"Yes, yes."
The grocery clerk didn't dare say anything else. He hurriedly bent down and began moving the supplies.
The man before him was quiet, but the faint aura he exuded made it obvious at a glance that he was someone not to be trifled with.
"I just noticed your accent. You're from the East Blue?" Hawk-Eye suddenly asked.
"I'm from Loguetown. You could tell even that?"
The clerk froze for a moment. "Speaking of which, our town is actually quite famous. The Pirate King, Gold Roger, was executed there. I wonder if you've ever gone to see..."
"I was there when Roger died."
Hawk-Eye said flatly, "That was eighteen years ago. Since then, I haven't been back to the East Blue."
Nor was it worth going back for.
"As for this time..."
Hawk-Eye gazed toward the end of the horizon, his eyes distant.
"A few years ago, I heard that a rather famous swordsman had appeared in the East Blue. By now, he should have come of age. I hope he's grown into an opponent worth seeking out."
The East Blue, at night.
The New Gatt continued cutting through the waves at full speed beneath the dim moonlight.
Inside the presidential suite.
"Achoo—"
Xia Nuo was sitting on the carpet when he suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose and clicked his tongue. That must be that little Nami secretly cursing me.
"Good work, Silver. Nicely done."
He smiled and patted the Silver Giant Wolf's head in front of him.
Several wet objects had just been spat out onto the carpet: Krieg's severed hand, Gin's crutch, and Pearl's fluorite helmet.
Woof... no, awoo!
Silver was delighted by the praise and happily circled Xia Nuo, its tail practically spinning like a helicopter. It looked nothing like the aloof creature it