“Hahaha, is that so?” Biggs looked genuinely surprised.
The young man sitting across from him wasn’t very old, yet there was already something about him that felt unmistakably larger than life.
As long as there’s wine, there are stories?
Strange words.
But paired with this old-fashioned liquor, they somehow suited him perfectly.
After only a few exchanges, Biggs had already decided that Kael was the sort of person he could get along with.
Several rounds later, the alcohol had begun to settle in.
Biggs leaned back slightly, pleasantly buzzed.
A swordsman like this suddenly appearing in the Azure Sky Sea made him wonder whether the age itself was beginning to shift.
Among all the names rising across the seas lately, none carried more momentum than Gol D.
Roger.
After Rocks fell, Roger seemed like the man most likely to rise above every other pirate on the sea.
People had already started joking about the famous trio aboard his ship— Gold Roger.
Silver Rayleigh.
And occasionally, Copper Gaban.
Though Gaban’s part of the joke rarely got as much attention.
Biggs narrowed his eyes.
Kael…
Had any recent newcomer with that name appeared in the intelligence circulating through the New World?
No.
Nothing came to mind.
“Kael.” Biggs smiled.
“Where exactly are you from?” He gestured vaguely at Kael’s clothes.
“The way you carry yourself makes it hard to imagine you came from an ordinary background.” There was no caution in Biggs’s tone.
He didn’t care whether Kael was connected to the Marines, royalty, or even the World Government.
Once someone entered the New World, titles mattered far less.
Out here, strength decided how seriously people treated you.
“Shikkearu.” Biggs froze.
“…What?” Beside Kael, Mihawk’s golden eyes sharpened instantly.
Every time that name was spoken aloud, something in him stirred.
Grief.
Anger.
Memories he was still too young to bury properly.
Unlike Kael, Mihawk had not yet learned how to hide every edge.
His emotions still slipped into his sword aura when the past was touched.
Biggs noticed immediately.
“So you’re that swordsman?” Then his gaze shifted toward Mihawk.
“Or is it him?” Biggs himself wasn’t particularly large.
He was tall and lean, with yellow hair, tanned skin, and a scar across his face.
When he smiled, the scar moved with it, giving him a vicious appearance that didn’t match his surprisingly gentle way of speaking.
Ever since the brothers first entered Biggs’s Tavern, he had been paying close attention to the weapon on Mihawk’s back.
A black blade.
An intricate hamon.
Craftsmanship of that level was exceedingly rare.
Even the finest smiths on the sea might need years to create something comparable.
And yet…
A blade like that had never made a name for itself.
That was the strange part.
A weapon of such obvious quality should already have legends attached to it.
Kael took another drink.
“We actually came here looking for information.” Biggs raised an eyebrow.
“About what?” “Recent events.” Kael lightly tapped his cup.
“And this is what I’m offering in exchange.” The wine.
That certainly made sense.
A brew made through some forgotten old method would be irresistible to men who cared about drinking.
And if Kael really brewed it himself…
Then there was nowhere else in the world to buy it.
That made every jar a rarity.
Biggs smiled knowingly.
“You want information on Roger, don’t you?” “Yes.” Kael made no effort to deny it.
“But how did you know?” “Because everyone wants information on Roger.” Biggs chuckled.
“His bounty is already up to 1,530,000,000 Berries.” “Anyone who managed to bring him down would have enough money to live like a king for several lifetimes.” There was open mockery in Biggs’s smile.
Most of the people dreaming about that bounty would probably die the moment they actually stood in front of Roger.
Fighting only for money was one of the lowest reasons to draw a weapon.
Practical, perhaps.
Understandable.
But still low.
“This isn’t exactly secret information.” Biggs poured himself another drink.
“I can tell you.” “A lot of people have gathered in the Azure Sky Sea recently.” “We’re all waiting for one thing.” Kael looked up.
“What?” Biggs’s grin widened.
“To see who deserves to rule the sea.” His expression became almost feverish.
“Golden Lion Shiki…
or Gol D.
Roger.” “Which one of them is the true king of this era?” Biggs leaned forward.
“The Grand Line is the road every great pirate dreams of conquering.” “It crosses countless seas and islands.” “Countless crews have tried to reach its end.” “And every one of them has fallen short.” His eyes gleamed.
“If Shiki or Roger can reach the end…” “Then that man will stand above every other pirate on the sea.” “The undisputed ruler.” “I see…” Kael rubbed his chin.
So that was how pirates viewed the great treasure.
Perhaps the actual wealth hidden at the end didn’t even matter that much.
What mattered was the achievement.
Doing something no one else could do.
Reaching a place no one else could reach.
Once enough people believed that accomplishment represented the summit…
The honor itself became power.
It reminded Kael of something he’d learned long ago.
Legends often began with someone accomplishing what everyone else thought impossible.
Biggs continued.
“Roger’s crew is gathering in the waters of Edd War, not far from the Azure Sky region.” “Apparently Shiki sent him an ultimatum.” “If Roger refuses to show up, his reputation will take a serious hit.” Biggs laughed.
“Of course, he won’t refuse.” “That man doesn’t seem afraid of anything.” Then his expression became more serious.
“But if he does go, he’ll be facing Shiki’s entire fleet.” “Fifty ships.” “And those aren’t filled with nobodies.” “Plenty of famous pirates have gathered under the Golden Lion.” Biggs shook his head.
“I really have no idea how Roger plans to deal with that.” Kael took another sip.
“So that’s where he is.” Then he looked at Biggs.
“By the way…” Biggs raised his cup.
“Hm?” “Roger is a friend of mine.” Clatter.
Somewhere else in the quiet second-floor room, a cup slipped from someone’s hand and hit the floor.
Biggs instantly sobered.
His smile vanished.
“Hey.” He stared at Kael.
“Don’t joke about something like that.” Author’s Note : Want to keep reading?
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