Before long, all the tavern patrons had left.
Only Afra, who was tending the tavern, her two children, and Carnes remained.
Lily and Light stood behind their mother, protected by her presence.
Afra had also served Carnes a glass of liquor with ice.
“Um…
aren’t you going to run?” From behind Afra, Light cautiously sized up Carnes before asking in a low voice.
Clearly, neither of the children had recognized the now-youthful Carnes.
Carnes took a sip of his drink and looked at the boy.
“Why would I run?” “Aren’t you scared?
Pirates are coming.
Places like taverns are their favorite targets…” Light spoke seriously.
Carnes smiled faintly.
“I’m not afraid.” Not to mention that the pirates everyone was talking about were most likely the crew members he had recruited.
Even if they weren’t…
Even if he were still heavily injured…
Even if he hadn’t recovered…
As long as they weren’t one of the Four Emperors or a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Carnes had nothing to fear.
Even if some famous Supernova showed up, it wouldn’t matter.
And now?
Now he had fully recovered.
His body had returned to its absolute peak.
In this state, even if Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, or Whitebeard himself appeared, Carnes was confident he could make any one of them pay a painful price.
That had been true in the past.
And it was still true now.
“Do you know Carnes?” Light suddenly asked.
The unexpected question made Carnes pause for a moment.
Looking at the boy, he saw Light gesturing as he described someone.
“You know, the old man with gray hair who loves drinking and has a pretty bad personality.
Do you know him?” Carnes turned to glance at Afra.
Her shoulders were trembling slightly as she struggled to suppress her laughter.
Speechless, Carnes looked back at Light.
This brat really had no respect for his elders.
He was talking bad about him right to his face.
Even so, Carnes merely smiled.
“I know him.” Light studied him carefully before breaking into a bright grin.
“I knew it!
Big Brother, you kind of look like that old man.” “Although you’re a little more handsome than him.” Hearing himself called Big Brother, Carnes couldn’t help being momentarily dazed.
For someone who was actually over sixty years old, that title felt incredibly distant.
Even Afra looked slightly surprised when she heard Light address Carnes that way.
Before she could say anything, however, Light suddenly changed the subject.
“Big Brother, did you come here to find that old man?” “What makes you think that?” Carnes asked with a smile.
Light thought for a moment before explaining.
“Because this is my first time seeing you in town, so I figured you must have just arrived.” “And since you kind of look like that old man and you know him, I thought maybe you came looking for him.” “I know where he lives.
Lily and I even delivered wine to him today.” Only then did Carnes nod in understanding.
“I see.” “But that old man isn’t here anymore.” The sudden statement caught Light completely off guard.
His eyes widened.
“T-The old man isn’t here anymore?” “H-How is that possible?!” “He’s still pretty healthy!
Lily and I delivered wine to him today, and he was completely fine!” “Even if that old drunk has a terrible personality, I’ll still get angry if you joke about something like—” Before Light could finish speaking, Afra rubbed his head and laughed.
“You silly child.” “He doesn’t mean the old man died.” “He means the old man isn’t in this town anymore.” Light froze.
Then realization dawned on him.
“Oh!” He immediately turned to Carnes.
“Sorry!
Sorry!
I thought you meant—” Carnes raised a hand, stopping him.
“It’s alright.
I don’t mind.” “Then why did he leave town?” Light asked curiously.
“Where did he go?” Carnes smiled.
“Because he had something very important to do.” “Because he met a child who told him that dying quietly on an island like this would be too frustrating.” “That he should recover.” “That he should go on adventures.” “That he should settle the grudges he hadn’t settled yet.” “The child also said he could never get used to a peaceful life.” “That the vast and turbulent sea was where he truly belonged.” Listening to those words, Light couldn’t help curling his lips.
“Who was that kid?” “To tell an old man with such a bad personality something like that.” “He’s already so old.” Carnes merely looked at him and smiled without answering.
At that moment, Afra looked at Carnes and gently asked, “Then what did he think?” “Children say all sorts of things.
He shouldn’t take those words too seriously.” Carnes slowly shook his head, the smile never leaving his face.
“Even if they were just the words of a child, that child was right.” “That’s exactly how he feels.” “You see…” “He has always wanted to settle those old scores.” “Very much.” “The things that happened back then made him angry.” “Very, very angry.” “And that has never changed.” Afra closed her eyes briefly and lowered her head with a peaceful smile.
“I see.” “Then I can finally stop worrying.”