Red Hair asked again, uncertain.
Seeing Red Hair's expression, Hawk-Eyes was baffled too. You don't know your own nephew? Could it be...
Some time later~
Red Hair and Hawk-Eyes sat together, occasionally picking up the wine beside them for a sip or two. Neither spoke, as if by mutual agreement.
Another ten-odd seconds passed like that.
"Hahaha... That kid. I didn't even know I had a nephew like him. How interesting!"
"And his very first bounty was three hundred million. Did he do something earth-shattering?"
"This makes me want to meet this 'nephew' of mine!"
Beside him, Hawk-Eyes spoke flatly, a note of displeasure in his voice.
"If nothing unexpected happened, I probably deserve some credit for that bounty!"
"I fought him at sea back then, and the reason he used to convince me to fight him was that he was your nephew!"
"I suspect someone somehow found out about our fight. That's why his bounty is so high."
"But his strength is absolutely worth that bounty!"
"Hmm?" Red Hair looked at him in surprise.
"I rarely hear you give a young man such high praise!"
Hawk-Eyes took another sip of wine before saying flatly:
"Although the kid tricked me, which annoyed me a little, to be honest, his personality suits my tastes quite well. And at his age, there's practically no one who can match his strength."
"But no matter what, he did trick me this time. It looks like I'll have to have a proper 'conversation' with him the next time we meet!"
"Hahaha... Hawk-Eyes, don't be so petty. I accept him as my nephew, so he didn't really lie to you."
Hawk-Eyes: ...
Don't you know that in certain cases, a promise made after the fact doesn't count?
A faint smile appeared on Red Hair's lips as he gazed into the distance.
Why do I kind of want to meet this 'nephew'?
East Blue, aboard the Going Merry~
"Woohoo! Is that Loguetown up ahead? I really want to hurry up and see where the Pirate King was born and died!" Luffy wrapped one arm around the Going Merry's sheep figurehead and raised his other hand to shade his eyes as he looked ahead.
Meanwhile, the clang of metal kept ringing out from a more spacious stretch of deck on the other side of the ship.
Zoro held Wado Ichimonji and slashed down fiercely in front of him.
The whistling rush of air testified to the power of that slash, but this seemingly mighty blow was caught between two pitch-black fingers, unable to move.
Xia Chen held Zoro's blade between two fingers while patting his mouth with his other hand, looking bored enough to fall asleep.
The mockery was turned all the way up!
"See? That's the difference between having no bounty and having a three-hundred-million bounty. The gap is beyond what a third-rate swordsman like you can imagine!"
Xia Chen spoke calmly.
But there was also a hint of helplessness in his eyes as he looked at Zoro.
For some reason, ever since Zoro had seen Xia Chen's three-hundred-million bounty a few days ago, perhaps out of shame at not having any bounty himself,
he had been challenging Xia Chen every single day.
At first, Xia Chen had been interested enough to play around with Zoro a little, but the gap between Zoro's current strength and his own was simply too wide.
So after playing around a few times, Xia Chen lost interest and casually knocked Zoro down.
But Zoro acted as if he'd taken the wrong medicine, challenging Xia Chen over and over, even when Xia Chen refused.
He would simply attack Xia Chen, regardless of whether Xia Chen agreed.
That really infuriated Xia Chen. You're just banking on me not killing you, aren't you?
Later, when Xia Chen truly grew fed up, he did hit a little harder, but Zoro remained the same. The moment his body recovered even slightly, he would seek Xia Chen out for a fight.
By now, fighting Zoro every day had become a daily quest for Xia Chen.
But to be fair, Zoro was indeed a little stronger now than when he had first started challenging him.
Although it would still take only one serious punch from Xia Chen, that growth was real!
So Xia Chen had come around to the idea. To help Zoro improve his strength, he would reluctantly serve as his sparring partner~
After all, he was a vice-captain who looked out for his crewmates~
Xia Chen casually flicked Zoro's blade aside and said:
"Decent speed. Too bad your strength is lacking!"
"So... how's your understanding of the Realm of Cutting Iron coming along?"
"I'm still a little short. It always feels close, but I'm missing that last little spark!"
"I see~" Xia Chen rubbed his chin. Thanks to his presence, Zoro had brushed against the Realm of Cutting Iron earlier than he had in the original story.
But this was something Zoro could only comprehend on his own. When it came to swordsmanship, Xia Chen knew absolutely nothing!
His only use might be as Zoro's sparring partner.
"Hey, we've reached Loguetown!"
Sanji's voice came from the bow, drawing Xia Chen's attention.
"Finally here?" A smile appeared on Xia Chen's lips. He was quite interested in Loguetown.
Of course, it wasn't because this was where the Pirate King had been born and died. That held no appeal for him.
What truly interested him was a certain person in Loguetown at this point in time!
Of course, another very important thing was that he could check in at a new island again. I wonder what good stuff I'll get this time~
Some time later~
[Ding! Successfully checked in at Loguetown. Observation Haki upgraded to intermediate!]
As the system's voice faded, Xia Chen suddenly felt a sense of clarity in his mind.
Once the sensation dissipated, Xia Chen unconsciously released his Observation Haki.
After carefully sensing it for a while, Xia Chen broke into a happy smile.
Although the improvement in his Observation Haki hadn't increased his strength by much,
both his sensing range and his perception had improved. That was quite nice!
It would be just the thing for what he planned to do next.
Loguetown was the last island in the East Blue where he could check in. His next island check-in would have to be on the Grand Line.
At that thought, Xia Chen couldn't help opening his system panel to see just how much stronger he was now compared with when he had first started.
[Name: Xia Chen] [Fruit: Human-Human Fruit, Great Sage Equaling Heaven Form (intermediate)] [Abilities: indestructible vajra body (intermediate), Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils, Six Powers, demonized form] [Armament Haki: beginner] [Observation Haki: intermediate] [Conqueror's Haki: beginner]