Chapter 53: Red Hair

For fish-men, crossing the Calm Belt is far easier than for other races, as their sensitivity to fish schools allows them to avoid many dangers.

Although not as simple or effective as the Navy embedding sea-stone into their warships’ hulls, it is sufficient to ensure safety.

The news of Chu Yang’s impending departure stirred considerable commotion aboard the ship; months of fighting side by side had led most of the fish-men to regard him as a companion.

Even the extreme fish-men led by A Long had ceased their hostility toward Chu Yang; apart from awe at his strength, they also felt a measure of gratitude.

Human hearts are made of flesh.

Everyone knew that without Chu Yang, many fish-men on this ship would have perished under the Navy’s relentless pursuit.

Some said nothing aloud, but still remembered Chu Yang’s kindness in their hearts.

A mysterious sorrow began to spread across the ship.

Except for A Long, every fish-man’s expression was heavy.

“They all still like Itachi very much,” Shenping refused to give up, trying to persuade Chu Yang to stay.

“I’ll come back to see Itachi all within three years!” Chu Yang made a solemn promise, for he knew that Tegu would meet his end in three years—he intended to change this tragedy.

The Sun Pirates took three days to cross the Calm Belt.

Along the way, they encountered several sudden crises, but overall risks remained under control.

Upon reaching the East Blue, Tegu, under the moonlight, left Chu Yang on a small island, placing a small boat for him before swiftly departing with his people.

Chu Yang spent the night on the shore; the next morning, he inquired from local villagers about the exact direction of the Goia Kingdom and purchased an expensive sea chart.

The small boat was filled with supplies left behind by Tegu and his crew, saving Chu Yang the time of procuring provisions; after gathering the information, he immediately set off for Windmill Village.

Navigation across the Four Seas was virtually effortless; aside from exercising caution around certain islands, the open sea was the safest route.

This stood in direct contrast to the Grand Line.

Chu Yang, having learned numerous steering techniques from Shenping, handled the small boat with ease; the vessel, barely several meters long, rode the wind swiftly toward its destination.

About another day passed before Chu Yang successfully located the sole port town of the Goia Kingdom.

Windmill Village!

This place teemed with hidden talents—it was not only the hometown of the Navy hero Karp, but also the birthplace of the Revolutionary Army’s leader Dragon, and the childhood home of the future Pirate King.

It was where Roger’s son and the future second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army grew up, and where the Four Emperors Shanks left behind one of his arms.

Throughout the entire anime history, was there any beginner village more renowned than this?

These people had elevated the Goia Kingdom to a height it never deserved!

Before even nearing the harbor, Chu Yang spotted a massive pirate ship drifting on the sea, its skull-emblazoned Jolly Roger fluttering in the wind.

The pirate flag was extremely simple: at its center was a skull with three red claw marks across its eye sockets, behind which crossed two swords.

“Red Forest!”

The moment he saw the flag, Chu Yang’s spirit trembled; he had feared arriving too late to catch Shanks’s stay in Windmill Village, but now all his worries vanished.

No other ship dared approach the Red Forest.

Chu Yang did not rashly steer his small boat over, but instead slowly made shore nearby.

Chu Yang used Kenbunshoku to scan the Red Forest and found only a few crewmen stationed on deck; he then headed straight for the village’s only tavern.

Windmill Village was small; Chu Yang easily found Machino’s tavern by asking a few locals.

“Where did this child come from? Itachi’re so young to be drinking!”

“Kid, where are your parents? Itachi shouldn’t be playing in a tavern alone.”

“There are pirates inside—stay away, child!”

Chu Yang ignored all these well-meaning warnings and plunged into the tavern occupied by the Red-Haired Pirates, where laughter and merriment filled the air.

The Red-Haired Pirates were like this: a small feast every three days, a big one every five, and the rest of the time either fighting or heading to fight.

Fight—feast—fight—feast…

An endless cycle.

This tradition was inherited from Roger's pirate crew and later passed down to Luffy's Straw Hat Pirates, though Luffy's fights were almost always life-or-death battles.

Inside the tavern, music and dancing were in full swing, the atmosphere electric; young Luffy was clowning around.

The Red-Haired Pirates roared with laughter.

Most people didn’t notice the boy entering, except for the barkeep, Machino.

“Little one, did Itachi get lost? This isn’t a place for meals,” Machino kindly warned; though she found these pirates harmless, she still hoped Chu Yang would leave quickly.

“Give me a glass of rum,” Chu Yang sat calmly at the bar, his demeanor betraying a maturity beyond his years.

Machino froze, then firmly shook her head, her tone unusually stern: “I’m sorry, I can’t serve rum to a child—even the lowest-alcohol variety.”

At that moment, a crewman noticed Chu Yang and began to jeer: “Boss lady, give him a drink—charge it to me! A little man is still a man; how can a man not drink?”

“How can Itachi serve alcohol to a child?” Machino glared angrily at the pirate. “Say another word, and none of Itachi get any drink today!”

The man sulked back to his seat, drawing loud laughter from his companions.

In any other pirate crew, Machino’s attitude would have cost her her head; here, among the Red-Haired Pirates, it became a delightful joke.

The laughter grew louder; the amused glances forced Chu Yang to lie: “I’m already an adult—I just got sick as a child and never grew taller.”

It was a poor lie; most wouldn’t believe it, but simple-minded Machino believed Chu Yang.

“Really?” Machino gasped, covering her mouth, then quickly apologized: “I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have spoken so hastily.”

Chu Yang smiled: “If Itachi bring my rum to the table quickly, I’ll forgive Itachi.”

“Just a moment,” Machino turned to the cabinet behind her to fetch the liquor.

“Hey… kid, lying to adults isn’t a good habit!”

The red-haired man with the prominent scar on his left eye suddenly leaned close to Chu Yang, slinging an arm around his shoulder: “I was curious about alcohol at your age too—I understand—but don’t lie again next time.”

Chu Yang said nothing, turning his face away in distaste—whether from annoyance at the red-haired man’s tone or from the strong stench of alcohol on him, it was unclear.

(End of Chapter)