As the man finished speaking, a stir rippled through the tavern. Even the burly security guards at the door were momentarily stunned.
"The Marine Godfather? You mean the Rowan reported on the front page recently—the one Hawkeye Mihawk challenged?"
"These guys are disciples of that legend?"
"Is the legendary Marine Godfather returning to the seas?"
"It's highly likely. I heard he just took a disciple in Loguetown not long ago!"
Many whispered in low voices, their faces showing shock as they looked at the group dressed as Marines. To be taken under the wing of the Marine Godfather meant one would surely become a world-renowned figure in the future.
Even a pirate of "White Horse" Cavendish's caliber couldn't help but narrow his eyes, his mind whirring with schemes as he cast a subtle glance toward Rowan's direction.
The old man has actually returned to the sea. I wonder if, with my charm, I could convince him to take me as a disciple? Because of that recent headline, the name "Marine Godfather Rowan" had been causing a massive stir across the ocean. If he, as a pirate, became the old man's student and then set sail again after a while, it would undoubtedly cause a global sensation. At that point, he, Cavendish, would be the absolute focus of the world.
Thinking of the gaze of the masses following him everywhere he went, the corners of Cavendish's mouth curved into a high arc. Even the pressure he applied to his steak became much lighter. He had already decided: once the old man finished his meal, he would secretly follow him out and deliver a heart-wrenching performance to get the old man to take him in.
"A disciple of Master Rowan?"
The guard blocking the door—the same one who had tried to kick Luffy out earlier—felt his arrogance vanish instantly. His expression softened significantly. In the past, he would have scoffed at such a claim. A disciple of Rowan? Why don't you just say you're the son of the Gorosei?
But now was different. He had seen the old man enter the tavern personally, welcomed by the owner and the manager. The man was literally sitting in the hall right now enjoying a meal. Furthermore, the old man was accompanied by several young people. Perhaps those were the disciples he took after returning to the sea.
Since the old man had truly returned, the identity of these men might actually be legitimate. Although their Marine uniforms didn't look like they fit quite right, they were still uniforms, representing their status. It was perfectly normal for a Marine legend to have Marine disciples.
At this point, the guard was at a loss for what to do.
Seeing that a single sentence had intimidated the guard, the leader of the group—a bloated, chubby man—puffed out his chest. Surveying the shifting expressions of everyone in the hall, his demeanor became increasingly arrogant.
"Let me tell you, coming to your tavern to eat is giving you face. You actually have the nerve to try and charge me money?"
Listening to the commotion at the door, Rowan, who had stopped eating, wore a peculiar expression.
Truly, fame brings trouble like fat brings a pig to slaughter. He never expected there would be people impersonating his disciples just to get a free meal. And looking at the reaction of the crowd, it seemed they were actually falling for it.
Even Dark King Rayleigh, sitting opposite Rowan, had a strange look on his face. The youth of today were truly bold. While acting tough felt good in the moment, did they not realize the sheer weight the name "Rowan" carried on these seas? Defiling the Old Man's reputation was an offense that invited severe punishment.
"Mr. Rowan?"
Momousagi (Gion) knit her brow, her expression displeased. As Rowan's number one fan, she found this situation intolerable. Rowan shook his head; he didn't want these fools to ruin his appetite. He could explain their behavior to the owner later. As for the imposters, he'd just have Toller deal with them once they got back. Their heads would serve as payment for the meal.
"Hmph!"
Seeing Rowan's reaction, Momousagi suppressed her killing intent for the moment.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Rayleigh, who hadn't spoken, stopped drinking and turned his gaze toward the tavern's entrance. This time, he wasn't looking at the imposters, but at the street outside. His expression turned grave.
Momousagi, Ain, and the others followed his gaze. Even Cavendish stopped grinding his cutlery and looked toward the door.
At that moment, the previously noisy street outside fell silent. The bustling crowds had vanished. The eerie quiet was bone-chilling.
"What's happening?" Cavendish stood up, stretching his neck to see. But when he saw the scene on the street, his heart went cold.
"This is..."
On the street, every single person had dropped to their knees in the same direction. Their heads were buried deep against the ground, trembling, not daring to look up.
The moment he saw this, Cavendish knew what was happening. Shortly after, the sound of rattling iron chains drifted from outside. Then, a young man dressed in opulent clothing with a bubble dome over his head appeared.
The young man wasn't walking; he was riding a mount. But his mount wasn't an animal. It was a muscular human male, covered in scars!
The burly man looked fierce, but his expression was gaunt and exhausted, his tattered body a map of wounds. Around his neck was a strange collar attached to a chain held by the young man. Behind the youth followed a dozen cold-faced retainers, including martial arts masters with bulging temples.
The moment Cavendish saw him, he knew things had turned south.
"Damn it, why did a Celestial Dragon show up now? This is trouble..." Although he looked annoyed, Cavendish, like all the other patrons, stood up, bent his knees, and knelt toward the door.
"Eh?"
Why is everyone kneeling?
The imposters at the door, with their backs to the entrance, were stunned by the scene inside the tavern. The bloated leader was especially confused. Even if Rowan's name is powerful, is there a need to be this terrified?
But as the tavern fell silent, the rattling of the chains behind him became piercingly loud. He turned around in confusion, and when he saw the bubble-headed Celestial Dragon, his face turned deathly pale. His knees buckled instantly, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. He buried his head in the floorboards, his body shaking so hard he couldn't make a sound.
A Celestial Dragon!
He could use Rowan's name to act tough in front of ordinary people. But in front of a Celestial Dragon, that name meant absolutely nothing!
Listening to the rattling chains stop right in front of him, he prayed the Noble would just pass by. Instead, the Celestial Dragon's voice—a voice that spoke as if looking down upon all life—thundered in his ears like a bolt of lightning.
"I heard... you are Rowan's disciple?"