Pirates: Invincible from the Start

Meanwhile, the Ahua Trio split up to buy the supplies on their assigned lists.

Creak!

In a dim alley, the door of a tavern called "Gol D. Roger" was gently pushed open from outside.

The old wooden door's shrill squeal briefly silenced the noisy tavern. Then the clamor resumed.

Kuta kept his hands tucked away and ignored the rowdy pirates on either side as he headed straight for the bar.

Behind it stood an exceptionally old man wearing round gold earrings and tiny sunglasses. Kuta smiled at him.

"Boss, aren't you afraid someone will give you trouble for naming your bar that?"

"Hm?"

The owner raised his right hand, hooked a finger over the bridge of his sunglasses, and pulled them down, revealing eyes weathered by age.

"It's my tavern. Why should I care what anyone else thinks of its name?"

"Fair enough." Kuta nodded and sat on a stool at the bar. "After all, you could say this was where the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, first set out."

He watched the owner, smiling broadly.

"Am I right, Old Man?"

The owner took out a glass and polished it at his leisure, paying Kuta's words no mind.

"That's ancient history. Everyone knows it. What's so interesting about that?"

He looked up at Kuta.

"What about you, young man? Why did you go to sea?"

"Me?" Kuta rested his folded hands on the bar and propped his chin on them. After a moment's thought, a wicked grin spread across his face.

"I'm planning to take a stroll through the Grand Line!"

"Ah!"

The old man's dull eyes suddenly lit up, and surprise filled his face.

Kuta caught his reaction, amusement flickering in his eyes, and went on.

"Just thinking about it gets me excited!"

"I don't care how terrifying