So, there are lies to pick apart... but the how isn't as important as a why, is it?

[He doubts the earthquake story, but they're also in a cage with old pendants that are supposed to help them-- communicate? And all of this is too weird, even by his standards.

Even worse that they're trapped in a cage together. At least he's stuck with the Straw Hat that didn't try to chuck him into the ocean.]

I was in a tavern. [He doesn't need to go into details here.] I was having a drink, working on some plans to get back out on my ship... Now I'm here.