"Well, it seems you're indeed very familiar with our situation."
Hearing Crocodile's forceful words, Gini maintained his smile. "It's just that our boss isn't in the West Blue right now, and I don't know when he'll be back. But I'll report your words to him!"
"Hmph, so be it!"
Crocodile snorted coldly, then stood up and glanced at the dark-skinned tough guy standing next to Gini. "For the fifty million Belly, I'll have someone deliver it later. I hope you won't lie to me, or else, don't blame me for being rude."
With that, he ignored Gini, who was smiling before him, and turned to walk outside.
Only after Crocodile walked outside did Gini breathe a sigh of relief.
Looking at Daz Bonez, who remains silent beside him, he asked: "That guy's presence really is terrifying! Bonez, are you really unable to defeat him?"
"Can't beat him!"
Daz Bonez said solemnly while shaking his head without hesitation.
"That's a big shot from the Grand Line!"
"Hey, do you know that guy?"
"Yes, I do."
Daz Bonez nodded, his face expressionless: "That guy once tried to recruit me!"
Gini: "...?"
On the other side, Crocodile walked out the door and looked at Grado Security Company behind him with a deep gaze. He flicked his hands again, a cold look flashing across his face. "Is it a coincidence, or is it intentional?"
He realized... all those tools he valued had been recruited by Grado Security Company; if it was a coincidence, it was too much of a coincidence!
"Well, we'll settle the score later."
Crocodile sneered. "Still wanting my 50 million Belly? Keep dreaming!"
He put the cigar back in his mouth and looked ahead, his eyes flickering slightly. "Grado, Ian... and Sibia Village?"
Although Ian was somewhat surprised by Crocodile's sudden visit to the West Blue, it was only a moment of surprise.
With his current strength, he was confident he didn't need to fear any of the seven warlords.
However, there were still some matters that needed to be resolved first.
Ian sat at the dining table, pondering over the road ahead.
Becoming famous across the seas indeed brought a lot of benefits, but it also brought terrible consequences.
If it were when he first came here, he wouldn't have minded stirring up some waves on the sea, but now... He already had a family.
So stir up what now?
He wasn't one of those typical pirates dreaming of becoming the next King of the Pirates and ruling the oceans.
All he wanted now was to guard his own little corner of land.
But just like instructor Zephyr has said, the waves of the sea would push everyone forward.
If he stayed where he was, he would either be abandoned by the era or swallowed up by it, buried in this vast ocean.
Besides, no matter what, instructor Zephyr treated him pretty well. He couldn't just watch that old man go off and commit suicide, right?
While Ian was deep in thought…
"Ian."
Hearing Robin's voice, Ian returned to his senses and looked up at Robin beside him.
Before he could speak…
"Did something happen?"
Robin closed her book and rested her chin on her right hand as she looked at Ian curiously. "These past few days, you have been zoning out."
"Just something minor."
Ian waved his hand. "I'm just thinking about selling wine in the East Blue."
Seeing that Robin still wanted to ask more, Ian continued: "Forget that, want to go out for a walk?"
"A walk?"
Robin pondered for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Just right, I also needed to go to the winery."
"The winery? What are you going there for?"
Ian said in surprise. "Didn't I tell you to rest these days?"
"Don't worry, dear, it's just a little matter."
Robin blinked playfully and smiled. "It will be done quickly. After all, aside from me, the Sibia River Archipelago still doesn't have a qualified accountant."
Ian: "..."
He almost forgot that Robin had been handling the finances of both the winery and the docks all along. There really wasn't anyone suitable for that job here.
Seeing Robin reassure him, Ian helplessly nodded, then took her along.
Soon they arrived at the winery.
It was extremely busy. Then, without disturbing others, they went straight to Robin's office.
As soon as they enter and close the door, countless hands emerge from everywhere and quickly help her resolve everything.
Looks like her Devil Fruit ability has improved again!
After that, the two didn't head back, and they strolled around a bit.
Along the way, they even encountered the idle old man, Garp.
That geezer dragged him to go drinking, but where on earth could there be a tavern in the Sibia Village?
When Garp pulled them to the dock, Ian was stunned by the tavern before him.
Sibia Tavern
"Wait, when did a tavern get built here? It wasn't here a few days ago!"
"Of course it wasn't!"
Garp put his hands on his hips and laughed. "It was only built yesterday! It was finished in a single day, and it just opened today! Looks great, right? These logs were carried by me personally from the back mountain!"
"Yesterday? How did I not know?"
Ian frowned at Garp. "You built it?"
"Not me, but Martin! And Martin promised that I can drink here for free!"
Garp waved proudly. "There are so many people here, how can there not be a tavern? Didn't Martin tell you already?"
"He did?"
Ian frowned.
Then he remembered, two days ago, Village Chief Martin indeed approached him, saying Garp was too annoying, always asking him to drink, and wondered whether to build a tavern so Garp could drink by himself.
So it was that?
Ian looked at Garp with a strange expression.
"What's with that look?"
Garp noticed but didn't care; he just waved his hand. "Come on, this old man hasn't even gone inside yet! Let's check it out!"
After saying that, he swaggered his way in alone.
Ian and Robin exchanged a helpless smile and followed.
Inside was extremely simple. Rather than a tavern, it was more like a makeshift shack of iron sheets and wooden beams acting as one.
Good thing it wasn't raining, or the place would probably leak!
But to be fair, it was quite lively.
Before they even entered, the place was already packed, most of them seemingly outsiders, sailors from merchant ships who came to relax.