"Phew, I'm so tired... I can't go on anymore…"
"There are still forty minutes left."
"What?! That long?!"
"If you have the energy to complain, why not focus more on your training?"
"I really can't…"
"Usopp, you give up far too easily. If this is all you can manage, then we're done here."
"I-I get it!"
Twenty five days later.
In the forest near the western coastline, Maude sat on a boulder, calmly observing Usopp as he pushed through a grueling physical training session.
For the past few weeks, Maude had been staying in the forest, personally training Usopp.
During this time, Usopp repeatedly invited Maude to stay at his house, but Maude declined every time.
At first, Usopp wouldn't give up, mentioning it at least five times a day.
Eventually, Maude couldn't stand it anymore and explained his reasoning: after dealing with Captain Kuro, he had chosen not to show himself in the village to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Since he planned to stay here for at least twenty more days, drawing the attention of the Marines would disrupt Usopp's training and might even put him at risk.
Hearing this, Usopp finally gave up on the idea of having Maude stay at his home.
Under Maude's step-by-step guidance, Usopp showed surprising determination. From being unable to handle even the simplest drills to now enduring high-intensity training, he had started to show real progress.
Even after Maude left, as long as Usopp stuck to this routine daily, he would undoubtedly experience a transformation in a few years.
As for the concept and principles of Observation Haki, Maude had already instilled them in Usopp's mind.
Although it would take time for Usopp to master, he had the potential for it. Awakening his Haki was simply a matter of time.
"So slow, Lafitte…"
Maude glanced back toward the coastline.
Initially, he had estimated that Lafitte and the others would arrive in twenty days. But today marked the twenty-fifth day, and there was still no sign of them.
"They couldn't have run into trouble, could they?"
The thought lingered in Maude's mind.
A few hours later.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, its warm orange glow receded from the forest toward the coastline.
Usopp, having completed his daily training, collapsed on the ground in exhaustion.
While Usopp rested, Maude practiced his Stealth Walk technique.
During the day, Maude focused on supervising Usopp's training, but at night, he dedicated time to honing his own skills.
After twenty-five days of persistent effort, he had just barely scratched the surface of the technique.
This movement-based skill, which emphasized precision and control, required time and effort to master fully. Until then, it was best left unused in actual combat.
Maude pressed the tip of his foot to the ground, then lifted and dropped it, leaving behind a faint afterimage.
Though the motion appeared light, it carried significant force.
With a soft sound, Maude's figure vanished abruptly, followed by a ripple of dust spreading outward from the ground like concentric circles.
Ripples of dust fanned out in all directions, creating an otherworldly effect.
Usopp, watching this scene, couldn't help but feel as though he were witnessing a supernatural display.
Although he had memorized the principles of Stealth Walk, he had no idea when he would be able to master it himself.
Crash!
While practicing, Maude miscalculated and collided with a tree, breaking it in half and revealing his position.
"A long way to go…"
Maude looked at the fallen tree, sighing.
The experience he had gained from tirelessly practicing Moonwalk on Monmon Island had helped him greatly, yet mastering Stealth Walk remained a challenging endeavor.
Maude ventured deeper into the forest and returned shortly with a haul of river fish.
He skillfully set up a campfire and began roasting the fish on skewers.
By then, Usopp had recovered enough to sit up and eyed the fish hungrily.
Twenty minutes passed.
Maude suddenly looked up.
Reacting instinctively, Usopp followed Maude's gaze and asked, "Is it ready to eat?"
"They're finally here."
Maude didn't answer Usopp's question but instead turned toward the direction of the coastline.
"Huh?"
Usopp blinked, confused, but he looked toward the same direction as Maude.
A few seconds later, footsteps echoed through the forest.
Someone was approaching—no, more than one person.
The sound grew louder until several figures emerged from the dim light of the forest.
"Hohoho."
A familiar laugh echoed through the woods.
"Who's there?!"
Before he could make out their faces, Usopp felt an inexplicable pressure and tensed up.
"Relax, they're my crewmates."
Maude's calm assurance made Usopp exhale in relief, though the tension didn't entirely leave his body.
Hearing Maude's words, Usopp observed the newcomers more closely as they stepped into the clearing.
What a strong-looking group!
His gaze landed on Jim, a muscular, stoic man with an imposing presence.
Then, he noticed Lafitte—tall and eerily pale. What's with that ghostly white face? Is he wearing makeup? No... this guy feels dangerous.
Lafitte caught Usopp's glance and responded with a sly smirk, causing Usopp to quickly avert his gaze.
Finally, Usopp's eyes landed on a beautiful woman.
What a stunning lady!
As he stared at Gaya, his eyes lit up.
So, these are Maude's crewmates...
Usopp pondered silently.
He kept his focus on Gaya and the others, completely unaware that a white figure had appeared beside him.
Bailey sidled up to Usopp, unceremoniously grabbing a skewer of grilled fish. Ignoring the heat, he took a big bite.
"Bleh, disgusting."
Bailey tilted his head and spat out the fish before sticking the half-eaten skewer back onto the rack.
It was only then that Usopp noticed Bailey's presence and jumped in fright.
"A talking tanuki!"
"You're the tanuki! Look closer—I'm a noble white weasel. If it weren't for the fact that you're Yasopp's kid, I'd knock you out with one punch, and you wouldn't wake up until the day after tomorrow!"
Bailey's fury flared as he waved his tiny fists at Usopp.
Since the addition of Jim to the crew—a new member who ranked below him—Bailey had become noticeably more arrogant.
Hearing his father's name, Usopp realized that this weasel-like creature wasn't someone to trifle with. He lowered his head submissively and didn't dare argue.
Meanwhile, Maude nodded toward both Lafitte and Jim before turning to Gaya, who greeted him with her signature squinted smile.
"Gaya, you've come at the right time. I'll leave these grilled fish to you."
"Sure."
Gaya nodded and sat naturally beside Maude. She took a glance at the dozen or so skewers of fish, haphazardly placed without any care for presentation, and began to rearrange them.
When her eyes landed on the skewer Bailey had bitten into, she paused. Picking it up, she tossed it directly to Bailey.
"Eat it."
Gaya smiled as she looked at him.
Feeling the weight of her squinted gaze, Bailey didn't hesitate. He swallowed the fish, bones and all.
Seeing Bailey comply, Gaya nodded in satisfaction. She then pulled out a spice jar from her pocket and started seasoning the rest of the fish.
Maude watched the scene unfold with a smile.
He didn't question Gaya's reasons for joining nor make any formal remarks about welcoming her. It was as if her addition to the crew was as natural as eating or drinking water.
And Gaya's presence was undoubtedly a boon for the team.
Her individual combat skills, honed under Gaban's tutelage, were one thing. But her ability to consistently provide nourishing, morale-boosting meals was equally valuable.
Jim and Lafitte also took their seats. However, the dozen or so grilled fish were clearly insufficient, so Jim soon stood up and went back to the mast ship to bring more ingredients.
Gaya began preparing dinner.
Maude and Lafitte started chatting, eventually discussing Sunny, who had left with Sabo's group.
"So Sunny's ventured out to sea too."
Thinking of the little treasure hoarder, Maude couldn't help but smile.
Once everyone was settled, they planned to establish a stable communication channel.
For that, they might be able to seek technological support from the Revolutionary Army.
Maude thought about it briefly but quickly dismissed the idea.
It was too far off to consider right now.
Lafitte, twirling his cane, asked, "Now that everyone's here, when do we set sail?"
"Tomorrow. Before that, let Jim and Gaya head to town to stock up on supplies. If we have enough provisions, we won't need to stop mid-journey and can head straight to Reverse Mountain at full speed."
Maude didn't hesitate with his reply.
They had already spent enough time in the East Blue. With the World Summit over, lingering here any longer would only increase the danger.
"Carrying too many supplies could slow us down," Lafitte suggested, placing his cane across his lap.
"I checked the charts. Near the entrance to the Grand Line, there's a town called Loguetown. We can resupply there, so there's no need to overburden ourselves from the start."
"We're not going there."
Maude shook his head.
Lafitte raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why not?"
"Loguetown is near the entrance to the Grand Line. Almost every pirate crew heading there will stop to resupply. Is there any better place for an ambush?"
Maude's tone was calm.
"We've lingered in the East Blue too long. Without the cover of the World Summit, the Navy's forces will have more freedom to act. It's entirely possible they'll set a trap for us in Loguetown."
"Besides, our crew is small. The pressure of provisioning for long voyages is relatively low. Heading straight for Reverse Mountain shouldn't pose too much of an issue."
Hearing Maude's reasoning, Lafitte gave it serious thought.
The possibility was real.
They had eliminated the royal family of Nandekar, who were en route to the World Summit, along with two Marine battleships.
Such a heinous act would surely provoke a response from Marine Headquarters. With the summit over, it wasn't surprising that they'd make a move.
Considering the risks, Lafitte leaned toward Maude's decision and nodded in agreement, offering no objections.
Still...
Lafitte glanced at the silent Jim and the drooling Bailey.
Maude caught Lafitte's look and immediately understood the unspoken concern.
At that moment, Lafitte turned his gaze back to Maude.
Their eyes met briefly.
No words were necessary—they both realized the issue at hand.
"Let them endure for a while," Maude said, shaking his head slightly.
"That's all we can do."
Lafitte nodded.
With Bailey, whose appetite was insatiable, and now Jim, the crew's daily food consumption was anything but modest despite their small numbers.
"What are you guys talking about?"
Bailey leaned in curiously, looking at the two of them.
Maude and Lafitte turned to Bailey, sharing a silent moment of mutual understanding before falling silent once more.
"???"
Bailey tilted his head, utterly baffled by their strange expressions.
Half an hour later.
Gaya had prepared a sumptuous dinner.
Maude took a few bites, savoring the intricate flavors that seemed to dance on his tongue. Compared to the bland, saltless meals they'd been eating recently, this was a feast.
"Having a skilled chef on board really is a blessing," he remarked sincerely.
For long voyages, a talented chef was indispensable.
Delicious food not only eased the crew's mental stress but also ensured they maintained peak physical condition with balanced nutrition.
More importantly, Gaya's culinary expertise elevated these benefits to their fullest potential.
The crew began devouring the meal ravenously.
Gaya smiled silently.
For Usopp, it was his first time tasting such exquisite food. Amid his frenzied eating, a sense of melancholy crept into his heart.
He knew Maude wouldn't stay here forever, but he hadn't expected them to leave as soon as tomorrow.
As night deepened,
The campfire in the forest blazed brighter and brighter.
The following morning.
At dawn, Usopp accompanied Jim and Gaya to the neighboring town to purchase supplies.
By noon, they returned to the shoreline with a large haul of provisions.
With the supplies loaded, it was time to set sail.
Maude emerged from the cabin, carrying a prepared pouch of money. He leapt down from the ship and approached Usopp.
From the deck, Lafitte and the others leaned against the railing, watching the interaction between Maude and Usopp.
"Take it."
Maude handed Usopp a bag of money containing ten million Berries.
"What's this?"
Usopp took the bag, opened it, and nearly jumped in shock.
He had never seen so much money in his life.
Maude patted Usopp on the shoulder.
"Usopp, if you want to get stronger quickly, sheer effort alone won't cut it. Use this money to buy meat every day. Remember, whether it's training or nutrition, never slack off."
"Maude..."
Tears welled up in Usopp's eyes.
"And this—wear it on you."
Maude pulled out Usopp's core gear.
The teardrop-shaped device was strung onto a cord, forming a unique necklace.
Usopp took the necklace, lips trembling but silent.
Maude smiled and said, "The flintlock that carried this core gear was your father's first gun, the one he gave to me. It holds extraordinary meaning for me—and now, for you too."
"Maude, I..."
"Take it. Think of it as a protective charm from your dad."
Maude smiled at the teary-eyed Usopp.
"It's time for us to go. Take care of yourself."
"Mm."
Usopp nodded heavily, letting his tears stream down.
Maude patted Usopp's shoulder once more before turning and heading for the mast ship.
Usopp watched Maude's back silently.
"Maude!"
"Hm?"
Maude stopped by the mast ship, turning to face Usopp.
Usopp sniffled, nervously asking, "C-Can I call you my teacher?"
"Haha, of course!"
Maude leapt onto the mast ship, where Lafitte had already adjusted the sails to the perfect angle.
Whoosh!
The sails caught the wind, and the mast ship began to sail away from the shore.
"Teacher!"
"Safe travels!"
Usopp stood on the shore, shouting with all his might.
Maude waved back at Usopp.
As the mast ship sailed into the distance, Usopp wiped his tears and runny nose, clenching his fists instinctively.
When he became strong enough, he, too, would set out to sea!
The mast ship cut through the waves.
Lafitte focused on navigating, while Jim stood ready at the helm.
Maude lounged in a chair, soaking up the sun. Nearby, Gaya flipped through a book.
"Is Usopp a relative of yours?"
Gaya closed the book she'd just finished reading. Perhaps out of boredom, she asked the question.
Maude took a sip of iced lemonade before replying, "No."
"Oh."
Gaya looked puzzled.
Maud glanced at her, explaining, "Usopp's father once helped me greatly."
Gaya nodded in understanding.
"By the way, I've been practicing a technique recently called Stealth Walk. If you're interested, I could teach you."
Maude set down his lemonade and walked to the open deck.
His words caught everyone's attention.
"Watch closely. I'll demonstrate it once."
With that, Maude lifted onto his tiptoes. In an instant, he activated Stealth Walk, vanishing from sight.
Lafitte, Gaya, Jim, and Bailey all stared in surprise at where Maude had just been.
The next moment, Maude reappeared two meters off the side of the ship—over the open sea.
Splash!
Maud plunged into the water.
"(⊙o⊙)..." x4.
A brief silence followed.
Gaya jumped to her feet.
Lafitte rushed to the ship's edge.
Bailey remained unbothered, even stuffing more snacks into his mouth.
Jim, closest to the water, dived straight in.
Butterfly-stroking over, Jim sent a spray of water into Maude's face.
"Jim, I can swim."
Maude wiped the water off his face.
Jim nodded but still hoisted Maude onto his shoulders before swimming back to the mast ship.
Ten days later.
In Loguetown, a marine warship docked at the harbor.
Gion, better known as Momousagi (Pink Rabbit), stepped off the gangplank and onto the pier.
Waiting for her at the dock was a formation of Marines led by Smoker.
Smoker eyed Momousagi, recently promoted to Vice Admiral, and considered the Navy Headquarters' evident seriousness about Bacardi Maude.
Still, Momousagi's personal involvement likely had Aokiji's influence behind it.
"Do they think I'm no match for Bacardi Maude?"
Smoker frowned silently, recalling Aokiji's casual demeanor.
Meanwhile, Maude and his crew had already crossed Reverse Mountain.
-------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here: patreon.com / emperorgarus
There are more than 100 advance chapters available for you!