The tavern bell chime and two visitors came in.
the Two visitors towered above, almost reaching three meters in height. Their stature was so imposing that I found myself tilting my head down just to step into the tavern.
The foremost guest sported a yellow suit, and his rugged countenance, visible beneath the sunglasses, exuded an air of nonchalance and lethargy. Meanwhile, his companion adorned a green eyepatch atop his head, wore a dark blue shirt beneath a justice-themed cloak, and displayed a wearied expression on his dark visage. These two were none other than the two current Marine Admirals.
Borsalino, the Marine codenamed Kizaru, and Kuzan, known as Aokiji!
Their keen interest in the tavern was evident as their eyes quickly scanned past Ron and others. Finally, their gaze settled on the blonde maid at the forefront. As they were about to exchange greetings, a familiar aura caught their attention.
Kaido?
The energy emanating from the blonde maid resembled that of Kaido in his blue dragon form, but even more potent!
"Hello, we're here for a drink," Kizaru calmly addressed, suppressing the shock in his heart to avoid any inadvertent exclamations.
On the other hand, Aokiji merely nodded in silence.
"Both, please come in," Tohru welcomed, stepping aside to allow them entry. The two admirals took their seats at the bar.
With a friendly smile, Ron inquired, "What will you be having? Something mild or strong?"
Given the wealth associated with Marine Admirals, as evidenced by Akainu's past willingness to pay fifty million for a drink, Ron anticipated a similar response.
"Strong," Kizaru and Aokiji simultaneously declared.
Ron cast a knowing glance at the pair, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
Kizaru elegantly crossed his legs, while Aokiji rested his arms on the bar, a subtle hint of vigilance in his eyes. Despite the wise practice of not sitting with crossed legs, it was a precaution against potential mishaps.
However, being too gregarious could lead to accidents and broken legs.
Shortly after, Tohru placed two bottles of wine in front of them, advising, "Enjoy your wine at a leisurely pace."
The wine bottles, made of green glass, bore a bold inscription: "Bored Donkey!" Aokiji and Kizaru paused, finding the name of the wine rather unconventional.
"Give it a try; it's undoubtedly superior to any spirits you've had," Ron suggested, presenting the glasses.
Tohru's daily routine apparently included the impressive skill of serving wine without needing to grasp the glasses.
"Boss, be cautious with your words; don't let anything slip," Aokiji advised lightly.
As the warning was uttered, Kizaru deftly opened the bottle cap. Almost instantly, a potent wine aroma wafted through the air. The two admirals eagerly filled their glasses, drank, and were met with a sudden flash of light.
The taste was rich and sweet, carrying a refreshing fragrance that didn't assault the nose. However, upon swallowing, a fiery sensation scorched their throats and stomachs.
"Cough, cough, cough..." The two couldn't help but cough.
Aokiji contemplated using his fruit ability to alleviate the sensation but hesitated, recalling the earlier advice. They endured the burning discomfort until it subsided, replaced by a delightful sweetness that engulfed their taste buds.
In that moment, the two admirals found themselves captivated by this unexpected and intriguing experience.
"Not bad," Kizaru smacked his lips, unable to resist taking another sip. This time, he opted for a smaller, cautious sip.
"The wine is quite good, Boss," Aokiji complimented, expressing a subtle apology for his earlier skepticism.
"As long as you both enjoy it," Ron responded with a smile.
Meanwhile, a black cat sauntered past Aokiji and Kizaru, holding its head high before leaping onto the windowsill to settle into a peaceful slumber. Ron, however, hadn't enjoyed a good night's sleep due to Yoruichi, the cat in his arms, adopting various sleeping positions.
A knowing look passed between Kizaru and Aokiji. Was this the black cat responsible for scratching the vice Admiral's prized face? It didn't appear particularly formidable.
Aokiji signaled to Kizaru, and with a mischievous smile, Kizaru asked, "Boss, can I pet it?"
Although it wasn't ideal to tamper the cat, the image of a Marine vice Admiral being bested by a cat had to be rectified for the sake of Marine's reputation.
"If you get scratched, the establishment won't take responsibility," Ron warned, his tone gentle.
Unfazed by the caution, Kizaru thought, "I'm a Glint-Glint Fruit user. No matter how fast this cat is, it can't scratch my elemental form, right?" Despite his confidence, he approached cautiously, mindful of the cat's ability to ignore Armament Haki.
As his hand reached out to touch the soft fur, Yoruichi abruptly opened its eyes, revealing vertical pupils brimming with hostility.
"Meow!!!" Kizaru's heart sank, and he swiftly transformed into his elemental state. However, something unexpected happened.
In an instant, a golden light flashed, and Kizaru found himself face to face with a cat's paw. With a muffled "bang," the golden light dissipated, leaving Kizaru staggering. A visible scar, seeping blood, marked his face.
Witnessing this scene, Aokiji's eyes widened in shock. He had initially thought the vice Admiral's Tensei was merely weak, but now it appeared that the cat was incredibly powerful.
"Meow!" Yoruichi arched its back, a look of fury directed at Kizaru. It seemed unimpressed by anyone disturbing its nap.
Ron couldn't help but remark, "What did you expect? Don't mess with my cat."
"Okay... that was terrifying," Kizaru said, patting his head as if trying to shake off the impact on his soul.
Yoruichi backed up, leaped from the balcony, and delivered a swift slap to Kizaru's head with its front paws. This time, Kizaru didn't dare to transform, opting instead to turn and run. History repeated itself as Kizaru experienced a fate similar to Tensei.
For the next five minutes, Kizaru's screams echoed, and blood covered his body and face. Tables, chairs, and wine jars were casualties of his attempts to avoid Yoruichi's claws.
Rather than intervening, Ron watched with a smile on his face. Lucoa, puzzled, questioned, "Aren't you going to stop it?"
"No, no. It's all part of the cost," Ron replied, shaking his head. "Whether we can enjoy a good meal today depends on the extent of the damage Kizaru inflicts on the tavern."
Aokiji could only react with a resigned expression.