I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

He made a difficult decision.

Survival is paramount; I'll decisively admit defeat.

He looked at Shanks in front of him, forcing a friendly smile, and said:

"Let's not make a move. After all, how could someone like me possibly be a match for the Four Emperors of the New World?"

Upon hearing this, Sieg himself was taken aback.

The voice he used when he said this was surprisingly a different, deep voice.

His voice was deep and powerful, full of energy, and cold and chilling.

The same sentence, spoken in this tone, can give people a completely different feeling.

The most cowardly words were spoken in the most arrogant tone.

This doesn't sound like admitting defeat; it sounds more like a taunt that's reached its maximum level!

The others also realized what was happening, and all eyes in the tavern were now focused on Sieg.

At that moment, the expressions of all the members of the Red-Haired Pirates changed drastically.

They were just watching a show.

Even when the atmosphere was tense, they never regarded Sieg as an equal opponent.

But now, as soon as Sieg spoke, everyone's expression immediately turned serious.

This is a serious matter.

First mate Beckman frowned as he looked at Sig, scrutinizing the bandit for the first time.

He is the second-in-command of the Red-Haired Pirates and the strategist of the entire crew.

"This guy named Higuma recognized our Red-Haired Pirates, yet he still dares to provoke us like this?"

Upon closer inspection, he noticed that Sieg's art style seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.

The original Sieg was just a tall, ordinary person, the kind you'd easily lose in a crowd.

But now, Sieg's expression is cold and stern, and his facial features seem to have become more rigid.

Especially the corners of the mouth.

As Sieg spoke, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, forcing out a strange smile. But combined with the cold expression on his face, it was a completely fake smile, a mocking one indeed!

Moreover, there is something else that Beckman is very concerned about.

"What exactly was that 'bang bang bang bang' sound that started just now?"

Beckman frowned and looked in the direction of the sound, but his gaze finally fell on Sieg again.

Chapter 3 The World's Greatest Secret

"The Emperor Engine has really started, but can it really fool the Red-Haired Pirates?"

The deep, powerful heartbeat also made Sieg realize the presence of the Emperor Engine.

However, he was still somewhat apprehensive.

At the same time, he suddenly felt a sharp, piercing gaze fall upon him.

He glanced up instinctively and his gaze met Beckman's, who was frowning and looking at him.

"It's Beckman? The smartest guy in the Red-Haired Pirates..."

Sig couldn't help but feel a chill.

"Beckman is the strategist of the Four Emperors' crew. What if he sees through my disguise..."

"Oh no, our eyes met, what should I do?"

The moment their eyes met, Sieg broke out in a light sweat.

Beckman's gaze was incredibly sharp, almost like a blade, striking Sieg and sending shivers down Sieg's spine. Sieg instinctively tried to look away, avoiding eye contact.

"No, I can't look away!"

"If you look away, Beckman is smart enough to immediately realize I'm bluffing!"

Sieg roared inwardly, clenching his fists and digging his nails into his palms in an attempt to remain calm.

"I...I have to say something to change the subject..."

Sig wanted to speak, but he was so nervous that he couldn't open his mouth at all.

Just controlling himself to keep his eyes on Beckman was exhausting enough for Siegfried to lose all his strength; he simply couldn't bring himself to speak.

And his heartbeat grew louder and louder.

But this scene was viewed differently by Beckman and others.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The deep, powerful heartbeat suddenly became several times louder, clearly audible throughout the entire tavern.

The heartbeat was rapid and intense, like a war drum, growing louder and more urgent, making it hard for the listener to breathe.

"That voice... is it some kind of Devil Fruit ability? Is this bandit prepared to fight our pirate crew?"

Beckman's pupils suddenly contracted, and sweat broke out on his forehead.

The moment Sieg's gaze fell upon him, Beckman's heart skipped a beat, as if he were being stared at by some extremely dangerous beast, and goosebumps rose all over his body.

The sound of the Emperor's engine, in particular, made Beckman's mind tighten instantly.

"Is it just my imagination? Why do I feel that this man named Sieg is extremely dangerous?"

"But this is clearly the weakest area, the East Blue... how could we possibly encounter someone of this caliber?"

The thought crossed Beckman's mind.

He glanced at the other members of the group around him, and what he saw surprised him once again.

Sniper Yasopp, cadre Lakiru... and everyone else were on high alert, many instinctively gripping their swords.

This reaction clearly showed that she had sensed the immense pressure from Sieg.

"They noticed too, so it seems this wasn't just my imagination..."

"But why would I run into a man of this caliber in a small tavern in the East China Sea?"

Beckman was completely baffled.

Their captain, Red-Haired Shanks, has mastered Conqueror's Haki to its highest level, and there are only a handful of people in the world who can rival him.

Even Shanks' Conqueror's Haki has never brought such immense pressure to the entire crew.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

In this small tavern, all other sounds seemed to disappear, leaving only the rapid, thunderous beating of a heart.

Sig’s figure seemed to grow infinitely taller, like a mountain, bearing an overwhelming and unstoppable pressure, blocking their way.

"What kind of monster is this...?"

Beckman was filled with doubt.

Sieg felt the same tension:

"That's terrifying, so scary! Did I give myself away...?"

Sieg and Beckman locked eyes, and both of them broke out in a cold sweat at the same time.

Finally, a voice broke the silence.

"This...bandit, do you recognize me?"

Shanks asked in a surprised voice.

Upon hearing Shanks' voice, Sieg was overjoyed, as if he had been saved.

"Looks like I got away with it just now. I can finally stop staring at Beckman..."

Sieg tried his best to keep a straight face and casually shifted his gaze to Shanks.

At this moment, Beckman and the others also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Red-Haired Shanks, of course I know you..."

As Sieg spoke, his mind raced.

"We must have successfully fooled Beckman just now."

"Now, even if I face Shanks, I'm sure I won't give myself away!"

"Go for it! I'm the legendary bandit king, the system's chosen movie star!"

After a long pause, Sieg shifted his gaze from Shanks to the glass in his hand.

After all, he didn't want to have another death stare with Shanks.

Sieg maintained a serious expression, his gaze flickering with a hint of reminiscence at just the right moment, and began his performance.

"Who would have thought that Roger would actually hand over his straw hat to one of his former apprentice crew members?"

His tone remained low, but it seemed to carry a hint of reminiscence.

Upon hearing this, Beckman and the others felt their hearts pound again.

Wow, that sentence is packed with information!

"This man named Sieg knows not only our captain, but also Roger!"

Beckman was shocked, and countless thoughts raced through his mind as he pondered who Sieg really was.

Knowing that Shanks and Roger were once part of Roger's crew is one thing.

This is no secret to truly important people.

But... he actually knew that Shanks' straw hat was inherited from Roger?

"Could it be that this person knows the World Government's secret? Roger's straw hat?"

Beckman's heart pounded; he was terrified by his own terrible conjecture.