Bai Yun had shown off his skill in front of everyone, proving to Beckman that his Devil Fruit was real.
Beckman believed him; Bai Yun's thumb and index finger had no calluses, truly like someone touching a gun for the first time.
"Oh!!!"
Luffy and Shanks both stared at Bai Yun with starry eyes.
Luffy was impressed because Bai Yun was so cool and, despite being his age, was incredibly strong.
Indeed, with Luffy's personality, seeing a peer more powerful than himself didn't evoke jealousy, but rather made him think the other person was cool.
As for Shanks, he saw a genius he could recruit for his crew… "How was that? Even though I didn't hit every shot, are you satisfied, Mr. Beckman?"
"Or perhaps, I can change my address now?"
Bai Yun asked with a smile.
Beckman, biting on his cigarette and with his legs crossed, looked at the precocious kid in front of him and was about to say something with a smile when Makino, the bar owner, suddenly rushed out of the back kitchen in a hurry.
"Everyone!"
"What happened?! Why were there gunshots? Are you all alright?!!"
Makino, with short dark green hair and wearing a bandana, presumably Shanks's wife, made her appearance.
"Hahahaha, it's nothing, Makino, Ben was just going crazy, and our new friend Bai Yun showed us a trick."
Shanks explained, well… it was as if he hadn't explained anything at all.
Bai Yun could only interject, saying that Beckman wanted to test his marksmanship by shooting at bottles.
He apologized for the debris on the floor.
"So that's what happened."
"It's good that you're all right."
"So, do you two want something to eat? Luffy, Bai Yun."
Knowing they were just playing around, Makino dismissed her worries, a smile returning to her face, and she didn't blame them for firing a gun inside the bar.
"That's great! Then, put it on my tab with my [treasure]."
Luffy, eager for food, replied with a smile.
"You're lying, kid, where's this [treasure] of yours?"
A challenge from Shanks.
Luffy immediately retorted and explained.
"Nonsense! Once Bai Yun and I become pirates, we'll find lots and lots of treasure, and then I'll use that money to pay you back!"
Bai Yun: He just dragged me into this?
"Hehehe, I'll be looking forward to it!"
Makino didn't know if she was humoring him or genuinely believed him, but she was smiling happily… "Thank you, Miss Makino."
"You're welcome, Bai Yun, enjoy your meal."
Makino served Luffy and Bai Yun a plate of grilled ribs.
Over there, Luffy ate his grilled ribs and continued chatting with Shanks, still about his desire to set sail with him.
"We'll talk after we eat."
Bai Yun didn't rush to eat, instead, his eyes were fixed on Beckman.
Beckman was being perfunctory; he had already decided to teach Bai Yun, and was now considering whether to bring him onto the ship.
Bai Yun nodded slightly, agreeing to talk after they ate. He sliced with his knife and speared with his fork, but before the meat reached his mouth, he heard a bang as the bar door was kicked open, startling Bai Yun.
He turned to look and, sure enough, it was that person.
Wielding beer to challenge the Four Emperors, trampling the future Pirate King underfoot;
Annihilating over sixty Four Emperors, I alone am the East Blue's Mountain Bandit King… The "Mountain Bandit King" Higuma and his subordinates kicked open the bar door. Bai Yun had anticipated their arrival and immediately looked in Luffy's direction.
Indeed, chewing with his mouth full and holding it in his hand, Luffy had already eaten the Gum-Gum Fruit as an after-meal dessert.
Bai Yun hadn't tasted the fruit himself, as the ability to replicate it was given directly by the system, but he knew the reputation of Devil Fruit flavors. To eat it so casually, Luffy was truly a tough one.
"Excuse us!"
"Hehehe, so these are pirates, huh? First time seeing them, they sure look stupid…"
As the Mountain Bandit King, Higuma was full of confidence, mocking the Red-Haired Pirates.
Everyone looked at their group in confusion. Higuma assumed they were scared stiff and walked straight to the bar, squeezing in next to Shanks, showing absolutely no regard for him.
"We're mountain bandits, and we're not here to cause trouble or rob today. Just sell us ten barrels of sake."
He was quite polite.
"I'm very sorry! We're all out of sake today," Makino replied, a little nervously.
"That's strange then, what are these pirates drinking? Are they drinking water?"
"No, I mean, all the sake in the bar is right here, only this much."
Makino explained.
Bai Yun continued eating his grilled ribs, feeling like it had nothing to do with him… But.
Sometimes, it's best not to speak too soon.
"Even the disabled kid gets to drink!"
"Do you pirates take just anyone? Hahahaha!!"
Looking at Higuma in front of him, Bai Yun didn't expect the attention to turn to him.
"Kid, becoming a pirate so young, you'll probably wet yourself on the battlefield."
"Look closely, kid, my bounty is 8 million berries, I'm a top wanted criminal."
"I've killed 56 guys just like your captain."
"Don't piss your pants."
Threatening a child, satisfying oneself by belittling others—everyone knew what kind of person he was.
Bai Yun: Oh, I'm so scared.
Putting down his knife and fork, Bai Yun politely said,
"That's truly amazing!!"
"Our captain can't compare to you (he really can't, the 800,000 berry fraction of 4,049,800,000 can't compare)."
"Since you're so incredible, could I ask you for a favor?"
"Oh~ you're smart, what is it? Speak."
Higuma was very pleased to be flattered.
"We're really short on money. Could you turn yourself in for the bounty and then give us the money?"
Silence. As Bai Yun spoke these words, the bar immediately fell silent.
This was followed by a burst of laughter from the Red-Haired Pirates.
"Hahahahaha!!"
"That's a great idea, Bai Yun kid!"
"We really are 'short on money,' hahahaha."
...
A/N: The journey continues! If you're eager to read far ahead and support this story, consider joining the Eternal Phoenix community. You can find me on Patreon by searching for "Eternal_Phoenix".
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