The Jellyfish Pirates had taken over the largest table in the tavern.
Laughter, shouting, and the clashing of mugs nearly lifted the roof.
After so long in the sky, standing on solid ground with real rum in hand—everyone was completely relaxed.
"Hahaha!" Aldo raised a wooden mug nearly the size of his fist.
"To finally drinking like proper men again—cheers!"
"CHEERS!"
More than a dozen mugs slammed together, froth spilling everywhere.
The conversation quickly spiraled in all directions.
"We seriously hit the jackpot this time!"
"If you ask me, besides all the good stuff the boss brought back—Hans is the real winner!"
A red-faced sailor slurred as he slapped Hans on the shoulder.
"You quiet guy—how'd you suddenly learn that thing… what do they call it? Mantra? Oh right! We call it Observation Haki down here! That's insane!"
Feiqi swallowed a mouthful of rum and grinned.
"Exactly! Hans, you've been quietly getting rich in strength. Once we get more famous, the Marines might even print your bounty poster!"
"Yeah! Might even be higher than mine!" Gad chimed in.
"Just make sure the photo looks cool!"
Aldo laughed loudly, clearly proud.
"Don't let them take an ugly picture—you won't be able to show it off!"
Laughter erupted again as everyone raised their drinks toward Hans.
Hans adjusted his glasses, forcing a smile.
But his attention wasn't fully there.
His head subtly turned toward the tavern entrance.
His gaze passed over his noisy crewmates… and settled briefly on a shadowy corner near the door.
A faint frown appeared behind his lenses.
"Hans? Hey—what's wrong?"
Henry nudged him.
"Why are you spacing out? Drink!"
"Ah… right…"
Hans snapped back, but his unease lingered.
"Strange…"
"What's wrong?" Marcus asked, setting down his mug.
"See someone you know?"
"No…"
Hans shook his head and unconsciously rubbed his arms.
"It just felt like… something was watching us."
"Like needles… prickling at my skin."
"It gave me chills."
He even shivered slightly.
"Hahaha!"
Aldo burst out laughing and slung an arm around Hans.
"That's because we're loud as hell! Of course people are looking!"
"Honestly, just turn off that Observation Haki of yours! You're overthinking it!"
"We just got back from a big job—who's gonna know we're here?"
He nearly slipped up mentioning Sky Island, quickly correcting himself.
"Yeah!" another sailor slurred.
"Everyone here's just sailors and locals. Who'd be watching us? You're too tense!"
"Drink!"
Hans wobbled slightly under Aldo's grip.
Listening to everyone, he started to doubt himself.
Maybe it really was just overuse.
His Observation Haki was still new—maybe it was giving false alarms.
"…You're probably right," he said with a sheepish smile.
"Guess I imagined it."
"That's more like it!" Aldo laughed, raising his mug again.
"No ruining the mood! Drink!"
The atmosphere returned to full swing.
But Riberra Sami… quietly set his cup down.
His expression remained relaxed, but his eyes subtly swept across the tavern.
Unlike the others, he understood—
That kind of chill wasn't meaningless.
In battle, that sensation often meant danger.
He leaned slightly forward.
"Hans."
"You sure it was nothing?"
"How strong was the feeling? Which direction?"
Hans straightened, taking the question seriously.
He dipped a finger in spilled alcohol and casually drew a short line on the table—pointing toward a cluster of tables near the entrance.
"Over there…"
"But it faded suddenly. Now it's almost gone."
"Maybe… I really was just imagining things."
Riberra Sami glanced in that direction.
Nothing unusual.
Just ordinary patrons drinking and chatting.
He nodded.
"Got it."
Then he lifted his mug again, blending back into the celebration.
Near the Tavern Entrance
At a table by the wall, three men in plain sailor outfits sat quietly.
Their food and drinks were barely touched.
One of them, wearing a low-brimmed hat, spoke softly while pretending to sip.
"…I think we've been noticed."
"Who? That big guy? Or the swordsman?" the thin man beside him asked.
"No."
The man shook his head slightly.
"The one with glasses. The balding navigator—Hans."
"No combat record in the files."
"The navigator?" the third, stocky man frowned.
"He noticed us? From this distance?"
"Not certain."
"But he stared this way too long. Something felt off."
"…And · Riberra Sami noticed too."
"Should we report to Vice Admiral Hack?"
"Even if it's just coincidence…"
"Report it," the man said decisively.
"The target is cautious and suspicious."
"Any anomaly could alert him."
"Add this—navigator Hans may possess some form of enhanced perception."
"Better to over-report than miss something."
"Understood."
The three casually resumed chatting.
Soon, the thin man stood, paid the bill, and staggered out like a drunk sailor—disappearing into the dim street.
Back Inside
The tavern remained loud and chaotic.
Aldo was loudly boasting about some exaggerated battle, drawing jeers and laughter.
Riberra Sami smiled faintly, occasionally sipping his drink.
But his eyes had already scanned every corner of the tavern.
Based on everything he knew—
That sudden chill Hans felt…
was almost certainly not a false alarm.
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