"Roger, you all talk. I'm going to take a walk over there." Rouge, quick to read the room, understood that as the only woman present, it wasn't quite appropriate for her to stay.
"Alright, take your time. If you get tired, go rest."
"Mhm."
After Rouge left, Whitebeard grinned and said, "Heh heh, Roger, that line you just said was so gentle, it gave me goosebumps listening to it."
His expression softened slightly, different from how he usually acted with his pirate crew.
"Hahaha, sorry. That kind of feeling was something I never thought I could have. I was supposed to die, after all."
Roger laughed heartily, thinking of Reid. If Reid hadn't suddenly shown up, who knows where the Marines would've buried him by now.
"Yeah, Roger, last time you told me your life was at its end. But now, you look perfectly fine. Nothing seems wrong with your body, and your energy is even stronger than before."
Whitebeard looked confused. The last time they drank under the cherry blossom trees, Roger had said he was dying. But now, Roger looked perfectly healthy—there wasn't even a trace of sickness in his aura.
"Whitebeard, you're someone I trust. I even told you about the One Piece. But I can't tell you how I was cured. What I can say clearly is, I now possess a way to treat any illness in this world."
Roger flashed a confident grin, knowing full well Whitebeard's body had suffered damage from using the Tremor-Tremor Fruit for so many years. After all, a human body isn't made of steel, some Devil Fruits do come with painful side effects. Gaining power always comes at a cost.
As expected, Roger's words got Whitebeard so excited that he stood right up.
"Roger, are you serious?!"
Whitebeard locked eyes with Roger, hoping he wasn't being messed with.
"It's true," Roger replied calmly, grinning with full confidence.
.......
Not far away, Reid was drinking with Shanks and Buggy.
"Reid, your tolerance is amazing. You're not even tipsy, look at me, my face is already burning." Buggy hiccupped, grinning as he looked at Reid.
"Haha, I was born with it. Jealous, aren't you?"
Reid raised an eyebrow smugly, he enjoyed showing off a little.
"Reid, you're incredible. It feels like there's nothing you can't do."
Shanks couldn't help but praise him. First, there was Reid's medical skill—his near-miraculous ability to bring people back from the brink of death was already beyond belief.
And during their Haki training with Rayleigh, Reid had shown the best performance by far. According to Rayleigh, Reid could already dodge 100 of his attacks while blindfolded—something Shanks and Buggy were still far from achieving.
"Hehe, is that so~? Don't worry, both of you have bright futures ahead."
"Oh? Really?! You mean I'll accomplish big things too?"
Buggy leaned closer, holding his mug with an eager look.
"Brother Reid, are you serious?"
"Buggy, don't fish for answers like that."
"Hahahaha!" Reid laughed out loud. "Your achievements depend on your own effort. Don't rely on fantasy. That won't help your growth. You need to improve a little every day, keep training your Haki. You remember what Rayleigh said, right?"
"Mhm, Reid, you're absolutely right. We really shouldn't daydream."
Shanks nodded.
"Reid, you're starting to sound like Rayleigh."
"Huh… really? Buggy, am I at that level already… hahaha."
Reid scratched his head awkwardly, embarrassed by the comparison.
Just then, a voice rang out, Teach walked over to the three of them, laughing.
"Hehehe, hello there. I'm Teach. Mind if we become friends?"
Teach smiled with squinted eyes, holding a barrel of booze and a large bowl. He appeared easygoing and friendly.
"Teach? This guy's acting real strange. A few years ago, we were trying to kill each other, and now he's coming over all chummy?" Buggy instantly grew wary. He had absolutely no fondness for Teach.
"Oh, haha, sure. I'm Reid." Reid wasn't sure what Teach was planning, but since the guy approached with a smile, he had to play along at least.
"So it's Brother Reid! You look even more handsome in person than you do in the wanted posters!"
Teach grinned as he flattered Reid. But to Reid, every word felt fake.
"Haha, Brother Teach, don't say that. I mean, sure, I'm dashing and charismatic—but not quite as amazing as you're making it sound."
Reid's words actually left Teach a bit speechless.
"Uhh… zehahaha! You're too humble, Brother Reid. Here, this is our first time meeting. I hope you'll look out for me in the future, cheers, I'll drink first!"
Teach lifted his bowl in a toast and chugged the drink in one go.
"Cheers."
Reid lifted his mug and downed it too, after all, he wouldn't get drunk, so a few more drinks didn't matter.
"No wonder you're Brother Reid, such eloquence!"
Shanks nearly burst out laughing. He was speechless. He's never seen anyone so shameless before.
"Is this what it means to talk like a pro? I gotta remember this and turn it into my own style," Buggy thought to himself.
"Ah~!" Teach wiped his mouth. "Brother Reid, you've got great drinking stamina. I like that!"
"Hahaha, Teach, your tolerance isn't bad either."
"Zehahaha, we're getting along so well on our first meeting, how about we become sworn brothers, what do you say?"
"Hey, Teach! You wanna become sworn brothers with Brother Reid? What's your real motive?"
Buggy couldn't hold back anymore. They had only just met today, and Teach was already trying to cozy up to Reid, any idiot could tell he was up to something.
"Zehahaha, Brother Buggy, I just feel a real connection with Brother Reid. That's why I came over to make friends!"
Teach gestured toward Roger and Whitebeard.
"Look how well your captain and my old man are getting along. Our pirate crews should help each other out in the future, so naturally, we should get closer and strengthen our bond."
"Get close to your grandma! If I didn't already know what kind of person you are, I might've actually believed your lies!"
Reid cursed inwardly, but outwardly, he smiled and said:
"Haha, Brother Teach is right. We should get closer. Come on, let's drink another round."
"Zehahaha, now that's the spirit! Cheers!"
Teach filled his bowl to the brim and downed it in one gulp, some of the wine dribbling down his belly.
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