One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

Maude understood well that Sunny detested anything related to slavery.

From this, he could infer a fragment of her past.

The scar etched across her face—most likely tied to those experiences.

However, Maude had always assumed that Sunny, like him, had been rescued by Sol and brought to Mad Hat Town.

He hadn't expected that it was the Revolutionary Army—not Sol—who had saved her.

Sunny caught the surprise in Maude's eyes but remained composed. "Looks like the Revolutionary Army plans to take action against the 'farm.'"

The "farm" she mentioned was the Pig Farm, a facility where countless slaves were held captive.

Liberating slaves had always been one of the Revolutionary Army's primary missions.

This was the basis of her deduction regarding their presence in Mad Hat Town.

Maude shrugged indifferently. "Doesn't concern us. Let's head back. We've got an early start tomorrow."

His only priority was growing stronger. Whatever Sabo and the others planned to do was none of his concern.

Sunny stayed silent, but her gaze flickered with unspoken resolve.

Maude noticed and raised an eyebrow.

"Sunny, don't tell me you're thinking of getting involved?"

"Yeah."

"Is that really necessary?"

Maude frowned, feeling that such a venture was a thankless endeavor.

Sunny turned her head to look down the dark alleyway. Her gaze seemed to pierce the shadows, landing squarely on Sabo and Koala in the distance.

"For me, it is. It's part of the reason why I want to become stronger."

"..."

Maude wanted to say something more, to dissuade her.

In his view, the Revolutionary Army wouldn't take action unless they were confident.

Sunny didn't need to intervene.

But he saw the determination in her eyes and decided not to press the issue.

"Should we let Sol know?" he asked, shifting topics.

"Of course. I'm not like you."

Sunny cast a sidelong glance at him, the implication crystal clear.

"Uh..."

Maude had no response.

The two returned to the weapon shop.

Sol had gone to the pleasure district and likely wouldn't be back that night.

They simply washed up and went to bed.

The next morning.

Maude came downstairs to wash up and headed to the kitchen.

As always, Sunny was at the counter, preparing breakfast.

Maude glanced at the lazy ferret sprawled on a chair, then back at Sunny.

"Sol still isn't back?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Figures."

Maude chuckled wryly and sat beside the ferret, waiting for breakfast to be ready.

Half an hour later, they had just finished eating when the sound of the shop door opening and a cheerful whistle drifted over.

Sol had returned.

He strode through the hallway and into the kitchen, his face radiant, clearly having enjoyed himself the previous night.

"You've already finished eating, huh?" Sol said, eyeing the empty plates on the table.

"Yeah," Sunny replied. "Have you eaten?"

"Already did."

Sol waved a hand dismissively.

"Didn't get a wink of sleep last night, so I'm heading to my room for a nap. We'll start training after I wake up."

No sleep?

Maude, Sunny, and the ferret all paused, glancing at Sol's spirited face.

This...

Ignoring their reactions, Sol turned and headed for the stairs.

"Wait."

Sunny called out, stopping him.

Sol halted and turned back, waiting for her to continue.

Sunny straightforwardly relayed the presence of the Revolutionary Army in Mad Hat Town and her intentions to act.

After hearing her out, Sol glanced at Maude.

Why are you looking at me?

Maude blinked, confused.

Sol shifted his attention back to Sunny.

"What you choose to do is your decision. I won't stop you, but remember this: the importance of things follows a hierarchy. Your safety comes first, long before the freedom of those slaves."

"Understood."

Sunny nodded solemnly.

Maude chimed in with a suggestion, "Hey, old man, why not come along? With the Revolutionary Army drawing all the attention, we'd just need to fire a few shots from the shadows."

"Did the Revolutionary Army pay me?"

"Uh... no."

"Then why should I help them?"

"...You win."

Maude was at a loss for words.

Seeing Maude rendered speechless, Sunny covered her mouth to hide her smile.

A moment later, Sol went upstairs for his nap.

Maude and Sunny didn't idle either; they resumed their daily physical training.

Even the ferret joined in to increase its food intake, though the shop's hearty meals slowed its progress.

In the afternoon.

Saul finally woke up and came downstairs.

Under his guidance, Maude and Sunny temporarily set aside Haki training to focus on mastering Moonwalk.

According to Sol, the most critical skill for a marksman wasn't pinpoint accuracy but the ability to protect oneself.

In battle, ensuring one's safety was the prerequisite to taking consistent action.

This was why Sol had gone out of his way to steal the technique for Moonwalk.

Maude grasped the concept of Moonwalk but failed repeatedly in practice.

It was clear that stronger physical conditioning would significantly ease the learning curve.

However, Maude wasn't discouraged. With plenty of time and the Hunter's Notebook in hand, mastering Moonwalk was only a matter of time.

Another monotonous day of training passed.

Exhausted, Maude collapsed into bed and quickly fell asleep.

A sudden explosion from the direction of the Pig Farm jolted Maude awake.

"Have the Revolutionary Army made their move?"

He rose from bed and stepped out into the hallway.

At the same moment, Sunny's door opened across from his.

They exchanged a glance before both turned to Sol's door—silent as the grave.

Sunny looked back at Maude and whispered, "Get ready. We're heading out."

"Got it."

Maude nodded, retreating to his room to dress and gather his weapons and ammunition.

If Sunny was determined to act, there was no way he'd stand by idly.

By the time he finished, Sunny was already waiting by the door.

"Let's move."

They crept out of the weapon shop and climbed onto a nearby rooftop, scanning the Pig Farm in the dim pre-dawn light.

Smoke billowed skyward, flames flickering amidst the shadows of the walled compound.

Another explosion echoed, the sound carrying across all of Mad Hat Town.

Despite the commotion, most townsfolk merely glanced toward the Pig Farm, adopting an indifferent, uninvolved attitude.

On the rooftop, Maude and Sunny exchanged a look before heading toward the Pig Farm.

Unbeknownst to them, a small figure emerged from the weapon shop, silently trailing far behind.

...

Meanwhile.

At the Pig Farm.

The compound was engulfed in flames.

Revolutionary Army forces clashed with Ralph's men in chaotic battle.

The air was filled with the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and ferocious cries.

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