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Chapter 110: The Revolutionary Army Is Too Mean
The geishas tactfully bowed and exited in a single file. As they passed Gion, they curiously sized up this female swordsman who radiated a cold aura and seemed anything but ordinary.
As the wooden door gently closed, only the aroma of sake and a deathly silence remained in the room.
Gion walked in step by step. Her high-heeled military boots made no sound on the tatami, yet every step felt like it was treading on a human heart.
Her gaze swept over the expensive sake on the table, then looked at Kizaru's languid and cozy appearance. Her mouth curved into a cold arc.
"Hard work?"
"It looks to me like you're enjoying yourself immensely here, without a trace of hardship."
Kizaru picked up his sake cup, gently swirling the clear liquid inside. Hearing this, he let out that characteristic, infuriating laugh of his.
"Oh my, oh my~, this is truly a massive misunderstanding. This old man is gathering intelligence for the Marines, deeply understanding the Revolutionary Army's corrupting policies."
"Look," he pointed outside, "the Revolutionary Army actually wants to provide 'Five Insurances' to the populace. They might even reimburse expenses for enjoying oneself in places like this. This is simply dismantling the values of our World Government from the roots up. It's too terrifying. This old man had to test the law personally to experience just how powerful these sugar-coated bullets are."
His speech was high-sounding and righteous.
The Marine officers following behind Gion felt the corners of their eyes twitch.
They had never seen anyone describe slacking off and enjoying themselves in such a fresh and refined way, even elevating it to the level of dedicating oneself to the Marine cause.
Gion's chest heaved violently once. Her hand resting on the famous sword Konpira turned white at the knuckles from gripping it so hard.
She was genuinely afraid that if she listened to one more sentence, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from drawing her sword and cutting down the bastard in front of her.
"Enough, Mr. Borsalino!"
Gion's voice suddenly rose, carrying suppressed rage. "Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom—the monsters of the New World are already rushing toward East Blue!?! Are you just going to sit here and watch helplessly?"
Facing Gion's angry rebuke, the smile on Kizaru's face didn't change in the slightest.
He put down his sake cup, slowly stood up, and adjusted his flashy yellow-striped suit.
"Don't be so excited, Little Gion. Getting angry makes women age faster, you know."
He paced in front of Gion. Under her cold gaze, his slacker demeanor quietly underwent a subtle change.
In those eyes that always looked half-asleep, a glint of shrewdness flashed, unnoticed by anyone.
"Let's go."
Kizaru spoke suddenly, changing the subject.
"Hmm?" Gion was stunned.
"Little Brother Blake's 'Crazy Thursday' starts today." The corners of Kizaru's mouth split open, revealing teeth that shone white. "Don't forget the purpose of our trip."
He extended a finger and wagged it slowly.
"Before those monsters arrive, we must accumulate our advantage as much as possible."
"As long as the advantage is mine," Kizaru's tone became meaningful, "those guys you mentioned won't be able to stir up any waves."
As his voice fell, the entire room plunged into silence again.
The officers behind Gion looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock and contemplation.
Advantage is mine?
Accumulate advantage?
Only then did they suddenly realize.
Indeed! Their purpose in coming to East Blue this time—besides surveillance and trying to stop Dragon from contacting Blake—wasn't the most important thing that "dungeon" Blake spoke of?
Having figured this out, the way a Marine Vice Admiral looked at Kizaru changed instantly, filled with admiration and realization.
"So that's how it is... As expected of Admiral Kizaru!" He couldn't help but give a thumbs up, praising sincerely, "Your foresight is profound; we were truly dull-witted!"
"The Admiral has great vision!"
"We were too impatient and didn't understand the Admiral's deep meaning!"
For a moment, sounds of flattery were endless.
Kizaru enjoyed his subordinates' compliments, a sleazy yet satisfied smile on his face. He patted Gion's shoulder and said earnestly:
"Little Gion, times have changed. Sometimes, brains are more useful than fists."
After speaking, he ignored Gion's complicated expression and took the lead, walking out the door. His stride was as arrogant as ever, acknowledging no one.
"Let's go, colleagues."
"Let's go witness that 'miracle' that has driven the whole world crazy."
"Don't be late."
...
Foosha Village, Makino's Tavern.
Sunlight filtered through clean windows, casting dappled spots on the wooden floor. The air was filled with the faint scent of alcohol and the charred aroma of grilled meat.
This was the only place in the entire Foosha Village that still retained traces of the old days.
"Hic... A-Another cup!"
At the bar, a little pipsqueak wearing a straw hat, his face flushed red and his tongue tied in knots, was still trying hard to slap the table and push forward an empty mug bigger than his head.
Opposite Luffy, Blake was leaning leisurely back in his chair, supporting his chin with one hand and gently swirling his glass with the other. A playful smile hung on his face.
In front of him, the number of empty glasses was more than double Luffy's, yet he looked completely fine.
"Mr. Blake... Luffy is still a child; he really can't drink anymore."
Makino, wearing an apron and holding a pristine white cloth, looked at Luffy's teetering form, her face written with worry and heartache.
She had lost count of how many times she had tried to intervene.
"Makino, that's not right."
Blake put down his glass and looked at her solemnly.
"Luffy is the man who will become the King of the Pirates, a man of indomitable spirit. How could a little bit of alcohol defeat him?"
"Isn't that right, Luffy?"
"That's... That's right!"
Luffy puffed out his small chest abruptly, slurring his agreement. "I'm a man! Hic..."
A hiccup nearly sent him tumbling off the high stool.
In a booth not far away, Ace and Sabo covered their faces helplessly.
"This idiot..." Ace watched his foolish brother through the cracks of his fingers, gritting his teeth.
"He's always so easily tricked." Sabo sighed, though he was equally helpless.
"See, Makino." Blake spread his hands. "The man himself has spoken."
"Another one!"
Luffy shouted excitedly, hugging the mug larger than his face and guzzling it down with big gulps.
The atmosphere inside the tavern was warm and joyous.
Blake enjoyed this feeling very much.
Makino looked at Luffy's silly, brave front, then at the mischievous smile on Blake's face, and sighed helplessly.
"Mr. Blake has a bad heart."
Blake looked at Makino's pretty face, which clearly said you are not a good person, and spread his hands in feigned grievance.
"Makino, you wrong me."
He pointed at the straw hat pipsqueak who had already collapsed on the bar, muttering "Meat... Pirate King..."
"Look, the little guy said himself he wanted to be an indomitable man. As an elder, I was merely satisfying his small wish. How can you blame me?"
Makino was rendered speechless by him and could only glare at him with puffed cheeks.
Seeing this, Blake suddenly leaned in closer, lowering his voice until his warm breath almost brushed Makino's earlobe.
"Besides, regarding the palm reading I gave you yesterday, I still feel something wasn't quite right."
"How about... after closing time tonight, I help you take another careful look?"
The warm breath brushing her earlobe, carrying a hint of tipsy alcohol scent, instantly dyed Makino's cheeks a crimson red.
She subconsciously took half a step back, putting distance between herself and Blake. In her clear eyes, embarrassment and panic interwove.
"Mr. Blake! Please be serious!"
Meanwhile, in the corners of the tavern, the atmosphere was distinctly different from the relaxation at the bar.
At several tables, separated clearly from one another, sat a few existences powerful enough to shake the world.
Garp held a mug larger than his face, but it was filled with water. He looked at his idiot grandson, who was sound asleep on the bar, wanting to laugh but having to desperately hold it in, his old face turning red from the effort.
Opposite him, Revolutionary Army Leader Dragon still wore his dark green hooded cloak. He sat silently like a lifeless statue, only occasionally sweeping his deep eyes over Blake and Luffy, flashing with an indescribable complexity.
Is this thing my son?
And in the farthest corner, Golden Lion Shiki sat alone.
The entire tavern formed an extremely bizarre picture.
The hero of the world, the criminal of the world, and the legend of the old era—at this moment, they all became background characters for that leisurely man, as quiet as ordinary customers here to spend money.
No one dared to break this tranquility.
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