Soon, Sandy invited Ace to join their table.
Ace raised an eyebrow and asked, "Luffy, is he really your brother?"
Luffy nodded eagerly. "Yeah! Grandpa brought him back after you set sail."
Ace crossed his arms. "So that means he's our brother too?"
Sandy smirked. "Of course! So hurry up and call me big brother."
Ace immediately refused. "Why should I? You're the last one to show up — that makes you the younger brother!"
"What did you just say?" Sandy snapped, standing up. "Say that again and I'll beat you so hard you'll forget your name!"
"Oh?" Ace grinned, amused. "Then let's settle it with a fight. Whoever wins gets to be the big brother."
Sandy thought for a moment, then nodded. "Deal. But not now — let's eat first."
Zoro sighed from the side. "Shouldn't this be decided by age?"
Sandy replied, "I'm twenty."
Ace smirked. "Same here, pal."
Sandy groaned inwardly. He was born in December, which probably made Ace older. "Fine, fine. After we eat, we'll settle it."
Ace turned to Luffy. "Did you get the message I sent from Drum Island?"
Luffy tilted his head. "Message?"
Ace sighed. "Never mind. Anyway, I found you, that's what matters."
"Oh yeah," Luffy asked curiously, "why are you here?"
"I'm tracking a guy who caused trouble on my ship," Ace said casually. "By the way, I'm the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates now. Want to join us?"
Luffy shook his head. "No way."
Ace laughed. "Didn't think so."
Then he turned to Sandy. "Did you set sail from Windmill Village with Luffy?"
"Of course," Sandy said. "If I didn't, you know what Grandpa Garp's fist feels like. I still get flashbacks of that pain…"
All three — Sandy, Ace, and Luffy — flinched instinctively at the memory.
Zoro frowned. "Is his fist really that bad? You guys look like you've seen hell."
Ace smiled awkwardly. "It's… fine."
Zoro's eyes widened. "Wait, the Garp you're talking about — that's the Navy Hero Iron Fist Garp who cornered the Pirate King?"
Sandy groaned. "Yeah, that old man! Loves smacking people on the head. I swear his Armament Haki must be top-tier — maybe even advanced Observation Haki that can see the future!"
Ace blinked. "Why do you say that?"
Sandy shrugged. "Because every time he throws a punch, you can't dodge it no matter how hard you try!"
"Awesome!" Luffy said, his eyes sparkling. "I wanna reach that level too!"
Sandy and Ace exchanged looks — this idiot never changes.
But before they could continue chatting, someone nearby interrupted them.
"Didn't expect the Second Division Commander of Whitebeard's crew to be hanging around with the Straw Hat Pirates," a gruff voice said.
Sandy turned. Smoker stood at the bar, cigar smoke curling around him, the cross-shaped jitte in his hand.
Smoker pointed it at Sandy. "And you — you bastard — I've been chasing you for weeks! Pirates, surrender now!"
Luffy crossed his arms. "No way! I'm going to the Grand Line, sail around the world, and become the Pirate King!"
Ace stood up. "If you can catch us, then you—"
Before Ace could finish, Sandy pressed him back into his seat. "Hey, hey, calm down! Don't start wrecking the place."
Then Sandy turned to Smoker. "Come on, brother Smoker, this poor shop owner's just trying to make a living. If you two start fighting, who's going to pay for the damage?"
Smoker blinked, thrown off by Sandy's casual tone.
Sandy grinned and pulled Smoker toward their table. "You're a man of justice, right? Protecting people's property, maintaining order — that's your thing! So instead of fighting, why don't you join us for a drink?"
Smoker frowned. "What are you up to?"
"Oh, nothing," Sandy said innocently. "Just being friendly. After all, we're both from the East Blue, aren't we?"
Smoker narrowed his eyes. "So what?"
Sandy smiled slyly. "Well, as the saying goes — when fellow villagers meet, tears fill their eyes."
Smoker scowled. "Pretty sure you said 'bark' the first time."
Sandy laughed awkwardly. "Slip of the tongue! Anyway, waiter — no, boss! — bring a dozen bottles of your best booze! I'm buying for an old friend!"
Smoker sighed deeply, half irritated, half amused. He'd already investigated Sandy — the guy wasn't your typical pirate.
Sure, he hit a Celestial Dragon once, but otherwise, he hadn't done anything evil.
Now, facing Sandy's overwhelming friendliness, Smoker didn't know what to do.
Sandy smacked Luffy lightly on the head. "You glutton! We've got a guest — can't you stop eating for one minute?"
Luffy mumbled through a mouthful of food, "But I'm hungry…"
Sandy rolled his eyes. "Boss! Another table full of dishes, quick!"
"Coming right up!"
Of course, Sandy could easily pay for all of it. Asking Nami for money earlier was just his way of proving that he really had none left.
Zoro and Ace glanced at each other, both twitching slightly at the absurdity of it all. "Is it really okay for us to be drinking with a Navy Captain?"
But before they could process it further, Smoker — overwhelmed by Sandy's enthusiasm — sat down and drank with them.
And as they say, alcohol brings courage.
After a few rounds, everyone was rosy-cheeked and laughing.
Smoker hiccupped. "What kinda booze is this? It's good… but way too strong."
Ace nodded, impressed. "I've tasted countless drinks, but this one's amazing!"
Luffy grinned, "I can drink more!"
Zoro wiped his mouth and sighed with satisfaction. "Sandy, this might be the strongest drink I've ever had."
How could it not be? It was er guo tou — a strong spirit that Sandy had bought from the [pheromone system].
As Sandy raised his cup, he laughed heartily. "One bottle of er guo tou and life feels great! Drink, my friends — drink until the stars spin and the world laughs with you!"
Smoker swayed in his seat, muttering, "You're… not such a bad guy… but you're a pirate… and I'm Navy… I'll still arrest you… you…"
Then his head hit the table with a thud.
Sandy grinned. "Tsk. He's out cold."