As soon as Ron heard about the "exchange meeting of heroes," his attention became laser-focused.
"That's right, it's the exchange meeting of heroes," Homelander confirmed, taking an impatient sip of the wine Ron handed him.
The wine in question was Seahorse Wine, a concoction made from seahorse, rice wine, and honey, known for its kidney-warming and yang-strengthening properties.
As the native took a gulp of the wine, a sudden realization struck him. Ron had treated everyone equally!
A rush of dopamine flooded Homelander; adrenaline surged through his veins.
"It's a shame I couldn't witness that scene myself," Ron lamented, disappointment evident on his face.
Rayleigh, being an experienced driver, keenly sensed an undercurrent in the atmosphere.
Before Ron could elaborate, Homelander explained subtly. He was cautious, possibly due to his past encounters with Morgana's reprimands. He didn't want to risk another scolding.
Rayleigh caught on instantly and exchanged knowing glances with Ron. They couldn't help but smirk.
"Never mind, never mind. Every time I think about that incident, I want to kill Him!" Homelander exclaimed, his voice laden with frustration. "I entrusted him to keep an eye on the Dynamite Twins, but he was sneaking around with an octopus in his room... Damn it!"
"Now, numerous heroes have been injured or killed during the Heroes Exchange Meeting. This project will be permanently banned!" he concluded with a deep sigh.
Deep sea?
Ron was momentarily frozen upon hearing the name. The lobster's best friend, the dolphin's savior, the octopus's lover?
Certainly...
The heated argument between him and Starlight was the crux of it all.
"It's overwhelming," Rayleigh couldn't help but curl her lips in response.
Morgana covered her face, shaking her head. "I seriously doubt whether the concepts of depravity and freedom can flourish in a world so filled with perverts."
It wasn't just about the Heroes Exchange Meeting; even the mere existence of a friendly octopus-filled deep sea made Morgana question her prospects.
Doflamingo, who had been quietly sipping his drink, looked at Homelander with surprise. Was he also someone inclined towards spreading unconventional ideas like himself? A fellow comrade, perhaps?
"Queen, trust me!" Homelander insisted, wearing a serious expression. "Your ideas will undoubtedly be embraced and propagated in my world!"
"I hope you'll bring back some positive news next time," Morgana silently nodded.
As the discussion continued, the tavern's door swung open, revealing Tokikake engrossed in a phone conversation.
"Sweetheart, I bought you chive buns this morning. Are you satisfied?" he cooed into the phone. "Did you wear the lipstick I gave you last night? I wanted to feel involved..."
"Ah?!" he exclaimed suddenly. "If you visit me tonight, I'll book a room right away!"
After hanging up, Tokikake sauntered proudly to the bar. Rayleigh was taken aback—doesn't this guy ever stop flirting? Not only that, but he seemed to have mastered the art quite well.
Ron chimed in, explaining softly, "Since that day, Tokikake has realized it's evolved from just being a dog-licker to a well-rounded individual."
Rayleigh comprehended the situation swiftly.
Soon after, Ram placed a bottle of Maotai in front of Tokikake. "Enjoy your drink."
"Thank you," Tokikake acknowledged, taking a sip before his expression changed once again. "I wonder if Mr. Akainu took the wrong medicine," he muttered gloomily.
The conversation delved into the political dynamics within the Marines and the emerging conflict between Akainu's hawkish approach and the moderate faction led by Aokiji. As the discussions unfolded, Tokikake revealed that despite the resistance from moderates, there were indications of wavering convictions among them after Akainu's compelling preaching about sublimated justice.
Ron, taking this information in, realized the potentially detrimental consequences of this factional discord within the Marines. Such polarization could deepen existing conflicts and create unnecessary friction within the organization.
When Ron inquired if Tokikake was influenced by Akainu's ideas, the response took a whimsical turn. Tokikake humorously confessed to feeling a heartbeat towards Akainu's ideology but assured that it was merely a momentary lapse and emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear perspective.
Meanwhile, Doflamingo, who had been listening intently, expressed concern about Akainu's alignment with Guysa's ideology. The unexpected convergence of Guysha's beliefs within Marine, particularly under Akainu's leadership, surprised Doflamingo.
Morgana offered a cautionary note, advising vigilance given the potential conflict between Ron's group and Marine. With their current strength and resources, a clash with the Marines could result in dire consequences, and Morgana warned against causing any harm that could make the Queen shed tears.
The tense atmosphere in the tavern escalated as the news of a battle between Red-Haired Shanks and Kaido in the New World arrived via the phone snail held by Doflamingo. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the unexpected and significant clash between these two powerful figures.
Doflamingo's expression turned serious upon hearing Diamanti's report. The mention of such a clash between formidable figures was enough to captivate the attention of pirates and instill a sense of anticipation and anxiety among those present.
Ron, recognizing the gravity of this information, interrupted the momentary tension with a composed tone: "This is a significant development."
Shanks, the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates, and Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, engaging in a battle was not a trivial matter. It could potentially cause widespread repercussions across the New World and even beyond.
Tokikake, visibly intrigued by this sudden news, furrowed his brows in deep thought. Morgana, on the other hand, seemed to be contemplating the potential consequences of such an encounter.
Doflamingo, having absorbed the Second Generation divine body power, was restless, sensing the escalating turmoil within the pirate world. The clash between these two titans would inevitably shake the very foundations of the seas.
With this momentous clash unfolding, the atmosphere in the tavern grew tense, anticipating the far-reaching consequences of the battle between two of the most formidable and renowned figures in the pirate world.