Groves 1 through 30 were lawless zones where human trafficking, gambling, and brawling thrived.
Strangely enough, the Celestial Dragons would occasionally visit in person.
So when luck was bad, even the proudest individuals would choose to make way for the Celestial Dragons.
Of course…
that was only for ordinary people.
For Richard, the so-called exalted status of the Celestial Dragons meant nothing.
If they met on a narrow path, it would be the other side that yielded.
So the Celestial Dragons were lucky that they didn’t come to this area today.
In Grove 13, a new bar had opened called “Shakky’s Rip-off Bar.” Shakky had once been a great pirate.
After leaving some legendary figure who had dominated the seas, she had come to the Sabaody Archipelago and opened this tavern.
She was also waiting for a certain man to return.
The brazen name, combined with the beauty of the owner Shakky, attracted a large number of outlaws…
but today, they all fled with their tails between their legs.
Because two people were here.
One was Marine Headquarters Admiral, “Black Arm” Zephyr.
The other was Marine Legend, the Hero Garp.
The two of them were renowned across the seas.
Even the lowliest thugs, let alone pirates with bounties over 100 million Berry, would tremble at the sight of them.
Creak.
The door swung open.
The unique double doors of the bar’s entrance swayed back and forth, making a harsh wooden grinding sound…
but it wasn’t loud.
Richard appeared in the doorway with a smile, carrying two jars of liquor in his hands.
His own brew…
Peach Purple Dew.
Brewed with peach blossoms and purple fruit, aged for eight years.
After the volatile compounds had dissipated, it had become a hazy, nectar-like spirit.
Any seasoned drinker would feel their mouth water just by looking at its color.
Crack!
He broke the clay seal, and the aroma of wine filled the air.
Shakky, who looked to be in her thirties or forties, showed a peculiar expression.
“Little Richard…
if you keep this up, my bar’s business is going to explode again.” She had a cigarette dangling from her lips and spoke with a sharp edge.
“Last time, over three hundred people came looking for a wine with that kind of fragrance.
I couldn’t produce it, and I ended up arguing with a few customers.
I’m telling you, Little Richard…
why don’t you give me a few jars every month, so I can have some real leverage to rip people off?” She walked up behind Richard and draped her hand over his broad shoulder in a rather intimate gesture.
Richard smiled and nodded.
“Sure…
5 million Berry per jar.” “Pfft!!” Borsalino sprayed the wine from his throat.
This guy sure knew how to ask…
he was the real ripoff artist.
Shakky let out a tinkling laugh, leaning against Richard and shaking with mirth.
“I say, Richard…
you really know how to do business.
How many jars do you have left?” “Ten.” “Then for people who truly appreciate fine wine…
5 million might not be expensive at all.” Richard nodded.
“It’s just currency.
If you’ve got it now, you might as well spend it quickly and trade it for something useful.” “Well said.
Come on over…
bring your little brother along too.
Tonight, we’re drinking until we drop.” Zephyr’s eyes showed a hint of emotion.
He and Richard were friends across generations.
He rarely encountered people like this on the seas.
Mature, steady, and possessing the spirit of a true hero.
Every time they met, he found qualities in Richard that he genuinely admired.
This was what a real man looked like.
Mihawk knew the other man’s identity…
a Marine Admiral.
There were only three Admirals in the entire world, and he was one of the highest-ranking officials.
So while he marveled at how much his brother was valued by these people, Mihawk felt a secret thrill at being included himself.
Brother was truly remarkable.
The aroma of wine filled the air, and people grew tipsy.
After three rounds of drinking, everyone’s tongues loosened.
Because the uninvited, lazy Borsalino was present, Garp and Zephyr found it inconvenient to speak freely, so they could only discuss past events.
“Garp was a complete hothead when he first joined,” Zephyr said cheerfully.
“Every day he’d be shouting about passion, justice, and all that…
and then he actually went and took down Rocks.” “Ooh, that’s impressive indeed, Sensei…
I’d say Mr.
Garp is probably stronger than you in combat, wouldn’t you say?” Borsalino said casually, chewing his food as he spoke.
“Well…
we’d have to fight to find that out,” Zephyr replied.
His grizzled beard twitched slightly.
After downing another cup, his eyes grew increasingly hazy.
“But now that I’m getting older, I’m starting to feel lost again.” He sighed, and Garp seemed infected by the same mood.
Borsalino was still young.
He listened to his seniors’ words, but couldn’t quite grasp their meaning.
For him, completing assigned missions, accumulating military achievements, developing his Devil Fruit abilities, and striving to become an Admiral…
that was his daily goal.
“Richard…
tell me, what is justice, and what is evil?
I can barely tell the difference anymore.” Zephyr thought back to the tragic slaughter of his family.
But that wasn’t an accident…
it was a vendetta.
The deeper story was buried deep within his heart.
Because the man he had captured had simply been put on a wanted list and called a pirate.
He had never actually committed a crime…
in fact, he had even helped a town survive a harsh winter famine.
And the cause of that famine?
The exorbitant Heavenly Tribute…
Damn it…
If not for this Marine identity…
Richard sighed softly and said in a low voice: “There’s no such thing as justice or evil.
Only the victor is just.”