Since they had decided to open the tavern, the first step was to order drinks. Most of their previous stock had been given to Neptune.
Early the next morning, Zhang Da Ye called Gluragas. It had been a while since he last saw the big-bearded man.
Gluragas was very efficient and delivered the drinks before noon, just in time for opening.
"Long time no see, young master. Where have you been these days?" Gluragas greeted warmly.
"Ha, you probably won't believe it, but we went to Fishman Island." It wasn't a secret, so he said it plainly.
"Fishman Island!?" The workers unloading the goods gasped. To ordinary people, Fishman Island was legendary.
Even those living in the Sabaody Archipelago didn't all have the chance to visit that dreamy island.
Dreamy indeed. Even if they disliked fishmen, they still admired mermaids. Imagine the scene:
A mermaid leaps from the water, sending droplets flying. Sunlight hits them, refracting into dazzling sparks. But even more dazzling than the droplets is the mermaid's delicate face and graceful figure…
The workers imagined the scene, their cheeks involuntarily blushing.
Just as they reached out to touch this imagined beauty, Gluragas landed a punch on the back of their heads. "What are you idiots thinking about? Get to work!"
"Ow ow ow!"
"Why does the boss's punch always hurt so much?"
"That's a mermaid! Every man's dream!"
The young men grumbled.
Gluragas hit back. "So what? You don't have the guts to go into the deep sea anyway. And even mermaids can be old, ugly, or poorly built."
They quickly surrounded Zhang Da Ye, tugging his clothes from all sides, almost pleading: "Mr. Da Ye! Please tell us there were no mermaids like that!"
"Oh, there were." Zhang Da Ye was an honest person.
They dropped to their knees, pounding the ground in disappointment. "Ugh… damn, our dream…"
Shark Chili chuckled at the scene. "Such interesting people."
"Boss has a dark sense of humor," Rui Meng Meng said, amused as well.
Gluragas kicked the young men lightly on the backsides to send them back to work. "Excuse their manners, they're new and haven't seen much of the world."
"No problem, it's quite entertaining," Zhang Da Ye laughed. "Has anything big happened on the island recently?"
"Nothing major. If you really want to know, it's just the usual troublemakers in the lawless areas fighting again. That Lieutenant Commander T Bone took down a few pirate crews, and there are rumors he might get promoted and transferred."
Zhang Da Ye nodded, these were ordinary events, but something felt off. "What do you mean by 'there are rumors he might get promoted'?"
"You didn't know? Lieutenant Commander T Bone is a local celebrity. The most responsible Marine in Sabaody, without a doubt. Every few months there are rumors about his promotion, but nothing ever happens."
Gluragas spoke like a seasoned veteran. "But that's normal. Honest people like him get promoted slowly."
Zhang Da Ye had no reply, it sounded reasonable.
Actually, the slowest promotion was Admiral Zephyr. From recruit to corporal, it took fourteen years.
Whereas Coby went from naval assistant to sergeant in just a few months.
Clearly, Coby's talent and speed surpassed Zephyr by far.
"And what about Vice Admiral Kadarou?" Since they were talking Marines, Zhang Da Ye asked.
"Vice Admiral Kadarou? Young master, you just visited Fishman Island. Heard of Jinbe?" Gluragas asked.
"Of course," Zhang Da Ye nodded. Not only had he heard of him, he even touched his belly and fins.
Gluragas continued, "One of his former crew has taken to the seas under a pirate flag, not the Sun Pirates flag under Jinbe. So Vice Admiral Kadarou requested to leave Sabaody to capture him."
Zhang Da Ye understood: he was talking about Arlong. Using his own flag meant Arlong left Jinbe's command, not under the Seven Warlords, just a regular pirate. Marines chasing him was reasonable, but judging by Gluragas' tone, things weren't smooth.
Indeed, Gluragas continued, "But the request was denied. The reason isn't clear. I guess it's because of his relationship with the new Seven Warlord Jinbe. As long as no big incident occurs, the Marines won't intervene. Some informed soldiers say he's now quite depressed."
"I see." Vice Admiral Kadarou had it tough. Zhang Da Ye didn't know what to say. He hadn't heard any news about Arlong on Fishman Island. Did he just miss him, or did Arlong not dare to return? And this man's information was incredibly precise, even covering internal Marine affairs.
After some more small talk, Zhang Da Ye and the others counted the goods, paid, and watched Gluragas leave.
Shark Chili switched to his super-transformation to help carry boxes. In normal form, it was inconvenient. "Seems like a lot happened while we were gone."
Rui Meng Meng wasn't idle either. "Yeah, I almost feel like we've been gone for months."
Zhang Da Ye asked, "Where's Tom? He's not setting up mouse traps again, is he?"
"Tom is in the kitchen. The desserts from Fishman Island are gone, so I asked him to try replicating them," Artoria explained. Then she added, "Next time you hit him, Da Ye, I'll help block you."
Zhang Da Ye almost laughed in anger. Smart, but naive. Just wait and see what it means when the devil is one foot taller than the virtuous.
After they organized the goods and restocked the shelves, Tom came out wearing his chef hat, carrying a tray.
Everyone tasted the desserts. Though not exactly the original, they were excellent.
Suddenly, Zhang Da Ye stood, rolling up his sleeves. "Don't stop me! Today I'm going to hit Tom!"
Tom hadn't even realized his mistake. He quickly ran to Artoria, standing tall as if finding a shield.
Artoria finished her small cake and stopped him. "Why hit him? Tom hasn't done anything wrong."
"I haven't thought of a reason yet, but since you spoke, Artoria, I'll give you face." Zhang Da Ye sat and adjusted his sleeves. "You've already stopped me once. Next time, don't intervene."
"Oh." Artoria picked up the next dessert.
Tom spread his hands and blinked, sensing something was off. Poor Tom, completely at Zhang Da Ye's mercy.
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