Yet, to everyone's shock, even after being humiliated to this extent, Tsuneo simply sat down cross-legged on the floor
letting the cold liquor drip from his hair and run down his face.
At the same time, he forced out a loud, carefree laugh, acting as if nothing in the world bothered him.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
What else could he do?
His entire crew consisted of top-tier villains, yet even after seeing their captain get splashed and insulted, they just stood there like carved statues!
Pain crossed his arms with a solemn nod.
"As expected of our captain. A true god-tier powerhouse shows magnanimity beyond comparison. Your servant is humbled."
Uchiha Itachi spoke softly, eyes deep with admiration.
"So this is the mindset of a true strong man."
Kisame chuckled, revealing his shark-like grin.
"Hah! Putting a blade to our captain's neck? This fool's life must not mean much to him."
Sasori snorted.
"Opposing the captain? He's simply courting death."
Tobi gasped in awe.
"Captain gets bullied and still laughs? So this is how god-tier beings behave? So cool!"
Orochimaru licked his lips, amused.
"Hehehe… With the captain's power, he doesn't need us to lift a finger. If any of us act, he might get displeased."
"HAHAHAHA!"
And just like that, the moment Tsuneo started laughing, all his crew members followed—and laughed with him!
Tsuneo froze on the spot.
Bro…
Can you villains stop overthinking everything?!
Especially you, Orochimaru.
What do you even know?!
He needed
really needed
someone to handle this, okay!?
The atmosphere became unbearably awkward.
"Tch! So this is a pirate crew? Their captain gets bullied and not one of them dares to speak up. Pathetic. Boring. Let's drink somewhere else."
"Hold up! Bandits, if you talk like that, it's really not okay! We pirates still need our dignity!"
In that instant
just as the bandits were about to leave because there was no more alcohol
Tsuneo stood up.
He really hadn't wanted trouble.
One, it was annoying.
Two, it could attract the attention of powerful people in this world.
But not wanting trouble didn't mean he feared it.
And now?
It was impossible to avoid.
Besides, the bandit leader Higuma had personally declared that his head was worth eight million Berries.
And this pirate crew…
was desperately broke.
A perfect excuse, right?
Meanwhile, Makino hurried over and began wiping the spilled liquor from his clothes. Tsuneo immediately caught her wrist gently and smiled.
"Sorry about that, Madam Makino. I dirtied your floor."
"No, no! Tsuneo-san, I should be the one apologizing!"
"It's fine. To tell you the truth, we didn't bring money with us today. But our pirate crew would never short you a single Berry."
"Ah! Tsuneo-san, really, there's no need. This round is on the house!"
"Don't say that. Your tavern barely makes much as it is. Besides… isn't there an eight-million-Berry head sitting right over there?"
"Oh? Pirate. Sounds like you're very interested in the price on my head."
Higuma stopped in his tracks at once, turning back with his dozen men, staring hard at Tsuneo's group.
"Hahaha! What else can I do? Yours is the most expensive head here. Kakuzu—hear that? Eight million Berries. Not much, maybe…
but enough to cover today's drinks for the entire crew."
"Tsuneo-san, that's far too much!"
Makino gasped, shaking her head repeatedly.
"What?! Did he just say 'although not much'?! HAHAHAHA!"
Higuma roared with laughter, staring at Tsuneo in disbelief.
"Captain, are you sure his head is really worth eight million?"
At the same time, Kakuzu's eyes lit up—literally gleaming gold.
Eight million might be small, but meat is meat, even from a mosquito.
He was practically trembling with excitement.
"Haha, Kakuzu, the man said it himself. It must be true. All right, everyone else—please step outside for a moment."
"We might make a little noise."
"Makino, take little Luffy outside too. Don't worry—this will only take two minutes."
"No! Tsuneo-san! I'm a man! I want to stay! I want to help!"
"Hahaha, Luffy, be good. Listen. Go outside first. I'll treat you to real alcohol later."
"Really!? You won't lie this time? If you lie, you're a puppy!"
"No problem. If I lie, I'm a puppy."
Under Makino's guidance, all the patrons, Makino herself, and little Luffy quickly evacuated the tavern.
And now
"Bandits, with your level… you're not qualified to make me move."
Tsuneo dusted off his clothes and pointed casually.
"Kakuzu. You want that eight-million-Berry head? It's yours."
With that, Tsuneo put on the demeanor of a worldly master, turned around without another word, and walked calmly out of the tavern.
Behind him, the Akatsuki's top-tier villains didn't question a thing.
Every one of them nodded solemnly.
What a joke.
Enemies of this level weren't even worthy of their captain's attention.
Frankly
even they weren't worthy!