"Boss, this is where the Kingdom of Bass used to brew its wine," said Ba Da, standing on one of the many bridges spanning the great river between Spring Island and Winter Island. Ruins of buildings stretched across the bridge, and a flicker of memory crossed his eyes.
"Due to its rare dual climate, Bass Island boasts incredibly abundant produce."
"Spring Island, skilled in grain cultivation, and Winter Island, with its unique hot springs and mountain spring water."
"The combination of these two gave birth to the Grand Line's exclusive 'Bass Wine.'"
"This also led to the past prosperity of the Kingdom of Bass, making it once a renowned 'Kingdom of Wine' throughout the Grand Line."
He gazed beyond the river, his eyes narrowing, and continued, "These ruins before us were once breweries. During the Kingdom of Bass's peak, there were thirteen such breweries."
"Thirteen?"
Kong Tai followed Ba Da's gaze to the ruins on the bridge, then along the river.
He saw a dozen or so bridges of varying sizes dotting the river behind them.
And on each bridge stood buildings in the same style as the ruins before them.
These dilapidated structures, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, appeared even more desolate and lonely.
He could sense the scene of former prosperity from these bridges and buildings.
It must have been a sea of people, a bustling harbor.
Countless ships would arrive here, load up with Bass Wine, and set sail for the Grand Line, or even the Four Seas.
"Let's go!"
Kong Tai said no more, asked no more.
"Understood, Boss."
Ba Da took the lead, stepping onto the bridge.
Behind him followed dozens of subordinates, each carrying a large pack.
Although Ba Da hadn't killed the pirates and bounty hunters who had collapsed on the pier, he had thoroughly plundered their food and money.
Despite being bounty hunters, they hadn't killed many people. It would have been difficult for them to kill so many at once.
Even though they knew these were people who deserved to die, who knew if there might be some truly good people among them!
As they crossed the bridge, Kong Tai and his group shivered simultaneously.
Only the Grand Line could have such a magical place!
One moment they were in warm spring, the next they entered a frigid winter. The drastic change made them exclaim that this surely wasn't natural, but rather that a god had created such a bizarre yet balanced scene.
In stark contrast to Kong Tai and his group, Ba Da's crew seemed to shed their previous caution upon entering Winter Island.
Instead, they became spirited and excited.
They gave the impression of entering a hopeful spring rather than a silent winter.
The light in their eyes was different.
Sensing the change in Ba Da's group, Kong Tai and his companions didn't ask questions. They simply tightened their clothes and followed Ba Da, stepping on the thick snow, moving quickly towards the depths of Winter Island.
On this silent winter island, where all life was dormant, only the sound of their footsteps broke the stillness, giving them a sense of adventure.
As they ventured deeper and climbed over a small hill, the view suddenly opened up.
Gazing upon the empty plain before them, everyone turned their eyes to Ba Da.
A red glow flashed in Kong Tai's eyes; he detected no signs of life.
He turned to stare at Ba Da and chuckled, "Ba Da, you didn't bring us here to have a banquet and eat snow mountain hot pot, did you!"
"Huh! Is there such a thing as snow mountain hot pot?"
Ah Hua was taken aback by the question, then pushed up his glasses, his eyes alight with excitement. "How did I not think of that! The endless snow is the best refrigerator and water source!"
"Eating hot pot in the snow must be amazing!"
"Oh..."
A Luo, with his left hand in his pocket and his right hand adjusting his hair, felt the wind, which was a bit strong, mess up his flamboyant hairstyle.
"No wonder Ba Da and your crew were looking for so much food!"
"So you were coming for a snow mountain feast!"
"Hahahaha..."
A Tao pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a deep drag, and looked at the excited duo.
"Such idiots."
Anyone with eyes could see Kong Tai was joking, yet these two took it seriously.
He then turned his head to the side, a look of confusion on his face as he surveyed the plain.
This place didn't look like it could hide anyone.
He remembered that Kong Tai had asked Ba Da to bring them to meet the remaining people of the Kingdom of Bass!
"Just follow, Boss."
Ba Da ignored Ah Hua and the other who was excitedly contemplating snow mountain hot pot. He walked to a protruding rock and stopped.
"Boss, are you really going to take them in?"
A subordinate, looking at Ba Da, couldn't help but step forward and speak loudly.
Although Kong Tai's group hadn't shown any malicious intent and had even given them so much food and money, they were pirates!
And they were pirates with bounties exceeding 500 million.
If they revealed their true intentions once they reached their destination, it would be too late.
Not only would they be in danger, but the hidden people would also be discovered by other pirates on the island, captured, and sold into slavery.
This was the last thing they wanted to see.
It was also the reason they had been hiding their identities.
The destruction of the Kingdom of Bass had made its villagers targets for human traffickers.
To this day, over ninety percent of the villagers had been captured and sold into slavery.
"It's alright, I trust them."
"Boss..."
Seeing his subordinate still wanting to speak, Ba Da quickly extended his hand to interrupt him.
"Enough. If you don't trust them, don't you trust me?"
He didn't trust Kong Tai's group without reason. From the news and their demeanor when they met, he could infer that Kong Tai was different from ordinary pirates.
Moreover, he possessed an ability unknown to everyone else.
It was Observation Haki, which he had awakened at a very young age. His Observation Haki allowed him to see the true thoughts in a person's heart.
So, when Kong Tai had declared they were "partners of justice," he had believed him.
Ever since Bass was erased from the World Government's records, leading to its destruction.
He had witnessed countless individuals who spoke of justice but harbored immense evil in their hearts. These people had captured countless individuals from the Kingdom of Bass, causing countless families to be torn apart and lives to be ruined.
This had made Ba Da's group no longer believe in justice.
This was why they had reacted with such anger when they heard Kong Tai's words.
Because they had once believed so strongly in justice!
When someone who truly embodied justice arrived, they doubted him instead and questioned him loudly.
They were simply too deeply hurt to believe easily.
They were not slaves like Fuenyu, so they had become bounty hunters instead of pirates.
This indicated that they still yearned for the light.
Hearing his boss's words, the subordinate asked no more.
He slowly retreated back into the crowd, watching Kong Tai's group warily.
Although he trusted his boss, a certain level of vigilance was still necessary.