(See? Getting anxious again.)
"What? I thought it was someone else. So it was Black Spear Austin."
"Yeah, so it was that Black..."
"..."
"???"
The moment those words were spoken, silence fell. The once-noisy casino became as quiet as a library.
The next second, the bustle finally returned.
"Hey, hey, hey, you've got to be kidding!!!"
"Did Crocodile just... did she say... that..."
"Dotol Austin!???"
"Huh!?!?"
Even in Paradise, anyone with well-informed connections could not possibly fail to recognize that legendary name.
Openly or secretly, everyone who heard that name wore expressions of shock. A few timid ones were even crying and sniffling, their legs giving out as they collapsed to the floor.
The intelligence agents and undercover operatives mixed into the crowd trembled as their hands rapidly worked the Den Den Mushi.
"Beli Beli Beli..."
"Reporting to headquarters, this is a major incident!!!"
"It concerns that legendary Great Pirate with a four-billion Beli bounty..."
Countless people fled through the doors. Only a few exceptionally bold ones stayed behind despite their pounding hearts, while some even wanted to step forward and beg to become his underlings.
But Mihawk's drawn Yoru blocked their way.
Having had his identity exposed, Austin did not react much. He merely turned his gaze toward Crocodile at an unhurried pace.
"Just as clever as I expected."
Crocodile's expression darkened. A cigar clamped between her lips, she openly sat down across from Austin at the gambling table.
"Since you're in the mood, let me play a round with you."
The gamblers around them watched the two people sitting on opposite sides of the table, both with their legs crossed, and could not help feeling nervous yet thrilled.
"Black Spear, I never expected a man like you to be interested in this sort of game."
Crocodile's pair