Chapter 33: Women Whose Bloom is All Too Brief
Yumesaki had seen it with his own eyes, and the result was exactly as expected. There wasn't much to look at—just a mundane execution platform that seemed entirely ordinary.
After snapping a few photos and mentally checking the location off his travel list, Yumesaki turned to leave. He took Nico Robin and Hashirama Senju with him for a leisurely stroll through the surrounding area.
Aside from being the site of the Pirate King's execution, Loguetown still held several decent tourist spots that were well worth a short visit.
Once their legs grew heavy from walking, they decided to take a break in front of an open-air cafe.
As they sipped their coffee, they relaxed, watching the flow of the street and casually observing the beautiful women passing by. Yumesaki had to admit, the world of One Piece truly was blessed with an abundance of beauties.
Of course, there was a high probability that this was simply because it was a two-dimensional world. As was common knowledge among fans: there are no ugly women in the 2D world.
Unfortunately, One Piece was a bit of an outlier. The "bloom" of a beautiful woman in this world was tragically short. In their youth, each one was a stunning, world-class beauty, but once they hit their later years, they seemed to turn hideous one by one.
It was almost unbearable to witness.
Shakky was an exception, but the former Empresses of Amazon Lily like Gloriosa were prime examples. Big Mom Charlotte Linlin was the same, as were Bakkin and even Vice Admiral Tsuru. It was clear that Time was a cruel, relentless butcher's knife.
As Yumesaki let out a long sigh, he couldn't help but turn his head to steal a glance at Robin. He truly couldn't imagine what she would look like once she grew old.
Robin's hand froze mid-motion. Her gaze instantly locked onto Yumesaki.
"I have a feeling you are thinking about something very rude," she noted calmly.
"I wouldn't call it rude exactly. I was just reflecting on the concept of time."
"Time?" Robin asked curiously. "Whatever made you think of that so suddenly?"
"Because I realized that the beauty of women in this world is like a flash in the pan. Once they get old, it's as if they turn into entirely different people. So, I was just wondering what you'll look like when you're older."
Robin: "..."
He is my savior. I must not hit him. I absolutely cannot hit him, she repeated to herself.
Robin suppressed the turbulent urge rising in her heart, let out a soft sigh, and said, "As for how I'll look when I'm old, Mr. Yumesaki likely won't see it. You see, I am very interested in Lady Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal."
As long as she mastered the Strength of a Hundred Seal, she could maintain her youth permanently. Growing old was out of the question—it was an impossibility for the rest of her life.
"That's true." Yumesaki nodded, letting out another sigh. "The Strength of a Hundred Seal really is a wonderful thing."
Especially for women in a world where youth was so fleeting, that technique was essentially a divine lifeline.
Just look at Tsunade. Even at over fifty years old, she still looked like she was in her prime. What was that? That was a walking advertisement. Anyone who saw her couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
Mei Terumi had practically died of jealousy. In the Boruto era, Mei had aged visibly, while Tsunade remained exactly as she had been before. What woman wouldn't feel a surge of envy and jealousy seeing that? It was only natural that Robin wanted to learn it for herself.
After they had rested enough, the trio set off again to wander around Loguetown. The city was massive; it wasn't the kind of place you could see in a single day. Thus, Yumesaki planned to stay for a few days, tasting all the local delicacies and visiting every entertainment spot before moving on.
Since they had gone through the trouble of coming here, there was no point in rushing off. Where was the fun in that? Besides, time was the one thing he had plenty of.
The following evening.
Yumesaki's group arrived at a bar. Above the entrance, large letters spelled out: Gold Roger Bar.
According to the information Yumesaki had gathered, this was the oldest bar in Loguetown. It had been in operation back when the Pirate King was executed, and now, twenty years later, it still hadn't closed its doors.
They were famous for several specialty cocktails—low in alcohol but pure in flavor—which earned them high praise from locals and travelers alike. Moreover, they served a specific type of roasted chicken that was said to be legendary.
And so, Yumesaki came. Though he wasn't much of a drinker, he could certainly handle a good roasted chicken.
The moment he pushed open the door, his eyes were met with a sea of people. It was eight o'clock in the evening, and the bar was already packed, leaving only a few empty tables tucked away in the corners.
The trio walked over and took their seats. A waiter approached them quickly. "May I take your order, guests?"
"One serving of your signature roasted chicken," Yumesaki said.
"Give me a glass of pure cocktail," Robin added.
The waiter nodded and turned his gaze toward Hashirama. The First Hokage simply waved his hand. "I don't need anything."
Understanding the request, the waiter closed the menu. "Very well. Please wait a moment."
He then turned and hurried off.
Just as they were waiting for their food, a sudden, heart-wrenching sob echoed through the room, drawing the attention of everyone in the bar. Everyone turned at once, Yumesaki included.
The one weeping loudly was a white-haired old man. His cries were filled with such raw despair that he sounded like a dying bird, a sound so pitiful it made the hearts of those listening sink into a mess.
A few patrons who felt their night was being ruined intended to teach the old man a lesson, but they were held back by those nearby.
"That's Old Jack."
"He's a tragic soul. Just let it go."
"It really is a tragedy..."
A guest who didn't know the situation couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"
A few locals who knew the story began to whisper the details.
The old man sobbing his heart out was a local official in Loguetown named Old Jack. He used to have a son in his thirties, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and a lively, adorable little granddaughter. It was once a happy, harmonious family.
A few months ago, Jack's son finally saved up enough money to take his wife and child on a long-awaited trip to the Sabaody Archipelago.
The family never came back.
Old Jack spent his entire life savings and used every connection he had to find out what happened. Eventually, he discovered that his son's family had accidentally offended a "Great Personage" at the archipelago.
As a result, the entire family was murdered by that figure. Three lives snuffed out in an instant. A once-happy home was shattered into pieces, leaving Old Jack all alone.
From that day on, Jack, who had never touched a drop of alcohol, became a hopeless drunk. Every day he woke up, he ate; after he ate, he drank. And sometimes, like today, he would break down in tears, heedless of the world around him.
The crowd felt nothing but sympathy for Old Jack's fate, and for the most part, they chose to look the other way. Even the patrons who had been annoyed earlier let out sighs of pity and abandoned their thoughts of making trouble.
"What a poor soul."
"The nobles these days are far too arrogant. I truly hope someone gives them a harsh lesson one day."
"I don't know which noble it was, but to be so cruel... to even kill a child only a few years old..."
"It was the Celestial Dragons."
In that moment, someone—it was unclear who—spoke the truth aloud.
Instantly, the entire bar fell so silent that you could have heard a pin drop. Faces turned pale, as if the entire room had been placed under a total gag order.
If it were a noble from another country, they might still dare to grumble a few words to vent their frustration. But when it came to the Celestial Dragons, who would dare open their mouth? Did they have a death wish? Some of the more timid guests, gripped by terror, immediately stood up to leave, fearing they might be implicated just by being there.
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