His intentions were so obvious that everyone could see them.
Bellemere, however, had never felt anything more for Genzo, no matter how hard her two "daughters" tried to push them together.
What made Genzo's expression change was, of course, what Bellemere had just said.
Setting aside who they were, when a woman said something like that to a man who was almost impossibly handsome...
It was enough to set anyone's imagination running wild.
Genzo watched Adrian nervously, terrified that this stranger might answer with something flirtatious.
Adrian's thoughts raced. In the end, he shrugged and said frankly, "Yes, ma'am. We have met before."
The village officer's heart leaped into his throat.
Nami, who had somehow come up beside him, took his hand and gave it a comforting pat.
Even little Nami, usually Genzo's staunchest supporter, did not think he could compare with this stranger in any respect.
"I remember now!"
A sharp glint flashed through Bellemere's eyes. She had been retired for years, but her mind had not retired with her.
"You're the swordsman who tried to cause trouble in Loguetown during Pirate King Roger's execution!"
Bellemere had retired from the East Blue Branch long ago.
During Roger's execution, she and many other East Blue Marines had been sent to Loguetown to maintain order.
Then Roger had given his life to usher in the Great Pirate Era.
As an elite Marine of the East Blue Branch, Bellemere had spent her days rushing across the East Blue, suppressing wave after wave of pirates inspired by Roger to take to sea. She had had no time to keep up with news from elsewhere.
Around Sea Circle Calendar 1502,
Bellemere was badly wounded while suppressing pirates in the Oykot Kingdom of the East Blue. There, she happened upon Nojiko carrying the infant Nami.