Trens had spent over a year trying to win the heart of the one he loved, so it was no surprise that he was practically shaking with excitement now. Having returned to Alubarna, the kid could barely take a step without his legs trembling.
"What's up with that guy?"
Crocodile frowned as he looked at Trens and asked Jason.
"That kid's about to reunite with an old flame. So yeah, he's kinda hyped."
Jason replied reflexively, then noticed it was Crocodile he was talking to, and let out a snort.
"Heh."
Crocodile wasn't surprised by the reaction. He took a puff from his ever-present cigar and smiled, saying nothing more.
"Jason, I'm going with Rouge and the others to find a place to settle in. You guys go explore on your own."
Rojen's voice came from nearby, and Jason nodded in response.
Once Rojen had left, Jason nudged Trens and whispered:
"Quick, tell me, where's the best place to eat around here?"
His mouth was practically watering at the thought.
"And I mean somewhere that'll actually fill me up!"
"Fill you up?"
Trens looked at Jason's size, clearly someone with a massive appetite. He thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
"There's this barbecue place, it'll totally satisfy you!"
The moment Jason heard "barbecue," he couldn't hold back anymore and started pushing Trens to lead the way.
"But Jason-bro, I still need to find Lusha…"
"We'll go look for her after we eat!"
At this point, Jason was already fully focused on food, dragging Trens along as they hurried off.
Watching the two disappear, Crocodile took a few drags from his cigar, then smiled faintly and followed them.
The barbecue shop wasn't far from the city gate, so Jason and Trens arrived quickly.
After a massive feast, Jason leaned back and shouted with satisfaction, while Trens looked a little anxious.
They'd been back so long, and he still hadn't gone to find Lusha. His longing for her was starting to overflow.
"Jason-bro, we, "
He reached over and shook Jason's right arm.
"Oh right! I almost forgot. Let's go see your little sweetheart right now!"
Jason burst out laughing, sat up straight, and was about to leave, when a waiter suddenly stepped up.
"Gentlemen, that'll be 30,000 belly. Thank you for dining with us!"
The waiter smiled professionally but kept his gaze firmly locked on the two of them, making their expressions instantly turn a bit awkward.
They had just remembered… they hadn't brought any money.
"Crap. All the money's with the captain."
Jason smacked his forehead.
"I thought you brought it, Jason-bro…" Trens looked miserable.
"You two don't have any money?"
The waiter still maintained his professional smile, but a dangerous glint had started to flash in his eyes.
Jason looked at the bamboo skewers on the table and the waiter in front of them, clearly about to admit the truth, when suddenly, a cloud of smoke drifted in, and an ugly-looking man appeared before them.
"This meal… is on me."
The voice belonged to Crocodile.
A faint smile played across his face, and the cigar at the corner of his mouth, as always, seemed like it would never burn out.
The waiter was instantly startled by Crocodile's grotesque face and fierce imposing manner, stumbling back a few steps in fear.
Crocodile didn't pay it any mind, he had experienced scenes like this more times than he could count. He tossed a heap of belly onto the table, then turned and walked away.
Jason and Trens exchanged a glance, then hurried after him.
On the way, Jason hesitated for a moment, but eventually stepped up beside him.
"Thanks, Crocodile."
"Thank me?"
Crocodile raised an eyebrow.
"No need, you bastard...!" Jason's brief flicker of gratitude immediately evaporated at Crocodile's attitude.
"Jason big brother, we still have to go see Lusha," Trens said helplessly as he held onto Jason.
"Let me come too."
Suddenly, Crocodile turned around.
The two of them stared at him in silence. After a brief standoff, Crocodile ultimately joined this small group.
Thinking about how he was finally going to meet his long-dreamed-of goddess, even Trens felt some of his grudge toward Crocodile melt away.
After turning down four or five streets, they finally stopped in front of a blacksmith shop.
"Here. This is Lusha's house."
Standing at the door, Trens' legs trembled slightly.
"Don't be nervous. Show some spine. Be confident!"
Jason laughed and scolded him.
Crocodile stood silently behind them, puffing on his cigar, observing the two carefully.
Having just joined this group, he needed to quickly understand its structure, each person's personality, temperament, and strengths.
Rojen, to Crocodile, was too mysterious, with power far beyond his current grasp. He couldn't easily figure him out. So he took a step back and decided to start with these two.
"Mm!"
Trens took a deep breath, nodded firmly, and after a few moments of mental preparation, finally gathered his courage. He pulled out the necklace from his pocket and strode toward the blacksmith shop.
"You think the kid'll succeed?"
Standing behind Jason, Crocodile suddenly asked.
The two of them were no more than three inches apart. At that distance, if Crocodile were to launch a surprise attack, Jason wouldn't have time to react.
It was a dangerous distance.
But Jason didn't seem to notice at all. His eyes remained fixed on Trens' back.
"Who knows? But the real question is, you, standing that close, what are you trying to do?"
Jason's tone was casual and carefree, but Crocodile's eyes narrowed.
"At this distance, just three inches... if I wanted to, you'd already be a dead man. Aren't you worried about your life?"
"Captain already said it, you're one of us now!"
Hearing Crocodile's words, Jason suddenly turned around, his gaze serious and unwavering.
"Even if I really can't stand you, the moment he said that, it meant you're already part of our crew."
"No matter how much I hate you, that doesn't change the fact."
"Crocodile, from that day on, you became my comrade, our comrade."
"And when it comes to comrades, just like Captain, I choose to trust without reservation!"
Those words made Crocodile's body jolt. The usual smug grin vanished from his face, and even the cigar at the corner of his mouth seemed unsteady.
"Of course... if you ever let us down, "
"I believe Captain will make you regret betraying your comrades."
Jason added, making Crocodile feel an odd mix of emotions.
"You... really trust him that much?"
"My life belongs to him."
Jason stared directly at Crocodile, his tone suddenly heavy.
"So if you're gonna stick around, leave those twisted ideas of yours behind."
"Start becoming one of us, Crocodile."
"Of course… no matter how hard you try, it still doesn't change the fact that I can't stand you."
(End Of This Chapter)
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