Chapter 68: The Curtain Rises Part 2

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Suzuki looked at the most prominent words on the newspaper in his hand.

His pupils constricted, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

This was the rare hero he had met on Sky Island a year ago. Was he finally going to meet his end?

Back on Sky Island, the few days he had spent with the Roger Pirates seemed to be still vivid in his mind.

This pirate group, which had sailed for decades and accomplished countless impossible miracles, had just disbanded.

A year ago, when he met them on Sky Island, it was already the last time the Roger Pirates had gathered together.

The banquet was probably the same. After all, Shanks and Bucky were no longer on the ship after they left Sky Island.

Suzuki sighed slightly. He knew…

The Pirate King was not captured by Garp as the newspapers said.

Roger turned himself in!

In addition to the illness, he also wanted to bring new changes to this sea with his death…

At this moment, Suzuki's heart was filled with both sorrow and excitement.

He was sad for the end of a rare hero. From now on, there would be one less extremely interesting person in this sea.

At the same time, he was also excited about the new era that would be opened up by the final roar of this hero!

A new era was about to arrive.

After sighing silently for a while, Suzuki put away his pity and admiration for Roger. He took one last look at the picture of the tired Pirate King on the newspaper and carefully put it in his pocket.

Then, he continued to read the remaining newspapers:

"Navy Hunter! Hawkeye Mihawk! Hunted down another swordsman from the Navy at the Sabaody Archipelago!"

"This year's newcomer has shocked the Navy Headquarters!"

"According to reliable sources, Fleet Admiral Sengoku has sent a vice admiral from the headquarters to hunt down this arrogant newcomer swordsman!"

"Will the newcomer be successfully captured, or will the Navy's dignity be swept away?"

"Let's wait and see!"

"…"

Suzuki looked at the newspaper in his hand. When he saw the future world's greatest swordsman appear in the newspaper, a smile appeared on his face.

Hawkeye Mihawk, or rather, Dracule Mihawk.

He was undoubtedly the strongest swordsman who had reached the peak in the way of the sword.

In the future, he would even sit firmly in the position of the world's greatest swordsman for more than ten years!

Countless challengers had challenged this world's greatest swordsman with great anticipation, hoping to defeat him.

In the end, countless swordsmen gradually did not even dare to challenge him after countless failures…

Hawkeye Mihawk became extremely bored because there were no swordsmen stronger than him in the sea, and no challengers came to challenge him to bring him joy.

He was so bored that he went to the East Blue to deal with small fry, until he met Zoro. Only then did this world's greatest swordsman become somewhat expectant of the future.

Suzuki looked at Hawkeye Mihawk, who had just debuted but was already quite powerful, in his hand.

Suzuki became somewhat interested.

If he remembered correctly, Hawkeye should appear in Loguetown, where the Pirate King Roger was executed.

He was going to Loguetown next anyway.

How could he miss such a shocking and interesting scene?

Thinking of the many interesting people who would appear in Loguetown at that time, Suzuki felt his cold and calm heart seem to heat up.

"Phew~ Take it easy, take it easy."

"There are still a few days. There's enough time for me to get to Loguetown."

"For now, let's go to Water 7 and see an old friend."

Suzuki calmed down the waves in his heart and then carefully folded the newspaper in his hand and put it away.

Looking at the crowded scene around him, as well as the occasional hawking and the noise of pulling goods, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

Suzuki calmly activated his Observation Haki and carefully searched.

Very quickly, he found the old friend he was looking for—Captain Aesen—in a very short time!

A smile appeared on Suzuki's face.

When he first came to the world of pirates, Captain Aesen was the old captain of a merchant ship from Water 7 who helped him leave the deserted island.

Not only that, but those few days of sailing were also Suzuki's first time living on the sea.

He learned a lot of common sense and key points about the sea from Captain Aesen, and the captain did not charge him for the fare and food.

Of course, he did not have any money at that time.

Therefore, when he arrived at Alabasta, Captain Aesen also gave him some Berries as a parting gift.

All in all, he owed him a favor, and he happened to be passing by.

Suzuki felt that he had to thank this kind old captain no matter what.

He came to Water 7 for this matter as well.

His Observation Haki clearly sensed the direction of Captain Aesen. Then, he quickly passed through the crowded people on the pier and rushed towards the old captain.

"Hey, Old Aesen, let's go play cards!"

"No, no, no. How can we play this thing every day? After drifting on the sea for most of my life, I'm still not used to life on land. I'm going to the pier to take a look."

"Didn't you retire?"

"It's the same even after retirement. Hahaha."

"…"

"Captain Aesen!"

Suzuki looked at the old captain who was about to go to the pier and smiled.

Captain Aesen was still wearing the same navy blue coat as when Suzuki first met him. Even though he had aged a few years, his 1.9-meter body still looked strong and energetic.

"Huh? You're… Little Suzuki?!?!"

"Hahahahaha, you've grown so tall."

"Oh, I'm really old. I almost didn't recognize you. You've changed so much!"

Old Captain Aesen looked at the figure that suddenly appeared in front of him. After a moment of confusion, he recognized Suzuki and laughed heartily.

Suzuki smiled gently when he heard the old captain's words:

"Yes, it's me!"

"Captain Aesen, it's been two years since we last met in Alabasta."

"I'm really grateful to you for leaving the deserted island and sailing on the sea."

Old Captain Aesen quickly waved his hand and said to Suzuki with a smile:

"No need, no need. Little Suzuki, you seem to be doing well. Hahahaha, you've grown so tall. That's great! I didn't expect to meet you in Water 7 this time. Let's go, go, go to my house for dinner!"

Old Captain Aesen was still so forthright. After meeting Suzuki, whom he had not seen for a few years, he did not even plan to go to the pier anymore. He pulled Suzuki home to treat him to a meal.

Suzuki came with the intention of expressing his gratitude. He brought a lot of gifts. It was just right to go to the old captain's house. Then, he could put the gifts directly in the old captain's house.

He had to pay for the meal this time.

Therefore, Suzuki smiled and nodded. Then, he followed Old Captain Aesen to his residence…

After a long time, Suzuki, who was already full of food and drink, looked at the drunk Old Captain Aesen and smiled.

He took out some Berries and health supplements for the elderly from the inner space of the Swallow-Swallow Fruit and carefully placed them in a bedroom in the old captain's house.

After whispering goodbye to the old man, Suzuki quietly left this water city.

…

A silver-white small boat sailed quickly on the calm sea, leaving a sparkling white line on the sea.

At the same time, the small black dot on the sea in front became clearer and clearer. It was…

The upcoming storm—Loguetown!