Momousagi took a document from the stack beside the bed and tossed it to him.

"The White Dove Pirates, the Explosion Pirates..."

After quickly scanning the files, Noah frowned. Something was off. "Both crews had already entered the Grand Line. Why would they suddenly return to the West Blue at the same time to attack some obscure little branch?"

He had only visited the West Blue once, and most of it was unfamiliar to him. But he happened to know the 329th Branch, the one under attack, quite well.

That was right.

The 329th Branch was stationed on Gulu Island, Shizi and Hina's hometown.

And Colonel Bako, who had sent the request for help, was the same slippery fellow Noah had dealt with twice while inhabiting