"This isn't a stroller... Open the door, I want to get off!"
After hearing Ron's explanation, Rayleigh appeared to have a revelation, and a spark of understanding flashed in his eyes. "Wonderful!"
Ron smiled. With this, he not only steadied the metaphorical steering wheel but also metaphorically locked the car door, metaphorically stepping on the accelerator up to two hundred yards!
Meanwhile, Rem, somewhat understanding and nodding, turned towards the kitchen to serve dinner.
This body, that body... she still couldn't quite grasp the concept.
...
After lunch, Rayleigh left the tavern with a bottle of Tiger Whip wine tucked into his pocket. Before departing, he left a parting line: "Falling fighters will stand up again, and then blow the horn of attack toward the highest peak!"
Ron shook his head helplessly after hearing this.
After all, what kind of mischievous thoughts could a seventy-year-old man harbor? Perhaps he just wanted to relive his youth within Shakky's body.
"Ram, please help Lucoa make a suit!" Ron suddenly recalled this matter. However, as he glanced at Lucoa, he quickly added, "Make it the largest!"
It was unavoidable—Lucoa's figure was just too exceptional, even in the world of pirates, she stood out.
"Alright, my sister and I will go buy fabrics now," Ram agreed, picking up Yoruichi, who had been basking in the sun, and leaving the tavern with Rem.
In the past, Ron might not have dared to let the two of them go out alone in the thirteenth area located in the undeveloped region of Sabaody Archipelago, where pirates and human traffickers were rampant. But things were different now. Rem and Ram, in addition to their ghost abilities, possessed the powers of the Mera-Mera Fruit and Lava Fruit, not to mention Yoruichi.
Even if the Four Emperors showed up, they'd have to contend with these formidable protectors.
Watching the two figures walk away, Lucoa brushed her long hair aside and said with a smile, "Would you mind having an extra waiter? I have a little friend who needs to learn more about humans."
Ron nodded, "No problem, but why didn't you mention it earlier?"
"You can ask Rem and Ram to buy more fabric and make an extra set of clothes," he added.
Lucoa shook her head slightly and added, "She may not come. Now... she is busy fighting with the Protoss, so she may not survive."
"Is it Tohru?" Ron suddenly thought of this individual—or, more precisely, a dragon.
If what Lucoa said was true, then the current timeline of [Dragon Maid] hadn't started yet!
Ron was able to mention the name, and Lucoa didn't seem surprised. "Yes, she is out of control now. When the child came to me, I should have persuaded her."
As Lucoa spoke, her pupils, usually full of smiles, flashed with a trace of regret. If only Tohru could be persuaded. But now, it was too late, and she went to war with the Protoss alone. Even Lucoa, the supreme god, dared not guarantee that Tohru would come out unscathed.
"Tohru will be fine, don't worry," Ron reassured with a smile.
Lucoa paused for a moment, then asked suspiciously, "Are you sure?"
Ron didn't respond, only nodding with a confident smile. Seeing Ron's determined expression, Lucoa couldn't help but become more curious about him. Did he really know everything about Tohru from their distant past? Who was he, really—a mere tavern owner?
After pondering for a while, Lucoa couldn't figure it out and said with a smile, "Leave Tohru alone and worry about yourself first. During dinner, I noticed that the twin sisters seemed a little hostile towards me, and the same goes for the black cat."
"That's why I brought up Tohru's situation after they left. Beware of trouble in your own backyard."
Ron smiled helplessly upon hearing this. Did she not realize that the hostility was just solely about her body?
At that moment, the mechanical voice of the system sounded in Ron's mind:
[Ding, customer Lucoa has finished confiding]
[Ding, the customer involved in the confidant, Tohru, will visit the tavern soon.]
[Customer Lucoa: Dragon Magic, Dragon Physique. Host can choose one of the abilities.]
Ron asked a little strangely:
"Where are Lucoa's other abilities?"
This is the Supreme God. Having just two abilities seems rather meager, doesn't it?
[Ding, Lucoa's godhead has been deprived, and the corresponding divine power has also been erased.]
Ron froze for a moment. With the magic in her body alone, Lucoa could break through dimensional barriers through a summoning ceremony and come directly to this world. This woman was truly formidable, almost outrageously so.
After contemplating for a moment, Ron said nonchalantly, "Choose the dragon physique, make it into a skill book, and put it in the system warehouse."
[Ding, placed!]
The decision wasn't to integrate dragon magic at this moment. Ron simply didn't want Lucoa to pick up on any clues. Otherwise, it would be challenging to provide a clear explanation. Lucoa wasn't as easily fooled as Rayleigh.
Just at that moment, the tavern doorbell rang.
*Jingle...*
...
Simultaneously, several massive whale-shaped pirate ships sailed rapidly on the sea of the New World. Skull flags with crescent beards fluttered from their masts.
They were one of the Four Emperors on the sea—the Whitebeard Pirates!
On the spacious deck, a majestic figure sat on a large chair, revealing gnarled muscles adorned with numerous infusion tubes.
He was the strongest man in the world—Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors: Edward Newgate!
All the captains gathered on deck; their expressions extremely serious. Several days had passed since Ace's background was exposed. Yet during these days, Ace seemed to have disappeared, with no news from Sabaody Archipelago.
At that moment, a figure streaked across the sky, wings burning with green flames, emitting a bright light.
It was Marco, the captain of the first team of the Whitebeard Pirates.
As soon as he landed on the deck, he folded his wings and walked up to Whitebeard.
"Show everyone something good."
All eyes turned to Pineapple Head.
"Don't keep it a secret. What exactly is it?" Jozu frowned and asked.
"You'll know when you see it."
Marco smiled and turned on the impact phone snail. It cost a considerable amount of money, purchased from the World Economic News Agency. What it recorded was the scene where Blackbeard was beaten up by Lord, Ram, and Rem the previous night.
The video played from the screen to the end. The captain of the Moby Dick, the cadres, and the heads of affiliated pirate groups sat in stunned silence, their eyes filled with horror.
For a moment, the vast deck fell into dead silence. Countless questions raced through their minds.
Why did those two little girls possess Mera-Mera Fruit and Lava Fruit abilities?
Who was that middle-aged man?
Was Blackbeard dead? Why didn't he retaliate?!
After a long pause, Whitebeard asked slowly, "Have you found out their identities? Especially that middle-aged man."
Although Blackbeard appeared to be dead, Whitebeard felt uneasy because he hadn't personally killed him.
Marco nodded, "We couldn't even find information about the two little girls. They seem to be from a pub not far from Rayleigh, Shakky's."
Whitebeard paused for a moment and said in a deep voice, "If you can bring Ace back on this trip, you can meet up with an old friend and then go to that tavern."
In reality, drinking was secondary; Whitebeard mostly wanted to try his luck. What if the middle-aged man and the twin sisters were willing to recognize him as their father?
Inside the Wanjie Tavern.
*Jingle...*
As the doorbell rang, the tavern's entrance swung open. Ron turned his head to see a... wolf? More precisely, a wolf walking upright, wearing a sweet potato hat and a yellow scarf!