In the end, Zhang Da Ye didn't do anything to Tom. He wasn't some psychotic type who could harm a cute cat he lived with.
They strolled back slowly, contributing a bit more energy to the magic circle. The day had brought both a temporary home and means of self-protection, leaving Zhang Da Ye in good spirits.
Back at the Goodman house, he encountered a child—a round head with a bowl haircut. The head-to-body ratio looked strange, reminiscent of Big Head Son.
"Oh, Da Ye is back. This is my son, Byle. Byle, say hi to Brother Da Ye," Mrs. Molly introduced.
"Hello, Brother Da Ye," said four-year-old Byle cheerfully.
"Hi," Zhang Da Ye replied, unsure what else to say. He noted that this was supposed to be a rambunctious kid dreaming of being Pirate King, yet he seemed unusually polite.
"Da Ye, sit with Byle for a bit while I prepare dinner. Goodman will be back soon, and then we can eat," Mrs. Molly instructed.
"Okay." Zhang Da Ye glanced at Mrs. Molly in her apron and then at Byle. A little Big Head Son and apron-wearing mom, he thought—only Goodman wore sunglasses instead of glasses.
Facing Byle, Zhang Da Ye noticed the boy's short legs dangling, eyes wide as he stared at Tom on Zhang Da Ye's shoulder.
Tom yawned, uninterested. Kids were troublesome. He had once cared for a baby with Jerry and ended up almost arrested for allegedly stealing a child—terrible memories.
"Brother Da Ye, are you from another island?" Byle asked, curious about the outside world.
"The place I came from is so large, calling it an island isn't quite right."
"Bigger than 59 Island? Bigger than the Whole Archipelago?"
Zhang Da Ye estimated 59 Island's size. He hadn't wandered far but had already seen the edges—about the size of a small town. Adding up the 79 islands…
He nodded. "It's hundreds of times bigger than the archipelago."
He hadn't actually calculated it, just guessed.
"Hundreds of times!" Byle counted on his fingers, then simply exclaimed, "Amazing!"
"Have you seen pirates, Brother Da Ye? Do you know Pirate King?"
"I haven't seen real pirates," Zhang Da Ye thought. Seeing them might mean death. "Pirate King… you mean Roger?"
"Yes!" Byle nodded, then mimicked loudly: "My treasure? If you want it, come find it! I left everything there!"
"Does it sound like him?" Byle clapped excitedly. "I want to become someone that impressive too!"
But then he pouted. "Too bad my dad won't let me, and he hits me."
Zhang Da Ye smiled softly. "Do you really like Roger? Where did you hear all this?"
"Grandpa Bob's tavern! People read newspapers and tell stories there—so many fun stories."
"Ah, that explains why Goodman couldn't find someone to vent on. Taverns are full of information." Zhang Da Ye mused. Even kids could sneak into them—just like Luffy often did before meeting Shanks.
When Byle mentioned his dad, he shrank. "Do you dislike Pirate King Roger too?"
Zhang Da Ye considered. "I can't judge him well. I know too little about this world. Whether Roger's intentions are good or bad may only be clear years later. But his actions caused both trouble for authorities and harm to innocents, which is why many dislike him. I always wanted to know the end, but I missed it…"
Byle propped his chin in his hands. "I don't understand, but Brother Da Ye is amazing!"
"Am I?" Zhang Da Ye laughed.
"You say so many impressive things. My dad just says 'No being a pirate!' and hits me."
This mischievous kid had suffered enough. Zhang Da Ye thought of warning Goodman—no need for Cap-style discipline here.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you to read. Then you can understand newspapers, learn more, and say impressive things too."
Byle jumped up, hands on hips. "Yes! I'll say impressive things and shock my dad!"
The door swung open with a bang, Goodman laughing. "Who's shocking me?"
Byle quickly sat back, obedient.
Mrs. Molly emerged from the kitchen. "How many times have I told you to open doors gently? They'll break."
"I made this door myself—it won't break! If it does, I'll fix it," Goodman waved off.
"Wash up. Dinner's almost ready." Mrs. Molly returned to the kitchen.
"Got it," Goodman said, then greeted Zhang Da Ye. "Da Ye, rested well this afternoon? Looks like you got along with Byle?"
"Yeah, he's a great kid," Zhang Da Ye replied.
"Good." Goodman headed to the restroom, waving at Tom.
Tom darted behind Zhang Da Ye, still wary of the "eating cat" remark.
Byle's affection toward Tom shot up—he realized the cat feared his dad too! Kids are happiest when they find kindred spirits.
Later, the four of them sat at the dinner table. Mrs. Molly had specially prepared a food bowl for Tom, enough for an adult.
Perhaps in welcome of Zhang Da Ye, the meal was extra lavish.
Her cooking was excellent, and Zhang Da Ye ate heartily, finishing what amounted to three adult portions.
Goodman patted his shoulder, laughing: "Eat well! A real man must eat more. Only then can you grow into a body like mine!"
Zhang Da Ye smiled awkwardly. Looking at Goodman's towering, muscular frame, he thought it unnecessary.
Still, in this world, eating a lot was probably a good thing.