"Iceburg, lead the way," Ezra said.
He followed Iceburg to a nearby inn.
"Admiral, Luffy and the others are resting here."
"I will go in alone."
"Yes, Admiral."
Ezra walked inside.
He knocked politely.
Sanji's voice came from inside.
"Who is it…"
The door opened.
Sanji froze.
"…Admiral Blazing Ash?!"
Ezra smiled.
"Long time no see, Sanji. I skip your cooking for one year and you turn pirate?"
Sanji swallowed hard.
"I… I sailed out for my dream!"
Ezra waved his hand.
"Relax. I am not here to arrest you."
"Mind letting me in?"
Sanji wanted to refuse.
But he did not dare.
"P-please come in, Admiral."
Ezra scanned the room.
"There."
He walked straight in.
Sanji broke into a cold sweat.
Please do not go in there.
But fate was cruel.
Ezra opened the door and saw a legendary scene.
Luffy eating while asleep.
Ezra's mouth twitched.
"So this ability really exists."
He stepped forward and punched Luffy's head, wrapped in spiritual pressure.
Bang.
"Ow! Who was that?!"
Luffy woke up yelling, then froze.
"Uncle Ezra?!"
Ezra smiled.
"Long time no see. You really went to sea after all."
Luffy scratched his head.
"Hahaha! I beat the Lord of the Coast!"
Bang.
Another punch.
"Ow! Uncle Ezra, stop hitting me!"
"That one was from your grandfather."
Luffy shut up instantly.
His two childhood nightmares were Garp and Ezra.
Ezra sat down casually.
"Where are the others?"
"I do not know."
Ezra's face darkened.
"I was not asking you."
"Sanji?"
"I… also do not know."
Sure.
Totally believable.
"Fine. I will wait."
Soon, the door opened again.
Nami and Robin walked in.
"Sanji, we bought so much stuff. I am exhausted."
Nami did not notice Ezra.
Robin did.
Her entire body trembled.
Fragments of buried memories surged back.
Those crimson eyes.
Always watching.
"Nami! Run!" Robin shouted in terror.
She crossed her arms.
"Twisting Bloom!"
Hands erupted from Ezra's body, locking every joint.
With a single thought, she could shatter him.
Against normal enemies.
Not against Ezra.
He smirked and released a trace of pressure.
All the arms shattered instantly.
Sanji shouted, "Robin, stop! Admiral Blazing Ash means no harm!"
Robin stared at Ezra, fear still in her eyes.
Ezra smiled gently.
"Nico Robin. If I remember correctly, this is our second meeting."
"But our first conversation."
She nodded slowly.
Ezra tapped the armrest.
"You remember what Aokiji told you, do you not?"
"If you live too loudly, he would come for you himself."
Robin looked up sharply.
"So you will send him to arrest me?"
Ezra shrugged.
"Is it wrong for the Marines to arrest pirates?"
"Or did you think joining the Straw Hats would protect you forever?"
He glanced around the room.
"I know what you did at Enies Lobby."
"You defeated CP9."
"It is impressive."
"But."
His expression turned cold.
"Your current strength will not let you survive in the New World."
"Do you truly not understand that?"
Silence filled the room.
Except Luffy.
"Uncle Ezra! Do not underestimate us!"
"We will keep getting stronger!"
"Until I become Pirate King!"
Hope returned to their eyes.
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Stronger and stronger?"
A fraction of his pressure erupted.
Everyone collapsed instantly.
Unable to move.
"So strong…" Sanji gritted his teeth.
Luffy was pressed into the floor.
"If you will grow stronger," Ezra said calmly, "why should I wait?"
"Why not kill you here instead?"
The words froze the air.
Boom.
The wall behind them shattered.
"Luffy!! Grandpa is here!!"
Garp walked in, then froze.
"Why is everyone kneeling?"
His eyes landed on Ezra.
"Ezra?! What are you doing here?!"
Ezra sighed.
The mood was completely ruined.
He withdrew his pressure.
"Uncle Garp, why are you here?"
Garp scratched his head.
"Hahaha! I came to beat Luffy!"
Punch.
"Ow!! Why does everyone hit my head?!"