117. Palu's Origin
Buggy is excited to know that there are pirates too on Cloud Seas. Well, the sky also has its own seas, so the sailor types must be similar to the Blue Seas. Although there shouldn't be Marine here and the authorities are just Sky Islands' militaries.
"Are there many of them?" asks Buggy.
"Yes, if we count all pirates on all Cloud Seas. They are far fewer than Blue Seas' pirates, but their number is high enough. They usually do their piracy activities on the routes that Blue Sea People," says Surian.
"So they are targetting Blue Sea people who haven't used to this altitude and don't know anything about this place, huh?" asks Buggy.
"You are right, the change of altitude will weaken the Blue Sea people, so they are easy targets for those pirates," says Soconut.
"They don't target the Sky People?" asks Palu.
"No, they don't dare to do that because we will eradicate them if they do that. Besides, they also live on Sky Islands, so they can't attack us or they will need to live on Cloud Sea forever," says Soconut.
"Hmm, that makes sense. Their lives still depend on the Sky Island, so they can't do something that angers the people here," says Ruff.
"Exactly," says Surian while nodding.
"I assume none of these pirates have any bounty, right?" asks Buggy.
"No, they aren't a threat to us, and they even helped us by attacking pirates from Blue Sea that might endanger the citizens. But their piracy activities also create problems sometimes. They don't just attack pirates, but also merchants and tourists from Blue Sea that might want to buy or sell items here," says Soconut.
"That's why we've made a deal with them to only attack pirates. Our economy won't grow if they keep attacking merchants or tourists," says Surian.
"And they agreed easily?" asks Palu.
"Well, we used a little threat, so they agreed," says Surian.
"Do you know the strongest crew around here?" asks Buggy.
"Hmm, it should be the Half-Wings. They've operated for the longest time and have the biggest number. I think they have around 64 people," says Soconut.
"What are you planning to do?" asks Surian warily.
"Who knows? You said they just target pirates, right? So maybe they'll attack us too. You don't have any problem if we fight back, right?" asks Buggy while grinning.
"Well, if that's the case then, of course, you can fight them back. But I hope you don't attack them first. They are also assets to us because they protected us from pirates," says Surian.
"Just pray that they won't provoke us," says Palu while smirking.
Soon, Sapple returns with some papers in his hands. He gives the papers to Palu before he sits.
"I've found a baby with your characteristics who went missing 26 years ago, a few months after his birth. Those papers are the documents of the baby's missing reports and his family's profiles. I hope it's you and your parents," says Sapple.
"What's the reason for his missing?" asks Buggy.
"Kidnapping. A pirate crew came here and kidnapped the baby. We assumed that they wanted to sell the baby because of our unique features, the wings," says Sapple.
Palu's hands shake as he reads and looks at the documents & photos. Buggy & Ruff also look at the documents and see that the baby is very similar to Palu.
"Hmm? What's this?" asks Ruff while pointing at the baby's left butt.
"I think it's a birthmark," says Buggy.
The baby has a small birthmark on his left butt. It has a shape like a kissing mark, but it's very small. Buggy suddenly grabs Palu's pants and pulls them down to check if he has the birthmark.
"WTF, CAPTAIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" shouts Palu while pulling his pants back panicky.
"Ooh, you have the same birthmark. It seems you are the baby," says Buggy while nodding.
"CAN'T YOU JUST ASK?" yells Palu.
"No, that's not fun. Anyway, we've found out that you're the baby, so you're from this island. Now, let's find your parents. Do you know their address?" asks Buggy to Sapple, he ignores Palu's protest.
"Eh? Ah, yes. It is written there, so you can just follow it," says Sapple.
"Oi oi oi, we aren't from here, so we don't know the location here. That's why I asked you about it," says Buggy.
"Ah, that's right. Then I will send someone to show you the way there," says Sapple.
"No need, I will go with them," says Soconut while standing up.
"Thanks, we'll leave right away then. I will send a gift later as thanks for your help," says Buggy as he leaves the room with the others.
Buggy, Palu, & Ruff then follows Soconut to Palu's family's home. Palu tries to hold his emotion, but it is clear that he is very nervous now. He has anticipated this for his whole life, after all.
They arrived after walking for 20 minutes. It is rather far because the house is located on the outskirts. The house looks broken with many holes on the cloud walls and roof. It is a small house that looks more like a shack rather than a house.
On the left side is a small field that has some plants. But the plants are in bad condition and many of them died. A middle-aged couple can be seen working in the field.
Palu is shaking greatly when he sees the couple. They might be his parents, so he is very nervous now. Soconut then approaches the couple and calls them.
"Bani, Diane," calls Soconut.
The couple turns their heads and the man, Bani says, "Ah, Sir Soconut. It's been a long time. Why'd you come here?"
"A-Are we in trouble?" asks the woman, Diane warily.
"Do I look like bad news for you?" asks Soconut while raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," replied the couple without batting an eye.
The Clowns & Soconut sweatdrops at their honesty.
"Sigh, don't worry, you're not in trouble. You might be happy after this instead. Can you come here for a moment?" asks Soconut.
The couple looks at each other and shrugs their shoulder before approaching Soconut & The Clowns. When they get closer, Diane suddenly looks at Palu and stops on her track.
She looks at Palu intensely from head to toes many times. Her body suddenly shakes and her eyes get wet. Then she walks slowly to Palu while raising her shaky hands.
"What's wrong, honey?" asks Bani while looking at his wife who acts strangely.
"My son, my son!" says Diane while running toward Palu with tears flowing from her eyes.
She hugs Palu and cries loudly on his big chest. Palu also can't hold his tears and he hugs her back. Bani is very confused now, so he asks Soconut about it.
"Your son has returned home," says Soconut while smiling.
Bani widens his eyes and runs to hug Palu too. Palu is a lot taller & bigger than his parents, so he can hold them in his arms. The three of them cry loudly after finally meeting again in 26 years.
"*Sniff* What a touching scene. A mother's intuition is always the best," says Mantis who suddenly appears beside Ruff.
"GOODNESS ME! SINCE WHEN ARE YOU HERE?" yells Ruff while jumping in surprise.
"Huaa~, good for you, Palu," says Jude while crying and using Ruff's shirt to wipe hee snots.
"DON'T USE MY SHIRT TO WIPE YOUR SNOTS!" yells Ruff in protest.
"Shhh! Don't yell too much in this touching moment," says Manba who also suddenly appears behind Ruff.
Ruff wants to yell again, but Mantis shoves a sandwich in his mouth to shut him up. They shouldn't destroy this touching scene with Ruff's yells.
Ruff protests in his mind, 'You're the ones who make me yell.'
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