A Pirate's Journey Begins with Rejecting Red-Hair's Invitation - Chapter 27

Bartolomeo smashed the shop's small counter with a Spiked Club and said arrogantly, "I'll give you one last chance. Hand over the sword, or I'll smash your shop!"

"Hey, don't! I'll hand it over, I'll hand it over, all right?" Sell-One-Sword hurried into the storeroom to find a sword, initially planning to grab any similar one and bluff his way through.

But then.

Bartolomeo shouted from outside, "If you give me a fake, I'll kill you!"

That terrified Sell-One-Sword half to death.

Bartolomeo was the local tyrant of these few streets. He had done almost every kind of evil, and even the Marines had a headache dealing with him.

If Sell-One-Sword did not comply, he might really die.

After hesitating for a moment.

Sell-One-Sword gritted his teeth and took out Sandai Kitetsu.

He had always wanted to get rid of that Demon Sword anyway. This was perfect. He could let this little Ruffian take it away.

Even if this little Ruffian died, no one would feel sorry for him!

After Bartolomeo got the sword, he left the weapon shop.

Walking through the alley with the sword in his arms, all Lin Mo could think about was the scene of him catching bullets barehanded.

The more he thought about it, the harder it was to suppress his excitement.

He had decided to use this sword as an incentive and make that powerful kid his subordinate!

Chapter 35: Loguetown: Let's Compete, Kid Lin Mo

Under Rayleigh's warm invitation.

Lin Mo half-heartedly followed him to a certain tavern.

Looking at the Tavern Owner wiping down the counter in front of him.

Lin Mo was speechless.

That was right.

The place Rayleigh had brought him was the tavern where he had previously bought Rum...

"Kid, why are you here again..." Before the Tavern Owner could finish, his gaze was drawn to Rayleigh, who had entered the tavern alongside Lin Mo with his hood on.

Rayleigh took off his hood and smiled. "Shopkeeper, long time no see."

"You're... You're Rayleigh?" the Tavern Owner said in shock. "Mr. Rayleigh, I remember you haven't been to Loguetown in many years, have you?"

"That's right. It's been five years." Rayleigh brought Lin Mo over and sat down at the counter.

The Tavern Owner immediately poured him a glass of Rum. His eyes grew slightly moist. "You came back to Loguetown this time because of that matter, right?"

Rayleigh downed the glass of Rum in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and smiled. "That's right. Roger's death anniversary is in a few days. I came this time to remember him."

"Ah... Is it really all right to say that so openly?" The Tavern Owner glanced at Lin Mo a few more times and asked worriedly.

Rayleigh waved his hand indifferently. "It's fine. This kid can be trusted."

"Huh? Do you know this kid?" the Tavern Owner asked in surprise.

Rayleigh glanced at Lin Mo and smiled. "Although today is the first time we've met, I trust Red-Hair's judgment. He wouldn't misjudge someone."

Lin Mo: "..."

Lin Mo said speechlessly, "So, you plan to have me watch you drink?"

Rayleigh paused for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha, Shopkeeper, bring out the drinks! Put everything on my tab."

"Ah, all right." The Tavern Owner nodded and immediately brought out several bottles of alcohol, setting them on the counter.

The old man and the young man sitting side by side immediately began drinking straight from the bottles, enjoying themselves immensely.

It was nearly noon.

Looking at the empty tavern, Rayleigh asked strangely, "Lin Mo and I have been drinking for several hours. Why hasn't another customer come in?"

The Tavern Owner waved his hand. "Ever since Roger died, business at my shop has been getting worse every day. Maybe it's because of the tavern's name. The people in town don't want to come here for drinks anymore. Only some Pirates who admired Roger would come to support me. But some time ago, a Marine captain named Smoker was transferred here. Now, even the Pirates come less often."

As he said this, the Tavern Owner's expression darkened.

Rayleigh stared at him in silence.

After a long while.

He suddenly burst into laughter again.

He was just about to pat Lin Mo, who was still drinking, on the shoulder.

His hand had only just descended.

Lin Mo simply shifted to the side slightly and dodged it.

A trace of surprise flashed through Rayleigh's eyes. He withdrew his hand and smiled. "Kid, do you have anything to do this afternoon?"

Lin Mo looked at him speechlessly and shook his head.

Rayleigh grinned. "Since you have nothing to do, how about going hunting with me?"

Lin Mo stared at him strangely.

Hunting?

What was this guy planning now...

Still, hunting with this guy might trigger a sign-in progress quest.

Without thinking too much, Lin Mo nodded. "All right."

Rayleigh looked at the Tavern Owner. "I'll come back tonight to pay for the drinks."

The Tavern Owner hurriedly waved his hands. "No need. How could I take your money? Consider this round my treat."

"That won't do." Rayleigh stood up and looked at Lin Mo. "Let's go, Lin Mo."

"Mm." Lin Mo nodded indifferently, jumped down from the barstool, and left the tavern with Rayleigh.

The two of them arrived together at the busiest street in Loguetown.

Looking at the passing crowds, Rayleigh grinned. "Loguetown is the town closest to the Grand Line. Lin Mo, you'll be going to the Grand Line next, right?"

Lin Mo answered indifferently, "Mm."

Rayleigh continued, "I met Shanks at the entrance to the Grand Line. At the time, he praised you to the heavens. I thought he was deliberately exaggerating, but it seems I was wrong. Your talent may be even greater than I expected."

Lin Mo: "?"

What was this guy talking about all of a sudden?

Rayleigh smiled and continued, "Actually, from the first moment I saw you, I noticed that you were different from ordinary people. Since you carry a Wooden Sword, you should be a Swordsman, right? For a powerful Swordsman, the most precious quality is a calm heart that can take everything in stride. Over the years, I've met many people and crossed blades with quite a few powerful Swordsmen. Among them, very few could truly keep their hearts as still as water. Yet you are the youngest person I've ever met with the greatest potential to become a Master Swordsman."

Lin Mo: "And then?"

Rayleigh smiled. "Red-Hair said you awakened the Three Types of Haki and had mastered them to a high degree. If that's true, then you really do deserve to be called a little monster."

Lin Mo said speechlessly, "What are you trying to say?"

Rayleigh smiled. "I can tell that you yearn for freedom. Being a traveler is indeed a good choice, but no one can say what changes the future will bring, what events they'll experience, or what people they'll meet. Truly staying true to your original aspirations and continuing to live according to the life you want is difficult, but I hope you can do it."

So... what exactly is this guy Rayleigh trying to do?

Lin Mo somewhat regretted agreeing to go hunting with him...

Seeing how speechless Lin Mo looked.

Rayleigh could not help laughing loudly. "Hahaha, I got carried away and said too much. From now on, let's compete, kid Lin Mo. Let's see who can catch the most Bounty Criminals. If you win, I'll agree to do one thing for you. If I win, you only need to treat me to a fine drink. How about it?"

It seemed that no matter who won or lost, Lin Mo would not suffer.

Then what was the point of this bet?

Lin Mo truly could not understand Rayleigh's motive.

But after thinking about it, this was fine too.

As long as Rayleigh did not set him up.

He happened to be out of money as well.

Catching some Bounty Criminals and exchanging them for Beli at the Marines was indeed the fastest way to make money.

Thinking this.

Lin Mo nodded, agreeing to the competition.

Rayleigh bared his teeth in a grin. "Then we'll set a limit of two hours. When the two hours are up, we'll bring all the Bounty Criminals we've caught here and see who caught more."

"Fine."

"Then let's begin!"

The moment Rayleigh finished speaking, he vanished with a whoosh.

Lin Mo's eyes flickered.

So fast!

He had not even seen Rayleigh move clearly.

As expected of the Dark King Rayleigh.

He truly lived up to his reputation.

Fine. Since that was the case, he would begin too!

Lin Mo immediately sped up and first found some wanted posters.

Then, with the help of Observation Haki, he quickly captured his targets.

In only an hour, he had caught five Bounty Criminals.

When he spotted the sixth target and was preparing to act.

A huge explosion suddenly rang out from the direction of the harbor.

Chapter 36: Loguetown: Lin Mo Is Targeted

Lin Mo did not know what was happening at the harbor, nor was he interested in finding out.

All he wanted now was to catch more Bounty Criminals and surpass Rayleigh!

Since he had agreed to compete with Rayleigh, he had never planned on losing.

However, the sixth Bounty Criminal he had targeted happened to slip into the crowd that had gathered to watch the explosion at the harbor.

Without thinking much, Lin Mo followed.

He blended into the crowd as well. Just as he was getting closer and closer to his target and preparing to strike.

Rayleigh appeared from who-knew-where and, right in front of him, swiftly knocked his target unconscious.

Then, moving with incredible speed, he grabbed the man and withdrew from the crowd in the blink of an eye...

Before leaving, Rayleigh even gave him a smug smile.

Lin Mo: "..."

He did it on purpose!

Rayleigh had absolutely done it on purpose!

Lin Mo was speechless. Now he could only search for a new target.

When he was about to head back, he turned his gaze and suddenly noticed a certain alley entrance.

Bartolomeo, his cock-comb hairstyle and a sword in his arms, was looking around as if searching for something.

Lin Mo's gaze fell on the sword in Bartolomeo's arms.

Wasn't that Sandai Kitetsu...? How had it ended up in that guy's hands?