"Oh, so your name is Cavendish!" Holding a large wine glass, Vlad enthusiastically clapped Cavendish on the shoulder. "That's a name I'm quite familiar with! I finally remembered!"
Vlad finally recalled the identity of this fellow—Cavendish of the White Horse, a swordsmanship prodigy from the Kingdom of Rommel in the New World. He claimed to have never undergone systematic training yet possessed formidable sword skills and harbored a second personality within him that could wield twice the average sword skill level whenever he fell asleep.
Without Vlad's intervention, this man would have fought alongside the Straw Hat Pirates in the Dressrosa incident three years later and eventually joined the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, becoming one of the pirate captains under Monkey D. Luffy—a reasonably prominent character from the original story.
"Oh, so you've heard of me?" Cavendish's face flushed red as if he had received the highest praise. For him, it was an incredible honor to have someone like Vlad, a Warlord of the Sea, recognize his name, especially since he had just felt forgotten.
Cavendish was thrilled. "Hahaha, I must indeed be incredibly dazzling!" His excitement was palpable.
"Hahaha!!!" This man, who constantly desired to be the most dazzling star in the world, laughed heartily like a fool.
"You're this year's supernova, right?" Vlad stuffed his mouth with grilled meat as he spoke. "You're quite famous, I've heard!"
"Haha, is that so? Or perhaps it's only natural!" Cavendish gleamed as if he were emitting light. "For someone as noticeable as myself, it's only right that people pay attention to me! Hahahaha!" He pulled out a rose, held it between his teeth, and leaped onto the ship's railing, indulging in a moment that felt like a scene from an opera. "Hahaha, dazzling!!!"
"Uh-huh, dazzling!" Vlad nodded absentmindedly, continuously stuffing his face with meat. He was starving.
"Dazzling indeed!"
"Hahaha, you're quite a character!" Cavendish jumped next to Vlad and slapped his shoulder familiarly, laughing. "At least you have good taste!"
"Haha."
Chewing…
"Really!"
Chewing…
"Thanks!"
Chewing…
"For the compliment!"
Chewing…
"Embarrassing!"
Such thoughts were not new to the crew of the Beautiful Pirates; they frequently felt this way whenever their captain acted foolishly.
Everyone was just humoring him. How could he not see that? The man had utterly forgotten him, his eyes fixed solely on the meat on the table without sparing a glance for Cavendish. My captain, please grow some awareness!
Why, oh why? Why did they choose to sail under such a captain?
Even the most joyous occasions must come to an end. The lavish banquet finally concluded as the sun set, wrapping up even dinner in its festivities.
"Burp~"
Vlad, belly full and satisfied, leaned against the ship's railing, his expression lazy and content.
"Ah, that was a feast. Thank you for the hospitality!"
"By the way," Vlad said, gazing at the fiery red clouds in the sky, a sight befitting the Fire Dragon, beautiful like flames sweeping across the sky.
"White Horse, what's your purpose for sailing the seas?" Vlad suddenly asked.
"Purpose?" Cavendish looked puzzled, unsure why Vlad would ask such a question.
"Yes, purpose," Vlad insisted, gazing intently at Cavendish's handsome face. "Since you've set out to sea, surely you have a goal, right? It's not like a man to embark on a journey without a purpose."
"Hahaha, the purpose? Isn't it obvious?" Cavendish exclaimed joyously. "Of course, it's to become the most dazzling star in the world!"
"A star?" Vlad raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Cavendish's expression was earnest and excited. "I intend to make the whole world recognize my brilliance!"
"Ho, ho~" Vlad sighed ambiguously, then added, "That's quite the ambitious dream!"
"Of course, of course!" Cavendish stood with his arms crossed, a proud smile on his face. "Wouldn't it be too selfish not to share my brilliance with the world?"
"..."
"Hahaha!!!" After a brief silence, Vlad burst into hearty laughter. It wasn't mockery; he found no fault with Cavendish's dreams. While dreams might vary in scope, the pursuit of them and the heart behind that pursuit know no bounds.
To Vlad, all dream chasers on their maritime journeys were equal, simply dreamers, one and all. He laughed because he found Cavendish quite to his liking—someone who boldly pursued even the most whimsical dreams.
"Hey, Cavendish," Vlad suddenly asked seriously, no trace of jest on his face. "Would you be interested—"
"In what?" Cavendish appeared surprised.
"In joining my crew," Vlad proposed. "I see great potential in you."
"Huh?"