Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Major Event

When leaving the Marine base, Adrian's hands were heavy, and so was his heart. He used to be just an ordinary university student, and in his entire life, he had never held so much cash before. This could buy 80,000 Choppers...

Tom sat on Adrian's shoulder, happily rubbing his hands together. Although he didn't have a clear idea about the local prices, he knew that this much money would definitely buy a lot of things, right?

Seeing Tom's eyes gleaming with excitement, Adrian took a deep breath and said, "Tom, you shouldn't let a little bit of money tempt you like this. Stay calm. Just 8.1 million Berries... I could earn that by working for 81 months."

Speaking up, Adrian pressed on his conscience, "I'm not interested in money!"

Tom looked at him with disdain. If you can say that without your voice trembling, then I'll believe you!

...

What does it feel like to hold a bunch of cash in your hands? Adrian felt like he wanted to hold it close to his chest, then strike a pose like a thief and sneak back.

However, reason told him that he couldn't do that. He just needed to walk back calmly and normally.

He had also tried to get Tom to help store the money, but at crucial moments, this cat was unreliable. It could hide a few banknotes, but a whole bag was beyond its capabilities.

So, Adrian decided to buy more things on the way, so that carrying a few more bags wouldn't attract attention.

It was a good opportunity to choose some gifts to give to the Goodmans as a token of appreciation.

Half an hour later, Adrian returned to the Goodman household, but there was no one there. He placed the items by the bed and lay down, starting to contemplate his plans for the future.

If he wanted to leave the Sabaody Archipelago, where should he go? First, he ruled out the New World. Going there was no different from staying in the Sabaody Archipelago. The first half of the Grand Line's islands were usually a must for pirates, so it probably wouldn't be safe either.

As for wanting to go to the Four Blues, he had to think it over carefully.

The most chaotic should be the North Blue. The Germa Kingdom, the Donquixote Family, and Drake, though Adrian didn't want to bring him up temporarily, were all in the North Blue. And then there were the Worst Generation's Hawkins and Law, originally from the North Blue. Going there meant having no sense of security at all.

As for the West Blue, it was the homeland of Red-Haired Shanks. Capone Bege should still be somewhere on an island, acting as a mafia boss. However, what came to Adrian's mind when he thought of the West Blue was probably Nico Robin.

Before joining the Straw Hat Pirates, Robin had been on the run for 20 years. So now, she had probably been wanted for a decade. Considering her age, she should be around 18 or 19 years old. She probably hadn't entered the Grand Line yet. Based on the anime's timeline, the West Blue was also not very stable.

Adrian had to admit that he used to like this character a lot, but he definitely wouldn't stupidly approach her directly. Because the result would either be knocked down by Robin's six-armed flower, or being captured and interrogated by the World Government.

The South Blue was the birthplace of Vinsmoke Sanji and Scratchmen Apoo. However, Adrian had a stronger impression of Eustass Kid. When he first arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago, his bounty was higher than Luffy's. According to Shakky's explanation, it was because Kid had harmed ordinary citizens.

When Kid had become a pirate, Adrian didn't know. In any case, he didn't want to become one of those "ordinary citizens."

Finally, it's the East Blue. Garp often goes back home to visit, and the birthplace of the Pirate King has become the weakest sea, which is definitely related to him.

Garp's hometown, Windmill Village, besides the incident where he beat up Red-Haired Shanks, there doesn't seem to have been any major events.

It's been a while since the Celestial Dragons last patrolled the East Blue, so it should remain peaceful for a long time. Should I go there?

If Adrian really wants to go from Sabaody to the East Blue, there are usually two ways:

The first is to directly cross the Calm Belt into the East Blue. To do that, he would either need to hitch a ride on Garp's ship or row a small boat like Mihawk. The Calm Belt is the nesting ground of massive Sea Kings, and no one would dare to do something so reckless.

The second method is to travel through the Red Line, submit an application to the World Government, take an Elevator, then walk through Mary Geoise and pass through the vicinity of Mariejois, then take another Elevator to descend directly into the New World or the Four Blues.

The Celestial Dragon who bombarded Sabo probably took this route to the East Blue. After all, at this time, the technique of embedding a Sea-Prism Stone into the bottom of a ship to hide its presence is not mature yet.

So, if Adrian really wants to go to the East Blue now, there's only one method—traveling through the Red Line. But he obviously wouldn't dare to take that route.

Being so close to the Celestial Dragons, there are too many uncertain factors. Who knows if those abnormal thinkers might suddenly take an interest in him and capture him as a slave.

Adrian learned from the newspaper that Fisher Tiger caused a commotion at Mary Geoise two years ago, resulting in an increase in guards. In case of an unforeseen event, he would probably have to resort to his powers.

Counting on his fingers for a while, Adrian helplessly realized that the safest option for him now was to stay in Sabaody? If he stays here, he needs his own place to live, and relying solely on the money he has won't work. He'll need to find a way to earn money.

Lost in thought, he hadn't realized that evening was approaching.

Adrian heard someone coming back and went out with the gifts.

"Oh, Adrian, you're here," Mrs. Molly closed the door and mysteriously said, "Have you heard? A murderer and his thirteen henchmen were arrested today!"

Mrs. Molly vividly described the rumors she had heard from other households, how fierce Great Cleaver Swort Sword had been, how powerful the captors were, and how one slap could flip him over twice. She was excited as if she had witnessed it herself.

Adrian felt this plot was somewhat familiar, but also completely different. Did I do this? But where did the thirteen people come from? How did I not know I was that formidable?

Just as he was about to explain, the door was roughly pushed open, and Bayer excitedly rushed in with his short legs flailing, "Mom, Adrian, you heard, right? A bad guy was defeated by a hero!"

The hero in question was handsome, burly, holding a Golden Cudgel, and single-handedly defeated Sword Swort and his thirty-odd henchmen in an instant. He's amazing!"

Mrs. Molly couldn't believe it. It didn't match the version she heard. "Thirty people?"

Bayer nodded confidently, "Grandpa Bob said so!"

Tom listened to Bayer's story with a look of admiration, holding his hands to his heart.

How could this be more outrageous? And Tom, you were there at the time. Don't let them warp your perspective! Adrian was both amused and exasperated.

However, at this moment, the door was pushed open again, and Goodman walked in spiritedly, holding a bottle of wine. Upon entering, he greeted, "Molly, get some food ready and bring some wine glasses! Let me tell you about the major event that happened today!"