And that was precisely why.
Moria both hated and feared Kaido. Over the past few years, he had kept a close eye on the papers, hoping to see news of the man suffering a setback.
And this time, it seemed his wish had finally come true?
"Well, well, well. That idiot really took a beating this time."
As he read on, Moria couldn't help grinning, his eyes brimming with glee at Kaido's misfortune. "A mighty Emperor of the Sea went out personally to fight for a Poneglyph, only to return empty-handed and lose everything he had to boot?"
Though they were thousands of miles apart, he could already imagine just how foul Kaido's mood would be when he slunk back to Onigashima... perhaps he would destroy half the island in a drunken rage?
At that thought.
Moria practically wanted to fetch some red wine and pour himself a glass. Looking at Noah in the newspaper, he found the fellow more likable by the moment. His strength was improving at a downright monstrous pace, too.
No wonder little Perona still couldn't stop thinking about him, even after they had been apart for so long...
Hmm? Perona?
Moria's expression suddenly changed. He jerked his head up and looked in exasperation at the little girl's ghost, which had somehow sprawled itself over his head. "Hey, hey! That's not what the Hollow-Hollow Fruit is for! You didn't make a sound—you nearly scared me to death, you know!"
"Uh..."
Little Perona immediately nodded obediently. "Sorry, Moria. I promise I won't do it again."
"A good child learns from her mistakes."
Moria's heart softened again. Seeing Perona staring at the photo, he couldn't help feeling a little jealous, and said sourly:
"You react like this every time you see news about that fellow. I don't even