The level of danger there is on a completely different scale compared to Paradise. Not to mention, the pirates active there almost have Dual-Colored Haki as standard, not to mention all the Four Emperors reside there, along with various monster-level powerhouses lurking...
"You're so strong, you might not be able to understand how we feel, big brother."
Nojiko said softly:
"In such a place, if we face a Great Pirate Gang, even you, big brother, might not be able to overturn the entire scene alone. We also want to contribute at times like those, at least not to be crushed by the opponent's officers, becoming your burden."
Shano listened quietly without interrupting.
He then reached out to rub Nojiko's hair, smiling and saying:
"You just heard me comfort Jack, and now you're talking nonsense again. Since when did you become my burden? If it weren't for my loveliest two sisters, I wouldn't have had the motivation to get to where I am today alone."
He looked at the sea outside the porthole, thought for a moment, and continued:
"But this concern is not unwarranted, the New World is indeed much more dangerous than the first half, we must prepare more thoroughly."
Such preparations...
Improving strength is the best preparation.
He needs some time to fully master the "Blood and Flesh Melting Furnace Technique" and train in "Qi Circle Slash."
The crew members who regard themselves as the main combat force all want to become stronger.
In such a case, the space on the ship is limited, making it eventually somewhat inconvenient.
The adventure journey must be temporarily halted; it's time to find a secluded island for some peaceful retreat.
"Seems like I really have to thank Second Uncle..."
Thinking of the battle in Judicial Island, Shano couldn't help but grin.
In the usual circumstances, the Endgame Adventurer Group would be heavily focused and hunted down, making it hard to stay on an island for long in the first half of the Grand Line, where the World Government's control is high.
But right now, he is mistakenly believed by the World Government to be dead, and even the bounty has been withdrawn, so he no longer has to worry about this.
————
In the blink of an eye, it's been almost a week since leaving Water Capital.
Under Shano's orders, the Endgame didn't continue following the route.
Instead, it tried to get closer to the Windless Zone, away from popular routes.
To see if they could find a place big enough and spacious enough, yet secluded enough, where few ships would visit.
It must be said.
Shano's luck has always been quite good.
About three days later, a perfect island matching the criteria really appeared in sight.
Shano stood at the bow of the ship, squinting his eyes, gazing at the island shrouded in thick mist in the distance.
The island was quite large but uninhabited, and even from afar, one could feel the desolate and dilapidated atmosphere.
A brief scan with Observation did not find any noteworthy presence.
The Endgame slowly docked on the edge of this eerie island.
Fog surrounded the area, and after only a short walk ashore, a Gothic old castle wrapped in mist suddenly came into view.
"Haven't seen a single soul on the way here, such a strange place..." Nami rubbed her arms and whispered, "That castle looks like it hasn't been lived in for a long time, feels like a haunted house."
Swoosh!
A sharp slash suddenly flew in from the side, instantly creating a deep trench in the ground before the group!
Who?
The group was startled and instinctively each drew their weapons.
Unexpectedly, what appeared before them were not humans, but several sword-wielding baboons, snarling and yelling aggressively, seemingly harboring a strong hostility towards the intruders.
Eh?
Seeing these somewhat familiar baboons, Shano was startled, realizing something.
No way... could it really be this much of a coincidence?
Am I actually at Hawkeye's territory?!