"I'm hitting you because you deserve it!" Rowan glared. "You've been the loudest one all the way here. Do you want to eat that feast or not?!"
"Of course I do..." Rebuked by Rowan, Luffy's voice immediately dropped, answering in a tone as thin as a mosquito's buzz.
Hearing the commotion from the back, Ain—who was in the driver's seat of the bubble car—couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth curl into a relaxed arc. Mr. Garp's grandson was truly a handful. It was a blessing that Mr. Rowan could keep him in check.
At Master Zephyr's age, if he had a grandson, he'd probably be around this big, right? Thinking of her teacher, Ain couldn't help but feel emotional. These days spent with old man Rowan were likely the happiest she had ever seen Master Zephyr. For a long time, she hadn't seen such a genuine smile on his face, yet it had been there for several days straight.
Grand-Master Rowan, thank you so much for saving Master Zephyr, Ain thought gratefully.
[Host gained Ain's favor: Belief Points +2]
Hearing the notification in his mind, Rowan didn't pay it much mind. He had heard similar prompts so many times lately that he was starting to feel numb to them.
After scolding Luffy, Rowan looked at the familiar yet strange scenery ahead. He slowly raised his pipe to his lips, his expression nostalgic. Of everything in the Sabaody Archipelago, what he missed most was that one restaurant.
"The Raging Bull."
That somewhat ridiculous name had actually been chosen by Rowan himself! He chuckled, remembering the scene over a decade ago when the owner cornered him and begged for a name.
"Since your skill is as 'raging' as a bull, let's just call it 'The Raging Bull.'"
Ten minutes later, the bubble car arrived at Grove 26. Under Rowan's direction, Ain drove to the very center of the island. After finding a spot to park, the group got out and looked at the grand tavern nearby, bustling with people. They were all quite surprised.
"I didn't expect such a massive tavern to exist in a place like this. I've never even heard of it before," Ain remarked. She had been in the Navy for a while and had visited Sabaody many times, but a tavern of this scale was news to her.
Even Momousagi's beautiful eyes were filled with shock. She had assumed that the Lawless Zone was just a chaotic mess filled with pirates every day. It seemed her perception had been too narrow.
Rowan took a puff and smiled. "This place isn't something everyone can find."
The Lawless Zone was chaotic, but it had one advantage: plenty of unclaimed land. If you had the strength to back it up, you could run a business with zero overhead. This tavern, for example, occupied a massive plot in the center of the island but didn't pay a cent in rent to anyone.
"Ah! Delicious food! Here I come!"
Before Rowan could finish speaking, Luffy had already sprinted off toward the scent of food. His energetic state was a complete 180 from his earlier lethargy. Before even stepping through the door, his loud voice boomed:
"Bring me one of every signature dish you have!"
Rowan sighed. This kid... He shook his head and gestured to the others. "Let's go. We're going in too."
Before he even reached the entrance, Rowan saw Luffy being shoved out by the tavern's security guards, who treated him like a madman. Rowan walked up and stopped the guard, smiling. "Little brother, this boy is my great-grandson. He's just a bit impatient, hence the behavior."
"And who are you?" The guard frowned, stopping his actions because Rowan's attitude was polite.
To run such a massive establishment in the Lawless Zone without anyone causing trouble meant the tavern had a background that couldn't be ignored. Luffy's shouting had disturbed other guests, and according to the rules, he had to be removed. Of course, if the boy had a special background, he could stay. If not, they wouldn't be polite.
"I'm Rowan, an old customer of yours," Rowan said unhurriedly.
"Rowan?" The guard knit his brows. He had memorized the VIP list, but that name didn't ring a bell. "Never heard of you."
Just as he shook his head to refuse, hurried footsteps echoed from inside the tavern. A powerful force shoved the guard aside. When he recovered, he saw their floor manager—a man built like a literal ox—smiling obsequiously at the ordinary-looking old man.
"Mr. Rowan! After all these years, you've finally graced our humble establishment with your presence again! It is truly an honor!"
Midway through, the manager turned and barked at the guard: "Niu Da! Quickly arrange a VIP seat for Mr. Rowan! What are you standing there for?!"
"Yes, yes, right away!" The guard's expression shifted instantly. Seeing the manager's reaction, he knew this old man was no simple character. He quickly adopted a flattering smile. "Mr. Rowan, please follow me."
However, Rowan seemed to have noticed something. He looked toward a corner of the main hall and smiled. "No need for the trouble. I'll just sit over there."
"Eh? Over there?" The manager looked where Rowan was pointing. In a corner sat a small table for four. At the table sat a single, white-haired old man with glasses, quietly savoring his wine.
As Rowan looked over, that old man was also looking back, a look of surprise on his face.
If the manager knew that man's identity, he wouldn't be this calm. That seemingly ordinary old man was the former right-hand man of the Pirate King—the First Mate of the Roger Pirates.
"Dark King" Rayleigh!
"Mr. Rowan, are you sure you want to share a table there?" the manager asked, stunned. "We still have two vacant 'Heaven' tier private rooms. Why don't I take you there? The hall is quite noisy, I'm afraid..."
"Heaven tier rooms?!"
Hearing the manager, the guard who had tried to kick Luffy out felt his heart skip a beat. His smile froze. My goodness... Heaven tier? Those rooms were reserved for the top-tier titans of both the underworld and the legitimate world.
What is this old man's background?! To be qualified for those rooms?!
Is he a high-ranking Marine official? A noble of the World Government? Or perhaps an Underworld Emperor of some sea? Maybe he has a special connection with the Four Emperors...
The more the guard thought, the faster his heart raced. No matter who the man was, if he was "Heaven tier," he was beyond provocation. Recalling how fierce he had been with the man's great-grandson, the guard felt like crying. If this titan was petty, a single word could ensure the guard never saw tomorrow's sun.