“This kid is just trying to gild his own name.” A tall figure hidden in the shadows spoke up.
Richard looked to be only sixteen or seventeen…
what right did he have to claim he was friends with Roger?
Roger was a middle-aged man now, after all.
There were even rumors that the thick black hair on his face wasn’t a beard…
it was nose hair.
Though nobody knew if that was true, many pirates had expressed disappointment upon learning that bit of trivia.
“He may look young, but his mental age is probably quite mature,” Another rather large pirate remarked calmly.
“If maturity can command admiration and respect, then why couldn’t they be friends?” Richard took a sip of his wine and turned to look.
The speaker was someone hidden in shadow…
his face was hard to make out, but his left hand was a golden hook.
Crocodile?
Crocodile was said to have risen to fame at age twenty.
Right now, he was a pirate making his way through the Grand Line.
Richard hadn’t expected to run into him in a tavern like this.
“Well said,” Richard replied with a smile.
“Why couldn’t it be possible?” “Hm…
so what now?” Crocodile stepped out from the shadows, his youthful face carrying a hint of arrogant coldness.
He was tall…
over two meters thirty…
a head taller than Richard, wearing a loose robe, a brown suit jacket over a white shirt.
He had an air of nobility about him, though the dust and sand made him look like a down-on-his-luck aristocrat.
“Roger is being pressured by Golden Lion.
If a man like that fails, it’ll be the fall of a legend.
And when he falls, countless new legends will rise.
Everyone’s eyes are on him.” Crocodile’s lips curved upward as he fixed his gaze on Richard and Mihawk.
He could tell that both of them were skilled swordsmen…
but rookies were never afraid of a fight.
“Since you’ve invoked Roger’s name, you have to be prepared to pay the price.” “Ah…
would you like a drink?” Richard raised his wine bowl.
Tusu Wine…
a clear, refined sake.
Drinking it felt like a spring breeze, warming the heart, bringing back memories of lazy days spent with loved ones.
“Damn it,” Crocodile’s expression shifted instantly…
his carefully constructed aloof demeanor had been completely shattered.
“That’s not what I’m talking about!
I’m challenging you!
No matter who you are…
since you used Roger’s name, you have to accept the consequences of being challenged!!” Richard laughed heartily.
“Fine, fine…
but no need to rush.
Have a drink first.” “Uh…
no, no…” Crocodile was at a complete loss for words.
How was I supposed to continue the conversation now?
All the other pirates in the room were staring at me, dammit.
What was this kid’s name again?!
Crocodile was a combative newcomer, already gaining some notoriety on the seas, and he had formed his own pirate crew.
Of course, he had also heard the rumors and come here to see the outcome of the clash between the two legendary pirates at Edd Sea.
This was the biggest news of the year…
maybe even of the past few years.
Mihawk took a sip of his wine.
His tolerance had never been great, and by now, he was already a little tipsy.
After hearing the intelligence, he thought back to how his brother had led them on this journey…
sometimes fast, sometimes leisurely, seemingly aimless, yet always heading in the general direction of these waters.
If his brother didn’t know anything, that would be impossible.
But how did he know?
Could he see the future?
Was he really a god?
Young Mihawk’s mind was filled with enormous question marks.
“Hey!!!
You…
you bastard…” Crocodile felt the heat of everyone’s stares and grew increasingly unsettled.
His expression shifted several times, his face eventually flushing bright red.
He felt awful…
especially when he looked into Richard’s eyes.
Why could this person stay so calm?
What was he so calm about?!
Who did he think he was looking down on?!
It seemed he couldn’t handle Richard’s almost unsettlingly calm gaze, nor that faint, elusive smile.
That smile wasn’t gentle at all…
it was like a knife scraping across his face.
And that Biggs…
he looked like he was enjoying every moment of this.
“Are you going to run away?!” Crocodile stared directly at Richard.
After all, he was the one who had initiated this challenge.
“Anyway…
a fight you want isn’t something I’m obligated to accept here.” Richard laughed.
“But my little brother might be interested.
Mihawk…
want to give it a try?” Mihawk glanced at Crocodile and shook his head casually.
“Not interested.” He wasn’t a swordsman.
Even if he won, there’d be no sense of accomplishment.
And besides…
why should he accept a challenge from someone who wasn’t a swordsman?
“Tch…
arrogant bastard!!!” Richard spread his hands.
“Then there’s nothing I can do about it.
Crocodile…
try someone else.” “You know me?!” Crocodile’s expression shifted again.
This guy…
he looked even younger than me…
how could he be so composed and act like he knew everything?!
Biggs suddenly laughed.
“Alright, alright, boy.” He turned to Crocodile and said in a low voice: “These two brothers are swordsmen.
Even if anyone were to issue a challenge, I’d be the first to speak…
when did it become your turn, a newcomer like you, to open your mouth?
If you’re in my tavern, you follow my rules.
If you want to fight, take it to the Edd Sea after you leave the Blue Sky Sea.
Let Roger and Golden Lion see the courage of the new generation.” “Hmph,” Crocodile took a deep breath and turned back to his seat.
At this moment, many eyes unconsciously drifted back to Richard.
He had just been arguing with someone, yet he continued chatting and laughing with Biggs as if nothing had happened.
That kind of mindset…
There was something to it.