"Having not seen you for a few days, I've actually missed you, Boss Zyhark."
Higuma, with his ostentatious steps and a fierce look on his face, approached Zyhark.
Zyhark, still sitting with his legs crossed, casually placed the water cup back on the table, attempting to mask his inner turmoil.
"The time hasn't come yet. There's no money for you." He looked up at Higuma and stated indifferently.
This response caught the aggressive Higuma off guard, his gaze darkening as he instinctively grasped the hilt of his sword.
Remembering Zyhark's fearless demeanor from the past few days, he reluctantly let go of the hilt.
"Rest assured, I am someone who values credibility very much. I just hope that when the time comes to pay the interest, Boss Zyhark can show the same respect," Higuma said coldly.
As Zyhark had guessed, the bandits' visit wasn't because they had discovered the truth about their flooded stronghold.
"What are you doing here then? Hurry up and leave; don't disrupt my business." Zyhark frowned, showing his impatience.
"Damn it, how dare you be so disrespectful to our boss?!"
The bandits behind Higuma immediately showed their viciousness, brandishing their long knives with a cold gleam.
"If you want me to repay you, put away these tricks, or come at me aiming for my heart, and we'll call it even."
Zyhark spread his hands nonchalantly, exuding the demeanor of someone who felt above the situation despite owing money.
He had already figured out Higuma's character traits, predicting the latter wouldn't actually make a move, at least not during this period before the interest repayment was due.
This composure in the face of over a dozen brutal bandits left Aqua, who had been anxiously cowering in the corner, dumbfounded.
Wait, who is the creditor and who is the debtor here?
Why does the borrower seem so righteous?!
For a moment, Aqua felt as though she had stepped into a new world.
Higuma remained silent, just staring coldly at Zyhark.
"I heard Boss Zyhark has a beautiful distant relative visiting, and I was merely curious to have a look."
With that, his gaze shifted to Aqua, who was not too far away.
Aqua immediately felt as if a venomous snake had set its sights on her, her skin crawling with goosebumps.
Seeing Zyhark remain silent, Higuma's interest peaked as he stroked his chin, "She does look heart-stirring indeed. I wonder if selling her at the underground market could cover your debt?"
In the chaotic world of pirates, especially for those living in countries unable to afford Heaven's Gold and thus outside the protection of the World Government, beauty, talent, or merely the act of living could be a curse, exploited like animals for any monetary value.
Knowing he couldn't bully Zyhark, who wasn't afraid of death, Higuma turned his attention to Aqua, threatening him in hopes of perpetually extracting high interest.
However, Zyhark's response shocked Higuma, "Honestly, it wouldn't be enough."
"Dammit, Zyhark, what do you mean 'not enough'? You're desecrating the supreme dignity of a goddess! In the divine realm, you'd be subjected to a fate worse than hell for this!" Aqua "defended" her value perfectly on cue.
Seeing the delusional beauty who brought up divinity, Higuma's mouth twitched slightly.
This one probably wouldn't fetch a good price...
Considering Zyhark was his first step into the loan-sharking path, Higuma eventually calmed his temper and exhaled deeply.
"No matter whether it's enough or not, Zyhark, just remember this: if you can't produce the interest next month, everyone in this restaurant will die!"
After dropping this threat, Higuma waved his hand and, with his bandits, turned to leave.
"Let's go, boys. It's rare to have such nice weather today; let's head to the tavern across the street and drink our fill!"
The recent days of torrential rain had tormented them severely, depriving them of even a place to relax and drink, forcing them to come to the village for relief.
This was their main purpose for descending the mountain, with Zyhark's visit being merely incidental.
As the bandits slowly receded into the distance, Aqua, who had been publicly demeaned, finally erupted, rushing over to shake Zyhark's collar vigorously.
"Zyhark, take a good look, I am a goddess, a supremely noble goddess!"
"Ah, yes, yes." Zyhark turned his head away, trying not to let the goddess's spit hit his face.
Wait a minute?
What did Higuma just say?!
Suddenly realizing some critical information, Zyhark, regardless of Aqua's tantrum, jumped up from his chair.
The Red Hair Pirates, who had been sailing for about ten days, just returned to Windmill Village, which served as their temporary base, this morning.
They had a simple breakfast at the restaurant in the morning and were currently celebrating their catch with drinks at Makino's tavern.
To welcome Shanks, little Luffy hadn't come to his store for free meals as usual.
This was a common occurrence in the past, so Zyhark hadn't paid much attention.
But now, with Higuma's addition, the situation was entirely different.
Higuma, Red Hair Shanks, Little Luffy...
These pivotal characters from the original story were about to meet at Makino's tavern!
"Could it be..."
Gradually, Zyhark's breathing quickened.
"Just because you've come to realize your mistake deeply doesn't mean I'll forgive you easily!"
"At least three, no, five servings of fried rice are needed to convey your apology!"
Caught up in his actions, Aqua was somewhat baffled but didn't forget to extort a few meals.
"It doesn't matter, Aqua, let's go to the tavern and see what's happening!"
Without any delay, Zyhark hurried out of the restaurant, with a puzzled Aqua following behind.
Upon reaching Makino's tavern across the street, the surrounding streets were already crowded with curious villagers.
The two wooden boards serving as doors couldn't keep the noise inside from spilling out.
"Just one bottle of wine to get rid of me? What do you take me for?!"
Following the sound of breaking bottles, Higuma's arrogant shouts echoed out.
"You lot, drifting aimlessly on the sea, what right do you have to drink? Open your eyes wide and see clearly, I'm a bandit with an 8,000,000 bounty!"
"I've already taken down 56 useless fellows like you!"
The surrounding villagers wore faces of horror, fearing the pirates and bandits inside might start fighting at any second.
Unexpectedly, faced with the bandits' rampant provocations, the pirates simply stood quietly, showing no intention of confronting them.
"Since you're so keen on cleaning, I'll give you enough to clean up!"
Crash!
The sound of knives slicing through bottles and the bar filled the air, scattering alcohol and glass everywhere.
"What bad luck, being washed away by floods every day, and now even the wine is drunk up by you worthless pirates."
Inside the tavern, Higuma looked down disdainfully, his eyes filled with scorn.
Seeing the pirate captain terrified and only daring to cower on the ground, meekly picking up the glass shards, he found it utterly boring.
"Let these useless lot clean up the mess. Boys, let's go!"
Amidst the laughter and taunts of Higuma's followers, he pushed open the tavern's wooden door.
The group strutted out, leaving Windmill Village behind in a grand manner.
(End of Chapter)