When Ace saw Barn, the first thing that appeared on his face was not curiosity, but hostility. He easily recognized Barn as the man he had seen in town earlier.
"Ah, are you the Mr. Barn that Mr. Garp mentioned?"
The first person to step forward was not Jig, but Makino.
Perhaps Garp's account had left Makino with a less-than-favorable impression of Barn. Her expression was a little stiff as she approached him...
"Are you really the wicked Pirate Mr. Garp told us about? You don't look quite like he described..."
"I look 'little,' you mean?"
Barn smiled as he spoke. Though he looked like a young boy, his smile still had plenty of charm.
Hearing his words, Makino nodded stiffly, seemingly agreeing with him.
"Well, if that's what Garp said, then I suppose I'm the wicked Pirate he was talking about."
Barn scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
After Barn admitted it, Makino grew even more wary, though he could not see her expression...
But Barn naturally guessed her reaction and spoke.
"You don't need to worry, though. I'm just a blind man. Besides, I'm quite fond of peace."
"Huh?"
Somewhat surprised, Makino asked tentatively.
"You can't see?"
"Ah, that's right. I've been blind for a long time."
Barn flashed that disarmingly charming smile again.
"You sound like a very pretty girl. Forgive me for asking, but could I touch your face? As you know, I can't see."
Perhaps out of sympathy for Barn, Makino nodded in agreement. After all, it was not an unreasonable request for a blind man.
In truth, Makino had gradually begun to lower her guard around him. Garp's words were one thing, but she trusted her own instincts more. She felt that the young man before her, who looked barely twenty, was not