Damn, That Was Close!
The moment Tsuneo stepped out of the tavern, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
Damn it—he really was a genius. Even a situation like this, he managed to bluff his way through!
But the most unbelievable part was the group behind him—those absolute monsters from the Akatsuki, every single one a notorious villain of their world… and yet all of them believed his nonsense?
Seeing this
Tsuneo was completely speechless.
He could only hope that his next [System Sign-In] would give him something strong enough to let him finally stand tall for real.
"Ah—ah—ah—ah—!"
In the very next instant
Just as the tavern door closed behind him, waves of pained yet strangely melodic screams echoed from within!
With the strength of a single man, Kakuzu was currently slaughtering the entire bandit gang
including their so-called "king," who claimed to be as fearsome as Red-Hair himself.
By now, Kakuzu had already killed fifty-six so-called "Bandit Kings."
Truly, Kakuzu had entered the peak of his career.
What kind of man was Kakuzu?
The villagers had no clue, but Tsuneo knew perfectly well
he was a coin-obsessed, money-hungry demon.
The moment he saw that "eight million berries" bounty…
Of course he went all-in.
At this moment
Tsuneo didn't even need to look.
He already knew just how miserable those bandits must be.
Thank goodness he had the power of Words That Become Law—where his words became absolute—over these villains.
Otherwise…
Just imagining the alternatives made his scalp tingle.
Two minutes later
When everyone reentered the tavern, including Makino and little Luffy, every single person froze in shock.
The arrogant, swaggering bandits from just moments earlier now all lay sprawled across the floor.
Especially their boastful leader, Higuma—
his entire body had already been separated from his head.
Well…
who asked him to brag about his eight-million-berry bounty?
These guys needed money.
If that wasn't "self-inflicted misfortune," what was?
Meanwhile
Inside the small tavern
"No way… that was Higuma! The most violent bandit king in this whole region! And he got taken down that easily by pirates?!"
"Tsuneo-san's subordinates are unbelievably strong!"
"If even the subordinates are like this, then as the captain… Tsuneo must be on a completely different level!"
"It's impossible to imagine how strong he really is!"
"And yet he's still so friendly!"
"I bet Tsuneo-san has to be a pirate emperor ruling over some part of the seas! It is truly an honor to have him visit our Windmill Village!"
"Tsuneo-san, please accept our respect!"
Damn!
Not only did his Akatsuki crew love to jump to conclusions
even the villagers of Windmill Village were professionals at it!?
Just like that, he had apparently become some sea-dominating pirate emperor?!
At that moment, Tsuneo truly didn't know what to say.
Sure, he was friendly… but that earlier situation?
That wasn't friendliness
That was pure survival instinct!
Pffft!
After the brief chaos, Tsuneo led the entire Akatsuki back to their seats to continue drinking.
Makino was so touched she even brought out her treasured, rare liquor.
Before long, with the villagers guiding him, Kakuzu carried Higuma's severed head to the nearest Marine base and cashed in the full eight million berries.
Right there on the spot, Tsuneo tossed Makino a whole one hundred thousand berries.
"Sorry, Makino-san. We disrupted your business. Take this as payment for the drinks and also as compensation."
"Ah—Tsuneo-san, no, no, please, you don't have to! And this… this is far too much!"
"It's fine, it's fine! Consider it advance payment for the next time too!"
"Hehe… Tsuneo-san, you're far too kind! Since you insist, I'll accept it. Please visit anytime!"
"Hahahaha!"
Once again, the tavern atmosphere became warm and lively
except for Kakuzu, who stood alone in a dark corner, clutching his money pouch with a heartbroken expression.
"Tsuneo-san… are you really a pirate emperor?"
Right at that moment
Little Luffy, who had always dreamed of pirates, and who had just witnessed Tsuneo's overwhelming "might," clung to him and refused to leave.
"Oh, no, no, Luffy. You all misunderstood! I'm just a rookie pirate who recently set out!"
"A rookie pirate? Wow! If rookie pirates are this strong… then can I become a pirate too?!"
"No, no! Luffy, you're still too young! At least ten more years! You can't go to sea until then!"
"Ten years, huh? Tsuneo-san, then it's settled! I'll come find you in ten years!"
Without warning, Luffy extended his little pinky finger toward Tsuneo.
Tsuneo frowned in confusion.
What's happening?
Who "settled" anything?
Luffy, I never agreed to any of this!
You made all that up in your head!
But facing Luffy's innocent, starry-eyed expression, Tsuneo still hooked his own pinky around Luffy's.
"Pinky promise! If you lie, you'll swallow a thousand needles! Tsuneo-san, I've decided! I'll be just like you! I'm gonna become the Pirate King!"
Damn!!
No, Luffy—
you can chase your dream, sure,
but don't say it like you're following my example!
People will misunderstand!!
In the next moment, Tsuneo suddenly felt a chill race down his spine.
If old man Garp heard about this…
He'd be swinging a blade eight hundred meters long, chasing Tsuneo across the ends of the earth!
This was supposed to be Shanks' responsibility!
How did it suddenly land on him!?
Truly
a man sits quietly in a tavern, and disaster falls from the heavens.