The three of them sat around the lighthouse entrance, feeling the salty sea breeze as they admired the boundless ocean while eating and chatting.
"Old man, why haven't I seen Laboon?"
Luffy mumbled with half a fish tail stuffed in his mouth.
His face was slightly flushed.
Earlier, Crocus had forced him to drink a bowl of liquor.
The strong alcohol rushed straight to his head, making Luffy feel feverish all over.
Luffy smacked his lips and realized the liquor actually tasted pretty good, warming his entire body.
It was just hard to swallow at first.
While Crocus wasn't looking, Luffy picked up the wine jar and quietly poured himself another bowl.
Robin curled her lips into a faint smile.
Crocus's drinking capacity was truly bottomless, with wine jars half a person's height standing nearby.
He hadn't been seen eating any dishes, just gulping down bowl after bowl of liquor.
"You mean Laboon? It's not hitting Reverse Mountain anymore, so it often goes to other parts of the Grand Line to forage. It only returns here after long intervals."
"By the way, Straw Hat, did you know you've become the pride of your hometown, the East Blue?"
Crocus's face was ruddy from all the drinking as he suddenly said to Luffy with deep meaning.
Luffy scratched his head somewhat sheepishly.
Crocus continued:
"Since you became famous, among the pirates entering the Grand Line through Reverse Mountain from the four seas, a full forty percent come from your hometown, the East Blue. I've met some pirate captains, and they're all quite capable."
"Like Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates, and Morgan who defected from the Marines to become a pirate - these people have grown significantly because of you. I imagine they're all stirring up trouble in the Grand Line right now?"
He looked deeply at Luffy: "Nowadays, they all sail under the banner of being from the East Blue, belonging to the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. Not only do towns and countries fear them like tigers, but even the Marines find them quite troublesome."
Hearing this, Luffy said discontentedly: "What? I never agreed to let them join under me!"
"This is what they call 'the tree may prefer calm, but the wind will not subside' - tall trees catch much wind, and thick shit attracts many flies."
"Old man! I'm eating! That's disgusting!"
"Gahahahaha."
...
"Old man! We'll be going now! I'm returning to the East Blue to find my path to becoming stronger! Next time I come, I'll bring you more food!"
From the small boat, Luffy waved goodbye to Crocus with a smile.
"Brat, this old man only wants liquor! Just bring me more fine wine from the East Blue!"
Crocus also stood on the shore waving.
Watching the small boat carrying Luffy and Robin sail away, he suddenly shouted:
"Straw Hat Kid, remember that lust brings danger! Young people shouldn't indulge too much in women! And make sure to take safety precautions, maintain moderation! Use your rubber powers less - that could be very dangerous. Damn, I wish I had that ability too..."
The currents of Reverse Mountain surged violently, continuously flowing upstream from the Grand Line toward the mountain's peak.
The speedboat provided by the Revolutionary Army was indeed sturdy, showing no signs of damage despite the fierce waves.
On the deck, Luffy widened his eyes, gripping the ship's rail excitedly as he watched the summit of Reverse Mountain draw nearer.
Splashing waves occasionally crashed against the bow, drenching his clothes.
"Robin, do you know which path leads to the East Blue?"
Luffy turned to look at Robin but froze in surprise.
Robin stood gracefully by his side, her tight clothing soaked by the splashing seawater, revealing her curvaceous and voluptuous figure beneath the fabric—a natural-born enchantress.
"Robin..."
A bright smile spread across Robin's face as she leaned closer and said.
"Of course. Though I don't have Nami's extensive experience as a navigator, I still know this basic geographical knowledge."
As she spoke, Robin noticed Luffy's gaze, and a delicate blush instantly rose to her beautiful face.
Amid the churning waves and the ship's upward surge, the two gradually drew closer together.
...
Some time later, the ship finally descended from Reverse Mountain and landed on the sea of the East Blue.
Luffy rose reluctantly, his eyes turning toward this familiar stretch of ocean.
Just moments ago, he and Robin had engaged in a rather intense spar.
He had utilized the powers of the Rubber Fruit, while Robin had employed the techniques of the Flower-Flower Fruit.
Their exchange was a vibrant back-and-forth, a scene that could be described as a hundred flowers blooming.
Robin adjusted her clothes, her face still flushed from their match, and pointed toward the sea ahead.
"Luffy, from here, if we want to head straight to your hometown, the Goa Kingdom, we'll pass by Usopp's Syrup Village, Nami's Coco Village, and Zoro's Shimotsuki Village along the way. And not far ahead is Loguetown."
"Loguetown? What a nostalgic place, Robin! Let's go!"
A few hours later, their small boat docked at the port of Loguetown.
To avoid being recognized, the two had made simple disguises.
Robin covered herself with a black veil, while Luffy removed his straw hat.
The scar under his eye was concealed with makeup applied by Robin, and she gave him her own leather cap to wear.
His red mandarin jacket was replaced with a bartender's uniform—purchased back on Sabaody Archipelago.
Now, Luffy looked like a strikingly handsome young man, not only distinguished in demeanor but also naturally exuding an aura that drew everyone's attention.
It was Luffy's innate talent—charisma at its peak.
Robin noticed that the port of Loguetown was nearly filled with pirate ships of all sizes, their various pirate flags fluttering in the wind.
Walking through the streets of Loguetown, they could see groups of pirates, openly carrying long swords and short guns at their waists, laughing, shouting, and cursing boisterously, filling the air with raucous noise.
"It's so lively! So many pirates!" Luffy exclaimed in amazement.
They made their way through the bustling crowd along the street, heading toward Loguetown's square.
"Strange, where have all the residents on this street gone? I remember there was a fish shop here—Sanji even bought a trunkfish from it."
As the two walked on, they gradually noticed that the shops along the streets of Loguetown, previously run by ordinary townspeople, had all disappeared.
In their place were taverns, gambling dens, and weapon shops.
The colorful daily goods stores had vanished, replaced by shades of black, white, and gray.
While walking, Luffy suddenly felt someone grab his arm, startling him.
Turning his head, he saw a heavily made-up woman pulling at him.
Her face was caked with thick white powder, her lips crimson like blood.
Though somewhat curvaceous, she appeared rather plump compared to Robin.
With an ingratiating smile, the woman cooed, "Oh, young man, we've just hired a new batch of girls here. Each one is stunningly beautiful, so fresh you could pinch water from them! Would you like to try one?"
Luffy was instantly confused.
"Huh? I... I don't eat people."
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator