"Are you two questioning my strength?"

A dark shadow crossed Don Krieg's face as his cold gaze locked onto Alex and Usopp.

"I just can't stand arrogant, lying blowhards like you."

Alex's words had barely left his mouth before Usopp tilted his head. "Wait… are you talking about me?"

Alex's face went stiff. Usopp, buddy… don't put yourself in that category. I didn't say that. How pessimistic do you have to be to think so little of yourself?

"Why are you glaring at me like that? You wanna fight? I'm not scared of you! I won't hold back!"

Usopp declared bravely — and then immediately took several quick steps backward, pumping his fists in the air and shouting to Alex:

"Go get him, Alex! Take him down!"

"If you really want to hit him, do it yourself," Alex muttered, a vein twitching on his forehead.

"You're looking for death!"

Krieg roared and swung his diamond-studded fist straight at Alex.

"Those diamonds aren't fake, are they?"

Alex sidestepped the punch, caught Krieg's fist in his left hand, and tapped a few times on the diamonds with his right.

"All my weapons and equipment are the real deal! Who do you think I am — some fool using cheap knock-offs?!"

Krieg's anger flared hotter. With a powerful yank, he threw Alex off balance and sent him stumbling back.

"I see… you're strong, no doubt. But in pure strength, you're still weaker than me."

Alex unhooked the collapsible fishing rod strapped to his right arm.

"You okay by yourself?" Luffy called from a nearby table.

"Need a hand?" Zoro asked casually, still drinking.

"No need, I've got this!" Alex shot back.

Luffy and Zoro simply turned away — one going back to eating like nothing happened, the other downing another glass of sake.

"Hahaha! So those are your crew? All four of you look like you could be blown over by the wind!"

Krieg looked toward Luffy and Zoro — just two men sitting alone — and burst into mocking laughter.

"You're wrong! We have two more crewmates!"

Luffy held up two fingers. One of those "missing" crewmates was, of course, Nami, who wasn't here.

"And why am I counted in that?" Sanji, still sitting on the floor, muttered.

"I don't care how many of you there are — you're all useless trash!"

Krieg fixed his gaze back on Alex. "So you're dead set on making trouble for me? What are you, anyway? Another pirate?"

"Of course I'm a pirate. And right now, I'm about to do something pirates do best — steal."

Alex extended the fishing rod toward Krieg.

Usopp's eyes widened. "You're not seriously planning to rob the so-called ruler of the East Blue, are you?"

"Of course. Those diamonds on his gloves look nice. I'm going to take them."

The moment Alex said it, Usopp froze. So did the chefs and customers of the Baratie.

"This guy's insane — he's actually going to steal from Don Krieg!"

"A no-name pirate crew, daring to target the strongest pirate of the East Blue? And there's only a handful of them — what could they possibly do?!"

The room buzzed with disbelief.

"Why would you even want his diamonds?" Usopp asked.

Nearby, Gin's eyes narrowed as he remembered his earlier meeting with Luffy. He'd learned then that Luffy's goal was to reach the Grand Line — and ultimately the Pirate King's throne. Gin had wondered what kind of people Luffy's crewmates were.

Now he knew — they were lunatics with no fear of death. Didn't Alex know that Krieg had never been defeated in the East Blue?

"Nami's been in a bad mood lately. I figured giving her those diamonds might cheer her up."

Alex spoke honestly. He'd noticed the diamonds were big and likely worth a fortune. A perfect gift for Nami — assuming they were real. If they were fakes, he couldn't be bothered. The last thing he wanted was for Nami to beat him senseless for giving her worthless junk.

"In that case, I'm with you! Nami's temper has been awful lately. If she's happy, life on the ship will be much easier."

Usopp immediately switched sides. In the past few days alone, he'd been smacked around by Nami at least seven times.

"That's actually a great idea. I'm impressed."

Zoro raised his glass in approval. Clearly, he'd been on the receiving end of Nami's wrath too.

"You're a genius, you know that?"

Luffy looked at Alex with wide-eyed admiration. Just yesterday, he'd been punched into the ocean for snoring louder than Alex. He'd learned firsthand how dangerous an irritated Nami could be.

"Eh, I'm just a little smarter than you guys. Hahaha!"

Alex grinned smugly. He'd had the roughest time of all lately — one wrong move and Nami was on him. No way he was passing up this chance to get on her good side.

If Hody Jones hadn't escaped so quickly last time, Alex would've plundered his ship too.

"What?! If it'll make that beautiful lady happy, then I'm in. I'll take those diamonds myself!"

Sanji got to his feet, ready to walk toward Krieg, but Zeff's calm voice stopped him.

"So you've decided to join them as a pirate?"

Sanji froze, then slowly sat back down, head lowered, saying nothing.

"You can't be serious."

Krieg stared at Alex in disbelief. This man wanted to rob him — and for what? To make a woman smile?

They were all lunatics.

"If you hand over those diamond-studded gloves willingly, I won't have to beat you up."

Alex said it completely straight-faced.

"You're their captain, then?" Krieg stepped closer, eyes narrowing.

"Nope. The guy in the straw hat is our captain. I'm just the fisherman."

Alex's fishing rod swept toward Krieg. "Looks like you're not going to hand them over. Guess I'll just have to take them the pirate way."

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