Brook looked at the Moore Thomas family. The World Economic News Agency had only just begun to rise; it was not yet the all-powerful Big News of the Great Pirate Era, one of the great forces among the six underground emperors.
"Mr. Moore Thomas, I feel a special fondness for Morgans. I'd like to take him as my godson. Would that be all right? Of course, only the few of us will know about this. We won't make it public."
Brook stepped forward and playfully reached for Morgans in Monice's arms. Monice was Moore Thomas's wife, a kind and virtuous woman.
"Mr. Brook, this is an honor for Morgans. You saved our whole family. From now on, we're family."
Moore Thomas was delighted to become family with his idol through such a close bond.
"Moore, call me Big Brother Brook. 'Mr. Brook' sounds too formal."
Monice also felt that Brook, with his formidable strength, could guide Morgans. The World Economic News Agency was now facing the World Government's oppression and was in danger, so it needed to prepare another way out.
"That's right, that's right, Big Brother Brook. From now on, you're Morgans's godfather, and we're brothers!"
Moore Thomas rubbed his hands excitedly, seeming quite pleased with the title.
"I know a little about the predicament you're in. I'll expand my forces as quickly as I can and take over Sky Island, so you can move to the safest place in the sky!"
Brook made the promise to Moore Thomas, though in his heart, he was thinking of bringing the rising World Economic News Agency under his command.
"Sky Island? Big Brother Brook, Sky Island is just a legend. Don't believe those rumors about islands in the sky. They can easily get people killed!"
In this era, even Moore Thomas, the head of a news agency, had never obtained any reliable reports confirming Sky Island's existence, so he didn't believe in it either.
"Leave it to me. When you get back to Sabaody Archipelago, be extra careful and keep a low profile for a while."
Brook held Morgans and played with him for a bit, bringing the topic to a close.
"Can you buy an Eternal Pose in Sabaody Archipelago?"
Brook needed to expand his forces and recruit more crew as quickly as possible. He couldn't follow the sea route and stop at every island one by one; that would waste too much time.
"Big Brother Brook, leave that to me. I have a few connections. Just tell me which island's Eternal Pose you need, and I'll get it for you!"
Moore Thomas thumped his chest and took responsibility for it. Brook also mentioned that he wanted to buy a batch of Den Den Mushi, and Moore Thomas took care of that as well.
The two ships continued toward Sabaody Archipelago, one following the other. The pirate ship Brook had seized had thrown away its pirate flag and hoisted the World Economic News Agency's seagull emblem instead.
Brook had finally made it through his first day of meeting people without incident. He had recruited a crew member and taken the first step forward.
"Big Brother Brook, we've reached Sabaody Archipelago."
Brook walked out of the captain's cabin and saw the silhouette of an enormous mangrove.
Yarukiman Mangrove was said to be the largest mangrove in the world. Its roots remained above the water, gathering soil until Sabaody Archipelago had formed.
Sabaody Archipelago's most distinctive feature was the special natural resin secreted by the roots of Yarukiman Mangrove as they breathed. The resin swelled into bubbles when exposed to the air, then floated into the sky. It was also an important material for coating pirate ships so they could pass through Fish-Man Island.
Because the bubbles could only exist in the climate around Yarukiman Mangrove, once they left Sabaody Archipelago's climate zone, the resin couldn't fully exert its properties, and the bubbles burst.
"How spectacular!"
This was Brook's first time on the island, and it was so breathtaking that he couldn't describe it in words.
"There are seventy-nine groves here, and each area is controlled by different forces. Our news agency's headquarters is on the sightseeing street in Grove 49."
Moore Thomas explained that their ship was docked at the port in Grove 50, where a shipyard company would look after it.
As for the ordinary slaves they had rescued, Moore Thomas had a guard take them to the Navy base in the sixties and leave them there.
Sabaody Archipelago's districts were clearly divided:
Groves 1 to 29: Mostly human-trafficking shops, human auctions, the Lawless Zone, and other places.
Groves 30 to 39: Mostly soap bubble parks and the like.
Groves 40 to 49: Mostly sightseeing areas, specialty shops, and the like.
Groves 50 to 59: Mostly shipyards, coating craftsmen, and the like.
Groves 60 to 69: Mostly Navy bases, government entrances and exits, and the like.
Groves 70 to 79: Mostly hotel streets and the like.
Moore Thomas's family and the few remaining guards took Brook and Antonio back to the World Economic News Agency's headquarters.
This put the family at ease. There were plenty of guards here, and the World Government's people probably wouldn't dare barge in and try to kill them in broad daylight.
Brook was fascinated by the island, too. Bubble Cars, bubble Ferris wheels, houses built on bubbles... Bubble culture permeated every corner of Sabaody Archipelago!
He exchanged the treasure he'd taken from the Disco Pirates with Moore Thomas for tens of millions of berries in cash, then chose to go sightseeing with Antonio.
His appearance had changed quite a lot. His dark skin had turned pale, he'd lost his top hat, and he'd tied up his afro, giving him a low-budget version of the Wind Swordsman Yasuo's hairstyle. No one should be able to recognize him for the time being.
At a nearby clothing store, he and Antonio changed into new white shirts, black coats, fitted casual trousers, and combat boots. They both felt completely refreshed.
"Thank you, Captain!"
Antonio was overjoyed. Brook treated him even better than his parents had.
"Use your ability and listen for places where you hear lots of Den Den Mushi."
Den Den Mushi were strategic creatures, and most were sold on the black market. There were very few legitimate shops; those were run by the World Government to supply the Navy and merchants, and Navy patrols were often present. Pirates usually didn't dare buy Den Den Mushi from those official stores.
"Got it, Captain."
Moore Thomas had planned to buy some Den Den Mushi for Brook at a shop, but Brook wanted more, so he wanted to try both options. He brought Antonio out to look for the black market.
"Captain, I hear them! Lots of little snails chatting! I'll take you there!"
Antonio was especially excited in his new clothes and eagerly followed Brook's instructions. He led the way, turning left and right until they had reached the Lawless Zone in the twenties.
Since this was the only route to the New World, countless pirates, merchants, and bounty hunters gathered here. There were plenty of human traffickers, too. The trade in humans, rare races, mermaids, and Fish-Men was all tacitly permitted.
In a sense, the island was rotten. The Celestial Dragons also liked coming here to pick out slaves, which made the place flourish even more—and grow even darker.
"Captain, I found it."
Antonio shouted excitedly, drawing plenty of eyes. Frightened, he ducked behind Brook. Brook's lifeless, deep-blue eyes swept over the crowd, and the temperature seemed to drop several degrees. The onlookers hurried back to what they were doing and stopped paying attention to them.
Before you continue