The tavern was louder than most places Rael had visited. Drunken laughter clashed with clinking mugs, the smell of sweat and cheap alcohol mingling with overcooked meat.
Rael sat in the far corner, his back to the wall, one leg crossed over the other. He sipped something that barely passed for ale. His golden eyes, half-lidded, scanned the room.
Then he heard it."I'm tellin' ya! I saw 'em with my own damn eyes! The Straw Hats!"The voice came from a short man with a bandana tied tightly around his head. He was waving his mug around, sloshing beer all over the table. A small crowd of eager listeners surrounded him, all drawn in by the words Straw Hats.
Rael's ears perked up, though his expression remained calm.
"Bunch of rookies," a larger man scoffed. "Ain't nothin' but rumors."
"Rumors?!" the bandana-wearing man barked. "They torched a whole town in East Blue! That Luffy kid? He knocked out Arlong—Arlong—with one punch!"
Rael narrowed his eyes.
Arlong? The name meant nothing to him, but the way it was said suggested danger.
Another listener leaned in. "You sure you saw 'em?"
"I was in Orange Town," the bandana man said. "Saw a girl with orange hair, a swordsman with green hair, and that rubber kid. They trashed Buggy the Clown!"
"Buggy?" one pirate laughed. "That joke?"
"No, no," the man leaned forward now, whispering dramatically, "but they're different. That captain—he smiled like an idiot, but I swear to the sea gods, his eyes… They weren't normal."
That got Rael's attention.
He leaned forward ever so slightly, his golden eyes focusing like a hawk's.A smile that hides something deeper… A boy who stretches like rubber… And they topple pirates and warlords?
[System Notice]
Straw Hat Crew confirmed: Luffy (Rubber User), Zoro (Swordsman), Nami (Navigator)
Timeline Confirmed: Early East Blue Arc
Map Fragment Acquired – Track Possible Location: Syrup Village
Just then, a figure approached Rael's table.
"You don't drink like the rest of them," a soft voice said.
Rael didn't look up immediately. He could sense no malice.
When he finally did, he saw a young man—maybe a year younger than Rael appeared to be—wearing a long brown cloak and a satchel. His hands bore faint scars, and his eyes were weary but alert.
Rael spoke quietly, "You've met them?"
The boy blinked. "I… Yes. On Dawn Island. I saw Luffy knock out a mountain bandit with one punch. He didn't even flinch."
"Describe him."
"Messy black hair, a straw hat he never takes off, goofy grin. But… something about him. He laughs too much. It's like he doesn't care what anyone thinks. But when someone's in trouble?" The boy's eyes hardened. "He doesn't hesitate."
Rael stayed silent.
That kind of spirit… reminded him of someone long ago. Someone who had died during the war against the Demon King.
"Why are you telling me this?" Rael finally asked.
The boy hesitated. "I don't know who you are, but you're… different. You're strong. You scare everyone without saying a word. But you didn't hurt that kid on the docks who spilled fruit on you. You just helped him pick it up."
"So?"
"So I trust you."
Rael stared at him for a long moment.
Then he smirked faintly. "You shouldn't."
The boy gave a shaky laugh. "Too late."[System Notice]
New Passive Unlocked: Hero's Aura – Civilians instinctively trust you. Fear in enemies increases.
Quest Updated: Track the Straw Hat Pirates – New clue discovered. Estimated path: Syrup Village → Baratie.Rael stood up, pushing the chair back with a scrape.
He tossed a coin on the table.
"Thanks," he said to the boy. "You might want to stay out of trouble. Big waves are coming."
The boy blinked. "Wait! Are you going after them?"
Rael paused at the doorway. "I don't know yet. But they interest me."
Later that night, Rael stood at the cliff's edge again, overlooking the sea. The stars were bright, scattered like diamonds across the heavens.
He stared at the sky for a while, then at the horizon.
"Rubber boy, huh?" he murmured.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
"Let's see what kind of pirate you are."
[System Notice]
Multiversal Karma Alignment: Chaotic Neutral leaning Heroic
Tracking path to Syrup Village – ETA: 1 day
The wind howled, and Rael stepped into the shadows, his journey far from over.
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