The tavern had just opened recently, and its owner was a man named Blueno, one of the members of the secret organization CP9. Blueno was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user, specifically the Door-Door Fruit.
The Door-Door Fruit allowed the user to create doors on any surface, even in the air or on a person's body. The real strength of the fruit lay in the ability to move freely through space by creating a green, alternate dimension door. This dimension could serve as a safe space, and once the door was closed, everything would return to normal without leaving a trace.
While the ability was somewhat lackluster in direct combat, it was perfect for escaping.
Seeing customers arrive, Blueno greeted them woodenly, "Welcome."
Though Takumi knew Blueno's true identity, there was no reason for him to expose it. CP9 had no particular enmity toward him, and besides, he was here just to enjoy some drinks.
"One bottle of your best liquor," Takumi said, placing the payment on the bar.
Blueno nodded without much emotion, took the money, and retrieved a bottle from the shelf behind him, setting it in front of Takumi.
At that moment, Enel and Marco entered the tavern and took seats on either side of Takumi.
"Give me the same as that kid," Marco said casually.
Enel, however, remained unchanged. "I'll have an apple juice."
"Pffft!" Marco almost spat out his drink in laughter.
Enel glared at Marco, who was separated from him by Takumi. "What's so funny, you jerk?!"
"Nothing, nothing," Marco waved it off, chuckling. "I just didn't expect a big guy like you to not drink."
"Hmph, I like apple juice. Got a problem with that?" Enel grumbled.
"No, no problem at all," Marco said, smiling. "Whatever makes you happy. Just try to relax a bit, like Takumi here. Look at how calm he is."
Takumi: "..."
These two are so noisy…
Takumi uncorked his bottle and took a sip. "You two go ahead to the Moby Dick."
"What, kicking me out already?" Marco asked with a playful grin. "I'm not here to keep an eye on you. Pops gave us a day off to roam around Water 7. We might even run into other crew members."
Takumi: "..."
Enel smirked. "You really don't get it, do you? What he's saying is you're annoying him, and he wants you gone."
"Oh, really?" Marco didn't seem offended in the slightest. "But he said 'you two,' not just me. That means he wants you to come with me to the Moby Dick."
Enel: "..."
"Isn't that right, Takumi?" Marco smiled, looking at him.
Takumi continued drinking, his silence signaling his agreement.
"There's no way I'm going to that ship," Enel muttered. "Aren't you worried I'll just run off if no one's watching?"
The last part of his sentence was directed at Takumi.
Takumi, unfazed, replied coldly, "Feel free."
Enel thought to himself: Is this guy serious?
"Haha," Marco laughed. "Big lightning guy, if Takumi doesn't want you anymore, you're more than welcome to join Whitebeard's crew."
"Hmph, in your dreams!" Enel snapped. "I'd never join you!"
At that moment, Blueno returned with Marco's drink and Enel's apple juice.
Marco uncorked his bottle and took a swig before wiping his mouth. "Well, who knows what the future holds? It seems like Takumi here just wants some alone time. So, big lightning guy, let's be sensible and head to the Moby Dick. Your powers are quite unique, and Pops might be interested."
Enel downed his apple juice in one go. "You keep going on about this 'Pops.' Is he really that strong? Stronger than a Marine Vice Admiral?"
"Vice Admiral?" Marco blinked, then burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! You're joking, right? Pops could take out an Admiral, no problem. A Vice Admiral's nothing."
Enel was shocked. "What?! You've got to be kidding me!"
"Why would I lie?" Marco said, shaking his head. "Pops is the world's strongest man."
"Hmph. Strongest man? That's a joke," Enel said, pointing at Takumi. "This guy is the strongest in the world."
Enel had been sticking with Takumi only because of his overwhelming power. Otherwise, he wouldn't have followed him at all.
"Takumi is strong, no doubt about that," Marco acknowledged. "But he's still young and has room to grow. I'm confident that one day, he'll be the strongest in the world, but not just yet."
Enel sneered, "You're clueless. You have no idea how terrifying Takumi can be."
Marco: "..."
To be told he was clueless by this fool…
Marco was both amused and exasperated.
Meanwhile, Takumi, sitting between the two as they debated who was stronger, found the whole conversation tiresome.
He wanted to kick both of them out...
"Alright, alright," Marco said with a laugh. "Let's drop it before Takumi loses his temper."
Takumi: "..."
"Tch." Enel grumbled in annoyance.
Marco got to his feet, lifting his half-full bottle with a playful grin. "Alright, big lightning guy, let's head to the Moby Dick. If you don't show up later, Takumi, don't blame us for holding this guy hostage."
Takumi smirked. "You can try."
"Come on, I'm just messing around," Marco said, shrugging. "I'll have some good wine ready for when you arrive. And by the way, you're paying for this bottle."
Takumi lazily waved his hand, signaling for Marco to leave.
Marco chuckled, then glanced at Enel. "Let's go, big lightning guy."
Enel looked at Takumi but said nothing as he followed Marco outside.
"Need a lift?" Marco asked, his blue phoenix wings unfurling.
"I don't need your help!" Enel snapped.
"Haha, so prideful," Marco laughed, taking off into the sky. His dramatic exit drew the attention of several passersby, though Marco paid them no mind. "Follow me, I'll lead the way."
Enel nodded, transforming into lightning as he sped after Marco.
"Not bad, looks like you've mastered your powers," Marco said mid-flight.
Enel, proud of himself, replied, "I am the god of lightning. Lightning is me, and I am lightning."
"Oh? You seem pretty confident in your abilities."
"Of course," Enel boasted.
"So," Marco's tone shifted, a grin playing on his lips. "Takumi must have defeated you before you joined him, right?"
At the mention of this, Enel's previous confidence waned a bit.
In truth, he had been forced into joining...
He could have been ruling Skypiea as a god, living a life where no one dared to oppose him—until he met Takumi.
Takumi, who was completely immune to his lightning and defeated him effortlessly.
Even though Enel hadn't been too willing to travel with Takumi at first…
"Hmph, so what if he did?" Enel retorted. He wasn't ashamed of being beaten by Takumi.
After all, it was better to stick with someone who didn't even fear Marine Admirals.