“Yeah, his face really is unfamiliar.
I’ve never seen or heard of this person before, whether in the newspapers or through any other source.” Blamenco, Commander of the 6th Division, spoke slowly.
“Brother Ren Mori doesn’t have much experience dealing with outsiders.
I just hope that guy didn’t become his companion with some ulterior motive.” Vista, Commander of the 5th Division, also voiced his thoughts.
Just then, a laugh came from ahead.
“You guys…
still don’t understand Ren Mori at all.” Marco smiled.
“When it comes to being clever, no one on our ship can compare to that brat.
So stop worrying about him getting taken advantage of out there.” Jozu immediately added, “That’s right.” “What we should really be wondering is which unlucky bastard is going to run into Ren Mori.” The moment he said that, the somewhat gloomy atmosphere aboard the ship disappeared.
Laughter and lively chatter returned once again.
…
Meanwhile, on Ren Mori’s side— The three of them had already landed on a small island.
As for the fact that they now had bounties on their heads, none of them knew anything about it yet.
The three sat inside a tavern, drinking while discussing what they should do next.
“Seriously…” “No matter how many times I drink this world’s alcohol, it still tastes awful.” Madara Uchiha stared disdainfully at the bottle in his hand.
Ren Mori merely smiled from beside him and did not respond.
“Such excellent alcohol, yet you dismiss it as though it were worthless.” Diablo commented from nearby.
“It seems you simply don’t understand how to appreciate it.” Madara glanced at Diablo.
He had never been particularly good at verbal sparring, so he simply ignored him.
“Let’s get back to the point.” Ren Mori looked at the two of them.
“So, what do you think?” He wanted to hear Madara and Diablo’s opinions before deciding on their next destination.
“I don’t care.” Madara answered indifferently.
“You decide.
It makes no difference to me where we go.” “I feel the same.” Diablo smiled faintly.
“Anywhere is fine with me.” “Whew…” Looking at the two of them, Ren Mori sighed helplessly.
It seemed completely impossible to get even a single useful suggestion out of either of them.
Suddenly— Bang!
The tavern door was violently pushed open.
Everyone inside immediately turned toward the entrance.
A group of Marines entered.
Leading them was a female Marine officer.
The instant Ren Mori saw her, his pupils contracted slightly.
Yes.
He recognized this woman.
Her name was Gion.
Her Marine codename was— Momousagi.
She was a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters and one of the candidates considered for the position of Admiral.
She also shared an extremely close, sister-like relationship with the Marines’ Great Staff Officer, Tsuru.
At her waist hung a famous blade named— Konpira.
Momousagi calmly swept her gaze across everyone inside the tavern.
Then she spoke without the slightest urgency.
“You have nowhere left to run.” “The tavern has already been surrounded.” “You should surrender peacefully.” Ren Mori glanced around.
When he noticed that most of the people nearby were wearing frightened expressions, his own face immediately became serious.
Don’t tell me…
Momousagi came here to arrest me?
However, just as Ren Mori was about to speak— A laugh suddenly came from a corner on the opposite side of the tavern.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
There sat a burly man with a long scar across his face.
His name was Eugene Rance.
Captain of the Rance Pirates.
Current bounty— 250 million Berries.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…” “You Marines really don’t know when to give up, do you?” “You chased me this far and still refuse to let me go?” “Stop dreaming.” A trace of coldness appeared in Momousagi’s eyes.
“The moment you chose to become a pirate, you should have known a day like this would eventually come.” “Hahahahaha!” Rance laughed loudly.
“But, beautiful lady…” “Are you sure things are really going to go the way you want?” He slowly rose to his feet with a mocking expression.
“Right, boys?” “That’s right, Captain!” The surrounding members of the Rance Pirates immediately stood up as well.
Momousagi frowned slightly.
Then she addressed everyone else in the tavern.
“Anyone who doesn’t want to get caught up in this should leave immediately.” The moment she said that, everyone unrelated to the confrontation rushed toward the exit.
“What do you want to do?” Diablo asked Ren Mori from beside him.
Ren Mori picked up the unopened bottles and whatever alcohol remained on their table.
Then he grinned.
“What else?” “That beautiful lady already said it herself.” “Anyone who doesn’t want to get dragged into this should hurry up and leave.” Hearing Ren Mori’s answer, Diablo smiled faintly.
He followed Ren Mori’s example, gathering up the unopened bottles and those that still had alcohol left in them.
“Alright, let’s go.” Ren Mori smiled.
“Who would’ve thought we’d even get to freeload some alcohol before leaving?
Their timing really is perfect.” Carrying the bottles, Ren Mori quickly headed toward the door.
However— Just as Ren Mori passed Momousagi, she suddenly paused.
For some reason, his face seemed strangely familiar.
She reached out and grabbed his arm.
“Huh?” Ren Mori turned around in surprise and looked at her questioningly.
“Have we met somewhere before?” Momousagi asked.
“I think you’re mistaken.” Ren Mori smiled.
“This is the first time we’ve ever met.” Momousagi fell silent.
Even though Ren Mori claimed that they had never met before, she could not shake the feeling that she had definitely seen his face somewhere.
She simply could not remember where.
Of course, what Momousagi did not realize at this moment was that her feeling was completely correct.
She had seen Ren Mori’s newly issued bounty poster earlier that very morning.
That was why his face seemed so familiar.
“Then what do people call you?” “Who’s calling me?” ⚡ Support the Story & Unlock More Chapters!