"My apologies. I was only passing by. So, who was it that called my name just now?"
A large hand pushed the door open, and an enormous figure bent down as he walked inside. Two Fish-Men followed behind him. In an instant, the once ordinary restaurant was filled with an indescribable pressure.
A pair of huge eyes swept over everyone inside the restaurant.
The Straw Hats felt as though they were facing a great enemy, yet they could not make any other movement.
When they turned their gazes toward Ace, however, this powerhouse from the New World looked even more exaggerated than they did. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead. His eyes were wide, his mouth hung open, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.
"Hey, old man, who are you? And why are all of you making faces like that?"
The only one among the Straw Hats who remained completely unaffected was Luffy. He seemed unable to feel the oppressive aura filling the restaurant at all, and he looked at his companions in confusion.
"Luffy, get back here!"
Seeing Luffy walk toward Roldy, Ace hurriedly stepped forward and pulled him behind himself. He raised his head to look at Roldy, and the shock in his heart gradually settled.
"Hello, Mr. Roldy!"
Ace bent down very politely in greeting.
Roldy scratched his chin, showing a bit of interest.
"Gahahaha! I was wondering who it was. So it's one of Whitebeard's brats! If I remember correctly, you're Fire Fist Ace, the one who took over Kozuki Oden's position, right?"
Kozuki Oden had once served as the Second Division Commander aboard Whitebeard's ship. After he left, the position of Second Division Commander had remained vacant until Ace appeared and filled it.
"What? This is the Fate Roldy you were talking about? That emperor of the New World?"
Only then did the slow-witted Luffy react. He stared at Roldy in disbelief.
Sheen , who stood beside Roldy, frowned.
"Brat, aren't you being a little too rude? You should address him as Mr. Roldy."
"Oh! Sorry!"
For some reason, Luffy was simply the kind of person people could not bring themselves to dislike.
Sheen did not make things difficult for Luffy. After all, he knew the kid's identity.
"Gahahaha! It's just a form of address. No need to care so much. Alabasta really is an interesting place. To think the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates would appear here. Is Mr. Newgate doing well?"
Roldy strode boldly into the restaurant and sat down on the table.
Only then did everyone slowly recover. They began sizing up this major figure from the New World.
Unexpectedly, he did not look as vicious as they had imagined. Although his body was tall and imposing, he gave off the impression of a friendly older brother from next door.
Roldy's appearance had not changed much. Although he was already fifty years old, compared to the long lifespans of the Giants, he had only just stepped into his prime. In terms of looks, he appeared to be only around thirty.
"Thank you for your concern! Pops is still in good health. He still drinks three jugs of alcohol every day without fail."
"Is that so? That really is good to hear!"
Roldy could not help feeling a little emotional.
Seventeen years had passed like a baptism. He had missed so many things in between. Now, he had completely become a remnant of the old era. Looking at these newcomers of the present day, it was hard not to recall the past.
He had been happiest back when he was still in the Marines.
But he absolutely could not look back at those days.
Still, when he saw Ann's face, ripples could not help stirring in Roldy's heart.
"Kid, come here."
Roldy crooked a finger at Ann.
Ann's expression changed, yet his legs unconsciously moved in Roldy's direction.
Why did he feel like he was being suppressed by bloodline?
"Your name is Ann?"
Roldy carefully studied Ann.
He really looked like him. He looked very much like Teacher Zephyr when he was young. One could see traces of Zephyr in his features, though his eyes were far too different.
"Yeah."
Ann did not know how he should address Roldy.
Even now, he had not revealed his identity to his companions. When he left Marine Headquarters, he had already made up his mind that while wandering the outside world, he would never borrow his father's name.
This was a common problem among second-generation heirs. They hated being labeled as someone's son, as though all the glory they carried existed only because of their fathers.
Dragon had been like that back then.
Ann was like that now.
"Gahahaha! Not bad, kid! Since you chose to go out to sea, don't leave yourself with any regrets! Work hard. Youngsters like you still have a long way to go. I look forward to the day I see you all at the Sabaody Archipelago!"
Roldy did not expose him.
He merely sighed inwardly. The little brat who had once not even been as big as his palm had now grown into a proper man.
Roldy had not come here to eat. Next, he was going to visit Crocodile.
After chatting with everyone for a few more sentences, he planned to leave.
However, before he could go, Vivi, who had been standing off to the side like she was invisible, finally could not hold herself back.
"Mr. Roldy, please wait!"
Vivi gathered her courage and did her best not to show any fear.
Her voice drew everyone's attention.
Roldy turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow. If he remembered correctly, this was the princess of Alabasta, right?
A little brat from the Nefertari family. In a sense, she also carried the bloodline of the gods.
But that was not enough to make Roldy regard her highly.
He only saw her as one of Luffy and the others' companions. At most, she was merely the princess of a kingdom. Her status sounded noble, but in reality, in the red-light district of the Sabaody Archipelago, one could find princesses from all kinds of races.
"Is there something you need?"
"Crocodile is your subordinate, isn't he?"
Vivi mustered her courage and spoke.
Roldy nodded.
The hearts of the Straw Hats tightened.
Their next target was Crocodile. He was already an opponent who made them feel despair. And now, the boss behind such a man had appeared as well.
That meant what they might have to face next was probably not just Crocodile alone.
This monster made it difficult to breathe simply by appearing.
Just how powerful was he?
No one relaxed just because Roldy seemed friendly.
Anyone could figure it out with their knees. The ruler of the Underworld , an emperor of the New World, a remnant of the old era… which of those titles had not been built atop blood and corpses?
Perhaps the only one with some idea of the situation was Ann.
"He is stealing this kingdom. Did you know that? Countless people have died because of his conspiracy. Those civilians are completely innocent! Please, make him stop!"
Such naive words left Roldy momentarily unsure of what to say.
He fell silent.
Beside him, Tiger looked at Vivi as though he were looking at an idiot.
Sheen could not hold back and burst out laughing.
"What is so funny about that?!"
The strange reactions from Roldy and the other two made Vivi unable to stop herself from shouting.
Beside her, Luffy took two steps forward and stood next to Vivi.
The hot blood of youth made him fearless of Roldy's reputation. Since he intended to become the freest man on the sea, then whenever he encountered something that made him unhappy, he would solve it.
"Hey, hey, hey. I haven't heard such a funny joke in a long time! Fine, I'll apologize first."
Sheen wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. After adjusting his breathing, he spoke with a smiling expression.
"Little girl, I admire your courage. But saying things like that is meaningless! The truth of this world is that the weak are prey to the strong. You should be glad my big brother is in a good mood today! Go cool off somewhere else!"
"Hey, Fish-Man uncle! Are you saying you don't care even if that many people die? You think it doesn't matter?"
Luffy could no longer hold back.
Ignoring Ace's look from the side, he stepped forward stubbornly.
Ace sighed as well, then took two steps forward and stood beside Luffy. His meaning was already perfectly clear.
Every member of the Straw Hats rose to their feet.
Such unity did make one think a little more highly of them.
But…
That was all.
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