Laboon was fast, and Barn and the others had already reached the Calm Belt.
Barn sat on Laboon's head, loosely holding that old fishing rod. Beside him, Fitz wore a nostalgic expression as it brazenly snuck bites of the bait that only it liked to eat.
Clearly, Barn was once again fishing for fish he could never catch.
The scent of the sea filled his nostrils. Though Barn could not see, that did not stop him from taking deep, appreciative breaths.
"Chirp, chirp."
As though it understood its master's thoughts, Fitz let out a few happy chirps too.
"Fitz, you missed this life, didn't you?"
"Chirp, chirp."
Barn asked, and Fitz chirped its answer.
"It really has been a long time."
Barn gazed ahead with his sightless eyes, and the scene of his first arrival on Amazon Lily twenty years ago surfaced once more behind those unfocused eyes.
Barn reached inside his collar and pulled out the Snake Fang Necklace, the symbol of his bond with Amazon Lily, murmuring to himself with a nostalgic expression.
After an unknown stretch of time, Leonard, who had been watching the sea, spotted the outline of an island at the far edge of the calm waters. He put out his cigarette, walked behind Barn, and leaned down to speak softly.
"Mr. Barn."
"Yes, we're almost there."
Barn, too, sensed the familiar presence of Amazon Lily. He patted Laboon, but his words were directed at Fitz.
"We're back, Fitz."
"Chirp, chirp!"
Barn was finally about to reach Amazon Lily, the place where he had been given a new life. What he did not know was that elsewhere, someone else had designs on the island...
Beyo Jack's small, frail figure stood in the lookout tower of the newly built fortress aboard World's pirate ship. He quietly