Chapter 80: As A Grandfather... This Is Such A Failure!
What is the name of Roger's saber?
The old man smiled slightly and blurted out the answer:
"Ace!"
"Ace!"
The old man froze.
He hadn't expected the young man to say it at the exact same time as him!
Well, it was his question to begin with—of course he knew the answer!
The surprise on the old man's face shifted into an appreciative smile.
It seemed both of these young people were admirers of Roger!
Lufia's reaction was even stronger.
"Ace? So Roger's saber is called Ace!"
Her eyes widened, then she broke into a radiant smile. "I have a brother named Ace too!"
The old man paused for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. "What a coincidence! Roger once said that if he ever had a child, he would name him Ace!"
"Really?!" Lufia was so thrilled she started dancing on the spot. "My brother shares the name Roger wanted for his child! How amazing!"
Then Lufia froze.
"Wait a second! Isn't Ace actually Roger's child?!"
Ralph's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Why did this girl have to blurt out everything? He was already trying to figure out how to steer the conversation away.
The old man laughed heartily and said:
"Exactly! Roger's child should be named Ace!"
Without finishing his story, the old man continued.
Ralph finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps having found kindred spirits, the old man completely opened up.
"Eric Dow, known as the 'King,' Silver-Silver, the world's fastest gunslinger, the Gowns Brothers, the great evil monks..."
The old man listed the names one by one, as if recounting treasures.
"Each of them was a fierce warrior of their time, feared across the lands. But they were all defeated by Roger! The Roger Pirates back then were nothing short of legendary!"
Lufia listened, completely enchanted, her eyes sparkling as if filled with stars.
Not to be outdone, Ralph gently tapped the bar counter. Once both the old man and Lufia turned to look, he spoke slowly:
"Old timer, the ones you mentioned are too far back!"
He paused, making sure he had their full attention.
"Shiki the Golden Lion is now imprisoned in the sixth level of Impel Down. Back during the Edd War, a sudden storm turned the tide, and Roger narrowly won."
The old man's eyes widened slightly.
"Whitebeard Edward Newgate, now one of the Four Emperors in the New World, has carved out his own kingdom. Twenty-six years ago, the Whitebeard Pirates clashed with the Roger Pirates—they fought fiercely for three days and three nights!"
Lufia's jaw dropped slightly.
"And then there's Garp the Fist." At this point, Ralph deliberately glanced at Lufia. "The Hero of the Marines, the man who once chased Roger across the world. But after Roger's death, Garp lost his edge. A hero past his prime, with no remarkable achievements since."
The bar fell silent for a few seconds.
Then the old man slapped his thigh, his voice filled with excitement:
"Incredible! Young man, you're truly incredible! I never expected someone your age to know so much about Roger! You even know about his connections with Whitebeard and Garp!"
The way the old man looked at Ralph had completely changed.
It was no longer the gaze he'd give an ordinary young person, but that of a fellow enthusiast, a kindred spirit.
Ralph felt secretly pleased but maintained a humble smile on the surface. "I'm just particularly interested in that period of history."
He turned to see Lufia's reaction.
Only to find her completely stunned.
She sat on the barstool, leaning slightly forward, eyes wide and mouth half-open, as if someone had pressed a pause button on her entire being.
Ralph's heart tightened.
Oh no, did I accidentally mention Garp, making Lufia remember she has such a grandfather? Did she learn about her grandfather's legendary feats and become so shocked she couldn't speak?
After all, suddenly hearing that the grandfather who used to chase her around all day, forcing her to join the Navy, was actually the legendary figure who once chased the Pirate King across the world...
That impact was indeed a bit overwhelming.
Just as Ralph was wondering how to explain, Lufia suddenly—
"SKREEE—!!!"
An exaggerated, voice-cracking shout shook the bar's roof as if it were trembling.
Lufia jumped down from the barstool, raising her hands high above her head, her eyes shining brighter than the sun: "Roger is amazing! Even the Navy hero was chasing after him! So cool! So incredible! The Pirate King is truly the best!"
Ralph: "..."
He was instantly speechless.
We've talked this far, and she still hasn't remembered her own grandfather?!
Just what kind of impression did you leave in her childhood, Garp?!
Not even the bombshell information that "you once chased Roger" could make her think of you?!
This grandfather... is just too much of a failure!
The old man was also amused by Lufia's reaction: "Young lady, your passion for Roger is truly astonishing!"
"Of course!" Lufia sat back on the stool, her expression turning serious, "Because I'm going to become the Pirate King!"
She declared it with resounding force.
The bar fell silent once again.
The old man looked at Lufia, at the fire in her eyes, at the unwavering determination on her face.
In that moment, he seemed to see Roger from decades ago, sitting in that very same spot.
After a long pause, the old man slowly raised his glass, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out as he revealed a genuine smile.
"To the Pirate King," he said.
"To the Pirate King!" Lufia immediately raised her glass.
Ralph also raised his glass, and three glasses clinked gently in the air.
[Ding!]
[System Notification: Shared numerous exciting stories about the Pirate King Roger at the Gol D. Roger Bar. Lufia's favorability toward you has increased by 5%.]
[Current Favorability: Close Friend Level 45%]
[System Notification: You have established a friendly relationship with the owner of the Gol D. Roger Bar. Reward obtained: Drinking (Advanced)]
The corner of Ralph's mouth lifted slightly.
Good, this round wasn't a loss.
"As long as there are young people like you, still carrying ambition and dreams," the old man said, "this bar will never close."
"We'll definitely be back!" Lufia waved vigorously, "After we've sailed around the Grand Line!"
"Then I'll be waiting," the old man nodded with a smile, "When that time comes, I'll treat you to the finest drinks."
After leaving the bar, Ralph and Lufia continued their search for Roger's execution platform from back in the day.
Lufia excitedly ran ahead, brushing past someone who had just turned out of an alley.
The person was entirely covered in a large brown robe, their face mostly hidden by the hood.
But in the moment they passed each other, the wind lifted a corner of the hood.
Ralph saw it.
The conspicuous red nose that the robe failed to cover.
Who else could it be but Buggy the Clown?
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