Pirates: Your emperor has returned!

He flicked his cigarette ash and continued, "So if I were you, I would never touch these hot potatoes."

Crocodile was also someone who paid attention to world events.

Being as clever as he was, he was naturally able to deduce the origins of the refugees.

Seven days ago, Fisher Tiger, a fishman, triggered the Mary Geoise incident, resulting in a large number of slaves escaping.

Based on the time calculations, if the ship doesn't stop along the way, and with the guidance of the fishmen, it's possible to sail from the Sabaody Archipelago to Alabasta.

in other words--

Those refugees were very likely slaves who had escaped from the Holy Land of Mary Geoise!

They were forced to go ashore for repairs, likely due to running out of supplies and damage to the ship.

"Because I want to stay in this country quietly and investigate clues about Pluto, I'm now 'kindly' reminding you."

Crocodile, with a cigar in his mouth, said:

“You just offended a Celestial Dragon. If you contact a group of escaped slaves now, it will be the same as offending them again.”

“They’ve provoked the Celestial Dragons time and time again; those arrogant bastards won’t let this go.”

"So, if I were you, I would ignore them."

Crocodile said seriously:

"Let them buy supplies as usual, repair their ships as usual, and then leave as usual."

"We—we didn't know they had been here, and that's fine."

Upon hearing this, Rowan nodded. "It's a reasonable suggestion, and I don't seem to have any reason to refuse it."

Crocodile breathed a sigh of relief.

Despite his status as a Shichibukai, he didn't want to clash with a Marine Admiral; operating in the shadows was his preferred strategic approach!

Rowan then added, "But I refuse."

Crocodile caught his breath again.

He took a deep drag on his cigar, trying to calm himself down a bit. "What exactly do you want?"

Rowan handed the scepter in his hand to Crocodile.

The latter casually took it, then suddenly realized something, and quite displeasedly stuck the scepter directly into the ground, frowning as he said:

"Who's going to help you carry it?"

Rowan smiled helplessly, "Planting it in the ground is fine too. After all, it's a bit impolite to try to communicate while carrying a weapon."

He waved, signaling Crocodile and Vivi to come with him.

Rowan was heading in the direction of the tavern that had been used to house refugees.

"Exiles..."

Rowan murmured to himself, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Since we're already here, why leave?"

Crocodile paused, seemingly understanding what Rowan was about to do.

Hopefully, this won't backfire!

……

A tavern in the port town of Yaruja.

On weekdays, fishermen on break like to gather here to drink a glass of strong liquor and relieve the fatigue of a day at sea.

Starting yesterday, many unfamiliar faces appeared in this tavern, which is loved by the residents.

They came from afar across the sea, not knowing where they should go.

They were a group of slaves who had managed to escape from the Celestial Dragons.

There are humans and fish-men.

They had vowed to go to freedom together, but when they were actually free, they found themselves with nowhere to go.

The crimson "Heavenly Dragon's Hoof" was branded on their bodies and also imprinted into their destiny, from which they could not escape.

Wherever they went, the words "Celestial Dragon" always made them uneasy.

They fled from Sabaody Archipelago all the way to Alabasta, evading countless captures and enduring countless separations.

Even if there are strong and healthy fish-men, they cannot completely protect humans, or even their own safety, on the dangerous sea.

Many people died on that ship.

When they reached the vicinity of Alabasta's waters, they finally couldn't hold on any longer.

They chose to risk coming ashore.

Fortunately, the residents of this town are very friendly.

Even after discovering that there were fish-men among them, they did not immediately call the navy or drive them away; they simply told them not to disturb the local residents.

The locals also provided shelter from the wind and rain.

There was even alcohol.

……

Rowan strode forward, walking at the very front, and arrived at the tavern door.

Push the door open and enter.

He laughed, recalling a joke that was popular in Alabasta eight hundred years ago.

blurted out:

A pigeon walked into the tavern.

[Chapter Fourteen: Traditional Games]

Yaruja, the tavern.

Although none of today's customers are locals, and even the owner himself is not here, the place is still bustling.

The tables in the tavern were all full, and there were even people sitting at the counter.

The humans and fishmen put the Berries they had found on the ship into the counter drawer, and then took out several barrels of wine from the tavern's storeroom.

Alcohol is a very comforting thing, especially when you are helpless.

When the irritating liquid goes down their throat, they feel a sense of being alive.

They clinked glasses and laughed heartily.

It was a bitter smile, but also a smile of catharsis.

It's hard to imagine that fish-men and humans could sit together, clink glasses, and drink.

……

At the bar, a human and a tall merman clinked glasses.

The former was the young man who had contact with the town elder yesterday; he was one of the few slaves who could have normal contact with outsiders.

Meanwhile, a tall, thin merman carried a barrel of unopened new wine out of the warehouse.

Just as he was about to open the bottle, the tall fish-man by the bar suddenly slammed his fist on the table.

"Hey, Wall!"

The tall fish-man gestured with his lip and said, "Pay first."

The tall, thin fishman named Wall muttered, somewhat dissatisfied, "Boss Hoka, nobody's going to care, and we might need that money later..."

"If you can't afford it, then just put up with it and don't drink!"

The fish-man Hoka said firmly, "Remember, Wall, this is a bottom line that must never be crossed, because we are not pirates or fugitives!"

Left with no other option, Wall pulled out a few Berry bills from his pocket and put them into the unattended counter drawer.

Then, he turned around and went to have a drink with his friends.

The young man shook his head with a wry smile. "He's really strict, Boss Hoka."

Hoka sighed.

"There's nothing we can do, they're all too young."

He held out his hand and gestured. "Take Wall for example. When I first met him in Mary Geoise, he wasn't even as tall as this bar."

Hoka smiled, reminiscing about the past.

"In the blink of an eye, many years have passed."

"Suddenly gaining freedom is a blessing for young people, but it is also a test. I cannot let them go astray."

The young man lowered his head and said slowly, "I'm sorry, it was all to take care of us. Otherwise, you should have left with that Fisher Tiger..."

"Don't say that, my friend."

Hoka said earnestly, "We once swore that we would find a place to settle down together."

"A place to settle down?"

The young man chuckled self-deprecatingly, rolled up his sleeves, and the crimson "Heavenly Dragon's Hoof" brand was clearly visible on them.

Those are indelible marks of shame.

Where would they accept us?

“There will be,” Hoka comforted him. “If the Grand Line doesn’t work, we’ll cross the Reverse Mountain and go to the four seas. There will always be a place where we can settle down.”

The young man nodded, his expression relaxing slightly.

"I hope so."

Then, a commotion nearby caught their attention.

Several fishmen moved the tables and chairs aside, clearing a space.

Two of the murlocs stepped onto the field, each unarmed, ready for battle.