Luffy felt a little calmer.
Even the system believed a direct fight wasn't wise right now.
That meant he had to outsmart them.
"Boss, why waste time talking to this brat?"
One of the bandits scoffed.
"Yeah, we came to drink, not chat."
Higuma waved a hand.
"Alright, alright. Drink."
He grabbed another bottle and chugged it down.
Taking the chance, Luffy slowly stood up, preparing to slip away.
"Wait."
Higuma's voice rang out suddenly.
Luffy's body stiffened.
"Kid. What's your name?"
"…Luffy."
"Luffy, huh."
Higuma sized him up from head to toe.
"You've got a decent build. Wanna join me?"
Luffy froze.
Join him?
Become a mountain bandit?
"No."
His answer was firm and immediate.
"I have my own dream."
"A dream?"
Higuma laughed as if he'd heard the biggest joke in the world.
"What dream? Becoming Pirate King?"
Luffy didn't answer.
But his eyes said everything.
Higuma burst into loud laughter.
"Another brat living in fantasy!"
"Pirate King? Who do you think you are?"
"Let me tell you something—on this sea, the cheapest thing of all is dreams!"
Luffy clenched his teeth.
"Whether it's cheap or not… isn't for you to decide."
The laughter stopped.
Higuma's smile vanished.
His eyes turned dangerous.
"What did you say?"
Luffy took a deep breath.
"I said, the value of my dream is decided by me."
The tavern fell silent.
Everyone stared at him.
Makino's face turned pale. She wanted to speak, but fear held her back.
The bandits wore expressions of anticipation.
Higuma slowly stood up.
He was more than a head taller than Luffy, broad and thick like a small mountain.
"Kid, you've got guts."
He stepped forward, looking down at Luffy.
"But guts need strength to back them up."
"Without strength, it's just stupidity."
Luffy lifted his head and met Higuma's eyes directly.
"I know."
"That's why I'm getting stronger."
"Every single day."
Higuma raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Then let me see how much stronger you've gotten."
He reached out with his right hand to grab Luffy's shoulder.
The motion looked casual—but it was fast and powerful.
Three days ago, Luffy would never have dodged it.
But now—
His body shifted slightly to the side.
The hand grasped nothing but air.
Higuma froze.
His men froze.
Even Makino stared in shock.
None of them had clearly seen how Luffy moved.
It was as if—
He had known in advance where Higuma would grab.
"Interesting."
Higuma withdrew his hand, his expression finally turning serious.
"You've trained before?"
"A little."
"With who?"
"By myself."
Higuma narrowed his eyes.
By himself?
A seventeen-year-old brat reaching this level alone?
He didn't believe it.
"Again."
This time Higuma used seventy percent of his strength, both hands shooting out toward Luffy's shoulders.
Luffy stepped back and twisted his body at the same time, barely evading the grab.
Again—air.
The tavern was dead silent.
Once might be luck.
Twice?
"Kid… what the hell are you?"
Higuma's voice dropped low.
"Monkey D. Luffy."
Luffy answered calmly.
"D?"
Higuma's face changed.
"You're one of the 'D'?"
"I don't know anything about that,"
Luffy replied evenly.