Chapter 120: Heroes Always Make Their Entrance Last [Please Support the First Subscription]

Tang Shen would not set sail with Ace, nor would Ace follow Tang Shen. Ace was filled with longing and desire for the magnificent world beyond, driven by an adventurous spirit deep within his heart.

Although Tang Shen knew the path Ace was about to take was perilous and fraught with danger, he offered no warnings. Some experiences can only be understood through living them, and only then can one grow stronger and more mature.

Just like Guina, who only improved through constant encounters and battles—not only in strength but in spirit. To see the world, to touch the world, to fight the world...

Standing on his small boat, facing the sea breeze, Ace’s face bore a trace of sorrow—a sorrow that seeped from the depths of his eyes, a grief radiating from his soul. If you lived with Ace, you would rarely see such sadness on his face, especially not such profound sorrow. He was a straightforward man—cheerful, optimistic, bold, loyal—and his emotions were usually plain to see.

But now, Ace was completely different from his usual self.

This was not a matter of divided personality, but rather a memory of what Tang Shen had told him before parting ways.

Half an hour ago.

At the bow of the merchant ship, Tang Shen patted Ace on the shoulder, hesitated for a moment, then said, “Ace, when you have time, go see your mother! She is a remarkable woman.”

Having said that, Tang Shen turned and walked into the merchant ship, unwilling to confront the farewell directly.

As for his origins, when he was young, Karp had told Ace some things about his mother. It was because of this that Ace changed his surname to hers—a silent testament to his resentment toward Gol D. Roger.

Unlike others who admired and looked up to the Pirate King, Ace only harbored hatred and disdain. He despised him for failing to protect his woman and child, for leaving behind a legendary name while his mother died in agony.

He hated him. He utterly scorned him. He looked down on him.

That was why he wanted to become the Pirate King himself—to prove that even someone like him could achieve it—and to sit on that throne and spit in his father’s face.

A deeply conflicted psychology, yet it was Ace’s truth.

...

Tang Shen found himself in the small bar aboard the merchant ship. Many wandering swordsmen and bounty hunters, sharing the same identity as Tang Shen, were allowed free boarding. This place was where merchants gathered such men—after all, men who roamed the seas could not be without their drink.

Naturally, the drinks here still cost money, prices comparable to those on ordinary islands.

The sound of conversation, laughter, and boasting filled the air.

Many loudly recounted their glorious pasts, drawing shouts of astonishment and admiration to satisfy their vanity.

Tang Shen sat quietly in a corner, wearing a harmless smile as he observed everything. The East Sea was weak—not only were the pirates feeble, but the bounty hunters were as well. Many were men who couldn’t survive in their hometowns, harboring small dreams and relying on their strength and a single blade to scrape by as bounty hunters.

He did not despise them, for these men risked their lives every day. Everyone had their own way of living.

So he simply listened peacefully, watching them boast.

That was a kind of life attitude.

But the quiet was short-lived. Outside the merchant ship came a clamorous uproar, accompanied by explosions and violent shaking of the vessel.

Before anyone could go out to see what was happening—

Bang!

The bar door was flung open abruptly, and a tall, thin sailor rushed in, panic etched across his face.

“Th-there’s... pirates! The captain says anyone who drives them off will receive a reward of 500,000 berries!” The sailor stumbled over his words at first, then gathered himself.

The bar fell silent at once.

In an instant, nearly every eye gleamed with sharp light.

Half a million berries—a considerable fortune. One successful raid could buy a long rest.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Suddenly, tables were slammed on as men stood, their eyes fierce.

Clang!

Weapons were drawn—large blades, and even some wielding sickles and shovels.

One could imagine how desperate some were for money.

“Hahaha! Don’t even try to compete with me; that 500,000 is mine for sure.”

“Bassen, don’t get cocky. The captain said whoever drives off the pirates gets the prize.”

“Kid, don’t worry. I’ll go check it out. Pirates? I can handle them with ease.”

With that, they all swaggered out, weapons in hand.

Some were large-framed, brandishing greatswords—intimidating enough.

Wandering swordsmen and bounty hunters often took merchant ships hoping for such opportunities—to earn some quick money. Usually, they had to spend long periods tracking suitable targets.

These medium-sized merchant ships were prime targets for many pirates—after all, pirates had to survive, and their way was to seize what they could.

Bounty hunters maintained some principles; they sought pirate heads for rewards or took advantage of such windfalls.

Almost everyone surged outside, brimming with aggression.

Only Tang Shen remained seated.

The sailor finally exhaled in relief, noticing Tang Shen still sitting, and shot him a contemptuous glance, assuming Tang Shen was too afraid to join. He quickly followed the others.

Tang Shen: “...”

What was that look supposed to mean? Believe me, I could knock you flat in a heartbeat.

Tang Shen smirked. Those muscle-bound braggarts were all bark and no bite. So, what was a flock of weaklings?

Yep, still weaklings.

Merchants were profit-driven, and the sailors recruited had fighting ability. The captain’s urgency meant these pirates were no ordinary foes. A reward of 500,000 berries suggested the attackers were formidable.

To Tang Shen, those loudmouths were just cannon fodder.

A bunch of fools who never bothered to think before acting.

They really thought shouting loudly made them tough?

With that thought, Tang Shen leisurely took another sip of his drink, then rose and stepped outside.

That 500,000 berries? He wanted a share too. Money handed to you on a silver platter was never to be refused, and he wanted even more.

Tang Shen’s life motto: Never engage in a losing deal; if it looks like a loss, create an opportunity to avoid losing.

For example, letting this bunch of fools go first meant he could charge more later.

Besides, heroes always make their entrance last!