Chapter 184: Bar Trouble
Seeing the Marines flee in humiliation, the surrounding civilians—even those who didn't recognize Rhodes as the Dragon Slayer Swordsman—quickly dispersed.
He was clearly a dangerous, audacious individual who dared to brazenly harass even a Marine Headquarters Captain.
"Tsk, you two are quite bold. Still not running away?"
Rhodes finished his last skewer and turned to look at a nearby alley.
"You saved our lives. We can't just leave without thanking you properly."
Sylvia emerged, sword at her hip, still maintaining her cool and aloof demeanor—though her expression showed more maturity and weariness than their last meeting.
It seemed her adventures had borne fruit. She'd grown stronger, even capable of briefly holding her own against a Headquarters Captain like Hina.
"By the way, why are you two wanted in the first place?"
Rhodes had helped them partly because they'd met before, but also because he understood their character—they weren't evil or bloodthirsty criminals.
"That's... a bit of a long story. Could we find somewhere to sit and talk?"
Elsa asked hesitantly.
"Sure. I'd like to try this island's famous liquor anyway. Since you arrived before me, you should know the best places."
"Of course! Follow us."
The three of them walked together, soon arriving at a bar in the town's center.
It wasn't particularly large, but the décor was exquisitely elegant—warm lighting, polished wood, and a sophisticated atmosphere.
Sylvia and Elsa seemed to be familiar customers. They guided Rhodes to a comfortable booth with practiced ease.
"Three glasses of Crimson Flame, please!"
Elsa called out to the bartender.
Shortly after, a waiter arrived carrying a tray with three tall glasses filled with deep crimson liquor that seemed to glow like actual flames in the dim lighting.
That's why it's called that, Rhodes thought.
He casually took a sip, then downed the entire glass in one smooth motion.
The liquor burned like fire going down his throat, followed by an exhilarating, refreshing sensation that spread through his chest.
Even with Rhodes's enhanced physique, he felt a slight pleasant buzz. Quite potent indeed!
Sylvia and Elsa were momentarily startled by his casual display, exchanging quick glances.
Their initial intention to sip slowly vanished instantly. Pride wouldn't allow them to appear weak. Gritting their teeth, they both downed their glasses in single gulps.
Showing off always comes with a price.
The two women had barely finished when delicate blushes crept across their faces, their eyes becoming noticeably brighter and slightly unfocused.
There's a saying: Before drinking, I belong to the world; after drinking, the world belongs to me.
Slightly intoxicated, Sylvia and Elsa relaxed considerably, their usual restraints loosening as they recounted their adventures since leaving the West Blue.
The initial setbacks where they nearly died. Their gradual adaptation to the Grand Line's dangers. Their growing strength and the formation of their small adventuring crew. And finally, their recent persecution by a corrupt World Government official—a fat bastard who'd tried to force himself on them, then used his connections to put them on the wanted list after they'd beaten him unconscious.
Each experience had been life-or-death, with several near-misses in storms and battles that could have ended everything.
This was the true nature of adventuring in the pirate world.
Rhodes listened with genuine interest.
When he'd first left his home island, his strength had already rivaled Vice Admiral level, and he'd soon after gained the Gate-Gate Fruit's powers. The Grand Line's notorious challenges—unpredictable weather, deadly sea currents, dangerous pirates—had been manageable obstacles rather than existential threats.
For most people, the Grand Line's treacherous climate was often more terrifying than any human enemy.
Just then, a rowdy group entered the bar.
Rhodes glanced at them briefly—recognizing them as pirates by their rough appearance and aggressive demeanor—then dismissed them, continuing to listen to Sylvia's stories.
But soon, raised voices drew his attention. The pirates were arguing loudly with the bar owner over their tab.
The previously peaceful atmosphere shattered completely as the confrontation escalated. Many patrons expressed visible annoyance.
Rhodes initially dismissed it. This was a bar, after all—some noise was expected.
But then he felt something splatter nearby.
Mud.
While it didn't hit him directly, it still irritated him, completely ruining the mood.
Before Rhodes could say anything, Elsa flew into a rage—some of the mud had gotten on her clothes.
"What the hell?! You can argue all you want, but why are you throwing mud everywhere?!"
The two women were already tipsy, and with Rhodes present giving them confidence, they felt bold enough to demand justice from anyone—even an Admiral!
The pirates fell silent after Elsa's outburst.
Not because they were intimidated, of course.
They simply hadn't expected such a delicate-looking girl to speak so boldly to them.
After a brief pause, the pirates broke into jeering laughter, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
"Little girl, have you even grown all your hair yet? Want me to teach you what it means to know your place?"
"Heh, the other one's pretty hot too. Looks like we're in for some real fun today, brothers!"
"Kehehe, take turns, take turns! Go easy though—remember last time? That woman was completely broken by the time it was my turn!"
As they spoke, these scum actually started approaching, rubbing their hands together with lecherous grins, clearly planning to force themselves on the women. Absolutely shameless behavior.
From their angle of approach, they could only see Elsa and Sylvia clearly. Rhodes sat diagonally across in the shadows, mostly obscured from their view.
"Disgusting pirates..."
Sylvia slowly gripped her sword hilt, cold killing intent flashing in her eyes.
Rhodes calmly continued drinking his liquor, feeling these small fries weren't worth his personal attention.
Just then—
A man in a black robe emerged from the group. He had dark skin and an unnaturally long, serpentine tongue that lolled from his mouth grotesquely.
He appeared to be their captain. As he pushed through the crowd, all the other pirates immediately fell silent and stepped aside respectfully.
Rhodes raised an eyebrow in recognition.
Caribou. The Wet-Haired Caribou. One of the contenders for "weakest Logia user" title.
"Swordswoman Sylvia... join my pirate crew."
Caribou's first words were a recruitment offer delivered with disturbing casualness.
"Sorry, but you're absolutely hideous."
Sylvia replied flatly, already standing.
In a single fluid motion, she closed the distance between them.
SHING!
Her sword flashed—drawn, slashed, and resheathed in one seamless, lightning-fast movement.
Caribou's body split cleanly in half from the strike.
Sylvia didn't even look back, turning to return to the table with complete confidence.
Unfortunately, her cool moment didn't quite land as intended.
Caribou's Logia intangibility completely negated the attack.
"Kehehehehe! That's quite impressive swordsmanship!"
Caribou's voice made Sylvia spin back around in shock. She watched in disbelief as his body reformed from swirling mud, completely unharmed.
"A Logia-type Devil Fruit user?!"
Sylvia's expression tightened. She'd spent considerable time in Paradise—the first half of the Grand Line—but had never actually encountered a Logia user before. She knew of their reputation as extremely formidable opponents.
"Since you won't join willingly... then you'll die."
Caribou laughed while licking his lips with that disgusting long tongue. Then, raising both hands from within his oversized sleeves—
GLORP GLORP GLORP
A massive surge of earth-yellow mud erupted from his body. With a wave of his arms, the toxic sludge spread rapidly toward Sylvia and Elsa—then continued expanding to engulf the entire bar, threatening everyone inside his range.
Rhodes frowned, just beginning to move—
When a sharp shout rang out from the entrance:
"STOP RIGHT THERE, CARIBOU!"
A beautiful Marine officer burst through the doorway in a blur of motion, leaving afterimages in her wake.
WHAM!
Her kick caught Caribou square in the face, sending him flying backward and disrupting his Devil Fruit ability. The spreading mud collapsed and receded.
It was Captain Hina from Marine Headquarters.
She'd received intelligence about the Caribou Pirates operating in this area and, despite her... injury... had rushed over immediately.
Her face was still slightly flushed—whether from exertion or lingering embarrassment, it was hard to say.
"Hina won't let you harm innocent civilians!"
(End of Chapter)