Half an hour later, at the port of Mock Town.
As a notorious lawless town in the first half of the Grand Line, it had no Marine presence. The streets were full of drunken pirates and black-market dealers openly fencing stolen goods. The air reeked of cheap rum, gunpowder, and sweat.
When Ace pushed open the doors of the town's largest tavern with Sabo, Carina, and Buggy, the noise inside was deafening, as if the roof might be blown clean off.
A dozen or so vicious-looking pirates sat around several tables shoved together, which were piled with empty bottles and barbecue bones. At the center sat a heavily built Pirate Leader with crossed swords tattooed on his chest. He stood on a stool, spittle flying as he bragged.
"Listen up! The Grand Line isn't a place for child's play! I've got a bounty of thirty-eight million Beli. What kind of storm haven't I weathered on these waters?"
The Pirate Leader took a long swig, then belched. "Just last week, I sank a Marine patrol ship with my own hands! Give me another two years, and I'll make it to the New World and fight the Four Emperors for territory!"
"Long live the boss!"
"The boss is definitely the future Pirate King!"
His underlings immediately raised their glasses in sycophantic cheers, bursting into wild laughter.
Ace walked in, paying no attention to their pathetic boasting. He found an empty seat at the bar, and Sabo and Carina sat down beside him.
"Boss, four glasses of your best liquor. And I'd like to ask you something."
Carina tapped the wooden bar and casually tossed over a gold coin. "Does anyone around here know how to get to Sky Island? Or has there been a Knock-Up Stream recently?"
The tavern owner had been