Mr. Momora's words made the others adopt a thoughtful expression once again.
Indeed, if Louis and they were to leave any clues behind, the World Government would certainly not let it go easily and would dispatch people to investigate. If they were to rashly meet with Momora, who was living under a new identity in the open, it was highly likely that Roger's plan would fail.
To this, Louis fell into thought.
Momora's worries wouldn't come to pass. He would have only flown over to find him alone and had never planned to bring anyone with him. What he was truly concerned about was, what was the plan that Roger had left behind? And what was Momora's new identity in the open?
Seeing that everyone was nodding in understanding, Momora smiled again. "Hahaha— I never thought I'd be able to see a scene of people gathering around the Lunarian race again!"
Then, Momora leaned his head in toward Uta and asked with a grin, "You're Shanks's daughter, Uta, right?"
To this, Uta slowly sat up, adopting an elegant and dignified posture, and replied with a light laugh, "That's right!" Then, she also leaned her head in, her amethyst-like eyes shimmering with a subtle light, and asked expectantly, "Hey, Momora! Can you tell me stories about when Shanks was a kid? The Crocus we met last time only joined the Roger Pirates when they entered the Grand Line; he doesn't know about Shanks's childhood!"
Momora was taken aback for a moment, then readily agreed to Uta's request. "No problem! But," Momora's tone changed, softening a bit, "that will have to wait until after I've spoken with Louis!"
Uta heard this and replied with a grin, "That's fine, I have time!"
Just then, Yelena, wearing an apron, walked out of the kitchen, carrying steaming hot food to Mr. Momora. "Please eat something first and replenish your strength, Mr. Momora."
This was originally supposed to be Goldberg's job, as he had taken over the kitchen. But Yelena had insisted on personally cooking a meal for Roger's crewmate.
Momora looked at Yelena, a hint of memory in his eyes, as if seeing the burly middle-aged man from the past. "You're Canaan III's granddaughter, Yelena, right?"
Yelena nodded gently. "That's right," she said softly. "After my grandfather passed away, I became the new monarch. Thank you very much for the help the Roger Pirates gave us back then." Yelena bowed, a hint of gratitude in her eyes.
"It's been hard on you all these years—" Momora was silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh.
"They have already paid the price. My people are also thriving in other places. It's all in the past now." To this, Yelena was quite philosophical. She had destroyed Jacob with her own hands. Her people had also successfully gone into hiding, blending into the East Blue. She had no more regrets.
Nearby, Kuina, hugging her Wado Ichimonji, silently watched the pink-haired middle-aged man, who was boasting to Yelena and the others while eating. "So this is a partner of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger?" Kuina thought to herself. "I don't see anything special about him..."
Soon, Momora had finished all the food on the table. He became extremely emotional, his eyes welling with tears. "After so many days, I finally get to eat a real meal!" It was a good while before he returned to normal under the subtle gazes of the others.
Momora scratched his head through his top hat, a little embarrassed. "Haha— my apologies, everyone. I was stranded on that deserted island for a long time. I ate all the coconuts and was starving."
The group all expressed their understanding. Among those present, besides Louis and Uta, everyone had experienced considerable hardship. Although their experiences might be different, it was enough for them to understand the plight Momora had been in.
Soon, Yelena, Uta, and the others tactfully took their leave, leaving the entire hall to Louis and Mr. Momora.
After a long time, Momora picked up the Vivre Card with his name on it from the table. Scenes from the past replayed in his mind like a slideshow. He saw himself and Captain Roger and the others landing on that sky island, the shock of seeing the legendary Lunarian race. He saw the perilous moment when everyone, except for Captain Roger, Rayleigh, Gabban, and Oden, was instantly controlled, almost drawing their swords to kill themselves. He also saw the scene after the battle, where the Lunarians, their faces full of defiance, were forced to host them.
After a long while, Momora put down his Vivre Card and asked in a sorrowful, emotional tone, "For you to be allowed to leave Baal means they no longer plan to seal themselves away for several hundred years, right?"
"That's right. They've given up that idea." Louis took a pot of tea from a Flügel and poured a cup for Momora. "Sealed away for several hundred years... I think our descendants might completely become Skypieans, not even knowing their own identity as Lunarians."
To this, Momora gave no comment, but continued to ask about the current situation of those he knew. Louis answered each of his questions and relayed the thoughts and words his people wanted to say to him.
Hearing this, a genuine smile from the heart appeared on Momora's face. When he heard interesting stories about Baal, Momora would slap his thigh and laugh out loud. When he heard about the gossip Louis had overheard with his superhuman senses, a gloating smile would appear on his face. When he heard that a friend he hadn't seen in many years had a child, he was as happy as if he had become a father himself, asking with great interest about the children.
Louis took in all of Momora's expressions and his unrestrained heartbeat. It was only at this moment that Louis finally understood what his people had meant when they said, "Momora, ah... he's different from his crewmates. The others were friendly, but he was like a true brother to us!"
After a long time, the smile never leaving his face, Momora leaned in close to Louis and mysteriously asked for the names of his parents. When he got the two names that were exactly as he had expected, he had an "I knew it" look on his face. "I could tell back then! Only a shameless guy like your father would go and pester a little Skypiean girl."
To this, Louis just chuckled softly, saying nothing about his parents in this life. Unlike other transmigrators, Louis's parents had stubbornly survived and hadn't died at the start of the story. The two of them had no objections to his departure; they supported his decision more than anyone.
The two chatted until the next morning, the tea being refilled pot after pot.
Two days later, on a deserted island.
Mr. Momora took out a piece of paper with his private Den Den Mushi number on it and handed it to Louis. "I have some accomplishments in the field of intelligence. If there's anything you want to know, just give me a call!"
Louis didn't refuse and graciously accepted the gift. "Alright. If I need anything, I will contact you."
Then, Momora looked at Uta, a doting smile on his face. "Uta, remember not to tell Shanks that I was the one who told you that thing!"
To this, Uta replied with a bright smile, "Don't worry, my lips are sealed!" Then, she took out a photo of Momora, Louis, and herself and gave it to him.
"..."
Momora was taken aback for a moment. Then, the corners of his mouth turned up in a faint smile. "I hope we have a chance to meet again!" Mr. Momora turned to leave, waved his hand, and disappeared from their sight.
"..."
"Let's go. We should continue on our way as well." Louis took one last deep look at the pink-haired man's back, then also turned and left.
Half an hour later.
Mr. Momora lit the photo he had taken with Louis and Uta on fire. He whispered with a complex expression, "Sorry, Uta. I can't keep these photos with me—"
After watching the ashes scatter in the wind and disappear into the forest, he slowly stood up and walked deeper into the woods. As he walked, his form underwent a strange transformation. His pink hair disappeared without a trace. His mouth became a sharp beak, and one by one, feathers sprouted from all over his body.
Mr. Momora took one last look behind him, put on the top hat decorated with three studs, and disappeared into the forest.
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