Leviathan Island, also known as the Daylight City.
However, this moniker has nothing to do with the royal capital of Ahab Kingdom, located atop the island.
Instead, it originates from the only city under Ahab Kingdom's rule—Dick City.
This bustling city, nestled within the "whale's mouth" of Leviathan Island, is also colloquially called the "Cave City."
The mast ship carrying Maude and his crew sailed into the enormous harbor.
Contrary to expectations of a dim and shadowy environment, the interior of the island's cavern was bright as day.
From the cavern's rocky ceiling hung countless vine-like tendrils, each as thick as a beam.
Suspended from these tendrils were numerous glowing orbs.
Each orb was about the size of a basketball, and their sheer number illuminated the cavern in a soft, gentle light, creating a daylight-like glow.
Under this warm light, the mast ship broke the harbor's calm waters.
Ripples spread out from the keel, reflecting specks of shimmering light.
Bailey leaned on the railing, curiously observing the glistening ripples on the water.
Meanwhile, Maude and the others gazed upward at the glowing orbs and vines above.
The radiance bathing their skin was not harsh; instead, it was akin to sunlight, imparting a faint warmth.
"What an extraordinary plant…" Maude thought to himself.
With such miraculous flora, it was no wonder that a prosperous city could be built within Leviathan's cavern.
Gaya, eyeing the glowing vines, pressed a finger to her chin and murmured, "I wonder how they taste... or if they can be used as ingredients."
"…"
Hearing her musing, Maude glanced at Gaya.
Those glowing vines were clearly the lifeblood of Dick City. It was highly unlikely the locals would let outsiders tamper with them so easily.
Before long, the mast ship arrived at a docking area designated for foreign vessels.
This area, located on the harbor's left side, was home to around fifty to sixty ships of varying sizes.
Among them, at least twenty were pirate ships.
Allowing pirates free access to Dick City was a unique characteristic of Leviathan Island and the Ahab Kingdom.
To the kingdom and its people, the pirates who frequented their city brought chaos but also wealth.
It was this very dynamic that enabled the Thomas Shipyard—catering mainly to pirates—to become the kingdom's tax giant, contributing staggering sums to Ahab Kingdom's treasury every year.
As for any unruly behavior pirates might engage in within Dick City, as long as they kept it hidden in the sewers, the greedy king who resided high above on the whale's head would turn a blind eye.
But if anyone crossed the line, Ahab Kingdom's military would show no mercy.
Once the mast ship docked, Maude and his crew disembarked one by one.
Before setting foot ashore, Maude ensured all their funds were securely packed.
A rough estimate put the total at just over six hundred million berries.
With such a sum, even the notoriously extortionate Thomas Shipyard would have no trouble providing them with a top-tier ship.
The dock, which had been lively with chatter, gradually fell silent as Maude and his crew stepped off their ship.
"It's the Maude Pirates…"
The surrounding people reacted with mixed expressions, their gazes fixed mostly on Maude.
Due to the slaughter at Twin Island, Maude had become infamous as a ruthless, bloodthirsty individual in the eyes of many.
Ignoring the stares from the crowd, Maude scanned the surroundings, searching for the location of the Thomas Shipyard.
Typically, shipyards were situated by the port or near the water.
Yet after a few rounds of observation, Maude saw no building resembling a shipyard.
"Guess I'll have to ask someone for directions."
Muttering to himself, Maude turned his attention to the nearby crowd.
Spotting a burly, bearded man who stood out among the onlookers, Maude walked toward him.
"Mother of…!"
The man's body trembled as Maude locked eyes with him. Without a second thought, he turned and bolted.
"???"
Maude stared blankly at the bearded man, who disappeared in the blink of an eye.
What's going on here?
Puzzled, Maude shifted his gaze to a beautiful woman nearby.
"Eek!!!"
The woman let out a sharp scream as soon as their eyes met. Lifting her skirt, she sprinted off as well.
"…"
Maud's eyelid twitched.
I just want to ask for directions. Is this really necessary?
Baffled, Maud looked around at the rest of the crowd.
But within seconds, the remaining onlookers scattered like startled birds.
In the blink of an eye, the once-bustling area was deserted, leaving only Maude and his crew.
"What's going on?"
Maude stood there, utterly dumbfounded.
"Hoho."
Lafitte, seeming to grasp the situation, chuckled lightly before speaking seriously, "Our captain's reputation has certainly spread far and wide."
"This..."
Maude couldn't refute it.
The dock, meant specifically for foreign ships to anchor, was only a small part of Dick City's bustling port.
What was once a lively area filled with people coming and going was now eerily silent, devoid of a single figure—though a few scattered shoes left behind hinted at a hasty departure.
"Forget it. Let's head into the city," Maude said, shaking his head slightly.
He had only intended to ask for directions, never expecting a mere glance to clear the area like this.
Taking the lead, Maude strode forward, his crew following behind with amused expressions, watching their captain's back.
After walking a short distance, a young boy emerged from behind a warehouse along the road and stood alone, blocking Maude and his crew.
The boy, with a buzz cut and several smudges of dirt on his face and clothes, had two conspicuous gaps in his teeth that were impossible to miss when he opened his mouth.
Standing before Maude's group, the boy pulled a small, folded booklet from his satchel.
"Sir, I have a sightseeing guide to Dick City. If you're willing to purchase it, I think it'll be very helpful to you," he said.
The boy's expression was composed, but his trembling legs betrayed his fear or nervousness.
Maude regarded the young boy standing courageously before them with interest.
Earlier, he had wanted to ask for directions, but somehow, his mere presence had scared away an entire crowd. Yet here was this boy—no older than eight or nine—who dared to approach him.
"Does it have a map?"
"It does!"
"How much?"
"One thousand Berries!"
Hearing this, Maude immediately took out a thousand Berries and bought the so-called sightseeing guide.
The gap-toothed boy accepted the money but didn't leave right away. Instead, he watched as Maude opened the booklet.
"What? Is there something else?"
While opening the guide, Maude glanced down at the boy.
The boy's legs were still shaking, but he forced himself to appear calm. "If you're dissatisfied with the guide, I can arrange an immediate refund," he said in a tone and manner far beyond his years.
This overly formal response from such a young boy brought a chuckle from Maude.
The same was true for Gaya and the others, who found the plucky boy quite amusing.
"Fair enough."
Maude nodded at the boy before turning his attention to the guide.
To his surprise, the map inside was hand-drawn.
Still, it was legible enough.
A quick glance was all it took for Maude to locate the Thomas Shipyard, which was situated deep inside Dick City, seemingly built against the cliffside.
"Did you draw this guide yourself?"
"Yes," the boy answered nervously. "Are... are you satisfied with it?"
"It's quite good."
Maude put the guide away.
Seeing that Maud had no intention of returning the guide, the boy breathed a sigh of relief.
Maude looked at the boy thoughtfully before asking, "We could use a guide. Interested?"
"Ah?"
The boy's eyes widened in shock.
But it didn't take long for him to process the offer. Without even asking about the pay, he nodded so vigorously it looked like he was pecking grain.
Maude chuckled and, after negotiating a suitable payment, the boy began leading them into Dick City.
Once Maude and his crew had gone far enough, numerous eyes emerged from the shadows, staring intently at their departing figures.
The owners of these gazes held various items—some clutching Maude's wanted poster, others gripping assassination orders, and still others holding newspapers featuring recent reports on the Twin Island incident.
"The Maude Pirates... Could they be here for the Devil Fruit?"
A man with two chains wrapped around his body and hair and beard styled like fan blades muttered quietly to himself.
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