"The bar is offering a huge bonus today—all the alcohol you can drink is free!"
"Eh? Really?"
"Of course!"
"Hahaha! Then I'll drink until morning!"
---
On a sunny island, a young woman named Aiko stood in front of her tavern. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her head tilted slightly, and a cheerful smile graced her face.
Across the sea, Kaizen was on a small boat, looking toward the island with a thoughtful expression.
Suddenly, cannon fire erupted from every direction, and the peaceful island was engulfed in flames.
The vibrant, serene scene was consumed by the merciless blaze. The once-clear sky darkened with ominous clouds.
The sunshine, the island, and the tavern all disappeared in an instant, leaving only Aiko's warm smile lingering in Kaizen's mind.
"Please live freely and happily..."
These soft, fading words echoed in his head.
"Aiko! Aiko!" Kaizen cried out in despair, jolting awake abruptly.
The only thing before him was the vast blue sea. He was lying on a wooden plank, adrift for who knows how long.
After surviving the dangers of the Calm Belt and the vortex storms, Kaizen exhaled in relief and muttered, "Thank goodness... it was just a dream."
"Aiko must be a very lovely woman," came Fujitora's calm voice from beside him.
"Sensei! Are you all right?" Kaizen asked as he noticed Fujitora lying nearby.
Buggy was also there, dragging himself weakly, his lower half submerged in the seawater.
"We've cheated death, survived hell, and come back alive," Fujitora remarked thoughtfully.
"You mentioned Aiko. Haha, the wine she makes is delicious. That's all," Kaizen said with a small, content smile.
"At a critical time like this, stop talking about women, you two idiots," Buggy grumbled, lying limply on the wooden plank, his discomfort evident.
"That's true. We're still stuck out here. If we keep floating like this, we'll die," Fujitora noted in his usual calm tone, which Buggy found particularly irritating.
"Blind man, I don't need you to spell it out! I know!" Buggy snapped, glaring at him.
"It looks like a ship is approaching," Kaizen said suddenly, squinting ahead.
"What?! Where?" Buggy shot up like a spring, scanning the horizon desperately.
The sea was empty—no ship, not even a seagull in sight.
"Oops, I must have been seeing things," Kaizen replied lazily, closing his eyes again.
"You idiot! I bet you did that on purpose!" Buggy growled, frustration etched on his face.
"No, wait. There really is a ship," Fujitora said confidently, pointing in the distance.
"Don't you start too! You're just copying him!" Buggy snapped, rolling his eyes.
But before he could complain further, the unmistakable sound of a ship cutting through the waves reached them.
A large, luxurious sea restaurant came into view, approaching like a floating castle on the water.
"It's real! A massive ship! And it looks fancy! Not bad, blind man!" Buggy exclaimed, suddenly changing his tone as he patted Fujitora on the back.
Using the last of their strength, the three swam toward the floating restaurant that had appeared like a miracle.
---
In the sea restaurant, even though it was broad daylight, the interior lights were bright, giving the space a warm, inviting atmosphere. Despite it not being a meal rush, the restaurant was lively with nobles, elegant women, and rugged seafarers enjoying themselves.
"Is this the famous Baratie? What kind of garbage is this?! Are you trying to scam your customers?!" a loud, obnoxious voice echoed.
The clatter of a plate smashing onto the ground startled the entire restaurant.
The voice belonged to a wiry man with a small beard, narrow, cruel eyes, and a long, thin frame. His sinister demeanor made it clear he was trouble.
"That's Pirate Brand!"
"What?! The same Brand with a crew of a thousand pirates under his command?"
"Yeah, it's definitely him! He's unmistakable with that strange build and scary face!"
As the murmurs spread, most patrons hurriedly left, leaving their meals unfinished.
The once-busy restaurant quickly emptied out, leaving only a few staff members behind.
Among them, a middle-aged waiter approached. His calm demeanor suggested he had seen his share of trouble.
"Sir, we deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused. To make up for it, your meal will be on the house. If you'd like something else, it will be free of charge as well," the waiter said smoothly, hoping to diffuse the situation.
However, Brand sneered, not falling for the polite words.
"Do you think you can get rid of me that easily?" Brand smirked, crossing his legs on the table.
The waiter, though experienced, began to sweat under Brand's intense glare.
"If that doesn't satisfy you, what is it you want?" the waiter asked, trying to maintain his composure.
"What do I want? I'll tell you! I want to destroy this excuse of a sea restaurant!" Brand growled, slamming a fist on the table.
The waiter began to stammer, realizing this pirate wasn't here to negotiate.
Brand pulled out a pistol and, without hesitation, shot the waiter.
The man fell to the floor, motionless.
"Tch. Annoying old fool," Brand muttered, holstering his pistol.
A low, irritated voice suddenly broke the tension.
"Could you not make such a racket? Some of us are trying to enjoy a quiet breakfast."
Everyone turned to see a figure sitting lazily in the corner, sipping from a cup with evident disinterest.