Rayleigh's heart skipped a beat at the revelation.
In that moment, the silver-haired old man's breath caught, his eyes brimming with desire and longing. He could practically sense the surge of excitement coursing through his veins. Obedient broad beans? No, no, no... This was undoubtedly the secret to Rayleigh's newfound joy in life!
Observing Rayleigh's reaction, Ron not only guessed the old man's thoughts but had a fair idea that he had utilized this on Shakky...
Lucoa, seated nearby, also registered a hint of surprise. The concept of making the consumer of the beans comply with the eater seemed deceptively simple, yet it was a genuine rule-type item! Was this artificially created?
"I want all of it!" Rayleigh exclaimed with a quivering voice, attempting to compose himself.
Big Big Wolf shook his head, bluntly refusing, "I can't trade with you. As per our agreement, my invention can only be exchanged with Ron." With that, he handed Ron a bottle containing approximately ten obedient fava beans and a purple whistle.
Taking the bottle, Ron called out to the kitchen, "Rem, roast five sheep, and Big Big Wolf will pack them up for takeaway."
"Alright, Master. I'll go buy them with my sister, Tohru," Rem responded as she walked out of the kitchen, collecting the money and embracing Yoruichi and Ram, who were catching up on sleep. Tohru followed as they exited the tavern.
Meanwhile, Lucoa entered the bar step by step, flashing her white teeth as she spoke, "I'd like to witness the effect. May I?"
Ron nodded, replying, "Certainly."
The words had barely left his lips when...
A delicately enticing cheek, laden with fatal temptation for men, met Ron's gaze directly. The gap between them was less than five centimeters, close enough for Ron to catch Lucoa's scent and the breath escaping her lips. However, Ron, fatigued from a night of endeavors, had already entered sage mode. He raised his head slightly in a gesture of respect toward Lucoa.
Without delay, he retrieved a broad bean from the bottle and placed it into Lucoa's mouth. Immediately after, Ron blew the purple whistle, producing a melodic sound. Lucoa froze in place, and her distinct pupils dulled.
"Pat my back," Ron instructed upon confirming the effects of the obedient broad beans.
"Yes!"
Lucoa responded promptly, walking robotically behind Ron and lightly patting his back.
Thud, thud, thud...
Rayleigh observed the scene with a solemn expression. Each light pat on Ron's back resonated like a heavy drumbeat, striking a chord in Rayleigh's heart. It worked, even on a deity like Lucoa.
"Tell me, how do you intend to trade these obedient broad beans?" Rayleigh, prepared for any outcome, inquired in a deep voice.
"Not much, just two Devil Fruits," Ron replied with a smile.
Rayleigh, with a stern expression, attempted to negotiate: "One Devil Fruit and a large, sword of twenty-one Great Grade Blade. That's my bottom-line offer."
Rather than an immediate response, Ron consulted the system within his mind: "How many points can I obtain in exchange for obedient broad beans and a big sharp sword for twenty-one workers?"
[Ding, obedient broad beans are edible items and can be exchanged for 80 points.]
[21 Great Grade Blade can be exchanged for four hundred points.]
"The price is fair," Ron stated, glancing at the obedient broad beans in the bottle. With ten more, he could exchange them for 800 points.
That's it.
Even if he were to receive a Zoan Devil Fruit in return, Ron would still come out ahead. After all, trading 21 Great Grade Blade could yield 400 points.
"Deal," Ron said with a smile, handing over the bottle in his hand.
"Little ghost, this time the old man really gave you the coffin book. Next time, the good things must be free!" Rayleigh lamented, taking the bottle with a heart full of regret.
If only he had known earlier, during his time with the Roger Pirates, he could have searched for more valuable items.
"Okay, no problem," Ron replied, not refusing the exchange.
After all, these items were only being traded for a few sheep, and Rayleigh had to possess a Devil Fruit!
At that moment, the sound of patting Ron's back ceased, and Lucoa's eyes regained their usual expression. She smiled and said, "This stuff is interesting. It can control me for about a second."
Rayleigh was taken aback. If it could control Lucoa for one second, the potential control over Shakky would be immeasurable! Even Big Big Wolf, who was sipping his drink, looked prideful. The invention he crafted could control gods, even if only for a brief second—a remarkable achievement.
"I patted your back just now; do I get some reward?" Lucoa narrowed her eyes, smiling. "You can't make me work for nothing."
"What do you want?" Ron inquired.
"How about me tonight?" Lucoa suggested.
Ron: "..."
Seeing her successful teasing, Lucoa chuckled, turned away, and joined Tohru, and others who had just returned to handle the purchased sheep and other ingredients.
At that moment...
The tavern's door creaked open slowly.
In walked Shendu and his son, exchanging curses as they entered.
"Old man, I think I heard the sound of gluing last night," sneered Drago.
"Don't pry into matters that don't concern you!" Shendu snapped, delivering a hefty blow.
Boom!
With a muffled sound, Drago found himself seeing stars, about to retaliate. However, he remembered that he was in Ron's tavern and decided to endure it silently, saving his grievances for hell.
Witnessing the entrance of the father and son, Big Big Wolf's eyes widened.
Demons?!
"Don't worry, Shendu and his son might look intimidating, but they are quite amicable," Rayleigh assured as if he had experienced it before.
As Shendu took a seat at the bar, the devilish little dragon shot Big Big Wolf a mischievous smile upon hearing Rayleigh's words.
"Hello..." Grey Wolf greeted with a tremulous voice.
Amicable?
Big Big Wolf couldn't shake the thought that they might feast on wolves. Despite his initial reservations, after a couple of bottles of wine, he gradually warmed up. Putting his arms around Shendu's neck, Big Big Wolf regaled tales of his glory days in the wolf clan. Surprisingly, Shendu not only didn't mind but also shared stories of his own past when he and several other demons dominated Earth. Drago scoffed inwardly but dared not express his disdain, fearing an abrupt introduction of his head to Shendu's fist.
Amid the lively atmosphere in the tavern, a sudden doorbell interrupted.
Jingle...
As the door swung open, a woman with smoky makeup strolled in, cursing vehemently.
"Bichi!!!"