Watching Luffy bounce and dart around, everyone in the Red Hair Pirates smiled knowingly. No one was going to hold a grudge against a seven-year-old child, especially one who openly admired them and treated them with such friendliness.
"Hey, hey, how about taking me with you when you leave? I'll definitely become a great pirate," Luffy pestered Shanks.
Looking at this child with the potential to become a real chatterbox, Shanks smiled. "Pirates aren't an orphanage. Luffy, was it? If you want to become a real man, you've still got a long road ahead of you."
"What?!" Luffy puffed out his cheeks again. "I'm telling you, I'm really strong! I'll definitely become the Pirate King."
The tavern erupted in laughter again. Some of the pirates were already clutching their stomachs and slumped over the tables.
"Gentlemen, your drinks."
Makino emerged from the back. Though she looked slight and petite, she carried a massive barrel of liquor in each hand and casually tossed them down before the group.
With a bang, the barrels bounced twice, yet not a drop spilled.
That display alone drew cheers from many of the pirates. Even Shanks looked surprised. "That's impressive."
"Miss, please prepare some food for us as well. We're all rather hungry after coming here," Benn Beckman said.
The barrels were opened, and the fragrance of rum began to waft through the room. Shanks filled a cup to the brim and smiled. "Pirate King, huh? Luffy, tell me first—what is the Pirate King?"
Luffy shot him a deeply suspicious look. He felt like Shanks was messing with him.
"Of course I know. The Pirate King is the freest person on these seas," Luffy said solemnly.
"Huh?" Shanks gave Luffy a surprised glance. It was not that Luffy's answer was particularly shocking, but that he