Chapter 78: Invitation
"Hahahahahahahahahahaha!"
"Hahahahahahahahaha!"
"Hahahahahahahahahahaha!"
For a moment, laughter spread throughout the room as the former slaves released the joy in their hearts.
Finally, they all knelt down and kowtowed in the direction Charlotte had left, tears of relief streaming down their faces.
They were free, and only those who have experienced true despair can fully comprehend the value of freedom.
Charlotte, walking away with Redfield, sensed their gratitude through his observation Haki.
As they exited the auction house through the back door, Charlotte stretched and glanced around the bustling streets.
"Let's find a bathhouse. I'm starting to smell like blood."
Unbeknownst to them, Charlotte's crew was searching the city for him.
---
At the harbor, on the deck of their ship, a group of crew members surrounded Paul.
"Brother Paul! Where's the boss? We agreed to meet here at this time today, but he hasn't shown up!"
Paul frowned as he scanned the empty horizon, his mind racing.
"The boss isn't the type to be late," Paul muttered, his unease growing.
He looked over at Isaac, who stood silently beside him.
"Isaac, if the boss doesn't show up in another half hour, take some of the men and search the city. I'll stay here in case he comes back and send up a signal to let you know."
Isaac nodded, agreeing with Paul's plan.
After waiting for half an hour, Isaac took ten crew members and headed into the Seven Waters City to search for Charlotte.
---
Charlotte and Redfield found a bathhouse and settled in.
"Mmm~! This is the life!"
Charlotte leaned back in the steaming water, enjoying the soothing warmth and the skilled massage of a beautiful attendant.
"Redfield, have you ever considered joining my crew?"
Charlotte glanced at Redfield, who was soaking nearby with a relaxed expression.
Redfield raised an eyebrow, his tone neutral.
"Is this how you invite someone?"
"I think we get along pretty well," Charlotte said casually. "Why not join my ship? You can be my vice-captain. What do you think?"
Redfield looked at Charlotte, a rare flicker of amusement in his eyes.
"Are you planning to leave the Rocks Pirates?"
Charlotte nodded slightly.
"More or less. Rocks won't last much longer anyway."
Redfield's eyes narrowed as he studied Charlotte's expression.
"What do you mean by that?"
Charlotte leaned forward, resting his arms on the edge of the bath.
"If I told you that Rocks would die next year, would you believe me?"
Redfield's face turned serious. He didn't ask how Charlotte knew but instead stared into his eyes, weighing his words carefully.
After a long pause, Redfield let out a sigh.
"I refuse."
His response was decisive, but Charlotte's reaction surprised him.
"Oh."
Charlotte's nonchalant response caught Redfield off guard.
"That's it? You're not even going to ask why? That's not how a proper invitation works."
Charlotte rolled his eyes.
"Do I look like a normal person to you?"
Redfield chuckled, shaking his head.
"Fair enough."
Despite his refusal, Redfield found himself enjoying Charlotte's company. Their conversations were refreshingly unpredictable, unlike his interactions with most people, whose thoughts he could read easily.
After a moment of silence, Redfield took a sip of red wine from a goblet.
"Why are you in the first half of the Grand Line? Do you have a mission? If it's inconvenient to answer, don't bother."
Charlotte opened one eye lazily, watching the steam rise from the water.
"I don't mind sharing. I'm looking for a weapon that suits me. I heard there's a legendary blade on a small island in the Grand Line, so I decided to check it out."
Redfield's eyes gleamed with interest.
"If you find it, let me know. I'll return to complete our unfinished fight."
Charlotte smirked.
"Learn how to use Conqueror's Haki first. Otherwise, you'll never be a match for me."
Redfield fell silent, his expression unreadable.
---
Suddenly, Charlotte sat up, splashing water everywhere.
"Shit! I forgot my crew is waiting for me!"
Redfield opened one eye and glanced at him with mild annoyance.
"No wonder they say pirates have no sense of time," he muttered, standing reluctantly.
The two quickly dressed and exited the bathhouse.
Outside, Charlotte turned to Redfield with a small smile.
"Looks like it's time for us to part ways."
Redfield nodded, a hint of reluctance in his gaze.
"Yes. Until next time."
"Goodbye," Charlotte said with a wave, striding off toward the harbor.
Redfield watched him go, a rare smile tugging at his lips.
---
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