Under the gloomy rain curtain.
A luxury cruise, under the protection of three warships fore and aft, was slowly sailing towards the Log Town dock.
"Oh! Log Town!!"
Altair stood at the bow of the ship, gently swaying the wine in his hand, "Though far inferior to my royal capital, it's not bad at all!"
"Hey, Onigumo!" He glanced sideways to the back, "That Pirate King Roger died here, right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty Altair."
Beside him, Onigumo replied nonchalantly with a cigarette in his mouth, "That execution platform in the square is where he died. If you wish to visit, I could issue an order for the Navy soldiers on the island to lay a red carpet all the way from the dock to the platform."
"Then go lay it."
Altair waved his hand lazily, "But standing at the dock and taking a look around is enough. Going to the execution platform below? I'm too lazy to walk that far; mainly I enjoy watching your Navy soldiers do such menial labor, like servants, hahaha!"
"..."
Onigumo furrowed his brow, a flash of displeasure in his eyes, but the next moment he quickly replaced it with a smiling face, bending slightly:
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
...
Smoker stood at the rear of the deck, expressionlessly staring at Altair's corpulent figure ahead.
Compared to a few days ago, his face and chest now bore whip marks.
——This was because saving the fishing boat and those two old people enraged Altair, who personally whipped him.
If it were an ordinary king, of course, they wouldn't have this right, but by chance, Altair has a quarter of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon bloodline.
Accurately speaking, more than thirty years ago, a princess of the Pis Kingdom attended the World Conference and caught the eye of a Heavenly Celestial Dragon, resulting in pregnancy when she returned.
The royal family of Pis Kingdom celebrated this as an honor, enthusiastically cheering, and directly promoting the princess to the first heir to the throne.
After one generation, Altair, as the eldest grandson of the princess, naturally ascended the throne upon reaching adulthood.
He is undoubtedly a contradictory and special existence.
In one respect.
None of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon families in the Holy Land would acknowledge such mixed blood descendants, implant a chip, or tolerate Altair conducting activities as a Heavenly Celestial Dragon.
But on the other hand.
The people below, whether it's the Navy Headquarters or the World Government officials, dare not neglect and truly treat Altair as an ordinary king.
After all, Altair's Heavenly Celestial Dragon grandfather is still alive and holds a high position in the family, and reportedly inquired several times about this grandson's status. If something really happened to Altair, the Holy Land is bound to place blame.
"..." Smoker touched the whip marks on his face and shook his head self-deprecatingly.
Being a Logia-type ability user, yet being beaten and scarred by a mere fat ordinary person, how disgraceful.
However, no matter what.
The old couple were saved in the end.
And the price he paid was just a whipping, which was very much worth it, wasn't it?
——If it wasn't Vice Admiral Onigumo who personally delivered him before Altair.
Smoker lit two cigars, looking up to quietly observe Onigumo.
He didn't hate the other party, only never found the justice written on the back of the other's white cape so glaring.
Exactly when did it start?
Smoker exhaled a ring of smoke, his gaze confused.
He clearly remembered that ten years ago when he first met Onigumo, the other party was also a hot-blooded young man who dared to stand up to the nobles for his sense of justice.
Within the Navy, up and down.
Has Vice Admiral Onigumo really changed alone?
Or could it be that nothing has changed, and it was just that his past self chose to ignore many things...
......
Log Town Central Square, Second Floor of Café.
"Everyone's dishes are served, if you need anything, just give a shout and I'll be downstairs."
The female shopkeeper cheerfully placed five cups of sparkling drinks on the table and, under Ah Yin's expectant gaze, placed a large bowl of strawberry cake in front of it.
"Hehe, thank you, Aunty shopkeeper~"
Nami happily sipped her orange soda, glancing at the figure shrouded in the white cloak hood opposite the table, "Uncle Zeff, everyone has finally gathered, yet you're still wearing that thing, isn't it about time to take it off for dinner?"
"In dubious places, it's never wrong to be cautious."
Zeff grinned.
His current identity is relatively special, as the only one on the ship with a bounty.
Although it's been a long time since the last update of the warrant, and his appearance differs greatly from the photo, so ordinary people wouldn't recognize him.
But Log Town is, after all, rather peculiar, a mix of the toughest Navy Branch in East Sea and Bounty Hunters secretly active, it's best to stay low-key.
Of course.
Zeff also knew that Shano didn't mind being identified as any status by the outside world, nor did it matter if he was bountied, he was even prepared for a bounty from the World Government before setting sail.
However, deciding when to walk that path should be in the hands of the captain, not caused by an accident led by him.
As a crew member, this awareness is essential.
"So, the Navy girl who looks just like Kuina was taken to work five minutes before I came here? And she left this, asking for an autograph from me?"
Shano raised the old photo in his hand.
"Yes."
Kuina nodded, "They say some significant figure is coming, so almost all Navy soldiers have gone to welcome them at the dock, and Tashigi must go too."
"Not seeing you, she was quite upset, and said if she could only get your autograph, she would leave the photo at the café owner's place, she would come collect it when she finishes."
Tch, significant figure.
Log Town, after all, is just a small town, can't believe an important person would stoop to come here.
Shano didn't take it seriously, anyway, after tonight, stealing... no, picking up the execution platform, he planned to leave for Inverted Mountain.
No matter how troublesome the nobility, it's a hassle for those Navy people, what does it have to do with him?
However, not seeing the scene where Tashigi and Kuina are together is a bit regrettable.
Looking at the photo in his hand, Shano thought for a while and figured he might not have a chance to see Tashigi in the short term, so he casually offered it up.
[Offering: Tashigi's cherished old photo]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Value: 200 points]
[Assessment comment: A photo cut out of a newspaper and carefully preserved by Tashigi, filled with youthful dreams and beliefs, supporting her every step from the countryside to the Navy Branch, walking alone on the path of Sword Dao and justice. The young man with black hair holding a sword is her beacon, a hidden passionate yearning in countless nights of swordsmanship.
"..."
Veins bulged on Shano's forehead.
——This system is damnable!