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"Sorry, but Orange Town is currently not welcoming outsiders. Please find another town to dock."
At the port of Orange Town on the Organ Islands, an elderly man with a Fu Manchu mustache and one with white hair sitting at the dock addressed Zyhark and Aqua as they were about to anchor.
He was the mayor who founded Orange Town, Boodle.
"Apologies, sir, but we're running low on supplies and wanted to buy some food in town. Rest assured, we'll pay the docking fees."
Zyhark stood at the bow of the Endless Dreams, near the statue of Goddess Aqua, explaining their intentions to the old man on shore.
Hearing their willingness to pay, Mayor Boodle's wrinkled face remained expressionless.
Recognizing the ship as a sea restaurant, his stance remained firm: "I've said we're not welcoming outsiders. If you need supplies, there's another town 100 nautical miles ahead."
"Please leave, and don't disturb our peace!"
Seeing the old man's temper despite his age, Aqua immediately got annoyed: "Hey! What's with this grumpy old man? We're here to spend money in their town, and this is the attitude we get?"
"If you're told to scram, can't you understand human language?!" Boodle raised his voice, his anger undisguised.
Aqua's lips twitched, and she turned to Zyhark: "Zyhark, I want to cool this guy down with some water. What do you think?"
Zyhark remained silent, gesturing to Aqua to calm down.
Something was off; the original mayor of Orange Town was known to be brave enough to challenge the Buggy Pirates to protect his townspeople, not this irritable and rigid.
Sure enough, the next moment, two sword-carrying pirates stepping out from behind Boodle confirmed his suspicion.
"Hey! What the hell are you trying to do? If they want to dock, let them dock. What's it to you, old man?!"
"Go back to being mayor if you're so bored. Disturb our business again, and Captain Buggy might just blast your house to smithereens!"
The pirates glared at Boodle before heading straight for the Endless Dreams.
"Sigh." Boodle's eyes, hidden behind his glasses, dimmed as he sighed heavily.
You two are just running a restaurant, why can't you just listen?
"Hey! Both of you, get off your ship!"
"Our ship's right beside, and I advise against doing something as stupid as trying to run away!"
The two pirate underlings drew their swords, threatening Zyhark and Aqua loudly.
Interesting.
A faint smile appeared on Zyhark's lips.
It took Aqua, slow to catch on, about ten seconds to understand Boodle's real intention: Was the old man actually trying to help?
While she pondered, Zyhark had already walked down from the Endless Dreams to confront the pirates: "I'm down here, now what?"
"Is there anyone else on the ship? Get off, all of you. We need to check for dangerous items on your ship!"
The fierce pirates stepped forward to board and inspect the ship personally, whether for dangerous items or to loot valuables, only they knew.
But as they thought they could act as they pleased, a forearm blocked their path.
"My ship, without my permission, no one boards."
Zyhark's gaze was calm and steady.
"Oh? A tough one? Then let's chop off that troublesome arm of yours first!"
Clearly not the vegetarian type, one of the pirates swung his long sword at Zyhark's arm with a vicious look.
Clang!
The grating sound of metal clashing echoed. The pirate retracted his sword, staring dumbfounded at the notched blade.
Even the Higuma, trash as he might be, carried an eight million bounty façade, and his full-force strike could only leave a minor scratch on Zyhark's chest.
Not to mention, Zyhark had fully mastered the novice level use of Armament Haki.
Even at its lowest level, combined with his physical defense, how could the attack of these slightly stronger than average goons possibly be effective?!
"You, you…"
The pirates' arrogant demeanor collapsed on the spot, staring at Zyhark as if he were a monster.
"This young man?" Boodle was equally shocked.
Thump, thump!
In the midst of their shock, two heavy punches landed, sending the pirates reeling back several steps.
"You mentioned Captain Buggy just now? I happen to be looking for him."
Zyhark pointed nonchalantly at Aqua, who had followed behind, adding, "Her temper is a hundred times worse than mine. Lead the way nicely unless you want to be chopped up and fed to the fish."
Hearing this, the two dazed pirates trembled with fear, their eyes filled with terror as they looked at the adorable Aqua.
"This way, please."
Realizing they were outmatched, they promptly led the way, their obsequiousness shocking Mayor Boodle again.
"Be careful, those two are members of the Buggy Pirates, each with a bounty of ten million Belly!" he hurriedly warned.
"Old man, your attitude is exactly to Lady Aqua's liking!"
Aqua smiled and waved at Boodle, her eyes narrowing seductively, "How about it? Want to join the Axis Cult and worship the great and noble Goddess of Water, Lady Aqua?"
"Axis Cult, Goddess of Water?" Boodle was puzzled.
He'd lived in the East Blue for so long without hearing such terms. A new cult becoming popular?
If it included beauties like the one before him, he might consider learning more.
"No, no! The Buggy Pirates are numerous, armed with guns and cannons. Please be very careful!" He finally remembered the matter at hand.
Listening to the old man's anxious warning, Zyhark waved dismissively: "Don't worry, that clown is nothing but a jester."
Under Mayor Boodle's worried gaze, Zyhark and Aqua stepped onto the streets of Orange Town.
'Ha, arrogant fools. Hope you don't wet yourselves when you see how terrifying Captain Buggy really is!'
The two seemingly compliant pirates secretly envisioned Zyhark and Aqua's forthcoming panic.
Thinking so, they couldn't help but snicker.
Thump, thump!
Then, their fragile foreheads received two more generous knocks.
"Don't give me that look. I quite enjoyed hit just now, remember that."
Before the pirates could respond, thump, thump! Two more hits landed.
"Really, Zyhark, this punching sensation is indeed great, reminds me of the days I fought scurvy dogs in the Divine Realm."
Aqua swung her fists enthusiastically.
The two pirates, used to throwing their weight around, had never faced such humiliation. They stepped forward, more seriously this time...
And led the way even more earnestly.
In this manner, under their guidance, Zyhark and Aqua arrived at Captain Buggy's stronghold!
(End of Chapter)