Chapter 402: Florian Triangle
Thus Brett embarked on his journey to the Florian Triangle.
This distance couldn't really be called far. After all, the Florian Triangle lay just ahead of Sabaody Archipelago—a place all Grand Line routes converged and had to pass through.
The straight-line distance from Fish-Man Island was perhaps just a few hundred kilometers.
Even swimming through the deep sea, Brett didn't take too long to arrive at this fog-shrouded sea area with extremely chaotic currents.
The reason he leisurely swam through the ocean rather than flying at maximum speed—Brett knew Lola probably hadn't encountered serious trouble.
She'd perhaps indeed met Moria, but that guy had no intention of threatening her life.
After all, in the original story, Lola had her shadow stolen by Moria in the Florian Triangle. After hiding on Thriller Bark for three years, she'd awaited Straw Hat's rescue, then safely returned to the New World while finding a husband along the way.
Though he didn't know why Lola would still head to the Florian Triangle, she probably wouldn't encounter major problems.
After reaching the Florian Triangle, Brett didn't immediately surface. He searched through the ocean.
Soon he found a Sea King swimming along the seafloor.
He approached. "My name is Brett. Could you help me with something?"
The Sea King—originally swimming blankly through the water—slowly turned its head. Then a somewhat surprised voice rang in Brett's mind.
"Oh! Fish-Man Brett, I know this name. The King's tutor."
The Sea King said. "Of course I'll help you—as payment for teaching the King."
"Excellent."
Brett marveled internally that his Sea Minister identity remained useful. "Then please take me to that massive ship wandering this sea area."
Finding a huge vessel on fog-covered waters would be quite difficult.
Fortunately, Brett could ask for directions.
"Oh, that massive ship? I know it. Of course I can. Please follow me."
The Sea King proved very helpful. After nodding slightly, it turned and swam in another direction.
Brett immediately followed.
The Sea King's swimming speed wasn't fast, but its massive size meant each body twist covered considerable distance.
Before long, it had already brought Brett to a certain sea area.
"Right here."
The Sea King stopped.
"Thank you so much. Come visit Fish-Man Island when you have time."
After thanking and briefly saying goodbye, Brett burst from the water.
Not far away on the sea surface, that massive ship—stable as a mountain even in chaotic currents—had already appeared in Brett's vision.
So large. Truly absurdly huge. Like a small island sprawled across the ocean.
This was probably the biggest vessel Brett had seen in this lifetime.
After all, that guy Tesoro's Gran Tesoro hadn't been constructed. No ship in this world should exceed this one's size.
This was Moria's flagship. Who knew how he'd sailed such a massive ship from West Blue into the Grand Line?
Brett could already clearly sense that relatively powerful presence in the ship's center.
Should be Moria—still going "Kishishishi."
But he'd really degenerated these years. His presence only slightly stronger than Crocodile's.
Speaking of Crocodile—that guy had already returned to the New World. Who knew what schemes he was plotting now?
But if any major events occurred in the future, that restless guy would definitely appear.
Brett didn't immediately seek Moria. Instead, he continued releasing his Observation Haki, searching across the ship.
He searched for Lola's presence.
Though in the original work Lola had still hidden on this ship after losing her shadow, who knew if this world's Lola was the same?
Brett couldn't even guarantee whether Lola had truly been attacked by Moria.
Fortunately, his luck proved good. In one corner of that ship, he sensed Lola's presence.
Brett felt grateful he'd remembered Lola's presence when they'd met at Elbaf. Otherwise finding her now wouldn't be easy.
Immediately, Brett raced toward Lola's direction, running through the air.
Deep within a forest at the island's edge stood abandoned buildings. Lola's presence hid inside these structures.
Brett landed lightly before the buildings. He called out, "Lola-san, are you inside? Your brother asked me to come get you."
After brief silence, hurried footsteps sounded from inside. "This voice—"
Soon, a familiar figure ran from the dark doorway.
The stout woman's face showed uncontrollable excitement the instant she saw Brett. "Brett-san! Did Katakuri-niisan ask you to come? I knew it—he definitely knew I was in trouble!"
Brett nodded lightly. "The moment he realized you were in trouble, he contacted me to come rescue you."
"Thank goodness!"
Lola wiped tears. "I thought I was done for!"
Behind her followed a group Brett didn't recognize—probably her companions. They whispered among themselves.
"Who's this guy? Did he come to rescue the captain?"
"Captain said her brother would definitely come save us. So it's true!"
"He looks so familiar. Feel like I've seen him somewhere?"
Lola dried her tears, walking to Brett. "Thank you so much for your help, Brett-san. But next I might need to trouble you a bit more."
"What is it?" Brett asked knowingly.
"This ship is the stronghold of one of the Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria. He stole our shadows. In this state, if we're exposed to sunlight, we'll be reduced to ash!"
Lola sniffled. "So I'll have to trouble you—"
"To help you reclaim your shadows?"
Brett nodded lightly. "That's quite simple. Just wait here. Five minutes will be enough."
The next instant, he'd already launched upward, streaking toward that castle at the island's center with thunderous speed.
"Just... left like that?"
Lola's subordinates looked bewildered.
"Captain—" someone worried. "That's the Warlord Moria! Will everything be okay?"
"A Warlord means nothing before this man!"
Lola's face bore a brilliant smile. "Just as he said himself—someone at Moria's level, five minutes is plenty!"
The subordinates exchanged glances.