(5 more chapters coming today.
“He’s just borrowing Roger’s name to make himself look important.” A tall figure hidden in the shadows spoke from the corner of the room.
Kael looked sixteen or seventeen at most.
How could someone that young possibly be friends with Roger?
Roger was already a grown man well into middle age.
There was even a rumor going around that the thick black hair around his mouth wasn’t actually a mustache at all— It was nose hair.
No one knew whether that was true.
But when the rumor first spread, plenty of pirates claimed it had ruined Roger’s image forever.
Another large pirate spoke from nearby.
“He looks young.” “But mentally?” His voice was calm.
“He’s probably older than he seems.” The man continued, “If someone’s maturity and character are enough to earn respect, then why couldn’t Roger consider him a friend?” Kael took another drink and glanced toward the speaker.
The man was still half-hidden in shadow, making his face difficult to see.
But his left hand was unmistakable.
A golden hook.
Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Crocodile?
A young Crocodile.
Kael remembered that Crocodile would begin making a real name for himself in his early twenties.
For now, he was still just another pirate carving out a reputation on the Grand Line.
Kael hadn’t expected to run into him here.
“Well said.” Kael smiled.
“Why couldn’t we be friends?” Crocodile stepped out from the shadows.
His young face still carried traces of immaturity, but the arrogance in his expression was already unmistakable.
He was tall.
Very tall.
Well over two meters tall, enough to stand a full head above Kael.
He wore a broad cloak over a brown suit jacket and white shirt.
The clothes gave him the air of a nobleman.
Though after weeks of exposure to wind and sand, he looked more like a nobleman who’d lost his estate.
“So what now?” Crocodile’s lips curled faintly.
“Roger’s being pressured by the Golden Lion.” “If a man like that loses, one legend falls.” “And when one legend falls…” His eyes sharpened.
“Countless new ones rise to take his place.” Everyone in this room was watching Roger.
Waiting.
Crocodile included.
His gaze shifted between Kael and Mihawk.
He could tell both brothers were strong swordsmen.
That alone was enough to interest him.
Young pirates rarely knew fear.
And Crocodile was no exception.
“If you’re going to use Roger’s name,” he said, “then you should be ready to pay the price that comes with it.” Kael raised his wine bowl.
“Want a drink?” Crocodile froze.
Kael was drinking Tusu Wine, clear and smooth.
It went down gently, leaving behind a mellow warmth.
The kind of drink that made a man remember quiet days spent with family or old friends.
Crocodile’s carefully maintained cold expression collapsed instantly.
“Damn it.” He glared.
“That’s not what I meant.” He pointed toward Kael.
“I’m challenging you.” “Whoever you are, if you’re going to throw Roger’s name around, then you should be prepared for someone to test you!” Kael burst out laughing.
“Fine.” Crocodile’s eyes brightened.
“But there’s no rush.” Kael lifted the bowl again.
“Have a drink first.” “Uh…” Crocodile stopped.
“No.” For once, he had absolutely no idea what to say next.
The entire room was watching.
Damn it.
How am I supposed to follow that up?
And what was this guy’s name again?
Crocodile was already becoming known as an aggressive young pirate.
He had even gathered a crew of his own.
Like many others, he had come to the Azure Sky Sea after hearing the rumors.
He wanted to see the outcome of the clash at Edd War.
Roger against the Golden Lion.
Two legendary pirates confronting one another.
It was easily the biggest story of the year.
Possibly the biggest in several years.
Beside Kael, Mihawk took another small sip of wine.
His alcohol tolerance had never been particularly good.
By now, he was already slightly buzzed.
But his mind remained active.
Ever since hearing Biggs’s information, something had been bothering him.
Kael had brought him all the way here without ever seeming in a hurry.
Sometimes they traveled quickly.
Sometimes they drifted along for hours.
It had looked almost aimless.
And yet their general route had always pointed toward this region.
There was no way Kael had known nothing.
So how had he known where to go?
Could he predict the future?
Was Brother actually some kind of god?
Fourteen-year-old Mihawk stared into his cup with far too many questions in his head.
“Hey!” Crocodile finally snapped.
“You…
you…” The eyes around the room were starting to make him uncomfortable.
His expression changed several times before eventually turning red with frustration.
What irritated him most was Kael himself.
Why was this man so calm?
What exactly was he so relaxed about?
Was he looking down on him?
Kael’s eyes barely changed.
That faint smile never disappeared.
And somehow, that bothered Crocodile more than open mockery would have.
The smile didn’t feel gentle anymore.
It felt like a blade dragging slowly across his pride.
Biggs, meanwhile, looked thoroughly entertained.
Crocodile gritted his teeth.
“Are you running away from me?” He stared directly at Kael.
He had issued the challenge first.
Surely Kael had to answer now.
Kael laughed.
“You want a fight.” “But I’ve got no reason to fight you here.” Then he glanced sideways.
“My brother might be interested, though.” “Mihawk.” Mihawk looked up.
“Want to try?” He studied Crocodile for a moment.
Then shook his head.
“No interest.” Crocodile’s eye twitched.
Mihawk had a simple reason.
Crocodile wasn’t a swordsman.
Even if Mihawk beat him, there would be little satisfaction in it.
And why should a swordsman accept every challenge from someone who didn’t even walk the same path?
“You arrogant bastard!” Kael spread his hands.
“Well.” “Looks like you’re out of luck, Crocodile.” “Find someone else.” Crocodile’s expression changed instantly.
“You know who I am?” That bothered him even more.
Kael looked younger than he did.
So why did he carry himself like an old veteran who already knew everything happening on the sea?
Biggs finally laughed.
“All right, that’s enough.” His gaze shifted toward Crocodile.
Then his voice became heavier.
“Listen, kid.” “These two are swordsmen.” “If there’s going to be a challenge, I get first shot before some newcomer like you.” Biggs leaned back.
“And if you’re in my tavern, you follow my rules.” “No fighting here.” He waved a hand toward the sea.
“Once you leave the Azure Sky Sea, go settle it in the Edd War region if you want.” His grin widened.
“Might even give Roger and the Golden Lion a chance to see how fearless the new generation thinks it is.” “Hmph.” Crocodile took a slow breath.
Then turned and went back to his seat.
The tension eased.
But many of the pirates in the room still found themselves looking toward Kael.
He had just been openly challenged.
Argued with.
Provoked.
And now?
He had already gone back to laughing and drinking with Biggs as though none of it mattered.
That kind of composure…
It wasn’t something you could fake.
Author’s Note : Want to keep reading?
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