High Town
My thoughts came to an abrupt halt and I was forced to refocus as we neared a certain alleyway. The massive beast on our cart is barely able to fit through most side streets. Forcing us to take pathways we would otherwise have avoided. Leading us to this exact scenario.
"Oi, ol' man, you and your frien' look like your carryin something quite valuable there." A man in a white cowboy hat holding a solid metal quarter staff said with a malicious grin, his ten friends backing him up, with five standing on each side, blocking our way. Some of them are holding swords, or daggers of their own. It would be rare to see so many actual weapons in the grey Terminal, but not here. This is Edge Town.
"Are you trying to ignore us you bastards?" The man in the cowboy hat barked as he stared at the group while his friends laughed and joked around with him for being unable to intimidate 'two old men'.
"Shut up, your nothing but criminals. Why should we listen to you?" Ace said, his voice showing his contempt for the situation.
"What?!" The next moment the four of us dropped our cloaks, revealing that what looked like two old men was actually four kids. We caught the group completely by surprise. Ace leapt from my shoulders shoulders as Luffy jumped from Sabo's. Sabo and I brought up the rear. Before long the fight was over and we were back in our disguises.
"Before you attempt to rob someone, you should choose your targets carefully." Raising his middle finger high into the air mockingly, Ace yelled back to them as they ran away with their tails between their legs.
I couldn't help myself after seeing it and ended up grabbing the solid metal quarterstaff laying next to the man in the white cowboy hat. After looking it over I realized that it could be separated into two separate segments and wielded like escrima sticks. It's pretty cool. But its not a weapon. Its some kind of metal shower rod meant to hold up a curtain. It's definitely sturdier than the rusty pipes I've been using thats for sure.
It's well balanced and decently made. I slid the two halves into my waist band. Maybe I can use it as the foundation for the trident i'm planning to forge.
It wasn't long after our little altercation that the four of us were strolling towards the centre of the Goa Kingdom. Even from this far back we can easily make out the shadow of the large imposing wall protecting the inner city, the so called High Town.
That wall was built specifically to separate the lower class from the nobility. Up there, in the lavish housing and clean streets, is the capital of the Goa Kingdom, where the Nobility and Royal Family resides. It is a place that boats the title of cleanest place in all the East Blue.
It's quite a pathetic thing to brag about if you ask me. Considering that not far from their doorstep is the filthiest place in the East Blue I'd say it evens out.
"They gave us a good price for that tiger pelt." Ace said while counting the money in his hands, seemingly satisfied he hadn't been ripped off.
"More money for our pirate savings." Sabo added with a bright, toothy smile.
The two of them have been collecting money from the pirates in the Grey terminal and by selling pelts and jewelry to the brokers. They've been putting it away for 5 years now. With Luffy and I only helping contribute in the last three months or so. We recently moved it all to my underground shelter to keep it safe.
"I'm hungry." Luffy said from his place atop my shoulders.
"Just hold on a bit longer. Soon you'll eat the most delicious ramen this side of the Sea has to offer." Ace said with a proud grin.
"What is ramen anyway? Is it really that good?" Sabo asked with a curios look on his face.
"I don't care I'm just hungry." Being so close to him, Luffy's stomach almost seems louder than his voice.
Ace lead us through the streets of the bustling city, through the inner gates and straight toward the most luxurious banquet hall in town. A bright green building with half a dozen floors and lavish decorations lining its walls.
"This is the place." Looking up at it I can almost feel Ace's excitement. No wait, that's Luffy's drool.
"Gross dude, at least wipe your mouth." I stated after a soft chuckle. With a flick of my wrist I easily removed the drool from my hair, controlling it like I would water as I tossed it out the door where it splashed harmlessly into the street behind us.
"Welcome to our luxury establish-" we were greeted warmly by a moustachioed man, only for him to falter halfway through his speech as he noticed our appearance. The long, dirty robes and hoods covering our heads make us look rather imposing, but they also paint the picture of two older poor people. His eyes casually glanced down before widening further at the sight of my bare feet.
"W-wait j-just a minute! You can't c-come to my restaurant looking like t-that!!!" Jumping in front of us with his arms waving the man looked completely frantic. His moustache bounced in tune with his arms, making the scene all the more strange. He kept waving his arms as if he were attempting to shoe us away like we were house flies.
"I want a private room." Sabo requested as he dug through his coat pocket for a moment, pulling out a golden pendant from where he sat atop Ace's shoulders. A well carved, intricate looking flower was adorning its polished centre.
"That emblem!" The man paled at the sight before stepping back and bowing his head so deeply it nearly touched the floor. He then proceeded to apologize profusely for his previous behaviour.
"It is an honour that a noble like you wishes to visit my restaurant. We'll serve you right away!" Ushering us in without another word the moustachioed man practically sprinted into the other room in order to go ensure the best of his serving staff and chefs were on the job. Even now I can hear him yelling at his employees to hurry up and to look their best.
"Hey, that was great." Ace said with an impressed tone as he looked up at the golden token.
"It's just something I found in the city." Sabo replied nonchalantly, sliding it back into his coat pocket with a forlorn look on his face. A look that the other two didn't seem to notice.