Chapter 123: Sabo's Hometown
East Blue - Outskirts of the Goa Kingdom
The sunset painted the sky in shades of gold and red. The wind rustled through the wheat fields, and smoke curled from chimneys. The Kingdom of Goa, with its high walls, stood solemn and imposing in the twilight.
On a hill overlooking the kingdom, a 15-year-old Sabo stood quietly.
The wind caught his blond hair, which was longer on the left side, covering a jagged, deep scar—the mark of the Celestial Dragon's cannon fire, the mark of his "death."
He wore a top hat with goggles, a blue tailcoat with a cravat, and his hand rested casually on the metal pipe at his hip.
His gaze was calm, but as he looked at the towering walls of the High Town, a shadow of disgust flickered in his eyes.
"It's still the same..." he murmured. "A rotten core wrapped in gold."
He unconsciously touched the scar over his left eye, a cynical smile touching his lips.
Koala stood behind him. At 16, she had grown into a graceful young woman. She smiled gently. "What's wrong? You finally come back, and you look even more disgusted?"
"No," Sabo shrugged. "It's just ironic... Everything here is exactly the same, but I'm not the kid who used to look up at those gates anymore."
Koala saw the flash of pain in his eyes. "This is just an intel stop. We don't have to stay long. We can leave whenever you want."
Sabo nodded. He was about to turn away when—
Rumble— rumble—
A wooden cart, kicking up dust, was slowly making its way down the dirt road toward the village. It was piled high with meat, and an old couple sat on the driver's bench, laughing and chatting.
"Honey," Rook said, holding the reins, "do you think this is enough meat? Those two brats better be satisfied!"
"It's definitely enough!" Erin patted the sacks lovingly. "Ace has always loved meat, and Luffy's appetite is scary... And with Roy back for a few days, the three of them have been training like crazy. They eat like starving ghosts."
"Hahaha! As long as they don't eat us out of house and home!" Rook's eyes crinkled with laughter. "But seeing them like that makes me happy. Roy's really toughened Ace and Luffy up."
As the cart passed through the village, people stared, marveling at the mountain of meat.
But before they had gone two miles—
BANG!
A gunshot rang out! Dirt exploded in front of the cart, leaving a smoking crater.
"Whoa!"
Rook pulled the reins hard. The horse neighed, and the cart nearly tipped over.
Shadows emerged from the trees. A dozen pirates, wearing bandanas and brandishing weapons, blocked the road completely.
The leader, wearing a blue cloak, grinned, revealing a face full of malice. "Bluejam" stood with his hands on his hips. "Old man, old lady. If you know what's good for you, hand over the meat and the money!"
"Or else... heh heh heh. We're not the reasonable types!"
Rook narrowed his eyes. "Pirates? A bunch of two-bit thugs think they can block my path?"
Erin was calm, gently pulling on his sleeve. "Old man, don't show off. You didn't bring your rifle."
On the hill, Sabo froze.
He stared at the cart—at the grinning faces of the pirates. His heart clenched, and memories from years ago flooded his mind!
The Gray Terminal, burning...
The people, abandoned to the flames...
The Bluejam Pirates were closing in, laughing!
Koala noticed his change in demeanor. "Sabo? What's wrong?"
Sabo took a deep breath and drew his pipe, his voice cold as ice. "Wait here."
FWOOSH!
He vanished, a blur of motion streaking down the hill!
The Bluejam Pirates didn't even have time to react.
"BAM!"
The pipe slammed down, shaking the earth itself!
Bluejam didn't even see who hit him. He was driven into the ground like a nail, his head buried in the dirt. He twitched once and went still.
"Enemy attack—!! Is it the Marines?!"
"No... he's not in uniform!"
"Who the hell are you?!" The pirates panicked, drawing their swords.
But their answer was a tiger descending the mountain.
CLANG!
Porchemy roared, swinging his sword down. The blade cut the air, but just before it hit Sabo, it was caught—and shattered—by a single "Dragon Claw" grip!
CRACK!!
The blade snapped in two. The next second, Sabo's fist slammed into Porchemy's chest!
"GAH!!"
Blood sprayed. Porchemy flew backward like a broken kite, knocking down several of his crewmates before passing out cold.
"Run!! This guy's a monster!!"
"Help meee—!!!"
The remaining pirates broke and ran, throwing down their weapons!
But they didn't get far.
Sabo moved like a phantom, his pipe a blur. Every strike was accompanied by the sound of breaking bones. In seconds, the Bluejam Pirates were groaning on the ground.
Within thirty seconds, the entire crew was annihilated!
The dust settled as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Sabo lowered his pipe, breathing slightly harder. He turned back to the old couple on the cart.
The sunset lit up their faces. Rook looked at him with scrutiny and a hint of approval. Erin was smiling kindly.
"HEY—!! Are you okay?!" A worried shout came from the hill.
Koala leaped down, landing silently. She scanned the unconscious pirates, checked on Sabo, and sighed in relief. "Why did you just rush in like that? You scared me!"
"I'm fine," Sabo said, his voice quieter than before. "Just... an impulse."
Koala frowned but didn't press him, standing by his side.
Rook squinted at the blond boy with the sharp eyes. "Not bad, kid... You a soldier?"
Sabo smiled faintly but didn't deny it.
"Saved our meat and beat up these trash pirates," Rook chuckled, stroking his beard. "A simple 'thank you' won't cover this."
Erin smiled, reaching into a bag and pulling out a piece of braised meat wrapped in oil paper. "Here, young man. Thank you. This was for our grandsons, but please, take a piece."
"Uh... I..."
Sabo paused. He wanted to refuse, but seeing the warmth and trust in her smile, his throat tightened. He couldn't say no.
"If you're not in a hurry," Rook said, slapping the side of the cart, "come back to Dawn Village and have dinner with us. We're making beef stew and spicy hot pot tonight. Plenty of meat, guaranteed to fill you up!"
"Yes," Erin beamed. "Your eyes... they look just like our youngest grandson's."
The words pricked Sabo's heart like a needle.
He stood there, looking at the old couple, at the cart full of meat. The air suddenly felt warmer.
He had a mission. He had planned to leave immediately.
But for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Koala saw his hesitation and winked. "Is that okay? Then we'd be delighted~"
Sabo blinked, then smiled. "...We'd be honored."
The two of them climbed onto the cart, which rumbled slowly down the twilight road toward the village.
Sabo sat on the back, watching the high walls of the Goa Kingdom recede in the distance. He ran his fingers over his pipe, his gaze distant.
But the next second, his eyes sharpened.
"Hm?"
He felt a gaze.
It came from a small grove of trees by the road. A faint killing intent, quickly suppressed, but Sabo had caught it.
He narrowed his eyes, a ripple of thought crossing his mind. "These two old people... they aren't simple."
Under the setting sun, the cart rattled toward the village.
The smell of meat and hearth fires drifted through the air, a scent of "home" that he had long forgotten.
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