Chapter 351: Daily Life - Sabo's Doubt

Years ago, Ace and Luffy took a long time to recover from the grief of Sabo's "death."

It was because Sabo had once said that he would set sail at the age of seventeen.

That was why Ace and Luffy decided they too would set sail at the age of seventeen to pursue their dreams.

By the seaside near Foosha Village, a black-haired boy wearing a straw hat stood with an excited expression, watching Ace sail away. Even after Ace disappeared from his view, he remained rooted to the spot.

The villagers who had come to see Ace off had mostly left.

Makino, the owner of the only bar in Foosha Village, stayed by the straw-hat-wearing boy's side, her voice gentle. "Luffy, Ace is already gone. Come on, let's head back."

"Yeah!" Luffy clenched his fists, smiling wide. "Three more years. Before I set sail, I'll become even stronger. Ace, one day I'll definitely defeat you!"

"You've got a lot of spirit," Makino said with a smile.

"Of course! Ace is really strong, and if I don't work hard, there's no way I'll catch up to him." Luffy's eyes grew even more determined as he continued, "Sabo, Ace has already set sail. I'm next. Don't worry, we'll carry your dream with us and conquer the Grand Line. I'm going to be the Pirate King!"

Not far away, on a medium-sized sailing ship...

Sabo sneezed unexpectedly.

Rubbing his nose, Sabo looked puzzled. "What's going on? It feels like someone is thinking about me."

Koala, grumbling, said, "Yeah right. Who would be thinking about you? Come down from the lookout before the sea breeze gives you a cold."

"Alright." Sabo nodded in agreement, and just then, an island appeared on the horizon. "I see the island!"

Sabo leaped down from the lookout, quickly making his way to the bow of the ship. As he gazed at the approaching island, he was struck by a strange sense of familiarity.

"I feel like I've been here before."

"What are you talking about?" Koala walked up beside him, staring at the island as well. "Once we dock, do you want to go explore the island? I can go with you."

"No need," Sabo replied straightforwardly. "I'm not here for sightseeing."

"I know... I haven't met that girl, but Takumi made sure to scatter her ashes here, probably to bring her back home. This might be Takumi and his sister's hometown. Don't you want to see her homeland? We don't need to worry about the mission right now; our group split into two teams, and Karasu has already gone ahead. We could wait another day and..."

"Koala," Sabo interrupted, turning to her with a gentle smile. "I know what I'm doing, don't worry."

"You..." Koala sighed. "Fine, do whatever you want..."

Once the ship had docked...

Sabo grabbed a bouquet of white lilacs and leapt off the ship.

Koala leaned on the railing, watching him. "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

Sabo waved to her, smiling. "No need."

He walked a short distance along the shore.

By chance, Luffy and Makino had already left before Sabo arrived.

Sabo didn't walk far before he stopped, only about a hundred meters from the ship.

He looked out at the endless sea, and after a moment of silence, he tossed the bouquet into the water.

"Mumu, I'm sorry I came late," Sabo said solemnly. "I will never be able to repay you in this life, but I promise, as long as it's within my power, I'll do everything I can to help your brother."

While Sabo was speaking, a middle-aged man carrying a fish basket walked by behind him.

"Young man, you look unfamiliar. Are you from out of town?" The man glanced at Sabo, his tone friendly. "Here to visit? Foosha Village is nearby. If you need a place to stay, I can recommend a few good, affordable inns."

"No, thank you." Sabo looked back at the man, politely refusing. "I'll be leaving shortly."

"Oh, alright." The man nodded, preparing to leave.

Sabo hesitated, then called out, "Wait, sir."

The man stopped, turning back to Sabo. "Yes, young man?"

Sabo hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you from Foosha Village?"

The man nodded. "That's right. I live in Foosha Village. What's the matter?"

"It's nothing. I just wanted to ask if you know someone named Mumu Takumi."

"Mumu Takumi?" The man looked puzzled. "Never heard of them... I know most people from the nearby villages too, but I've never heard that name."

Hearing this, Sabo was taken aback. Without thinking, he asked, "Then what about Takumi? Do you know him?"

"Takumi?" The man paused, then laughed. "Of course, I know that kid. When he was ten, he was shipwrecked and washed ashore. My friends and I were the ones who found him. He stayed in our village for a while before leaving. Never came back since. And look at him now—1.5 billion bounty on his head! Incredible!"

As the man laughed and recounted what he knew, Sabo found the story increasingly perplexing.

"Shipwrecked at ten?" Sabo stared at the man, continuing his questions. "Are you sure he was alone when he washed ashore?"

"Absolutely." The man nodded, confused. "Why? Did Takumi do something to you?"

"No." Sabo shook his head. "Mumu Takumi was Takumi's sister. When he was in the village, did he mention having a sister?"

"No, not at all." The man shook his head. "It seemed like the boy had been through something traumatic. After he woke up, he hardly spoke to anyone. No matter what we asked, he didn't answer. He only ever spoke a few words with Makino, the bar owner. He left before any of us really got to know him."

Originally, Sabo had intended to leave after paying his respects to Mumu. Now, he'd changed his mind.

"Sir, could you tell me where the bar is?" Sabo asked politely.

The man pointed in the direction of Makino's bar. "Head that way. If you walk quickly, it should take you about ten minutes."

"Thank you." Sabo nodded, then returned to the ship. He called up to Koala, who was still leaning on the railing, "Koala, you guys wait here for a bit longer. There's something I need to check."

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