Alex sat alone in a dimly lit tavern, the salty scent of the sea mixing with smoke and spilled ale. Around him, the hum of conversation filled the room—pirates boasting, merchants trading news, and sailors swapping stories.
"Straw Hat Luffy," a grizzled fisherman said, his voice low but charged with awe. "That kid took down Arlong, the fishman tyrant who terrorized East Blue. Single-handedly."
A burly merchant nodded, sipping his drink. "And don't forget how he wrecked Buggy the Clown's crew—turned that circus act into a real fight. The East Blue hasn't seen anything like him."
Alex's eyes narrowed. These weren't just rumors; these were firsthand accounts from men who'd crossed paths with the boy.
Later, in a cramped room filled with maps and stolen documents, Alex sifted through reports from revolutionaries and marines alike. The tales echoed one thing: a reckless pirate with an iron will was rewriting the rules of East Blue.
His smile was dry but thoughtful. "So this Straw Hat's been shaking the seas before even reaching the Grand Line…"
The pieces clicked together—the fiery spirit, the uncanny luck, the bold defiance. The kind of stubborn hope the world desperately needed.
"Good," Alex muttered, folding the reports. "Let's see if that fire burns as bright once he crosses into the true storm."