In those five short days, Barn had come to understand Roger deeply. He was a very special man, wild and unrestrained in everyday life, yet unnaturally calm in battle. His terrifying gift for combat made him seem like a beast that lived in the jungle.
Even after learning that he had only three short years left, Roger did not panic or deliberately seek a cure. He remained remarkably calm, as though he already had plans for what he wanted to do.
Although Barn could not see the passion burning in Roger's eyes, he could feel it. Roger still clung to his dream. Perhaps that was the true source of his strength.
Time passed quickly, and a year went by in the blink of an eye. Barn had spent that year at leisure, leaving everything to Adam and Lia and finding time to teach Adam swordsmanship. Lia, however, showed little interest in Barn's sword techniques. She only wanted to forge well.
While teaching Adam, Barn also discovered the joy of being a mentor. On the Arad Continent, the strongest Asura was GSD, who was also an outstanding teacher. After carrying on Kiri's legacy in the world of the Pirate King, Barn's next goal was to follow in GSD's footsteps.
Perhaps it was Whitebeard's influence, but Barn had grown fond of drinking. With no need to worry about the shop, he spent his days either fishing or taking Fitz to a little bar on Island 44 for a drink. Supposedly, the new waitress there, Wenwen, was very beautiful, though Barn could not see her.
Today, just as always, Barn carried his empty fishing bucket to the little bar on Island 44 after returning from fishing. He sat down and lightly tapped the counter with his index finger, and the bartender placed a glass of rum beside his hand.
Barn drank, but his mind was on something else.
It should be happening soon.
Just then, a tall figure walked in through the door. The man was strange. The Sabaody Archipelago enjoyed springlike weather all year round, yet he had wrapped himself up tightly. His long brown hooded cloak dragged on the floor, and he even wore a mask.
Perhaps the people in the bar were already used to people like him. They merely gave him a curious glance before returning to their tables and resuming their conversations.
After all, the Sabaody Archipelago was an unavoidable stop on the Grand Line for anyone heading to the New World. It could even be called the gateway to the New World. All sorts of marines, pirates, and merchants passed through every day, and some inevitably had strange habits. Everyone was long accustomed to it. Clearly, they had taken this tightly bundled man for another eccentric.
As soon as the man sat down, he deliberately lowered his voice and spoke to the bartender.
"A glass of vodka."
Barn turned his head curiously, "looking" at the peculiar fellow as he spoke.
"Vodka? Not many people like liquor that strong these days. How about some juice?"
The tall man ignored Barn, merely keeping his head down and drinking in silence.
Barn waited a long time without receiving an answer. He was not annoyed and simply continued talking.
"You have a very distinctive scent."
This time, the tall fellow reacted. He lowered his glass, gripping it tightly, while his other hand clenched into a fist inside his sleeve.
Barn's Mind's Eye sensed danger and activated instinctively. Although the tall man had concealed himself well, his tightly clenched left fist was already exposed to Barn's Mind's Eye.
Barn gave a faint, wry smile and spoke to the bartender.
"Durant, could you get me a glass of juice?"
The young man named Durant said nothing. He merely gave a gentlemanly bow in Barn's direction and went into the storeroom.
Barn picked up his unfinished glass of rum again, took a small sip, and spoke.
"You carry the scent of the sea, but you're not an experienced sailor..."
The tall man leaned closer, facing Barn squarely, and spoke coldly.
"Oh? Why not? I am a sailor."
Barn only smiled faintly. His nose twitched as he sniffed, then he spoke.
"No, you're not. As you can see, I'm blind, but my nose is very keen. The scent of the sea that brings back such memories isn't the only scent on you..."
Barn patted the tall figure's shoulder, then waved his hand in front of his nose.
"There's a fishy smell, too... Are you a Fish-Man?"
Barn's casual tone sounded full of danger to the man. A powerful sense of threat rushed into his mind, and his clenched left fist was about to swing.
"Don't do anything foolish. Unclench your left hand. I mean you no harm. As you know, I'm only a blind man."
Barn's voice rang out again. This time, the man noticed something.
He's blind.
The man took a long, searching look at Barn, only to find a pair of pale, unfocused eyes...
"Asura!"
The man spoke in a low voice.
Barn raised his eyebrows and replied flippantly.
"Oh? You've heard of me? Excellent. Then you should know I mean you no harm."
The man nodded, tipped back his head, and drained the remaining half glass of vodka. At the same time, his clenched left fist relaxed.
Seeing that the man had let go of his hostility, Barn asked a tentative question.
"What's your name?"
Although Barn already knew the answer, he still wanted to confirm it.
The man set his glass on the counter and answered flatly.
"Fisher Tiger."
Just as I thought.
Barn thought this, then nodded silently and took another small sip of rum. At that moment, Fisher Tiger asked him a strange question.
"Barn, what do you think of the Celestial Dragons?"
Here it comes.
That was what Barn thought. Still, he was very interested in joining Fisher Tiger in freeing the slaves. He "looked" at Fisher Tiger and spoke.
"Say, Fisher Tiger, would you be interested in visiting my little shop?"
Fisher Tiger gave Barn a puzzled look, but nodded nonetheless.
By then, Durant had returned with the juice, but the two men were nowhere to be seen. He merely collected the Beli Barn had left on the counter and went back to work.
After returning to the smithy, Barn paid Fisher Tiger no attention. He simply left Lia to entertain him while he went to find Adam.
"Adam, how much have we earned over the past year or so?"
As Adam was his apprentice, Barn trusted him and had put him in charge of the money. Even though he knew Adam secretly spent some of it trying to please Lia, he simply turned a blind eye.
"About a billion, Master."
Adam answered after a moment's thought. It was nothing to be surprised about. After all, Barn sold his terrabreeze coal for thirty thousand Beli a piece, and demand for Barn's version of the Reinforcement Machine was enormous. Earning a billion Beli in a year was perfectly normal. Barn even thought it was too little.
"I see. It's still a little short, but there's no time..."
Barn muttered, biting his thumb.
Adam asked in confusion.
"Master, what do you mean, a little short?"
"I've thought of a way to get the money!"
Barn suddenly stood up, startling Adam, then spoke to him.
"Adam, take this money and bring Lia to the East Blue. Remember to blow up the Reinforcement Machine before you leave. I know how to make it, so I can build another later. Taking it with you would be inconvenient."
Adam looked at his master in confusion and asked.
"Why do you want Lia and me to go to the East Blue, Master?"
Barn gripped Adam's shoulders with both hands and spoke earnestly.
"Remember, you're to use this billion Beli to establish a Mercenary Guild in the East Blue, then recruit famous bounty hunters from all four seas. You can earn money by completing commissions to keep the guild running. A billion Beli should be enough to set up a medium-sized guild."
Barn released Adam and turned his back to him.
"But! I intend to build a major force capable of standing on equal footing with the marines! A billion Beli is nowhere near enough. Don't worry, though. In a few days, I'll send someone to deliver more money to you. Now, you and Lia should pack and prepare to leave. Oh, and take Fitz."
Adam's brow furrowed even deeper. He even felt a sense of foreboding, and he asked.
"Master, what exactly are you going to do? You're not even taking Fitz?"
Barn turned around, rested his hand on Adam's head, and gently ruffled his hair a few times.
"Your master... has some things he has to do."
"Then I'm coming too, Master!"
"Haha, Adam, your master is strong! I don't need a little brat like you worrying about me. Just take Lia to the East Blue. I'll come find you after a while. Make sure you carry out my instructions!"
"But!"
Adam still refused to give up. Barn ruffled his hair a few more times and spoke.
"Adam, while I'm away, take good care of yourself, Lia, and Fitz. We'll see each other again soon."
Barn's words made Adam swallow what he had been about to say. He knew that once his master decided to do something, he would not change his mind. All he could do was bite his lower lip hard and hold back his tears. He did not know what his master was going to do. He only sensed that his master would be in danger.
The next day, Adam left with Fitz and Lia. Before leaving, he blew up Barn's Reinforcement Machine.
Feeling the heat radiating from the burning building that had once been his home, Barn rubbed his dry lips and spoke to Fisher Tiger, who had been left utterly bewildered by everything Barn and Adam had done.
"Fisher Tiger, remember the question you asked me? In my opinion, the Celestial Dragons are all parasites."
A gleam flashed through Fisher Tiger's eyes, and he gave Barn a searching look.
Barn's next words startled Fisher Tiger.
"Fisher Tiger, you're going to free the slaves, aren't you?"
Fisher Tiger froze in surprise and asked in shock.
"How did you know..."
Barn waved a hand and spoke.
"That doesn't matter. All you need to know is that I can help you."
This time, Barn shocked Fisher Tiger even more.
What exactly are you planning?
That was what Fisher Tiger was thinking, and what he desperately wanted to know.