An inexplicable rhetorical question made Maude look at Tatam with a slightly odd expression.
Pirate?
Maude didn't consider himself a pirate.
Nor did he have any interest in adopting such an identity in the future.
"No."
Without much thought, Maude answered Tatam's question.
Hearing the response, Tatam instinctively glanced at the stairs leading to the second floor. Then, lowering his head, he silently picked up a glass and continued polishing it.
Maude watched Tatam and said, "You haven't answered my question yet."
"Sell."
Prompted by Maude's inquiry, Tatam belatedly responded.
Indeed, his bar doubled as an information exchange.
That was why Wolfrat had stayed here long enough to form an acquaintance with him.
Maude's expression turned into one of realization.
To him, bars situated in such locations often sold more than just drinks—they thrived on trading information.
In this respect, it reminded him of the Hunter World.
Turning his gaze once more to the sparse patrons, Maude smiled. "This place is nice. I'll be coming by often."
Tatam was slightly taken aback but nodded after a moment. "You're welcome."
After just a few minutes of conversation, Tatam found himself feeling a small trace of goodwill toward Maude.
However, recalling that both Wolfrat and that dangerous woman seemed to have their sights set on Maude, he couldn't help but glance again at the staircase leading to the second floor.
From last night's interaction between Wolfrat and that woman, Tatam had easily deduced Wolfrat's true identity.
He also understood Wolfrat's motives for bringing Maude here.
A new friend, perhaps...
Tatam silently polished the glass, deciding not to intervene.
Although his initial impression of Maude was positive, Wolfrat was a close confidant—a more important connection than Maude.
During their brief exchange, Maude noticed that Tatam never spoke more than five words at a time.
Still, he could empathize with Tatam.
For a grown man, having such a voice would make anyone hesitant to speak freely.
Maude tilted his head toward the staircase and suddenly asked, "Does Wolfrat live here?"
Tatam nodded.
Maude nodded back in understanding, lowering his gaze to the glass in front of him as he contemplated Wolfrat s motives.
What puzzled him more was how Wolfrat had managed to find him earlier.
Like a bloodhound.
This suggested that disguises were useless against Wolfrat.
Yet, Wolfrat had approached him today as if they were strangers.
Was it to seek revenge for the shot I fired at him yesterday?
If that were the case, why had he stepped in to block Kazte last night?
The more Maude thought about it, the more contradictions he found. Wolfrat's motives were hard to pin down.
"Tatam, Wolfrat's name... It's not his real one, is it? Sounds more like a nickname."
"..."
Tatam glanced at Maude and chose to remain silent.
"Alright, my bad for asking."
Seeing Tatam's reaction, Maude smiled indifferently. He pulled out a banknote and placed it under his glass.
"Leaving already?"
Tatam's gaze flicked to the banknote pinned under the glass.
Usually, he wouldn't have asked.
"Yeah, I'll be back soon."
Maude stood, casually scooping up the weasel that had somehow managed to escape beneath a chair.
The weasel had a strong survival instinct—but unfortunately for it, the one holding it was Maude.
"I'm off. Tell Wolfrat I said goodbye."
Maude, carrying the weasel, headed toward the bar's exit.
Tatam silently watched him leave.
Ten minutes later, Wolfrat came downstairs after tending to his injuries.
Seeing the empty seat at the bar, he paused in surprise.
As for the weasel, he'd long since forgotten about it.
"Where's Usopp?"
"Gone."
Tatam glanced at Wolfrat's bandaged hands.
"Damn it! He just left like that!"
Wolfrat plopped onto a bar stool, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"I finally managed to befriend him. I was planning to strike while the iron's hot and strengthen our bond."
"Do you know what, Tatam? That guy Usopp got me into so much trouble today."
"Look at my hands, my back, and even my butt—these injuries are all thanks to him!"
"If I weren't so tough, I'd be lucky to still be standing, let alone drinking right now."
As Wolfrat grumbled, he pocketed the banknote Maude had left under the glass.
One drink certainly didn't cost 10,000 Berries.
Tatam watched Wolfrat's petty behavior with resignation. He was used to Wolfrat's chatter and rarely responded.
After finishing his tirade, Wolfrat downed the untouched drink left by Maude in one gulp.
"Another."
Tatam nodded and prepared another drink for him. As he served it, he asked, "He's the target, isn't he?"
"Who?"
Wolfrat instinctively responded.
"Usopp."
"That's not like you, Tatam."
"..."
"Let me tell you something. Usopp might not care about your voice, but trust me, that guy is nothing but trouble. Stay as far away from him as you can!"
"..."
"And don't meddle in any of this. Even if you already know something, act like you don't. If I hadn't stepped in last night, that woman would've had a thousand reasons to cut you down for just being a pirate. Not that you are one, of course."
"He's not one either."
Tatam looked at the seat Maude had just vacated.
Wolfrat stared at Tatamu in surprise.
"Tatam, I don't care whether he's a pirate now or not. I just know he'll become one in the future—and not just any pirate. He's going to be a major headache for the Marines."
"What do you mean?"
Tatam's face showed a hint of confusion.
Wolfrat set his glass down slowly, turning it with his thumb. "It's complicated. I don't want to explain, and you shouldn't ask."
Tatam nodded and fell silent.
"If things were different, maybe…"
Wolfrat's flippant demeanor grew solemn, his gaze turning cold.
Crack.
He accidentally crushed the glass in his injured hand.
"Seriously?"
Wolfrat looked at the shards in dismay. "Tatam, where'd you get these glasses? Cheap junk. You should go demand a refund."
"10,000."
Tatam responded flatly.
"Really?"
Wolfrat's mouth twitched.
"10,000."
Tatam reiterated.
Reluctantly, Wolfrat handed over the still-warm bill.
Maude returned to the weapon shop without incident.
The moment he stepped inside, he felt a sharp glare.
Facing Sunny's pointed look, Maude pretended not to notice.
"Sunny, is Sol still asleep?"
"No idea."
Sunny replied curtly.
"Alright then."
Maude approached the counter and held up the weasel.
"Look, I brought back something good."
"Extra meat?"
Sunny asked, eyeing the weasel skeptically.
The weasel shuddered violently.
What kind of people are these?!
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