Chapter 101Luffy was curious about Robin's method of gathering information.The two walked and talked, with Luffy mainly asking some wild questions about poneglyphs and the Ancient Kingdom.Robin patiently answered, and took the opportunity to Teach him some experience in gathering information in unfamiliar towns."In towns like Jaya Island, which are on the shipping routes and relatively chaotic, there are often areas that implicitly welcome pirates to spend money, such as specific taverns and markets."Robin explained in a low voice, "And in these places, if you listen patiently, you can often hear a lot of valuable information from drunken sailors, bragging pirates, or shrewd merchants, including some seemingly absurd legends."Unconsciously, they walked into a rather dilapidated area. The atmosphere here was also a bit eerie; the roadside signs all had skull symbols, and most of the pedestrians had fierce eyes and weapons at their waists.This was Mock Town, Jaya Island's famous gathering place for outlaws.Their conversation was overheard by a pirate with a good talent for hearing."Talking about Sky Island again? That's hilarious, there are still idiots who believe in such things these days."The pirate's eyes darted around, a greedy and gloating expression appearing on his face, then he turned and ran towards the largest tavern in town.He had to report to his boss quickly.The great pirate with a bounty of 55 million Berries, Bellamy the Hyena!At this moment, Bellamy and his subordinates were reveling in the tavern, boasting about their realistic romance.Plunder and wealth, enjoying the present; all those messy dreams are fake, they are the pirates of the New Era!The tavern's din was like a viscous liquid, enveloping every indulgent figure.But Bellamy was not here."Hey, Singed, where did you run off to?" someone asked.Singed, the pirate who had just passed by Luffyand Robin, quickly waved his hand, signaling them to slow down.He gulped down a mouthful of cheap rum, the spicy liquid burning his throat and igniting his desire to share."Hey, hey, hey, do you know what I just heard?"Singed couldn't help but burst into laughter, spraying some liquor foam, which drew the attention of pirates at his table and neighboring tables."A Straw Hat kid and that black-haired woman were discussing Sky Island. That legendary sky continent full of gold!"After he finished speaking, a brief silence was followed by an even more boisterous burst of laughter."Sky Island? Hahaha! Which bumpkin still believes in such an old-fashioned fairy tale?""Hey, hey, did he listen to too many bedtime stories?""Golden City? Emerald City? Dream on! Are there still such naive guys these days?"A pirate with a scar on his face slapped the table hard, laughing so hard he leaned back and forth: "If Captain Bellamy and First Mate Sarquiss were here, they'd probably die laughing."Amidst the laughter, someone seemed to remember something and pulled out a stack of wanted posters, "Singed, the Straw Hat kid you mentioned, could it be him?"Someone sobered up a bit, "Fifty million Berries, that kid's bounty is actually that high?""Hey, who's going to buy the latest wanted poster and check? Maybe that daydreaming kid's bounty has increased a bit? Like from fifty million to fifty million and one?""How much water is in this fifty million?""Who knows, maybe he defeated some Marinebranch colonel in his dreams and his bounty soared?"Amidst this unbridled mockery, the tavern door was roughly kicked open, and a figure was shrouded in the light from the doorway.The commotion subsided slightly, and when everyone saw who it was, they all showed expressions of awe or fawning."Captain Bellamy!""The Captain is back!"The newcomer was indeed Bellamy the Hyena, with short golden hair, defiant eyes, and a cruel smile at the corner of his mouth.He glanced at his boisterous subordinates, walked directly to the pirate who had first shared the news, and snatched the somewhat crumpled wanted poster from his hand.It was Luffy's old 50-million-Berry bounty poster.Bellamy's gaze lingered on Luffy's brightly smiling photo for a moment, then he bared his stark white teeth, and a predatory smile bloomed."Fifty million? Interesting."He crumpled the wanted poster in his hand and walked out."There's a show to watch.""Let's go, let's go.""How many moves do you think Bellamy will use to deal with this fifty-million-Berry pirate?"The Bellamy Pirates were immediately agitated, howling and surrounding their Captain, rushing out of the tavern like hyenas sniffing blood.Chapter 140: Blackbeard: Will You Join Us?Meanwhile, in a relatively quieter drink shop elsewhere in town, Luffy was holding a colorful special fruit juice, gulping it down with gusto.Across from him sat Robin, who had just gathered some information."Boss, you're very well-informed here!"Luffy put down his cup, let out a satisfied burp, and said to the boss wiping cups behind the counter.The boss, a kind-faced middle-aged man, chuckled and replied, "Oh, no, you flatter me, guest. Mock Town is just like this; pirates from all directions stop here to rest, spend money, and brag. Information naturally circulates quickly. After all, this is one of the favorite places for our generous pirate lords."Luffy nodded, half-understanding, his attention returning to the cup: "But, this drink is really super delicious!""This drink is terrible," a man next to him said, looking like he was about to vomit.Luffy narrowed his eyes and looked back. Next to him sat a man who was a head taller than him.He appeared dark-skinned, with messy hair and several missing teeth, dressed rather sloppily, and in front of him was a plate of good-looking cherry pie.These guys...Luffy narrowed his eyes, feeling that this person, no, these people's aura, was somehow unpleasant.The other party seemed equally displeased with Luffy's praise of the drink, and their eyes met unintentionally.A strange atmosphere of mutual dislike permeated the air."Luffy," Robin said, sitting closer, "that's enough."Most of the necessary information had been gathered; Robin's Devil Fruit made her excellent at information gathering."Let me eat something."Luffy's attention turned to the cherry pie in front of the man. He was a bit hungry, so he called out to the boss, "Boss, I'll have a serving of that cherry pie too!""Coming right up!"Soon, the cherry pie was served.Luffy eagerly forked a large piece into his mouth, but the next second, his face crumpled, and he spat out the pie, grabbing the nearby juice and chugging it down."Pfft...Pah pah pah, it's so bad, boss, is your cherry pie spoiled?""It's delicious, boss, I'll have fifty servings of this cherry pie!"Luffy stuck out his tongue, looking pained, and turned to the burly dark-skinned man next to him, "Hey, is there something wrong with your taste buds? How can you eat something like this?""Bad? I think there's something wrong with your head, kid. You don't know how to appreciate good food.""What did you say?""Wanna fight, bastard?"The burly dark-skinned man also narrowed his eyes, exuding a dangerous aura.Just as a conflict was about to erupt, Robinelegantly put down her coffee cup and softly said, "Luffy, we should go back. Nami and the others are waiting for news."Luffy hesitated upon hearing this, then reined in his imposing aura, "Let's just leave it at that for now."He felt that if they fought, this island would probably be destroyed.The two stood up, preparing to leave.The burly dark-skinned man suddenly called out to them: "Hey, kid."Luffy turned around: "What?"Marshall D. Teach looked at Luffy, grinning with his missing teeth, and said, "You're pirates, aren't you? What's your bounty?"Just as Luffy was about to answer, the drink shop's door burst open with a loud bang, kicked in, sending wood chips flying."Hey, you with the Straw Hat, are you the brat with the fifty-million-Berry bounty?!"Bellamy's arrogant voice echoed throughout the shop. He, along with a group of fierce-looking subordinates, had clearly targeted Luffy.Luffy's hat was too distinctive.Robin sighed softly, seemingly helpless, but her actions were decisive.She crossed her arms over her chest and whispered, "Cien Fleur: Delphinium."In an instant, countless slender arms sprouted on the necks of Bellamy and most of the pirates who had rushed in behind him, like death's noose, twisting sharply!"Ugh!""Ah!"...A series of muffled thuds and short gasps, and except for Bellamy, who swayed and barely managed not to collapse immediately, the other pirates fell unconscious to the ground like cut wheat.It was Luffy's first time witnessing Robin solve enemies in such an efficient and silent manner up close:"Robin, you're really strong!"Robin retracted her ability, smiled, and said, "I'm better at this method. A large-scale frontal conflict with the pirate crew in this town would be very troublesome later."As she spoke, she pulled Luffy's wrist, who was still a bit stunned, "Let's go."They had not walked far when Blackbeard Teach, carrying his plate of cherry pie, followed them out and called out to them again."Hey, wait!"Blackbeard's gaze was mainly on Robin, "I just heard you talking about history? Are you very knowledgeable about history?""Robin? She's a scholar." Luffy pointed to himself, "Me too."Sort of.If the teacher is, then the student isn't?"A scholar?"Blackbeard's face showed an extremely strange expression. He looked at Luffy's face, which clearly didn't fit the word'scholar,' then at the intellectual yet equally young and beautiful Robin. It seemed difficult for him to associate the title of scholar with them.Generally, people's impression of scholars is that of white-haired, bearded old men, right?But he still extended an invitation, a seemingly hearty smile plastered on his face: "Guhahaha, truly rare talents! My ship is quite short on people right now, and intellectual talents are especially scarce. How about it, you two, would you consider joining us?"Before he could finish speaking, Luffy had already interrupted decisively: "Absolutely not!"Blackbeard choked, his smile stiffening on his face. He rubbed his nose, a bit sheepishly, but still continued to ask, "Well, never mind... Guhahaha. Where are you two planning to go next?"Luffy looked up and pointed a finger at the clear blue sky, "Sky Island."His voice was not quiet, and coupled with the commotion caused by the Bellamy Pirates earlier, many curious pirates had already gathered around.Upon hearing the words "Sky Island" at this moment, after a brief silence, a huge wave of laughter erupted like a tsunami."Sky Island? Hahaha! Did I hear that right?""Are these two serious?""What era is this? Someone still believes in those legends that trick kids!""What Golden City, Emerald City, and that ONE PIECE, the era of pirates dreaming such dreams is long over!""Hey, hey, why isn't Bellamy here? It would be fun if he were."Amidst the piercing mockery, Luffy narrowed his eyes, scanning his surroundings.
