After the waiter stepped into the back kitchen, he pressed a hand against his chest, his heart still racing.
The calm expression he showed earlier had only been a facade. Standing in front of four legendary figures like that, even seasoned pirates would struggle to stay composed, let alone an ordinary worker like him.
What he told Sengoku and the others was true, but who could guarantee that these old monsters had good tempers?
If he had said the wrong thing, even by accident, his life could have ended on the spot.
Fortunately, his gamble paid off.
As the fear slowly faded, it was replaced by a growing sense of pride.
Ordinary people would never even get the chance to meet figures like them. Not only had he stood before them today, he had even spoken boldly without backing down. It was the kind of story he could boast about for the rest of his life.
Inside the tavern, Whitebeard and Rayleigh watched Sengoku and Garp leave. The two exchanged glances, both seeing the same hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
Rayleigh let out a soft sigh. "It seems we really are getting old. The young ones these days are something else."
Whitebeard took a swig of his drink and nodded. "Gurararara, bold and capable, both of them."
With their experience, it was easy for them to see the unusual relationship between the Marines and Rolan's faction.
What kind of methods had Rolan used to pull something like this off?
This was not something brute strength alone could achieve, nor could it be done through empty words.
There had been rare moments in history where pirates and Marines worked together, like when Garp and Roger joined forces against the Rocks Pirates. Even then, it was not true cooperation between organizations, just a temporary alliance born out of necessity.
But this situation was different.
There was no overwhelming crisis forcing this arrangement, yet the connection between the Marines and Rolan's group remained.
That alone made it extraordinary.
Rayleigh raised his glass and took a sip. "This era belongs to the younger generation. It's about time we step aside."
Not long after, Sengoku returned carrying a bowl of ramen, while Garp followed behind with a massive piece of roasted meat.
They sat down without ceremony.
Garp took a huge bite, chewing with satisfaction. "Wahaha, I didn't expect it to actually taste this good."
Sengoku slurped his noodles, his expression just as pleased.
Whitebeard watched them with a strange look, while Rayleigh gently swirled his wine.
No one spoke.
Four figures who once shook the entire sea now sat together in silence, filling the tavern with nothing but the sounds of eating.
The atmosphere felt oddly awkward.
Just a few months ago, they stood on opposing sides. Now, they shared a table like old acquaintances.
Garp was the first to break the silence. "Wahaha, we're all in our seventies now, aren't we?"
Whitebeard laughed. "Gurararara, time catches up to everyone. The new era is here."
Sengoku spoke while chewing, his cheeks slightly puffed. "The three of us might be old, but you still have some years left, don't you?"
Rayleigh smirked. "Of course. With giant blood in you, living a few hundred years should not be a problem."
Whitebeard shook his head. "When the others from our era are stepping back, how can I still call myself young?"
Sengoku lifted his bowl and took a sip of the broth. His eyes shifted toward Whitebeard. "You still have plenty of energy. The rest of us can't compare."
His gaze then drifted toward the four women beside Whitebeard, all dressed in leopard-print outfits.
The meaning behind that glance was obvious.
The women blushed slightly, while Whitebeard simply laughed it off.
Garp grinned. "At Newgate's age, being in good shape is only natural."
Sengoku nodded. "Youth really is something."
Then he turned to Rayleigh. "By the way, when you're out drinking like this, doesn't Shaki drag you back by the ear?"
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting the topic to shift to him.
He chuckled. "What's there to worry about? Everyone knows I have absolute authority at home. Having a drink is nothing."
The other three froze for a moment.
Being dominant at home was arguably harder than becoming Fleet Admiral or Pirate King.
Rayleigh waved his hand, pretending modesty. "No need to look at me like that. You're all the same, aren't you?"
Sengoku smirked. "Is that so? Because I heard you spend most of your time getting your ear pulled."
Rayleigh paused, then looked away slightly. "You must have heard wrong. Sounds more like your situation."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned to Garp. "Luffy is in Rolan's territory, isn't he? Why are you here instead of visiting your grandson?"
Garp tossed the last bone into his mouth, crunching it loudly before licking his fingers one by one.
He then snorted. "That brat ignored me and became a pirate. I have no interest in seeing him."
Sengoku immediately exposed him. "Don't listen to that nonsense. The last time we came here, he stayed behind for days. If he wasn't seeing his grandson, what was he doing?"
Garp nearly choked. "Hey, we're comrades, you don't have to expose me like that."
At the same time, he muttered inwardly.
Sengoku had really gone back to his old self.
Back when they were Vice Admirals, Sengoku had always been cunning and sharp-tongued.
Among the three of them, Tsuru relied purely on strategy and could complete missions effortlessly.
Sengoku combined strategy with strength, finishing tasks efficiently.
Garp, on the other hand, relied entirely on his fists, often ending up covered in injuries.
Now that he had retired, Sengoku seemed to have fully embraced that old personality again.
Garp shook his head. "Your mouth is still as sharp as ever."
That remark earned agreement from both Whitebeard and Rayleigh.
Whitebeard laughed. "Gurararara, no wonder you became Fleet Admiral."
Rayleigh observed the three of them, his expression shifting slightly before returning to normal.
Over the years, most of his old companions had drifted away. The only one who remained by his side was Shakky.
Yet now, the four of them sat together like ordinary friends.
Even if there were still unspoken barriers between them, at least on the surface, it looked genuine.
Perhaps, if Rolan's faction ever brought down the World Government, that fragile connection might become something real.
A faint chuckle suddenly echoed through the tavern.
"Heh, these old men sure know how to put on a show."
The voice came without warning.