I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

He glanced at the empty glass next to the bar, where a little milk remained.

"Actually, I just met a very nice young man." The old man smiled slightly.

"Roger, you remind me so much of you when you were young."

"Now that you mention it, it reminds me of the kid next door," Roger said with a slight smile, as if remembering something.

"When I see them, I always see a reflection of myself from back then, as if I have become young again."

Roger swirled the wine in his glass:

"That's wonderful," he exclaimed.

Roger's hair had turned gray.

Even after traveling through ten years, Roger's real age was already over sixty.

The bar owner was even older and frail.

At this point, the two of them suddenly turned to look at Sieg at the same time.

After many years, Sieg has become noticeably taller and more robust, with a short beard on his chin, giving him a more mature air, but that's about it.

Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to him.

.............................

These elderly people from the old days chatted for quite a while in this empty, old bar, enjoying their drinks.

But all good things must come to an end.

Roger was the first to get up and leave.

"Then, I'll take my leave now."

Although his hair was gray, he was still in good spirits. He took quick steps and got up without any hesitation, just like a young man.

Then there's Sieg.

He hesitated for a moment before standing up, his gaze fixed on the bar's entrance.

He knew that once he stepped out of that door and entered the Grand Line, everything would be different.

As long as he stays in the East China Sea and doesn't return to being the bandit king, he can call himself the invincible beginner in the village and live a leisurely life, enjoying his vacation.

But once you reach the Grand Line, that's where another story begins.

"Maybe I should just stay in the East China Sea..." Sig sighed almost imperceptibly, pushed open the door, and his figure gradually disappeared.

The old man stood quietly behind the bar, watching the group of people leave.

He was alone in the old bar again, but his mood was different now.

The old man's gaze fell on the bar.

The three empty wine glasses are on one side, while the empty milk glass from earlier is on the other side.

He stared blankly at the wine glasses, lost in thought.

Loguetown is the last stop before entering the Grand Line. As the bar owner here, he has served countless pirates over the decades.

All he could do was offer a toast to see her off.

There were two groups of customers in the bar that day.

Luffy and his generation represent the future. Roger and Higuma come from the old era.

Two groups of people, one after the other, will both embark on that Grand Line in this increasingly chaotic and out-of-control era.

I have a pot of wine, enough to soothe the weariness of travel. One cup to the past, one cup to tomorrow.

What kind of era will the future hold?

"The tides of time surge on and on. Will young newcomers lead the trend, or will these old guard stir up trouble again?"

The old man silently wiped the wine glass, his eyes curving into crescents.

Chapter 1023 Hawkeye Returns

Blue candlelight illuminated the faint mist, a huge cross served as the mast, and a small, black, coffin-shaped boat cut through the waves.

The design is eerie and exaggerated; even those who have never seen Hawkeye Mihawk would be awestruck by it.

Moreover, the ship was heading towards the port of Loguetown.

Hawkeye Mihawk's name is particularly well-known in this town.

When Hawkeye arrived, a commotion broke out at the harbor.

"It's the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk!"

"Such an important person has actually come to our small town?"

"What's so strange about that? Hawkeye came here ten years ago."

"Has he returned to Loguetown after ten years?"

Ten years ago, the famous Loguetown duel is said to have determined the true world's greatest swordsman.

But to this day, the outcome of the duel remains shrouded in mystery, with many different opinions.

Mentioning the duel in Loguetown and Hawkeye, one cannot help but think of a name that has become a legend.

Hig, the bandit king.

"That man is dead. There should be no swordsman on the high seas who can rival Hawkeye."

"The result of the duel ten years ago is very important; the one who survives to the end is the strongest."

People were saying this.

Eagle Eyes, with his keen hearing and sharp eyesight, vaguely heard the discussions among the people on the shore and couldn't help but frown slightly.

Their discussions always reminded him of the duel ten years ago.

It must be said that the duel was a terrible experience, even by today's standards.

"Lord Mihawk, we've reached the port of Loguetown."

A sound came from a nearby fishing boat in the mist, interrupting Hawkeye's recollection.

After getting lost in Shimotsuki Village, Hawkeye, with the help of Koushirou, found a local fisherman who had been to Loguetown to act as his guide.

Now, he has finally arrived at Loguetown, and the entrance to the Grand Line is just ahead.

According to Koushirou's previous statement, if Kuina wants to return to headquarters, she has to take a warship back from the Loguetown naval branch.

Therefore, Rogge Town is a place that Wang Rixiong must pass through.

This place reminded Hawkeye of the location of their final battle.

Hawkeye nodded in acknowledgment, and then continued:

"Take me to the execution platform."

Upon hearing this, the fisherman on the boat paused for a moment, his face showing reluctance:

"Lord Mihawk, I've never been to the square where the execution platform is located either."

"I am just a fisherman who makes a living in the East China Sea. Although I have been to Rogge Town, I have never actually been to the execution platform."

Hawkeye hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

He just sat there in his seat on the boat, closing his eyes to rest, without saying a word.

A moment later, a commotion arose from the shore, dispersing the crowds who had gathered to watch the spectacle. The navy from Loguetown had finally arrived.

Leading this wave of naval forces was Tashigi, who wore a long sword at her waist.

"Is this the world's greatest swordsman, and the world's number one swordsman, Yoru?"

Tashigi's gaze fell on the large cross sword behind Hawkeye, her expression fanatical.

However, she didn't forget her duty. She cleared her throat with a light cough and said:

"Seven Warlords of the Sea, Dracule Mihawk, what is your purpose in coming to Loguetown?----"

Eagle Eyes, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally opened them at this moment.

Hawkeye's figure blurred for a moment and then appeared in front of Tashigi, which startled her.

"What...what exactly is your purpose?"

Hawkeye glanced at Tashigi, his sharp golden eyes looking down at her:

"Take me to the execution platform."

.................

After leaving the bar, Sieg felt a mix of emotions, like a student on the last day of summer vacation, feeling lost and disheartened.

"The customer who drank milk before me at the bar must have been Luffy. He should be at the execution platform by now, right?"

Unable to figure out what to do for the moment, Sig decided to continue observing Luffy and his crew from the shadows.

Sieg pondered for a moment, then strode toward the execution platform in Loguetown Square.

He had lived in Rogge for a period of time and was very familiar with the road from the old town to the square.

Walking through the crowds and through the streets and alleys, I could vaguely hear the bustling noise from the direction of the square.

We've arrived at the town square in Loguetown, and the execution platform is clearly visible.

At that moment, Straw Hat Luffy had just climbed onto the execution platform and was looking around when he clashed with a group of pirates below the plaza, attracting the attention of many people.

"You really don't remember who I am, Luffy?"

A beautiful female pirate, carrying a spiked club, smiled at Luffy in the plaza.

"This is Alvida, the pirate who just ate the Slip-Slip Fruit..."

The Smooth-Smooth Fruit is also a powerful fruit, not only having a transformative beauty effect, but also making the skin so smooth that it can deflect attacks.

Sig recognized the other person, but didn't make a sound, instead observing silently from the side.

His furtive glances seemed to have been noticed by those with ulterior motives.