Chapter 322: The Tiger Passing By!

Faced with the blind old man's polite request for directions, Tatsuya smiled and shook his head, declining in a calm tone:

"Sorry about that, old man."

"We've just arrived ourselves and don't know the way at all."

"Why don't you try asking someone else in town?"

Hearing this, the blind old man didn't persist but nodded gently: "I see. My apologies for disturbing you all then."

With that, he gripped his cane again and, with the crisp 'clack, clack' of his wooden sandals, slowly turned and walked away.

It wasn't until the blind old man's broad back had completely vanished into the bustling street that Tatsuya slowly set down his cup.

He turned his head and lowered his voice to speak to the others:

"He's an Admiral candidate, code-named 'Fujitora'."

These words were like a heavy bombshell exploding in everyone's ears.

Upon hearing the word 'Admiral,' Luffy, who had been mindlessly shoveling food into his mouth, along with Franky, Robin, and Nami, instantly froze.

The four of them gasped in unison, their mouths hanging open in such shock that their jaws nearly hit the table:

"Eh—?! That ordinary-looking blind old man was actually one of the Marines' highest combat powers?!"

After recovering from the massive shock, Franky dropped his usual playful grin and adjusted his sunglasses with a serious expression:

"It seems this morning's newspaper really did lure the Marine to this island.

"While the situation hasn't completely turned into chaos yet..."

Franky stood up and looked at Luffy seriously, "Luffy, I'm going to look for that underground factory called SMILE.

"Destroying it is also part of our plan. We can't leave all the work to that gloomy Tra-guy."

Luffy nodded in agreement without hesitation, his eyes full of trust:

"Alright! I'll leave the mission to destroy the factory to you, Franky!"

"Good. In that case, let's head to the Colosseum as well."

Tatsuya turned and gave organized instructions to Robin and Nami:

"Nami, Robin, you two are responsible for scouting the town to see which factions' monsters and demons have come to Dressrosa this time."

"While you're at it, keep an eye out for Sanji, Zoro, and Usopp. Don't let them cause any unnecessary trouble."

"As for me, I'll accompany Luffy to the Colosseum's waiting area.

"Let's see just how many troublesome monsters this legendary 'road poneglyph' has attracted."

Robin and Nami nodded solemnly.

Then, the five of them quickly split into three groups, disappearing into the crowd to begin their move.

Following the flow of people, Tatsuya and Luffy soon arrived at the 'Corrida Colosseum' located in the center of town.

It was a magnificent, massive circular building full of Ancient Roman style.

An exaggeratedly long line had already formed around the perimeter of the Colosseum.

From within the towering stone walls, the deafening cheers of the audience and the sounds of clashing weapons intertwined, soaring into the sky and making one's blood boil.

The two successfully passed through the registration channel and entered the dimly lit waiting area.

This place was simply a Shura's field where dragons and snakes mingled.

Everywhere were muscular New World pirates exuding a thick scent of blood, along with sinister-looking underground assassins.

Everyone was whispering, greedily discussing the rumors about the 'road poneglyph'.

To obtain this key road sign to the Pirate King's ultimate treasure, these desperate outlaws had eyes full of fanatical obsession, willing to throw away their lives without hesitation.

Just as the two found a corner to stand in the waiting area, they noticed a significant commotion breaking out in the crowd ahead.

A man with flowing blonde hair and a face so beautiful it was almost eerie made a flamboyant entrance.

He was none other than the 'Pirate Prince,' Cavendish of the White Horse.

He bit a bright red rose in his mouth, his expression appearing somewhat neurotic.

Standing in the center of the crowd, he loudly declared his insane murderous intent toward the 'Worst Generation':

"It's you bunch of arrogant rookies who stole the spotlight that should have been mine! I swear I'll tear you all to pieces!"

Cavendish toyed with his blonde hair and tilted his chin up arrogantly:

"Listen well, only a gorgeous young man like me is worthy of a resounding title like 'Worst Generation'!"

Standing at the back of the crowd, Luffy swallowed nervously upon hearing this.

He silently reached out to adjust the ridiculous white beard and 'Corrida Mask' on his face, terrified of being recognized by this lunatic.

Just then, a tall man covered in hideous scars pushed through the crowd and walked straight up to Luffy.

Although Luffy was currently wearing a floral shirt, a mask, and a fake beard—a complete mess of a disguise—the man recognized him at a glance.

The newcomer was none other than 'Hyena' Bellamy, with whom he had a history on Jaya Island.

Having experienced that brutal beating on Skypiea and countless baptisms of life and death in the cruel seas of the New World.

The current Bellamy had long since shed the ignorant and flamboyant arrogance of the past; his eyes had become deep and sharp.

He stared at Luffy with a complex expression for a moment before speaking in a low voice: "Straw Hat... it's been a long time.

"I won't laugh at your dreams anymore like I did back then."

Luffy looked at him through the holes in his mask with some confusion, seemingly trying to figure out who he was.

Bellamy clenched his fists, a look of unwavering determination in his eyes:

"But I must win the match in this Colosseum today and get the rubbing of that road poneglyph!

"I want to use it as my proof of loyalty to become a true core officer of the Donquixote Family!

"So, even if it's you, I won't show any mercy!"

Faced with Bellamy's heavy and emotionally charged battle declaration, Luffy tilted his head without warning.

Then, this Captain with an eccentric train of thought began his clumsy performance of playing dumb without any psychological burden:

"Eh? Who are you, big guy? You've got the wrong person!

"My name isn't Straw Hat, it's Lucy!"

After delivering this completely unconvincing line, Luffy grabbed Tatsuya's wrist and, like a gust of wind, ran toward the other side of the waiting area without looking back.

The two ran all the way until they finally found a remote and quiet corner at the edge of the waiting area.

Luffy leaned back against the cold stone wall, patting his chest with lingering fear and sighing in relief:

"Phew, that was close, that was close!"

"I almost got recognized and had my identity exposed by that guy."

"Fortunately, my reactions were fast enough to fool him!"

Tatsuya stood to the side with his arms crossed.

He looked down at Luffy's ridiculous disguise—a sunflower shirt plus a fake beard and mask that wouldn't even fool a three-year-old—and his mouth twitched slightly.

Tatsuya sighed silently in his heart, ultimately choosing to remain silent, treating it as protecting his Captain's fragile self-confidence.

Just as Luffy had relaxed, a burst of arrogant, piercing laughter suddenly rang out again in the noisy waiting area:

"Weehahahaha! What 'Pirate Prince' crap?!"

"Posing here with a rose... you're nothing but a useless woman!"

This laughter was laced with violent Haki, instantly drowning out the surrounding noise.

"You trash, enough with the reminiscing games!

"We, the Blackbeard Pirates, will be taking this rubbing of the poneglyph without any courtesy!"

Hearing the name 'Blackbeard,' the crowd in the waiting area instantly erupted in terrified cries.

In the open space cleared by the retreating crowd, a massive figure with muscles bulging like rocks and a dark wrestler's mask on his head stepped heavily into everyone's sight like an iron tower.

The newcomer was none other than the Captain of the First Ship of the Blackbeard Pirates—'The Champion' Jesus Burgess!

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