"Hey, Yuan?"

Just then, a slightly aged voice called out, "You actually came here?"

"Old Buck?"

Yuan followed the voice and saw an old man with far more wrinkles and grayer hair than he remembered. A pipe was clamped in his mouth, from which he periodically puffed a thick cloud of smoke.

It was definitely Old Buck. He was wearing the same jacket Yuan remembered, with his favorite pistol hanging at his waist—if he recalled correctly, it was named Sixpence.

"Of course it’s me! HAHA! Yuan, my boy, you haven’t changed a bit. Still such a gentleman. Not at all like someone who came off *that* ship."

"Old Buck, it’s great to see you again."

Yuan smiled faintly, not minding the mention of the ship. Besides, he had come here today specifically to see an old friend.

Old Buck looked thrilled, chattering away, "It’s been so long, I thought you’d died in some ruin somewhere! If Black Jack hadn’t come by a few days ago and told me,"

"I never would’ve known you were in the Caster City State, just a stone’s throw away. Heard you opened a clinic? It’s hard to believe you’d choose to leave the White Rose for such a quiet life..."

"And you know what? That Black Jack kid has really made a name for himself. He’s the highest-ranking person on the Black Pearl now, besides the Captain and the Deputy Captain. His exploits are legendary all across the Cordo Sea."

"If you were still at sea, I’m sure you’d be just as accomplished, if not more. I remember your skills far surpassed his back then, let alone now... Hmm, are you still doing that research of yours?"

A smile remained on Yuan’s face. "Not anymore. I don’t belong to the sea now. I’m just an ordinary doctor with a lovely daughter."

"A daughter?" Old Buck froze for a moment, a flicker of memory in his eyes. He seemed to have a realization. "Is... is it her? If I remember right, her name was..."

Yuan’s expression stiffened. He raised a hand to cut him off. "Old Buck, let’s just talk about what’s happening at sea. What’s Jack been busy with lately?"

"Him? I heard he just plundered a few ships at Caster Port a few days ago. You didn’t hear anything about it over there?"

Yuan shook his head. "I only heard that many city-states have issued wanted posters for the Black Pearl."

"That’s true, but don’t you worry. That doesn’t include the Andrea City State, especially not here."

Old Buck pointed at the "Pirate Port" sign, puffing his chest out with pride. "Just look where you are! This is the most famous ’Pirate Port’ on the entire West Coast. The Governor would have to be insane to pick a fight with the Black Pearl."

"That’s right! The happiest home for pirates, HAHA!"

"Indeed! To our great Sea Emperor, Isabella!"

"Cheers!"

A single sentence was all it took to send the surrounding pirates into a frenzy, as if they themselves were crewmen of the Black Pearl.

Old Buck laughed heartily, raising his mug toward Yuan. "See? Just like the old days, isn’t it?"

Yuan smiled, lifting his own mug to clink it against Buck’s. "Hasn’t changed a bit. Still as lively as ever."

"You bet..."

CREAK—

The tavern’s worn-out wooden door was pushed open. Silhouetted against the sunlight, three tall figures appeared in the doorway.

"Ha! Speak of the devil. Welcome to the Pirate Port, the equally great First Officer of the Black Pearl, Black Jack!" Old Buck turned, glanced over, and shouted with enthusiasm.

"Daddy Buck, still as enthusiastic as ever."

Yuan set down his mug and looked over as well. ’He’s changed so much after all this time,’ he couldn’t help but sigh internally.

Black Jack was wearing a black leather jacket, thrown open to reveal his powerfully muscled chest.

His black, curly hair was as wild as the ocean waves. Beneath his resolute features was a pair of deep, sharp eyes that seemed to see through everything.

Unlike how Yuan remembered him, his face now bore the Black Pearl’s tattoo that symbolized slaughter—it seemed he had been through his fair share of incredible battles over the years.

"Yuan, where are you?"

Black Jack’s eyes scanned the room, finally landing on Yuan by the window. He stared for a long moment before a smile broke across his face. "Old friend. Aren’t you going to buy me a drink?"

"Of course."

Yuan stood and opened his arms, and the two embraced in a heavy hug, slapping each other on the back.

A moment later, the two found a quiet corner and sat down, facing each other.

Black Jack sized him up carefully and laughed. "If I’d just run into you by chance, I’d never believe this is what you look like now."

’Such a refined getup... it’s disgusting...’

Yuan chuckled. "You too. You’ve changed so much I almost don’t recognize you."

"Damn right. These years weren’t for nothing." A smile appeared on Black Jack’s face, but long-ingrained habits made it look anything but friendly.

"I can see that." Yuan toyed with his mug. "But I’m curious. How did you find me, and why have you come to disturb me now?"

Black Jack’s smile vanished. "Isn’t ’disturb’ a bit of a harsh word to use with a friend you’ve fought alongside?"

"Is that what you’re really concerned about?"

"You really haven’t changed at all, Yuan."

"Jack, we’ve known each other for over twenty years. I know you," Yuan said, unmoved. "Tell me, when did you find out I was in the Caster City State?"

Black Jack took a sip of his drink. "A while ago. Our men were in the Caster City State and happened to spot you."

"Oh? You’ve entered the Caster City State?"