Everyone was drinking cheerfully, and the atmosphere was chaotic, with shouting mixed with laughter.
No doubt, building a tavern here was a pretty good idea.
Although Garp was here for the first time, as a seasoned tavern veteran... He acted like he was right at home.
He skillfully made his way to the shabby counter and sat down, loudly shouting to Ian, who walked in behind him: "Kid, what are you dawdling for? Hurry up and get in here! I'm going to drink to my heart's content today, and you're paying, Ian!"
As Garp's voice fell, everyone in the tavern immediately turned their heads to look at Ian and Robin, who had just walked in.
Even many villagers from the Sibia Village noticed Ian and cheered.
"It's Ian and Robin, they are here!"
"Come, come, come! Have a drink with us!"
"Is it true that you're the one paying today, Ian?"
Even the outsiders joined in on the fun.
Ian's face twitched under everyone's gazes while he speechlessly stared at Garp, who had already started drinking with a big grin on his face.
This old man doesn't even need to pay when drinking here; So why does he need to treat him?
But facing the crowd's eager looks, Ian still smiled and nodded.
"Everyone, drink as much as you like, it's on me!"
Besides, these drinks don't cost much anyway.
As his words fell, the tavern erupted again in cheers.
However, no one noticed that in the corner, a figure with a long horizontal scar across his face was staring intently at the two who had just entered, no, more precisely, at the woman called Robin.
His eyes widened, disbelief overflowing in his gaze, especially when he noticed her slightly swollen belly. His expression was full of shock and doubt!
The Devil Child?
The Devil Child he had been desperately searching for was... Here?
No, wait, the Devil Child was already pregnant?!
Who did this?!
At this moment, Crocodile's eyes were filled with confusion and suspicion.
Could he be mistaken?
Wasn't it said that two high-ranking officers from Marine Headquarters were stationed here?
How could the Devil Child possibly stay somewhere so dangerous?
And even... Settle down and get pregnant, too?
This joke was as ridiculous as saying the Hero of the Marines is the King of the Pirates' father!
Crocodile took a deep breath to calm his emotions.
He hadn't forgotten the dog-headed warship he saw when he arrived at the island's dock.
That Hero of the Marines was indeed here, and he wasn't even hiding his presence.
Thinking of that, Crocodile's eyes subtly shifted toward the Hero of the Marines, who was happily drinking. His earlier suspicions were dismissed with a laugh in his mind.
Looks like he was definitely wrong!
Of course, if the Hero of the Marines were here, how could the Devil Child dare appear so boldly before him, and even with a big belly?
What was she trying to do?
Provoke the World Government?
She was the one and only survivor of Ohara, a scholar capable of deciphering the historical text.
How could she just casually get married?
His gaze returned to Ian, recalling what that boss of Grado's said earlier.
Crocodile's expression deepened, and a cold smirk appeared.
So he's temporarily not in the West Blue, huh?
Looks like this guy doesn't want to meet him at all!
But why?
Is he looking down on him?
Or... Is there another secret?
His eyes once again drifted to the pregnant woman beside Ian and the Hero of the Marines drinking nearby.
Just as Crocodile was lost in thought…
"Hahaha! What are you spacing out for, brother?"
A warm arm suddenly draped over his shoulders. "Drink up! Ian is treating us today! Also, could you put out that cigar? There's a pregnant lady here!"
Crocodile: "..."
Feeling the hand on his shoulder, Crocodile frowned.
But remembering something, he silently put out his cigar in the ashtray and looked at the man. "Seems like that guy is quite famous here."
"Of course! Ian is the most capable person around here!"
At the mention of Ian, the villager became excited. "Anyone can tell you just arrived! Our Sibia River Archipelago used to be poor, but everything changed thanks to Ian! He's the pride of our archipelago!"
Watching the man who wouldn't stop rambling, Crocodile raised an eyebrow.
Although his words were chaotic, Crocodile could clearly understand the prestige that the retired marine Lieutenant held here.
He lightly tapped the table with his right hand while looking around.
"Sounds impressive. That woman with him, who is she? His wife?"
"That's Robin, of course, she's Ian's wife! What are you trying to do? They already have a kid on the way."
"... I'm not trying to do anything, I'm just curious."
"Only that?"
Apparently very proud of the local couple, the villager continued, "Robin isn't from here, but she's amazing and really smart! She's the one who taught us how to brew better wine!"
He raised his glass and shouted: "Let's drink to Ian and Robin!"
Crocodile glanced at the man who was trying to pull him up for a toast, his brow furrowed slightly.
Then a grain of sand shot from his hand, striking the villager's neck.
As the man collapsed, Crocodile ignored him and looked deeply at the woman with the rounded belly.
Is it really her?
If it is, then why would Ian, who has close ties to Marine Headquarters, marry the Devil Child? Or... Is this some scheme of Marine Headquarters?
Or... it is the personal actions of those two high-ranking Marines?
He truly didn't expect such a surprising discovery.
To be honest, at this moment, Crocodile's curiosity surged as his gaze fell on Ian.
Especially remembering Grado's boss, his eyes turned icy cold.
But just then, as if sensing something, Ian suddenly turned to look his way.
At the same moment, Crocodile caught Ian's gaze.
Neither of them moved, just simply staring at each other.
Crocodile even revealed a ferocious smile and raised his glass of wine toward Ian.
Just as Ian looked at Crocodile in surprise for raising his glass to him…
"Ian."
Robin, who was sipping freshly squeezed grape juice nearby, suddenly called out. "What's wrong with you? Is there anything there?"
"Nothing, just a few specks of dust."
Ian came back to his senses and smiled at Robin. Then he checked the time. "It's getting late. We should go home."
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