“Zehahahaha…” At that moment, a very distinctive laugh rang out from one corner of the tavern.
“Holy crap…” The moment that laughter sounded, the expression on Moke’s face did not change.
However, his heart instantly leaped into his throat.
Because in One Piece, many characters had extremely unique laughs.
Sometimes, just hearing the laugh was enough to know who they were.
And this laugh… It absolutely belonged to Blackbeard, one of the future Four Emperors.
Moke’s pupils suddenly shrank.
He had never expected that, just after entering the Grand Line, he would run into such a major boss.
With his current strength, he was no match for him.
“Hoo…” Moke slowly exhaled, forcing himself to calm down.
Then, he turned his head toward the corner where the laughter had come from.
Sure enough, a large man who had originally been sitting with his back to him had now turned around and was looking at him.
There was a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
Beside him sat a man who looked deathly ill, as if he could collapse at any moment.
Doc Q!
Moke recognized him at a glance.
Among Blackbeard’s original four core subordinates were Laffitte, Jesus Burgess, Van Augur, and Doc Q.
But why had Blackbeard come to the entrance of the Grand Line?
No, from another perspective… This place was the entrance from the Four Seas.
If Moke remembered correctly, one of Blackbeard’s four core subordinates, Laffitte, was born in the West Blue.
He had originally been a sheriff there, known by the nicknames “Demon Sheriff” and “Demon Policeman.” He was also the navigator of the Blackbeard Pirates, and in the future, he would become the captain of the Fifth Ship of the Blackbeard Pirates.
And since only Doc Q was by Blackbeard’s side right now, did that mean this was the point in time when Blackbeard went to the West Blue and later successfully recruited Laffitte?
But what exactly was this guy going to the West Blue for?
Could it be that he had gone there specifically to recruit Laffitte?
Was one Laffitte really worth Blackbeard making a special trip?
By this time, nearly everyone in the tavern had already fled.
Blackbeard stood up from his seat and walked toward Moke, sizing him up carefully as he did.
“What you said wasn’t wrong at all.
Those guys who can even abandon their dreams have no right to humiliate those who still carry dreams in their hearts!” Moke silently furrowed his brows.
“Zehahahaha…” Seeing that Moke did not answer immediately, Blackbeard added another sentence right away.
“How about joining my pirate crew?” He had seen everything Moke had done just now.
Not only did Moke possess an astonishing aura capable of intimidating others with a single look, but he also had a powerful Devil Fruit ability.
Then Blackbeard’s gaze fell on the Sandai Kitetsu in Moke’s hand.
It seemed he also possessed decent swordsmanship.
Someone like this was worth recruiting.
Moke fell silent for a moment.
Then, he laughed as well, his tone carrying a touch of youthful arrogance.
“That won’t do… My dream is to become the man who becomes the Pirate King!” “Zehahahaha…” Blackbeard was stunned at first.
Then, he burst into loud laughter.
The way he looked at Moke changed as well, carrying a hint of appraisal.
Finally, he said meaningfully, “I look forward to our next meeting.” After saying that, he turned and walked out of the tavern.
Because he understood.
The kid before him was not someone who would willingly submit to another.
Doc Q followed closely behind him.
After walking out of the tavern, Doc Q looked back once.
Then, he said to Blackbeard, “That kid is still green right now, but sooner or later, he’ll become an opponent.
Why not…” Before he could finish speaking, Blackbeard interrupted him.
“On the sea, people like him are as numerous as cattle.
Am I supposed to kill every single one I see?
Could I even kill them all?” At this point, he also turned back and glanced behind him.
Then, he said with great dominance, “Besides, if one day he truly stands against me, I’ll personally take his head off his shoulders… Zehahahaha!” In other words, in Blackbeard’s eyes, the current Moke could not even be considered an opponent.
Or rather, to him, whether Moke could one day reach a level where he was qualified to stand against him was still completely unknown.
“Hoo…” After Blackbeard left, Moke could not help but take a deep breath.
To be honest, at this moment, he truly did not want to clash head-on with Blackbeard.
Because he had no chance of winning.
However, just now, he had already been prepared to fight.
But… Tsk, tsk!
Moke’s hand, which had already been placed on the hilt of the Sandai Kitetsu, tightened slightly.
His desire to become stronger had never been as intense as it was now.
If his strength was insufficient, he would not even have the qualifications to become someone else’s opponent.
Or rather, others would not even have any interest in attacking him.
… Not long after Blackbeard left, the waiter from earlier walked over.
“This is the Eternal Pose to Cook Island.
Three hundred thousand Berries.” Moke’s face twitched slightly.
It was not that he did not have three hundred thousand Berries.
Rather, he could not help but sigh inwardly.
This black market was truly black-hearted.
After all, the two swords Zoro had bought in Loguetown had only cost one hundred thousand Berries combined.
Even so, he paid the money readily.
After all, he was not lacking that small amount.
Then, he added another question.
“Do you sell information here?” The waiter nodded.
“Of course.
Are you looking for someone, or do you want to know about something?” Moke said, “The cook Atta.
Born in Loguetown, East Blue.
She once appeared on Cook Island… I need all current information about her.” The waiter said, “Please wait a moment…” After saying that, he turned and left.
Moke frowned slightly.
Because he could tell that this waiter was somewhat different from before.
He no longer wore that humble smile.
Instead, there was a faintly arrogant air about him.
This made Moke somewhat confused.
What exactly had caused this change in attitude?
He had just displayed his strength.
Logically speaking, the waiter should have been even more respectful toward him.
“Interesting…” Moke looked at the waiter’s departing figure, and a meaningful expression appeared on his face.
Soon, the waiter returned, holding a piece of paper in his hand.
With a polite smile, he said, “This cook Atta you’re looking for is quite a figure.
So the price is a little high…” In the underground world, information on people was often priced according to their strength and status.
“Oh?” A trace of surprise appeared on Moke’s face.
Originally, he had only agreed to look for her because he had obtained two famous swords from the weapon shop owner.
He had not expected there to be an unexpected surprise.
“As long as the information is accurate, the price is not a problem.” The waiter raised one finger.
“One million Berries.” After saying that, he even took out a Den Den Mushi.
“It is a bit expensive, but there is a reason for the price.
Once we accept your one million, our people will keep an eye on her.
As soon as her location changes, we will notify you immediately.
This will continue until you find her.” Moke could not help but pause.
This service… was indeed worth the price.
So he nodded, then took a sapphire from his chest.
After receiving it, the waiter examined it carefully.
He made a judgment in his heart.
“Although this is a bit ordinary, it should still be worth one million.” Then, he handed the paper in his hand to Moke.
Cook Atta, thirty years old…
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