One Piece: Starting by Refusing Red-Hair's Invitation

The Bull rental shop owner waved from behind him and called out, "Thanks for your business! Have a safe trip!"

Lin Mo raised a hand and gave a casual wave.

After riding his Bull around the outer districts of Water 7, Lin Mo stopped before the gates of a large cylindrical building, waiting for the next water elevator ride to carry him up to the central city on the middle level.

A man on a bicycle suddenly stopped beside him, apparently waiting for the water elevator too...

Water 7: Lin Mo Gets Taken for a Ride

Sensing the chill radiating from the person beside him, Lin Mo turned to look.

The man happened to turn toward him at almost the same moment, and their eyes met.

That was right. The man who liked cycling across the sea—and had the ability to do so without sinking—was none other than the Ice-Ice Fruit user, Marine Admiral Aokiji!

Lin Mo: "..."

Why was this guy in Water 7?

Aokiji stared quietly at Lin Mo, then suddenly scratched his head and asked, "Huh? Have we met somewhere before?"

"No. I don't know you," Lin Mo said bluntly.

"Oh, maybe I remembered wrong." Aokiji rubbed his chin and continued studying Lin Mo. The longer he looked, the more familiar the boy seemed. When his gaze landed on the two swords at Lin Mo's waist and the familiar-looking Wine Gourd, realization suddenly struck him. "Now I remember. You're Lin Mo... Oh, come on. Why pretend you don't know me when you clearly do? Don't want the hassle?"

Lin Mo: "..."

Exactly. I don't want the hassle...

Lin Mo did not answer Aokiji.

Before, he had been riding his Bull alone, plain and unremarkable, with nothing to draw attention. People could easily overlook him.

But as soon