Shendu and Drago stood in stunned silence for an extended period. If Ron hadn't instructed them to take a seat, they might have remained standing until the tavern closed.
Soon after, Lucoa arrived with two bottles of wine, placing them in front of Shendu and Drago. "Your wine. Enjoy it at your leisure."
"Thank you!" Shendu promptly lowered his head in gratitude, adopting a humble posture that almost had him burying his head beneath the table. Drago beside him did the same.
"Did Drago disturb your trumpet practice last night?" Ron inquired with a smile.
Before Shendu could respond, Drago snorted, "This old guy was just having his final moments of excitement last night."
"Pity."
"Hell is my informant now. You, old guy, can forget about playing the trumpet."
Shendu, while sipping his wine, contemplated tying Drago to the wall. Suppressing the urge, he swiftly changed the topic, asking in a hushed tone, "Boss, who is that woman?"
After Shendu spoke, he quickly scanned the surroundings, relieved to find Lucoa absent.
Ron lit a cigarette and replied with a grin, "She's one of the creator gods and supreme deities of Mesopotamia."
"More precisely, she's Quetzalcoatl, governing culture and its dissemination."
"No wonder..." Shendu and Drago's eyes reflected sheer horror as they nodded in bewildered agreement.
It all made sense now.
As they exchanged glances, the two dragons felt like they were plummeting into an endless abyss of the unknown, realizing their insignificance like grains of sand.
At that moment, a clear sound of the doorbell rang, snapping the father and son back to reality as they turned to see what had caught their attention.
Jingle...
The tavern door swung open, and under the watchful eyes of Shendu and Drago, Rayleigh confidently walked in, bellowing, "Ron, bring out the wine!"
"Last night was undoubtedly my peak battle. I was within half a foot of the enemy, fighting for hundreds of rounds. Shakky had to sprinkle water on the scene!"
Ron sneered, "I can't bear listening to this."
"Nowadays, even muzzle compensators like 'Tiger bone Liquor' are used. You really shouldn't brag about it so much."
"A little embarrassed, perhaps?" Rayleigh conceded.
"First things first, let go of the filthy details!"
"Get out, old man, always cling tight!" Rayleigh cursed as he strolled over to the bar.
However, when he laid eyes on Shendu and Drago, his steps abruptly halted, and his heart skipped a beat.
Though he had seen them once before, the menacing visage and the aura emanating from their beings were like devils escaping from hell—sinister and chilling. It sent shivers down Rayleigh's spine!
Observing Rayleigh frozen in place, Ron swiftly motioned for him to sit down next to Shendu. "They're harmless. Don't be afraid."
Rayleigh's face darkened suddenly.
What the hell.
You're saying they're harmless?
I bet they feast on human flesh every day!
"I heard from the boss that you also indulge in tiger penis wine."
"It seems there's something wrong with you."
"One of my abilities is that I can cure all the ills in the world."
"I can't guarantee a return to your youth, but it should help you last a few more rounds," Shendu endeavored to infuse his tone with kindness, forcing a smile to grace the corner of his mouth.
Yet, even so, the magnetic quality of his voice still sent shivers down people's spines.
The reason Shendu extended kindness to a peculiar alcoholic was all for Ron's sake. Most importantly, due to the presence of Lucoa and Yoruichi, Shendu resolved to foster good relations with the tavern's patrons. What if he encountered a guest capable of assisting him in escaping hell and returning to Earth? While the likelihood was minuscule and the devil's identity embarrassing, Shendu was determined to try.
"Really?" Rayleigh's clouded, aged eyes brightened.
"Of course!" Shendu extended his paws proudly towards Rayleigh.
In the next moment, a burst of radiant white light enveloped Rayleigh, and he felt as though his body were immersed in a revitalizing hot spring. For a brief period, old wounds and lingering ailments from countless battles vanished. Moreover, he sensed a nourishing force revitalizing his kidneys and ammunition reserves.
Combat power continued to surge!
Suddenly, the uplifting sensation came to an abrupt halt, and Rayleigh felt as if he had been dropped from heaven to hell.
"What's going on? Why didn't it continue?" Rayleigh's face darkened suddenly.
What was the difference between this and no cure? All he gained was the ability to linger a few more seconds in the enemy camp. The promising future of enhanced vitality, ample ammunition, and two indestructible kidneys he had imagined moments ago had vanished.
"There's no law against it, it shouldn't be..." Shendu scratched his head in skepticism.
Ron smiled and explained, "While the horse talisman can cure all ailments, kidney deficiency is not considered a disease; there is no cure. The old man should accept his fate."
"Ah..." Rayleigh sighed in disappointment, managing a bitter smile. Being poor was one thing, but being old and lecherous at the same time had its own set of challenges. The body, unfortunately, didn't always allow for such indulgences. If Roger saw him now, he would probably die laughing.
Just as Rayleigh was sipping wine with a forlorn expression, a peculiar voice piqued his interest. The tavern door swung open.
Big Big Wolf eagerly approached the bar, handing a bottle of pills to Ron. "Boss, I brought you the Second Generation Bigger and Smaller Pill. You can make any part of your body bigger or smaller at will."
"Okay," Ron nodded in satisfaction, then instructed Rem, "When Big Big Wolf leaves, pack him a sheep, no, two."
"Understood, master," Rem replied with a smile.
Rayleigh snapped out of his depression instantly. His heart raced, and he felt a surge of excitement. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. Can two sheep be traded for this artifact?!
He stared at the bottle of pills in Ron's hand with longing eyes.
"Interested?" Ron asked.
Rayleigh nodded eagerly.
"One Devil Fruit for five pills. Isn't that a fair deal?" Ron teased with a smile. "As the deputy captain of Pirate king, you should be able to produce a Devil Fruit, right?"
Rayleigh's face turned dark. Through gritted teeth, he muttered each word, "You little brat, what a swindle!"