Fez Town.
Bazel took out a few crumpled thousand-Berry bills from his wallet, spoils he had looted from the atoners.
"Two servings of omurice, a glass of orange juice, and a glass of... hmm."
He was about to order another drink for himself, but for some reason, Bazel suddenly felt a new craving welling up inside him.
It was a craving for alcohol.
"And one ale, please."
'So, Devil Fruits really do affect the User's preferences.'
Before today, Bazel had never touched a drop of alcohol. His age and Sengoku's watchful eye were part of the reason.
The other part was simply his lack of interest.
But after eating the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, this craving had suddenly emerged.
Recalling the memories associated with the Yamata no Orochi...
Bazel remembered this great monster seemed to have a notorious addiction to drink in its legendary tales.
"Um..."
A cautious yet exceedingly gentle voice came from beside him.
"Thank you for saving me. I misunderstood you earlier."
As she said this, Toki's face was slightly flushed, her eyes filled with a bashful embarrassment.
After the fight ended, Bazel had demonstrated his physical prowess.
The goal was naturally to deepen the impression he made on Toki.
He had carried Toki in a princess hug, traversing mountains and ridges until they reached this town.
After experiencing the high-speed journey and noticing the man's completely steady breathing, Toki naturally understood.
"I-I'm sorry, for making you lose your ability to swim."
"You really are gentle, aren't you~"
Toki was taken aback, "What?"
"I said your personality is very gentle, a rare type on these seas."
Bazel spoke bluntly, propping his cheek with one hand and winking at the girl.
"I happen to be planning to set sail. If you don't mind, would you like to come with me?"
Toki's cheeks puffed out slightly, her words carrying a hint of a girl's unique coquettishness, "You are only nineteen, right? I'm twenty-six. You should add the honorific 'san' after my name."
Perhaps it was because of the recent danger, coupled with her gentle nature, that Toki's attitude towards Bazel had become somewhat more familiar.
"I don't really mind age. Sailing with a gentle older sister would definitely be a very happy thing."
While waiting for the food to be served, Bazel looked into Toki's eyes with a hint of laughter.
"What 'gentle older sister'? You really are quite the smooth talker."
Even so, all Bazel saw on Toki's face was playful charm and a smile.
"There's a saying from my hometown: 'If the wife is three years older, you'll be holding gold bricks.'"
"You're seven years older than me. Rounding up, that's like three gold bricks! I've really hit the jackpot meeting you."
"Here you go, guests. The food you ordered~"
Just then, the food arrived. Toki took a plate of omurice and shoved it into Bazel's hands.
"Hurry up and eat. With such a glib tongue, do you talk to other girls like this too?"
Here it is!
The life-or-death question!
If he said yes now, his impression points would definitely drop by 90%!
But who was Bazel?
He scooped up a spoonful of rice mixed with ketchup and egg pieces and stuffed it into his mouth.
"No, it's just that you're too cute, Toki, I couldn't help myself. I used to be very introverted."
"Ah, sorry, is it okay if I call you Toki?"
Before Toki could answer, Bazel swallowed the food in his mouth, scratched the back of his head with his left hand, and showed a simple, honest smile.
"After the battle we just went through, we're friends, right? Using full names feels too distant."
Toki buried her head in her meal, though the tips of her ears were pink, and she muttered, "Whatever."
Even though she said that, her mind was racing.
As a member of the Amatsuki Family from 800 years ago, she had never encountered such a thick-skinned man back then!
Coupled with Wano's strict social hierarchy and her status as a lady of a noble family, neither samurai nor commoners dared speak to her so casually, let alone joke around.
"You didn't seem introverted at all during the fight earlier."
"Combat is combat, daily life is daily life."
After ordering three more servings of omurice, Bazel picked up his glass and took a light drink.
"But I still have to thank you. That fruit is a very powerful Devil Fruit. Thanks to you, I was able to gain this power."
Seeing the topic shift to serious matters, the blush on Toki's face quickly faded.
"What are your plans next, Bazel… dono?"
"That's such an awkward form of address. Just call me Bazel."
Bazel put down his empty glass, called out for more alcohol, then turned his head and smiled at Toki:
"I'm looking for a man. And after that…"
"I've always wanted to go see Wano Country."
'Wano Country!'
Toki hurriedly wiped the grease from her lips, her eyes shining as she looked at Bazel.
"You really want to go see Wano Country?"
Memories of Toki's portrayal in the original work quickly surfaced in Bazel's mind.
He remembered that it was precisely because Oden was from Wano Country that Toki agreed to board Whitebeard's ship with him back then.
"That's right. I've heard that place has a very long history. I've always wanted to go see it."
Receiving a positive reply, Toki's beautiful large eyes narrowed into crescent moons.
"Then, please take care of me! If I have a powerful partner like you by my side, we will surely reach Wano Country successfully this time!"
"After you finish eating, let's go find a ship and set off for Wano Country!"
"No problem."
Bazel agreed verbally, but he actually had no idea where Wano Country was.
His cheap uncle hadn't given him an Eternal Pose for Wano Country.
And his primary mission was to find Kaido.
He hadn't forgotten the mission code named 'Twilight'.
The reason for going to Wano was simply that the Beasts Pirates would inevitably reach that isolated ancient country in the future.
If he truly couldn't find Kaido, Bazel would have no choice but to find a way to get to Wano Country first and wait there for Kaido and his crew to arrive.
As for Toki...
Bazel swore this was truly an unexpected delight.
'In the original story, Toki did not steal Higurashi's Yamata no Orochi Devil Fruit.'
'This must be another storm generated by the butterfly effect.'
'Could it be the newcomer protection period, a welcome gift package from the will of the world?'
'Was heaven preventing that brat Kozuki Momonosuke from being born?'
Just then, a thick red light flashed deep within Bazel's eyes.
Dropping his spoon and enough money to cover the meal, Bazel suddenly grabbed Toki's hand and quickly walked outside.
"What's wrong, Bazel-kun?"
"There are many powerful auras landing on the island. I'm curious about just how strong the top fighters in the New World really are."
Bazel's eyes shone with excitement. The previous battle with the Takotopus Pirates was a complete crush.
The Yamata no Orochi's base stats were simply too monstrous, and its venom wasn't something ordinary cannon fodder could withstand.
…
Meanwhile, at the edge of the island…
"Newgate!"
Boom…!!
A kanabo and a naginata collided.
"Gurararara, apprentice brat, is this how you greet your senior?"
"Wororororo! Newgate, I'm a captain now too! There's no such thing as seniors among pirates!"
Bolo Breath!
Kaido, transformed into a giant dragon, unleashed a concentrated blast of fire.
"Air shock!"
After another collision, both men took a step back.
"Kaido-san!"
King, who hadn't started wearing his mask yet, saw Kaido step back and instantly flew into a rage. The flames floating behind his black wings suddenly surged.
"You bastard! How dare you attack Kaido-san!"
"Wait, King!"
"That man isn't someone you can handle. Besides, this is just our way of saying hello."
Kaido, in his human-dragon hybrid form, placed a hand on King's shoulder, his eyes fixed on Whitebeard.
"You're here for the aura from this morning too, right?"
"Hand him over to me, Newgate. I'll owe you a favor this time!"
"My crew needs manpower. That guy is the comrade I've got my eye on!"
"Gurararara~~!"
Whitebeard suddenly threw his head back and laughed uproariously. After his laughter subsided, a violent, overwhelming aura erupted from him.
"Who the hell do you think I am, you apprentice brat?!"
Boom…
The clash of Conqueror's Haki made the clouds recoil!
"I was conquering the seas while you were still trembling, getting beaten up by that bastard Shiki! Get lost, Kaido, or this time I'll sink you to the bottom of the ocean!"
"That guy is the son I've chosen!!"
Kaido took half a step back, his expression changing slightly.
A clash of Conqueror's Haki couldn't allow the slightest weakness. Once you retreat, you've lost this battle.
Just then, a slightly deeper male voice came through.
"This is truly troublesome. Could you consider the residents living on this island?"
"Even if you are free pirates, acting so recklessly makes you no different from trash."
"Atoners, attack."
---
For every 3 new reviews, there will be 1 extra chapter.
And for every 200 Power Stones, there will be 1 extra chapter