When Jack said those words, the teller immediately went pale, his expression stiffening as panic flashed across his face.
He quickly looked around, realizing that many spectators had heard exactly what Jack had just said.
The operator, desperate to salvage his job and reputation, decided to turn the situation around.
Since what he did was illegal, he needed a way to make Jack look like the aggressor instead.
"Sir, even if you are a guest, I will not tolerate slander being thrown at my character," the operator declared loudly, raising his voice for everyone to hear. "I am an honest man, and I take pride in my honest work."
He spoke with forced confidence, trying to convince the surrounding crowd that Jack was in the wrong.
The people nearby turned their attention toward Jack, whispering among themselves. It did not take long before some of them began to recognize him.
"Hey, isn't that the ruthless pirate who kills anyone that stands in his way?" one person whispered, his tone filled with unease.
"Yeah, I heard he once killed a gangster just because the man disturbed his meal," another added, feeding the growing chatter.
The whispers spread quickly through the room, and the operator, now realizing who he had just picked a fight with, started to sweat even more.
He had chosen the worst possible person to provoke — someone far more dangerous than he could have imagined.
"My, my, what a reputation you have," the blind man at the table finally said, turning his head toward Jack.
Though his eyes could not see, it felt as though he was staring directly at him, as if he could sense Jack's presence perfectly through his Observation Haki.
"Rumors are rumors," Jack replied calmly, his tone indifferent. "But there's always a bit of truth mixed in somewhere."
He was about to continue his conversation with the blind gambler when the attendant who had been guiding them earlier approached in a rush.
She bowed politely and informed Jack that their room was ready. She also apologized for the disturbance caused by the incident.
Almost immediately, two suspicious-looking men entered the room and seized the operator by his arms.
The man struggled and shouted, but his protests were ignored as he was dragged away.
Another attendant approached the blind gambler, bowing respectfully before saying, "Sir, please accept our apologies. The management will compensate you for all your losses tonight."
Jack smirked as he turned back toward the blind man. "Let's meet at the hot spring later. We'll settle in our rooms first," he said, raising his voice slightly so the gambler could hear him clearly.
The blind man smiled faintly. "What's your name?" he asked, his voice calm but curious.
"Sparrow D. Jack," Jack answered without hesitation, a faint grin forming on his face. "But you can just call me Jack."
At the mention of his full name, a few nearby attendants glanced up, surprised. The name was well-known now, even if his bounty poster only listed him as "Jack."
The blind man nodded and smiled. "Issho. I'll see you at the restaurant later," he said, introducing himself and confirming what Jack had already suspected about his identity.
Jack couldn't help but joke, "I doubt it." His play on words made Issho laugh heartily, and Jack chuckled along with him before letting the attendant lead him to their room.
When they arrived, the crew was already waiting, looking slightly bored from waiting too long.
The door opened to reveal a spacious, elegant room with expansive windows overlooking the surrounding scenery.
A gentle stream ran nearby, the sound of running water soft enough to be relaxing without being distracting. Everyone seemed pleased with the place.
Before leaving, the attendant bowed politely, but Jack stopped her. "Wait," he said as he handed her a wad of cash, just as he had done with the attendant outside. "This is for your service."
The woman's eyes widened for a moment before she bowed deeply, thanking him with genuine gratitude.
"Alright, now this is life," Aramaki said, stretching his arms as he admired the view from the window.
Laffitte began inspecting every corner of the room, moving silently as though searching for something hidden.
B and Club, on the other hand, were already eager to head to the bathhouse, grinning with excitement.
"No causing any problems, alright?" Jack reminded them casually, not even mentioning that he himself had nearly started a fight not too long ago. The group began discussing what they wanted to do next.
Soon after, a few attendants entered the room carrying measuring tools and folded fabrics.
They were responsible for outfitting the crew in yukatas and allowing them to select their preferred designs.
Once everyone had made their choices, they prepared to leave for the hot spring.
When they arrived at the hot spring area, they noticed that only one person was there — the same blind man from before.
"You came," Jack said with a grin as he rinsed his body and stepped into the steaming water. His crew followed behind him, each settling comfortably while curiously observing Issho.
"So, Jack," Issho began, "why did you invite a blind man like me to join you here?" He could clearly sense the presence of each of them, noting the different auras surrounding their bodies.
"Nothing much," Jack said casually. "I'm just curious about your story. I can feel your strength, and it doesn't seem like you're someone ordinary. What's your story?" He leaned back in the water, relaxing as the steam rose around them.
Issho stayed silent for a moment before answering, "There's not much to tell. I was once a soldier — one who saw too much of the world's cruelty. In the end, I couldn't bear to look at it anymore, so I blinded myself." His tone was calm, but the weight behind his words was clear.
Jack and his crew listened quietly, showing their respect by not interrupting him. For a while, they simply talked — sharing their own stories, laughing lightly, and learning about one another's paths. Eventually, Jack looked at Issho and spoke with genuine sincerity.
"If you don't have anywhere else to go," Jack said, "why don't you join us? I think you'd fit in well with our crew."
Issho smiled faintly. "I don't think that would be a good idea. I'm just a blind man."
Jack shook his head. "Don't worry about that. Being a pirate doesn't mean you have to change who you are. The only thing I ask is that if we ever face danger, you'd fight to protect our crewmates — just like we would do for each other." His tone was calm but firm, and every word he spoke carried truth.
Through his Observation Haki, Issho could feel the sincerity in Jack's words. He could sense the emotions of everyone present — their hopes, their loyalties, their bonds.
They were all different in their own ways, yet united by something genuine that came from Jack himself.
'I wonder what kind of man you really are,' Issho thought quietly. 'A man who can bring together people like this, who can see past the surface of others…'
Jack and the rest of the crew began playfully splashing each other, laughing like children, their youth showing despite their growing reputations.
Watching them, Issho couldn't help but smile softly, feeling an unfamiliar warmth in his chest.
"I will join you," Issho said suddenly. His words caught everyone off guard, and the splashing stopped immediately. The crew turned to look at him, silent for a moment as they processed what he had just said. Then Jack smiled widely.
"Welcome to our crew," Jack said sincerely, his voice carrying both warmth and pride.
Issho nodded with a calm smile as the crew cheered loudly in celebration. Their laughter echoed across the hot spring, marking the beginning of another chapter in their shared adventure.