Vic chose this route specifically to reach this island, but he never expected that Rebecca and the others would stop there and wait for him. This made Vic marvel at the wonder of fate.
When Rebecca saw Vic, she found that he was still dressed the same as before, and there was no trace of the life-or-death battle he had just fought a few days ago. He showed no signs of injury or fatigue, but she felt that there was something different about Vic, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
If Garp and Sengoku saw Vic now, they would know what the extra quality was. Vic had developed a calm and composed demeanor, a natural manifestation of his increased strength.
Just like Rayleigh now, he's powerful and lives a relatively carefree life. He earns some money by coating ships, and when he has money, he'll go to the casino to gamble a bit. But if he loses, he loses; he won't use his strength to resort to violence.
When he was short of money, he would sell himself at auctions and rob the people who bought him. He would spend almost all the money on drinking and gambling, and occasionally he would chat with young girls about life.
Having lived in the Sabaody Archipelago for so long, practically right under the Navy's nose, Rayleigh possesses a calm and composed demeanor that exudes reliability. This is the right hand of the Pirate King.
Now, Vic has also acquired some of that quality, which comes from his Observation Haki, which allows him to foresee the Future Sight, giving him a sense of confidence in controlling the future.
Rebecca and the others chatted with Vic for a while, asking what had happened after they left, but Vic didn't go into details.
If Rebecca knew that he almost killed himself by giving up his ability to master Observation Haki, which allows him to foresee the Future Sight, she probably wouldn't talk to him for days, and he would have to coax him in the end. So, Vic only said that the three of them were very strong and cooperated very well, and he could only retreat in the end.
"You didn't see it last time at Dabo Haisita, but now you all know just how powerful the World Government can send out!"
There are more than just those three powerful individuals; it's unclear how many there are. They just felt that three of them were enough to take us down. Luckily, we withstood the pressure this time, but what about next time? Will they send even more people?
We're still not strong enough! I alone can't hold off more people. Everyone needs to hurry up and grow stronger!
Vic didn't go into detail about the battle, but he always encouraged everyone at such moments. Towards the end, his gaze lingered on Rebecca, Frodeku, and Barnett, as if to tell them that the next strong person capable of facing the World Government alone would emerge from among them.
The problem with all three is that their Haki is not strong enough, their Armament Haki is still at a beginner level, and their mastery of the Six Powers is far behind that of the three God's Knights.
The advanced comprehension of the Six Powers is more difficult, but as long as their Armament Haki can be advanced, they can still hold off someone for a while. Especially for Frodeku, whose Observation Haki can already Future Sight. If his Armament Haki is further advanced, he might be able to take down someone, which would greatly reduce the pressure on Vic.
Seeing the Vic in Vic's eyes, the three of them responded with firm gazes, and the others also made a silent resolution in their hearts.
Especially for Kanbo, who had just joined the pirate crew, witnessing such a battle between strong individuals right after joining, and realizing that people could be so powerful, he was simply dizzy and his blood was boiling. He had never had such a clear goal in life. Most of Vic's enthusiasm had been injected into him. After Vic finished speaking, he went to train, more enthusiastic than anyone else.
" Via! Come with me, everyone else go about your business."
After exchanging words with the others, Vic called Olvia aside. Although Olvia didn't know what Vic was up to, she followed Vic towards the center of the island without hesitation.
It was because of their affair that Vic had offended the World Government and was now being hunted down by such a powerful figure. Now, even if Vic asked her to sleep with him, she wouldn't refuse too much.
She had been celibate for many years; everyone has physical needs, and she was at the age where she was most sexually active. And she was facing a man as outstanding as Vic. It took immense willpower for Olvia to refuse. She didn't even know if she could do it.
Vic certainly didn't want to sleep with Olvia. He led Olvia to a one-story house with a yard. Olvia was curious why Vic was here, as if he was very familiar with the place.
Under Olvia's probing gaze, Vic produced two bottles of wine from who-knows-where before pushing open the courtyard gate and going inside, with Olvia following closely behind.
"Has becoming a pirate made you lose all manners? You don't even knock on people's doors anymore. That's a pretty quick change of heart."
As Vic entered the courtyard, he heard a deep, yet slightly hoarse, mocking voice coming from inside the house. Clearly, the owner of the house knew Vic before and was aware of Vic current situation, and spoke without any regard for others.
" Mantis! I'm a pirate now, so I can come to you openly. We became friends after a fight, and I acknowledge you as a person. I don't have many pirate friends, but you're one of them!"
Vic was telling the truth. He had always respected Mantis, a man who resolutely set sail to protect his homeland from harm and to become stronger, and who, after becoming stronger, resolutely left the Rocks Pirates and returned home.
The man who has been protecting and guarding Mantis since the year of the God Valley Incident commands the respect of even Vic, who was then a Marine. This is why Vic didn't kill Mantis outright back then. Therefore, the first crewmate he wanted to find after becoming a pirate was Mantis, and this visit was to invite Mantis.
"I'm not your friend. I'm just an ordinary farmer now. I can't be friends with a great pirate like you. You should leave! Don't disturb the peace of this island!"
Mantis and the others did not open the door to greet Vic. The voices continued to come from inside the house, but the tone was filled with emotion. He vaguely knew why Vic had come, but he did not want to get involved.
His pursuit has always been to protect his homeland and its people. He can't bring himself to continue being a pirate, which is why he saw Vic's pirate ship long ago but didn't go to greet Rebecca and the others.
He didn't want to bring the war between Vic and the World Government to this island. He also admired Vic's character, and if it weren't for the constraints of this land, he would be willing to follow Vic on his adventures.