[1] Inside the ruined wooden house, [Garp] gazed at the sky through the fist-shaped hole, suddenly losing all interest.

  [2] What could he do with this man before him?

  [3] Teach him a lesson?

  [4] Afraid that with a few more threats, this man would clutch his chest and fake injury against a sixty-year-old.

  [5] His originally overwhelming fighting spirit had completely dissipated.

  [6] Yet [Garp] still felt something was amiss.

  [7] 『Something's wrong... How did you know the names of [Golden Lion], [Evil Political King], [Giant Battleship]... these great pirates?』

  [8] 『You're deceiving this old man! These pirates are currently in [Impel Down]'s deepest level - their very names are classified!』

  [9] 『How did you learn these things?』

  [10] 『Also... matters concerning [Roger] and [Shanks] - these aren't things an East Blue bandit should know!』

  [11] [Garp] interrogated.

  [12] Recalling [Luffy]'s eager defense of [Sige]'s strength during their journey, the boy had spontaneously blurted out all [Sige]'s tavern boasts without needing coaxing.

  [13] Hearing this, sweat gradually beaded on [Sige]'s forehead.

  [14] Previously, with the [Emperor Engine]'s effect, [Sige] could bluff [Shanks] and other old-era remnants.

  [15] But [Garp], having personally witnessed many major events, found [Sige]'s tavern boasts full of holes!

  [16] Fortunately, [Sige] had already proven his weakness and cowardice - sweating might indicate fear rather than guilt.

  [17] 『I shouldn't have drunk that night! Had I eaten even one peanut, I wouldn't have boasted so wildly...』

  [18] [Sige] maintained surface calm while internally lamenting deeply.

  [19] One lie required countless lies to patch.

  [20] Now [Sige] was riding a tiger - no alternatives remained.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  [21] As top wanted criminal, failing to maintain the lie meant instant destruction before suppression forces arrived.

  [22] Sighing softly, [Sige] looked up at [Garp] from his chair and explained: 『[Roger] told me these things.』

  [23] 『Hmm?』

  [24] [Garp] widened eyes slightly, never expecting the previously timid [Sige] to admit connections with [Roger].

  [25] 『So you are indeed [Roger]'s old friend!』

  [26] 『More precisely... drinking buddies.』

  [27] [Sige] corrected.

  [28] He sighed faintly, gazing skyward with acting flourish, eyes glimmering with reminiscence.

  [29] 『I was born in [Loguetown], knew [Roger] from the start, drank with him many times...』

  [30] 『Over a decade ago, after two great voyages, [Roger] had become [Pirate King] and secretly returned to [Loguetown].』

  [31] 『Seeming near death, he became unusually talkative, telling me all sorts of things...』

  [32] [Sige] elaborated extensively, mentioning [Roger Pirates] affairs and old-era events - apprentice crewmates [Shanks]/[Buggy], [Dark King Rayleigh], [Kozuki Oden], [Nekomamushi] and [Inuarashi]...

  [33] This fabricated backstory wasn't hastily concocted.

  [34] [Sige] wasn't one to await death passively.

  [35] Since sobering up post-transmigration, he'd contemplated maintaining his boasts.

  [36] The optimal solution: eliminate all witnesses by defeating remaining [Yonko], eradicating old-era remnants.

  [37] Thus, none would know his lies.

  [38] Perfect!

  [39] But... [Garp] arrived too quickly.

  [40] Now [Sige] could only resort to this desperate measure.

  [41] 『Is that so...』

  [42] [Garp] scratched his head.

  [43] Gradually drawn into memories evoked by [Sige]'s tales.

  [44] Many historical details [Sige] mentioned were factual, though lacking specifics.

  [45] Considering [Sige] wasn't present but heard these from drunken [Roger]... it seemed plausible.

  [46] Unconsciously, [Garp] pulled up chair beside [Sige], listening to nostalgic tales.

  [47] [Sige]'s acting instincts gradually activated, fully immersing in role.

  [48] 『Actually, [Roger]'s first recruited crewmate wasn't [Dark King Rayleigh] - it was me!』

  [49] 『Really?』 [Garp] startled.

  [50] [Sige] smiled faintly.

  [51] 『Before his first voyage, [Roger] asked: "Want to turn the world upside down together?"』

  [52] 『I refused!』

  [53] Here, [Sige] clutched his chest, eyes dimming with melancholy.

  [54] 『Too weak. Congenital heart condition. Would burden their crew.』

  [55] 『Nonsense!』

  [56] [Garp] encouraged: 『You're still young! Train hard and you could become great pi... cough.』

  [57] Stopped mid-sentence, realizing absurdity.

  [58] What was he saying?

  [59] A [Marine] Vice Admiral encouraging piracy?

  [60] How had he gotten sidetracked?

  [61] [Garp] coughed awkwardly, steering conversation: 『What about those 56 defeated [Emperors]?』

  [62] 『I clearly captured several myself!』

  [63] 『And [Luffy] keeps saying he'll become [Bandit King]...』

  [64] Dangerous aura resurfaced.

  [65] [Sige] awkwardly explained: 『Got drunk meeting [Roger]'s former crewmate [Shanks].』

  [66] 『Those pirate names were just things [Roger] mentioned.』

  [67] 『Admit I exaggerated to seem impressive.』

  [68] [Garp] fell silent - explanation plausible, just drunken bravado.

  [69] Sensing subsiding danger, [Sige] changed subject: 『When [Roger] returned from second voyage, we got wasted...』

  [70] 『He mentioned you, [Garp]-san.』

  [71] Eyes smiling, [Sige] looked at [Garp].

  [72] 『Why would [Roger] talk about me?』

  [73] [Garp] became alert, struggling to stay focused.

  [74] [Sige] whispered: 『The [God Valley Incident].』

  [75] 『You two ended the [Rocks] era together!』