Messy and uncivilized.
That was the impression Eiji got upon entering the pub.
On the floor, some people were sleeping and snoring, others kept drinking despite being drunk, some danced to the music, and others were engrossed in conversation and laughing heartily.
No one paid attention to Eiji's arrival. A few people glanced at him briefly and then continued with their business. In their minds, no one would cause trouble in Shanks' territory, especially not in Elbaf, which served as his headquarters.
So it wasn't surprising that the pirates drinking in the pub weren't on guard at all.
"Oi, can you contact Shanks?"
Ignoring the drunks around him, Eiji approached an old man drinking at the counter.
Based on his Kenbunshoku Haki, this old man was the strongest person in the city.
"Who dares to mention the captain's name without respect! I'll fight them to the death! Hic~"
Under the influence of alcohol, the old man named Fugar wasn't thinking clearly. His head spinning, he pointed at Eiji while yelling at him.
"Old man, don't make me repeat myself." Eiji frowned.
Ever since eating the Kanjo Kanjo no Mi, he was no longer the emotionless person he used to be. Now, he could get offended by others.
"Hic~, kid, what division are you from? The way you speak to your elders is very rude. Did your captain never teach you manners? Tell me your captain's name, I'll speak to him."
"Honor? Pirates don't have such things."
"Oh, you've got guts, kid. Apologize for disrespecting Captain Shanks. Even if Captain Shanks doesn't mind, I won't accept anyone from his crew acting arrogant."
Swaying as he stood, Fugar confronted Eiji, glaring at him challengingly.
"Oh, is there going to be a fight?!"
"I've never seen that kid before, is he new?"
"Whatever, Fugar, don't lose to a rookie!"
"Beat him, Fugar! Teach him a lesson!"
No one in the bar was sober. They cheered excitedly as they watched the conflict unfold. Of course, they knew that even if a fight broke out, no one would die. After all, the relationship among the allied and affiliated pirates of Red-Haired Shanks was quite harmonious.
"Enough."
The noise grew louder with the cheering. Eiji activated his Haoshoku Haki. In the next moment, everyone in the bar except for Fugar was hit with a mental shock, causing them to lose consciousness.
Eiji's control over his Spiritual Energy was so perfect that the Haoshoku Haki only affected the pub and didn't extend beyond it. Furthermore, the output was just enough to knock them out. If Eiji wanted, given the vast power difference, he could have caused brain damage or killed them instantly by using Haoshoku Haki at full strength.
"Haoshoku Haki! Who are you really?! Let me warn you, this is Elbaf, the territory of one of the Yonko, Red-Haired Shanks!"
The previously rowdy pub suddenly fell silent, and Fugar took a few steps back, his legs trembling.
Anyone who possessed Haoshoku Haki wasn't someone he could handle. No, his strength didn't even come close to that of the Supernova pirates. Therefore, Fugar hoped that the name of Elbaf and Shanks would intimidate the stranger.
"Don't panic, old man. I'm only here to meet Shanks, nothing more. Take a closer look at my face."
"..."
Sitting with his legs crossed, Eiji watched as Fugar squinted his eyes. After a moment of observation, Fugar's pupils shrank, and cold sweat dripped down his back.
"Y-You... Chaosbringer?!" Fugar stammered.
"Finally, you understand. This is why I dislike alcohol; it clouds judgment. I don't understand why you pirates enjoy it so much. Isn't drinking healthy milk better? Well, pirates certainly have a different mindset than ordinary people."
"Could it be... Your purpose is to challenge Captain Shanks?"
Ignoring Eiji's mix of mockery and advice, Fugar guessed the other's intentions.
He had read the news about Kaido and Big Mom being challenged by Eiji at their headquarters. Although the newspapers didn't report the result of the battles, seeing Eiji unharmed was proof that his strength was on par with the Yonko!
Moreover, Kurohige had lost his right-hand man during a fight with Eiji at Gran Tesoro.
Among the Yonko, two of them now had only one hand.
There had been speculation that Eiji might come to challenge Shanks one day.
Fugar hadn't expected that day to arrive so soon.
"Almost... But not entirely. Anyway, tell Shanks I'm here. I'll wait for him." Eiji didn't want to elaborate further.
"Alright, I'll contact Captain Shanks. But promise not to harm anyone here, or you'll face Captain Shanks' wrath."
"Are you threatening me?"
"It's just a warning."
Under Eiji's emotionless gaze, Fugar struggled to suppress the fear deep in his heart. After all, the young man in front of him was someone equal to the Yonko.
"You've got the guts to threaten me, old man. Do you want to die?"
"So what? Without Captain Shanks' protection, we weak pirates would have been wiped out or annexed by other pirates, or captured by the Marines. The only reason we've survived this long in the New World is thanks to Captain Shanks! I'm willing to fight a powerful enemy for him! Don't underestimate my resolve, kid!"
"..."
The atmosphere grew tense and quiet.
When Fugar thought the other man was about to kill him, he heard clapping.
*👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻*
"Not bad, old man. You're weak, but you're no coward."
Compared to Basil Hawkins, who became Kaido's minion after being defeated once, Eiji preferred people like Fugar who had loyalty and weren't shaken by fear.
"Eh, thank you."
Being praised by someone as strong as Eiji, Fugar felt both happy and embarrassed.
"Relax, I won't fight Shanks. Tell him I'm Rayleigh's disciple."
"Dark King Rayleigh? The Pirate King's right hand?!"
"That's enough, don't be surprised every time. Hurry up, I won't harm anyone. I'll wait here."
"Ah, I understand."
After being scolded, Fugar left the pub, hurrying to his ship to call Shanks via Den Den Mushi.