"There's no need for a private room. Just do as I say. This fellow and I are old acquaintances," Rowan said, ignoring the security guard's trembling expression and shaking his head.
"This..."
The floor manager, however, found himself in a difficult spot. He had worked at this tavern for nearly thirty years—which was why he had recognized Rowan instantly.
While Rowan's official rank was merely a retired Vice Admiral of the Headquarters, the manager knew the truth. This old gentleman was the most legendary figure in the Navy over the last few decades. The titans currently ruling the Marine Headquarters were all students he had personally raised!
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Marine Hero Garp, Great Staff Officer Tsuru, and Chief Instructor Zephyr—whenever Rowan had brought them here to eat in the past, their respect for him was palpable and sincere. In other words, slighting this old man was equivalent to slighting the entire power structure of the Navy!
If Rowan wanted a "Heaven" tier private room, the manager wouldn't be worried. But he was insisting on sitting in this noisy, crowded hall. If—God forbid—something happened...
The manager didn't have enough heads to pay for that mistake! Furthermore, if the owner found out he had seated Rowan in the main hall, losing his job would be the least of his worries.
Suddenly, an impatient Luffy let out a frustrated shout: "Aaaaah! Great-Grandpa! We're already at the tavern, why aren't we eating yet?! I'm going to starve to death!"
Luffy's outburst made both the guard and the manager jump.
"What's all this racket?! What's going on?!"
An annoyed voice drifted from the back. The manager looked up, and his face instantly lit up with relief. A man in his forties with a massive belly squeezed into a tight-fitting suit strode toward them.
"Boss!" The manager jogged over and supported the portly man, letting out a secret breath. Thank goodness the boss showed up.
The moment the owner saw Rowan, his fatty face flushed with excitement. "Mr. Rowan! You... you haven't visited us in nearly twenty years..."
"Are you... Chuck?!" Rowan's face was full of surprise. "How did you get so fat? Where's your old man, Charnes?"
Rowan remembered Chuck as a sharp, capable young lad before he retired. In the blink of an eye, he had become this oily, middle-aged man.
"My father passed away six years ago..." Chuck sighed. "Since you hadn't visited in so long, Mr. Rowan, I feared you had also..."
Rowan had been a regular since Chuck was a child. He had eaten here for decades and had basically watched Chuck grow up. To Chuck, Rowan felt like a kind grandfather from next door. When he heard news of Rowan's retirement years ago, he thought he'd never see him again. To see him today was a shock.
"Charnes is gone, then." Rowan shook his head. Having eaten here for decades, he and Charnes had shared a genuine bond. Hearing of another old friend's passing naturally brought a touch of melancholy.
"And what brings you here today, Mr. Rowan?" Chuck asked, tossing the sadness aside with a smile.
"You brat, what else would I come here for besides food?" Rowan scolded with a laugh.
Chuck rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Hahaha, true, true..."
"AHHH!! Great-Grandpa, why are you still chatting?! I'm literally dying of hunger!" Luffy, unable to contain himself any longer, shouted at the top of his lungs. Even if Rowan beat him into a pig's head, he had to protest. Watching others eat in a fragrant tavern was the ultimate torture for Luffy.
"Great-Grandpa?" Chuck looked at Luffy with surprise. Anyone who could call Rowan that had to be Garp's grandson. He hadn't expected the kid to be this big already.
Seeing Luffy's state, Chuck laughed. "I won't disturb you any further, Mr. Rowan." He turned to the manager. "Gang-zi, take Mr. Rowan to the Heaven private room. Then tell the kitchen to prep the signature dishes. I'm going to cook for the Old Man personally!"
"Yes, Boss!" the manager replied. Good grief, the boss hadn't cooked in ages. This was the highest form of hospitality the tavern could offer.
But before the manager could run off, Rowan raised a hand to stop him. He pointed to the corner where Rayleigh sat. "Forget the private room. An old friend of mine is right over there. I'll eat at that table."
Without waiting for Chuck's reaction, Rowan strode away. Chuck followed his gaze and, when he recognized the white-haired old man sitting alone in the corner, his heart skipped a beat.
The Dark King Rayleigh? When did that old guy get here? But then, Chuck frowned. Wait a minute... Rayleigh is a pirate, and Mr. Rowan is a Marine. Since when were they 'old friends'?
Luffy didn't care about Chuck's internal crisis. He was the first to chase after Rowan, his face beaming. "Hehe! Finally, a feast!"
Luffy's stomach was growling loudly, and he was practically drooling. The surrounding customers looked at him with disgust, but because they saw the old man was so friendly with the owner, they didn't dare complain.
Approaching Rayleigh, Rowan sat down without the slightest bit of ceremony. He raised his tobacco pipe and smiled. "Rayleigh-boy, it's been a long time."
Rayleigh, who had been bracing himself for this, could only shake his head with a bitter smile. He set down his glass and sighed. "Mr. Rowan, I've been out of the game for so long. Surely you aren't still holding a grudge over that one sword strike from years ago?"