On the shore, Johnny and Yosaku, the two goofballs, were dancing the "Chopstick Dance," eliciting laughter from everyone.
The island-sized whale, Laboon, was also thoroughly entertained by the two, occasionally giving them a million-ton nuzzle.
Watching this scene, Sig felt a stir in his heart.
He had almost forgotten that, aside from nearly defeating Hawkeye, Sword God Yosaku had another achievement!
The Chopstick Dance was originally Yosaku's specialty, a secret technique he later passed on to the future Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy, who then popularized it.
The Sword God and the Blade Saint were indeed quite impressive.
In just a short time, they had already bonded with Laboon.
As this thought crossed his mind, the system panel suddenly unfolded before him.
"Mission: Full Team Chopstick Dance."
"Mission Requirement: Have 15 story characters perform the Chopstick Dance. (0/15)"
"Mission Reward: Possession Card: Yosaku, Possession Card: Johnny (one each)."
This sudden mission left Sig completely stunned.
Meanwhile, Crocus was also quietly observing the two bounty hunters, unable to hold back a smile.
"Sig's mountain bandit crew seems different from what I imagined?"
"They actually have such cheerful characters?"
Crocus suddenly recalled his time on the Roger Pirates.
He had only been Roger's ship doctor for three years, but that experience had left a deep impression on him.
Roger's crew also had many such goofballs...
After reminiscing, Crocus didn't forget the main task at hand.
He pulled Laboon aside and explained what Sig had told him in the hut.
The Rumbar Pirates, Brook, and the plans of both Sig and Crocus...
The island-sized whale raised its head and let out a loud, high-pitched cry. Tears as vast as a flood poured from its eyes, which were larger than battleships.
However, the news that Brook was still alive was at least better than the worst-case scenarios—being abandoned by the Rumbar Pirates or the crew being completely wiped out.
Watching this from a distance, Sig felt a pang in his heart.
In Laboon's cries, he heard two sobbing voices.
"It's so touching. Does the Grand Line also have such moving bonds of friendship? Johnny."
"Entering the Grand Line might not be so bad after all. At least we met Laboon, Yosaku."
Johnny and Yosaku stood nearby, tears streaming down their faces as they listened to Laboon's story.
"Now that we know about this, we can't just stand by and do nothing."
"That's right, Laboon! We'll do our best to bring your friend Brook back safe and sound!"
The two rookie bounty hunters made a promise to the weeping Laboon.
These words caused many of the mountain bandits to view the two weak bounty hunters in a new light.
Sig looked at the two with slight surprise, causing Johnny and Yosaku to stop crying and look up at him.
When their eyes met, the two trembled slightly.
"Si... Si... Sig-sama, you're a mountain bandit, and we're bounty hunters. Even though we're on different sides..."
"You offered to help Laboon on your own. You're truly a man of loyalty and righteousness."
Johnny and Yosaku exchanged a glance, then bowed deeply to Sig.
"We know full well how weak we are. Forget about the Florian Triangle, we probably can't even take a single step in the Grand Line!"
"We have an unreasonable request."
"Sig-sama, could you please not hold Crocus's earlier refusal against him? Please help us save Laboon's friend!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present showed a change in expression.
Even Laboon, who had been crying like a flood, stopped and quietly watched the two bounty hunters.
The first to speak were Sig's mountain bandits.
"Have you two forgotten your identities? You're actually asking Boss Sig to help you?"
This made the two bounty hunters exchange confused looks.
After a moment of silent communication, they made a joint decision.
In unison, they knelt down toward Sig, their knees touching the ground.
The two of them actually performed a full dogeza (prostration) in front of Sig.
"Sig-sama, we beg of you!"
This sudden action left the mountain bandits who had just scolded them completely stunned.
The scene fell silent.
Sig was also taken aback, feeling a bit at a loss, before he finally gave the two a deep look.
"Get up. I was already planning to go to the Florian Triangle. I don't need your request... or your kneeling."
In the original story, Johnny and Yosaku had once knelt and apologized to Luffy for failing to watch the ship.
After hearing about Nami's past, they, as outsiders, mustered the courage to challenge the Arlong Pirates.
But their public display of humility here deeply moved Sig.
Crocus was also deeply moved.
The old man stared blankly as the two bounty hunters brushed the dirt off their knees, stood up, and then laughed together, hooking their arms around each other's shoulders as they continued to play with Laboon.
"It's been a long time since I've met pirates ..."
Crocus muttered to himself.
"Am I really getting old? Why do I keep reminiscing about my time on Roger's ship?"
The bald man approached Sig and asked:
"Boss Sig, when are we setting off? Are we heading to the first island, Whisky Peak, using the Log Pose we bought?"
"We'll rest at Twin Capes for a bit. Tonight, we'll have a banquet."
Sig's mountain bandit crew of over two hundred people held a lively banquet at the starting point of the Grand Line.
They had just purchased a large amount of supplies in Loguetown, so the banquet was well-prepared.
Soon, the two hundred or so people sat around the shore, clinking glasses and laughing merrily.
Johnny and Yosaku once again performed their signature Chopstick Dance, eliciting bursts of laughter.
Sig sat beside Crocus, clinking glasses with him as they drank.
His gaze fell on the two clowns dancing in the center of the crowd.
He had chosen to hold the banquet partly to attempt completing the mission.
Have story characters perform the Chopstick Dance?
What a coincidence—Sig had story characters right beside him.
Sig turned his head and glanced at the corner, where a man in a suit with round glasses sat, his expression serious even amidst the banquet.
"Kuro, you go up and give it a try."
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