"Yo, old man, how have you been lately?"
The first half of the Grand Line, Paradise.
Aboard a warship.
The Marines stood guard and patrolled with extreme tension. Occasionally, Cipher Pol agents in suits moved among them, while one figure lounged lazily beneath a parasol.
Beside the reclining chair sat a Den Den Mushi with a cheerful, smiling expression.
Meanwhile, Old Gick sat behind his desk.
"Not bad. With that kid hanging around, I feel like I've gotten a little younger~"
During this time, King Luffy had tirelessly catered to Old Gick's every demand in order to earn his support and set sail, practically acting like the old man's grandson.
Old Gick had also been moved by King Luffy's willingness to give everything for his companions, as well as his endlessly abundant energy.
In truth, he had begun to feel a little sympathy for him.
He was just that kind of old man—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. Otherwise, he would never have brought Austin home all those years ago.
And for someone like Old Gick, who greatly admired the qualities of the strong, he genuinely enjoyed nurturing monsters with immense potential.
King Luffy might not have been as freakishly gifted as Austin, but his carefree nature and his tendency to put his companions first reminded Old Gick of many powerful people.
His hands were starting to itch.
"It should be fine, right? I do think highly of this lad, but...
If it'll affect you, then forget it."
That said, while he greatly appreciated King Luffy, if there was any conflict with his own grandson, he would still stand unconditionally on Austin's side.
After all, Austin had wiped out the other party's entire crew.
"No... as long as you're happy, old man. I don't really have any grudge against them."
After all, more