Chapter 199

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When Guina and the others arrived at the Shichibukai Islands.

Luo En spent half a month traveling across the Grand Line, checking in on islands he had previously missed; during a chance passage through one island, he sensed someone manipulating gravity, and after paying closer attention, he confirmed the person must be the future Marine Admiral Tenghu, now the wandering swordsman One Smile.

After meeting the blind wandering swordsman now known as One Smile.

Besides that bowl of noodles, Luo En also took him to gamble in two matches.

Then on that island, Luo En and he debated the world's situation, justice and evil; after their inconclusive argument, they fought.

After that fight, they made a wager.

The result of the wager will be revealed in the future.

After parting ways with One Smile.

Luo En calculated the time and guessed that Luffy had likely set sail already, so he traveled from the Grand Line to the East Blue, intending to take a look.

The day before Luffy and the others arrived at the Sea Restaurant.

He came here.

When Luffy and the others reached the Sea Restaurant and were roughhousing with the chef Sanji.

A black-clad figure wearing a hat sat in the corner, with their back to them, savoring the restaurant's red wine and delicacies, occasionally smiling faintly.

The arrival of the Krieg Pirates, the arrival of Dracule Mihawk, and Zoro's duel with Mihawk—all were "watched" by him.

Time returns to the present.

When that black-clad figure suddenly appeared beside Zoro.

Everyone was startled.

After a moment of stunned silence, Luffy immediately adopted a fighting stance, staring intently at the sudden intruder and shouting: "You too want to go after Zoro? Get away from him right now, or don't blame my fists for being uncivilized!"

"Be uncivilized with me… ha, it seems you've become quite strong now, Luffy."

The man faced away from Luffy, his voice young, laced with a faint laugh.

Upon hearing that voice.

Luffy and Nami beside him both froze.

"That voice… it feels familiar. Like I've heard it somewhere before."

Luffy tilted his head, furrowing his brow in deep thought.

Nami stared at the distant figure, and suddenly a silhouette etched deep into her memory flashed through her mind.

Her eyes widened abruptly, amber irises reflecting that figure, lips parted—excited, hopeful, yet trembling with fear.

She feared she might be mistaken, that her hope would vanish.

"Tch, still can't remember? You really are an idiot."

Under the gaze of Luffy, Nami, Sanji, Redfoot Zepo, Krieg, and others, the man raised his hand, slowly removed his tall black hat, and turned his head toward Luffy and Nami.

He was a young man with refined, gentle features and handsome looks.

His eyes were closed, his shoulder-length black hair and delicate bangs drifting naturally with the sea breeze, his demeanor calm.

He gave off an extremely gentle and natural impression.

"It's been a long time, Luffy… and Nami."

Luffy stared at him, his eyes and mouth slowly widening: "Could it be… you're… Luo En?!"

Nami stared at him, hands clasped over her mouth, tears of joy and surprise welling uncontrollably in her eyes; her lips trembled, her voice like a dream: "It's true, it's really true—you're still alive! I knew it, I always knew it…"

For the past two years, she had kept track of his every rumor, never once believing he had truly died, always convinced he still lived, even planning to sail the Grand Line and the New World to find him.

Yet he appeared before her, out of nowhere, on such an ordinary day…

How could Nami not be stunned and overjoyed?

"He was the guest who came yesterday—so refined. I never guessed he was a master."

Sanji stared at Luo En in surprise.

"That man is…"

Redfoot Zepo beside him, staring at the young man in black attire with a black sword at his waist, his pupils contracted sharply, cold sweat trickling down his face.

Sanji noticed his expression and frowned: "Old man, what's wrong?"

"Idiot! Don't you recognize him?!"

Krieg's low voice echoed in Sanji's ear.

Sanji turned to him and saw that arrogant, boastful man fixating on the figure, his eyes filled with terror and reverence.

"He really didn't die… reappearing on the seas after two years—will he shake the oceans to their core again…?"

Krieg, sweat streaming down his face, stared intently at that figure.

He wouldn't mistake him.

When the man was still a boy, traveling the East Blue, he once cut down an entire pirate crew alone with one sword!

At that time, Krieg's own pirate crew had just been formed, watching from afar.

Even today, he could never forget that day.

"If I'm not mistaken, that man is the legendary traveler."

"The traveler Luo En, with a bounty of 1.75 billion Berries!"

Hearing Redfoot Zepo's low, grave words.

Sanji's eyes snapped wide open, his mouth agape, cigarette falling unnoticed to the ground, his expression stunned as he stared at the black-clad figure.

He's the traveler Luo En—the captain of the Sky Calamity Traveler?!

"First the world's greatest swordsman, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Dracule Mihawk—then this legendary traveler, vanished for two years, presumed dead, reappears… what kind of day is this?"

Redfoot Zepo sighed.

As a former great pirate, Redfoot Zhefu had certainly seen the world, but what happened today still left him deeply shocked.

"Ah, Hawk-Eye is back!"

One of Krieg's men stared in terror as the coffin-like boat that had just left now reappeared from afar across the sea.

Hawk-Eck Mihawk stood at the bow, his back bearing the Black Blade Yoru, one of the Supreme Great Swords.

His sharp, hawk-like eyes fixed on this side—or rather, on someone he had long sought.

His eyes brimmed with battle lust.

176, let's move somewhere else.

Sensing his battle lust, Luo En, whose eyes had been closed, smiled faintly at the corner of his mouth and placed his hand on the hilt of the Black Blade at his waist.

"Dr. Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman… Indeed, a worthy opponent to draw my blade against."

"Are you really Luo En?"

Luffy stared at Luo En, still finding it hard to believe.

"You're as clueless as ever, Luffy."

Luo En sighed, his form flickering as he appeared before Luffy; before Luffy could react, a punch landed squarely on his head.

"Ow! So painful!!"

Luffy screamed, clutching his head where a large bump had swollen up.

"Now do you remember?"

Luo En smiled—that punch was his reply to Luffy's earlier threat of being rude to him.

"The feel of that punch…"

Luffy rubbed his swollen head, strained to recall, then his eyes lit up; he slammed his fist into his palm and looked at Luo En with pure delight and excitement: "Just like before—you really are Luo En!"

"Ah… It's been so long! Hehehe, how have you been?"

He grinned at Luo En, revealing a wide row of white teeth and gums, utterly unconcerned with the bump on his head.

Nami, slowly regaining her composure and wiping the tears from her face, heard their conversation and was taken aback.

This guy named Luffy also knows him?

And it seemed the two had known each other for a very long time…

"Have you seen Ace? You've grown so tall—has Kuno been with you? And… what happened to your eyes?"

Luffy fired off several questions in rapid succession.

When Nami heard his final question, she paused slightly, her gaze shifting to Luo En's face.

When she saw his tightly shut eyes.

Nami's heart sank sharply.