Since the topic had come up, Goodman decided to give Zhang Da Ye a quick lesson: the circular structures often seen in buildings around the Sabaody Archipelago were actually made using bubbles.
By finding a bubble of suitable size and coating its surface with a special material—along with some finishing steps—it was relatively easy to add a spherical floor to a building. On GR 35's hotel street, many inns were built this way, saving time, effort, and money.
Zhang Da Ye's expression: OvO
"Unscientific, but very pirate-like."
After their chat, Goodman decided to take Zhang Da Ye to negotiate with Bob, reasoning that the old businessman would try to intimidate the young man, and he still hadn't settled the story he had told Byle about pirates.
After dinner, as the tavern neared closing time, Zhang Da Ye followed Goodman to its entrance.
The tavern appeared as a two-story building from the outside. Unlike the bubble-based spherical floors, it had a standard pointed wooden roof. The first floor was the tavern, and the second floor provided lodging. A small courtyard lay behind it, and Goodman mentioned there was a basement for wine storage.
Zhang Da Ye wondered how a basement could be dug in the mangrove roots that made up the islands, but seeing the ground covered with flowers, grass, and even trees, he figured, "If trees can grow on trees, why can't we dig a hole?" The massive roots of the Archipelago's red mangroves made it feasible without major issues… probably.
**Bob's Tavern**
The sign outside was simple and straightforward—common naming style in the Archipelago. Even Shaki's bar, named "Shaki's Scam," wrote it right on the sign.
Zhang Da Ye considered naming his future tavern "Da Ye's Tavern" or "Grandpa's Tavern."
"Goodman? Rare to see you. Aren't you the type to go home after work? How could you come here?"
Bob, bald with a thick salt-and-pepper beard, looked aged but lively.
The tavern had its "closed" sign out, and Bob was wiping a wine glass with a cloth.
Before Goodman could reply, Bob's gaze landed on Zhang Da Ye. "Ah, I know this young man—'Running Da Ye,' right? Little Byle said you're staying at his house?"
Because Zhang Da Ye's running figure was known throughout Island 59, some regulars even bet on which street he'd pass the next day.
Zhang Da Ye frowned. "'Running Da Ye'? What nonsense nickname is that? I'm just jogging normally."
Goodman impatiently said, "Enough. Since you know him, let's cut to the chase. Da Ye has a bit of interest in your tavern. For your sake, since you want to retire, give a base price."
Bob put down the glass and "earnestly" said, "Well, young man, you have good taste. I've run this tavern for 30 years. Regulars come by all the time, bringing in at least this much each month!"
Bob spread his fingers, but Zhang Da Ye couldn't tell if he meant 50,000 or 500,000.
"Since Goodman introduced you, I'll give you a break. 12 million Berries, and the tavern is yours."
Goodman interrupted: "A 30-year-old rundown building at that price? You've got some nerve."
Bob replied, "Goodman, yes, it's 30 years old, but you saw the rebuild five years ago. If you want to haggle, find a proper reason."
Goodman slammed the table: "Fine, then argue about how you corrupted Byle!"
Bob scowled: "Blowing stories in a tavern isn't my fault!"
Goodman feigned insistence: "I trusted you with Byle, and you let this happen!"
Bob backed down: "Alright, alright. Considering everything, including inventory and furniture, it's at least 10 million Berries. Otherwise, I'd take a loss."
Goodman patted Zhang Da Ye's shoulder: "Now it's your decision. Those wooden tables and counters aren't worth much."
Bob protested: "Decades of friendship, and you help this kid undermine me?"
Goodman: "Did you ever give me a Berry's discount? I'm not going too far. If the price were fair, it'd have sold long ago. Business is business."
Bob muttered: "Businessmen are businessmen… can't mix friendship with business." Then he turned to Zhang Da Ye: "Young man, 'Running Da Ye'…"
"Please remove the 'Running' part, thanks!"
"Alright. So, how much are you offering?"
Zhang Da Ye tentatively said, "6 million?"
Bob's eye twitched. He didn't trust such an inexperienced offer. Goodman felt Zhang Da Ye was being too tough.
Finally, they settled on 9 million, paying 7 million upfront and 2 million over two years with some interest.
Zhang Da Ye kept about 1 million Berries for operating costs—buying drinks, food, or replacing furniture.
The next day, Bob took Zhang Da Ye to Island 63's office to handle paperwork at the World Government department overseeing the Sabaody Archipelago. From then on, Zhang Da Ye would legally pay taxes for his tavern—a sort of "protection fee" under the Navy and World Government.
Bob introduced Zhang Da Ye to his supplier, Gulagas, a wine merchant and brewer. After a smooth handover, Bob moved out quickly, ready to enjoy retirement fishing, sunbathing, and playing cards on Island 58.
On June 3rd, 1510, in this unfamiliar world, Zhang Da Ye and Tom owned a house—a place they could call their "home."