Pirate

"I never expected that someone like me would still be called upon. I almost forgot I was an intelligence officer. It's been forty years since I came here. I settled down, got married, had children, and I'm sixty-five now. My grandson is already an adult. I thought my life would just pass by like this."

The voice was very old, filled with a sigh of emotion.

"The government clearly hasn't forgotten you; they just haven't needed you until now,"

Another voice, younger and very cold, replied. "You have to understand, even a pair of underpants or a roll of toilet paper has its use eventually."

"That's a rather harsh analogy, young man, but you're right. The government hasn't forgotten me after all, and they've finally found me,"

The old voice carried a discernible bitterness. "For the first ten years, I thought every day about when my superiors would need me, when they would deploy me. I thought I could achieve great merit, join CP0, and reach the pinnacle of my life."

"But as my children grew, my thoughts suddenly changed. I started having nightmares every night. What if the government suddenly came for me? Would I still be able to risk my life for a mission as I imagined?"

"Later, I just wished the government would never come back for me. Then, decades flew by, and I've grown old after all."

"Since you were once a member of the government, then don't even think about leaving."

The young voice was silent for a moment before speaking.

"Yes, that's CP,"

The voice belonging to *** chuckled. "As for you, young man, it's truly remarkable that you're undertaking a mission in the New World at such a young age."

"Enough with the pleasantries,"

The young voice remained calm. "How is the preparation coming along?"

"Mmm, let's see. This person is the one I've chosen for you. His build is very similar to yours, so disguising yourself should be easy."

The old voice said in agreement. "He's an orphan with a bad reputation on the island, so he doesn't have many acquaintances. The only person he's close to is me, so the chance of exposure should be low."

"Excellent."

"Young man,"

Perhaps it was due to his advanced age, the old voice sounded hesitant. "Perhaps I'm being meddlesome. Just consider me an old man who's a bit long-winded because my children aren't around. Please be sure to remember, from this point on, you are a pirate! You are just a pirate!!"

"Ah."

The young voice responded casually.

The location was the New World, far from the Navy's controlled waters, in a corner of the world's most chaotic sea. This small island was situated there.

Undoubtedly, the New World was the most chaotic sea in the world. Every day, countless pirates, civilians, and Navy personnel met their demise for various reasons. However, this small island was an exception.

This was because, at the island's port, a giant flagpole stood tall, flying a flag – a skull flag with a lion-like aura. This was the flag of the Golden Lion.

Everyone knew that those operating in the New World could disregard the Navy, could disregard the government, but there were three men they absolutely could not ignore.

Golden Lion Shiki, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, and Gol D. Roger.

The fame of these three great pirates in the New World could be described as terrifying. Even Roger, who had the smallest force with only one ship, was a dangerous individual who could destroy a country just because a companion was insulted.

And the man represented by the flag fluttering at the island's port, Golden Lion Shiki, was even the strongest and most brutal among the three monsters. Countless pirates were sent to the bottom of the sea by him every year.

Just the presence of this flag was enough to keep all covetous eyes away. Everyone understood that the lion's territory must not be encroached upon.

Behind the island's port lay a town. In the center of the town was a tavern, always a gathering place for passing pirates.

The tavern owner was an old man. It was said that he established this tavern about forty years ago when he was young and came to this island, which was then just a small village. Traces of history were everywhere; leaks and holes were common occurrences.

The only thing that made this place more appealing than other newly built, elaborately decorated taverns was its history. A tavern that had been open for forty years, with decades of good wine supposedly filling several cellars. And pirates, who doesn't love drinking?

The tavern was bustling with activity today as well. The white-haired owner leaned behind the counter with a smile, a cigar in his mouth. Good business meant high income, so of course, he was happy.

The laughing pirates and the local residents mingled harmoniously. The drunken patrons simply lay on the tables, taking naps.

"Creak."

The tavern door was pushed open, and a man walked in. He wore a dirty overcoat over a yellowed white t-shirt, paired with work pants. He wore no shoes and had a Log Pose on his hand.

His medium-length hair was messy, and his unshaven face looked tired, carrying a weariness that didn't match his youthful appearance. As soon as he entered, he casually tossed a drunkard passed out at a table onto the floor. Without a care, he picked up half a bottle of wine from the table and drank it down.

"Hoo, I'm awake now."

The feeling of fatigue finally vanished. The man plopped down in the seat that had belonged to the drunkard, leaned back against the chair, and shouted, "Boss, give me some wine."

"You again? Mario?"

The boss, whose face was full of smiles, slightly retracted his grin. "You already owe me 135,000 Belly for drinks. I won't give you any more until you pay up."

"Ah, come on, don't be so heartless, Uncle,"

The man named Mario slumped onto the table and chuckled. "Didn't you watch me grow up? Isn't that bond worth a few bottles of wine?"

"It's precisely because of that bond that you now owe me 100,000 Belly, you brat,"

The boss exhaled a smoke ring disdainfully. "Shouldn't you find a proper job by now? If not, you could at least work as a bartender here."

"Exactly! Mario, the boss has been more than kind to you, hasn't he? Don't forget, last month, when you fainted from hunger on the street, it was the boss who took care of you for a few days!"

Someone who knew the man named Mario spoke up. "You brat, don't push it too far."

"All of you shut up, you idiots,"

Mario's attitude was exceptionally hostile. "I'm a man who will set sail and become a pirate sooner or later. Why would I do any work? Don't worry, Uncle, I'll repay the drink money with treasure I find in the future! Pirates, we are men of our word."

"Pirate? You?"

The boss shook his head.

"Pfft hahahaha, pirate? Hiccup~"

A drunken man laughed heartily, stood up from his seat, and walked in front of Mario. He slammed a palm onto the table in front of Mario. "Kid? You?"

"Ah, what is it, uncle?"

Although Mario was covered in stubble, he looked about seventeen or eighteen, still quite young. "Do you have a question?"

"Don't make me laugh!! Since when,"

The drunkard punched the table heavily. The well-worn table instantly shattered, "Anyone can be a pirate? A kid like you should just go home and drink milk!"

"Ooh~"

Mario raised an eyebrow.

"Haha, really, the captain is drunk again."

"Don't mind him. Whoever tries to stop him will be unlucky. Let him make a scene."

Beside him, the group sitting with the drunkard didn't seem to care.

"Hey, uncle, this table is very expensive,"

Mario looked at the table fragments on the ground. "Can you afford to pay for it?"

"Hmph hmph hmph hahahaha!! Kid, since you want to be a pirate, let me teach you,"

The drunkard laughed loudly. "Pirates are a bunch of people who do whatever they want!!"

His fist swung towards Mario.