It was only after Rowan stood up that the children snapped out of their trance, immediately erupting into spirited debate.
"I can't believe Whitebeard's beard used to be blonde! Why didn't he call them the Blondebeard Pirates instead?"
"And Big Mom! She was actually a beauty when she was young? That's unbelievable. The photos of her in the newspapers now make her look like a bloated old hag."
"That red-haired Rocks was incredible, though—to recruit so many powerful crewmates and hold his own against an entire fleet of Marine warships!"
"I still think Mr. Garp is the best. He took on Whitebeard and Wang Zhi at the same time and didn't even back down!"
"Uncle Sengoku is so strong, too! The Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Model: Buddha... one shockwave can shatter half a pirate ship. I always heard he was the 'Resourceful General' and thought he only used strategies."
"Exactly!"
"Wait, Grandpa Rowan, if the Rocks Pirates were that powerful, why isn't there ever any news about them on the sea anymore?"
"It must be thanks to Mr. Garp! After all, he's the Hero of the Marines!"
"I think it was Roger's doing. Roger was the Pirate King, after all!"
"What does Roger have to do with it? Eliminating pirates is a Marine's duty!"
Rowan took a long drag from his pipe and smiled. "Well now, that is a very long story. I'll have to save that for another time."
"Then Grandpa Rowan, tell us tomorrow! We really want to know who could possibly defeat such a terrifying crew," a child suggested.
"Yeah, yeah! Tomorrow!" the others chimed in.
"Tomorrow? Story pacing doesn't work like that, little ones." Rowan mentally checked the date before continuing. "Besides, I won't have time tomorrow. I'll tell you more about the Rocks Pirates when I have a free moment."
Tomorrow marked the end of that brat Luffy's current training period. He had to head into Mt. Colubo to check on the boy's progress after his time in the wilderness.
The children's faces fell instantly.
"Aww... no story tomorrow?"
"Grandpa Rowan, could you tell just a little bit more today then?"
"Let it go, guys. The sun is setting. Grandpa Rowan is getting on in years; we should let him rest."
"That's right. If Grandpa Rowan stays healthy, he can spend more time telling us stories later, right?"
"I guess so."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Rowan!"
Though reluctant, the children didn't pester him further. After polite farewells, they dispersed. It was late, and their parents would be worried if they didn't return soon.
Once the children were gone, Rowan didn't linger. Tucking his pipe away and securing his wine gourd, he left the shore and began making his way toward the mountain bandit hideout in Mt. Colubo.
Along the way, the villagers of Foosha greeted him with warmth and enthusiasm, and Rowan stopped to chat about everyday matters.
"Oh, the Turbine Waters? Right, right. I've got it. I'll mention it to Sengoku when I get a chance."
Upon hearing that pirates were raiding and looting in the nearby Turbine area, Rowan agreed to help with an easy, casual air.
"Sengoku? Grandpa, aren't we asking Mr. Garp? Is this 'Sengoku' fellow reliable?"
"Don't you worry. Sengoku is far more reliable than that brat Garp."
"Is that so? Then we'll leave it in your hands, Old Man Rowan."
"By the way, Grandpa, I saw young Megan's boy getting liquor for you at noon. Do you still have those bottles of Laobaigan I sent? If you're running low, I've got more in stock. If you don't mind the quality, stop by my place and take what you need."
Rowan's eyes sparkled. "You still have some of that high-proof Laobaigan? Oh, I couldn't possibly..."
Despite his words of polite hesitation, the old man's legs were already carrying him toward the villager's house.
The man didn't find the action awkward at all; instead, he laughed happily. "Hey, what's there to be shy about? It's an honor that you enjoy my brew, Grandpa."
This wasn't an isolated incident. Nearly every villager treated Rowan with this level of reverence. Over the decades, the old man had brought countless benefits to Foosha Village. Without Rowan, Foosha would likely be nothing more than a nondescript hamlet rather than the stable, prosperous village it was today.
By the time Rowan finally cleared the village outskirts, he was laden with over a dozen items—jugs of wine, bundles of tobacco, and even roast duck and fried chicken.
Walking along the mountain path, Rowan pulled a sleeping Den Den Mushi from his robes and dialed a number.
Purupurupurupuru...
At that same moment, far away at Marine Headquarters in Marineford, Grand Line, Fleet Admiral Sengoku felt a vibration against his chest while processing documents.
Sengoku immediately set down his work and retrieved an equally exquisite Den Den Mushi. His brow arched slightly, and his tone softened with genuine concern.
"Pops?"
This specific Den Den Mushi was reserved solely for contact with the old man, so Sengoku kept it on his person at all times. Knowing how busy he was, Rowan rarely initiated contact unless there was a specific reason. Because of this, the ringing phone usually sparked a bit of apprehension in Sengoku's heart.
"Sengoku, my boy. Still busy this late?" The familiar greeting from the snail put Sengoku's mind at ease.
No matter how swamped he was, hearing the old man's voice always brought a sense of calm. Perhaps it was the sense of security that only the man who had guided him his entire life could provide.
"Yes. The New World has been restless lately. Then there's the Shichibukai matter—the World Government wants me to provide more candidates. It's a headache. I don't understand why they insist on pardoning those sea-scum for their own use. Sigh."
"Also, Pops, I'm not sure if the news has reached you yet, but Portgas D. Ace, the captain of the Spade Pirates, not only rejected the Shichibukai invitation but has been taken in by Whitebeard as his Second Division Commander. He's carrying the Whitebeard name now... this is going to be a real mess..."
Once he realized the old man was calling just to talk, Sengoku actually began to vent his grievances. As the Supreme Commander of the Marines, there were only a handful of people in the entire world to whom Sengoku could show such a side.
His mentor, Rowan, was chief among them. In fact, toward the end of his report, Sengoku's tone turned slightly aggrieved, bordering on a complaint.