The Redhorn Pirates were wiped out overnight.
The mastermind behind this carnage? He had already returned safely to the Nightshade Bar.
Tatamu, now dressed in his bartender uniform, had resumed his humble guise.
After briefly consulting Tatamu's opinion, Maude plopped himself onto a chair.
Since the bar owner himself didn't care about the bloodstains, Maude saw no reason to hold back.
"Got a smoke?"
Tonight had been an overwhelming success, and Maude couldn't resist indulging in a celebratory cigarette.
Tatamu nodded and retrieved a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from the drawer, which seemed to contain just about everything.
Maude glanced curiously at the contents of the drawer before accepting the cigarette. He lit it and took a drag.
This body had no prior addiction to smoking, but who could say? Picking it up now might lead down an irreversible path.
Not that Maude cared.
Life was too short not to enjoy what you loved.
Maude smoked leisurely while Tatamu prepared his drink.
As for Wolfrat, the man had gone straight upstairs upon returning to the bar to tend to his injuries.
Half an hour later, a bandaged Wolfrat descended the stairs, sat beside Maude, and promptly ordered a drink from Tatamu.
"With Kazte dead, the Redhorn Pirates are finished," he remarked.
"Exactly," Maude replied, putting down his glass and lighting another cigarette. "Now you don't have to live in fear anymore, Wolfrat."
"???"
Wolfrat turned to look at Maude. After a moment, he chuckled, only to wince as the motion tugged at his wounds, cutting his laughter short. Through gritted teeth, he muttered, "Usopp, I have to say, I owe you one. I don't even know how to thank you."
"Say no more. Your thanks is in the drink."
"Cheers!"
Wolfrat raised his glass and clinked it against Maude's.
After idling for a while longer, Maude finished his drink and stood up to leave.
"Heading out?" Tatamu asked.
Wolfrat also rose, watching Maude expectantly.
Maude nodded. "Yeah, see you tomorrow."
With that, under their gazes, Maude pushed open the bar door and stepped into the night.
Upon returning to Sol's Weapon Shop, Maude went straight to the bathroom.
Bailey, bound and slumped against the hallway wall, perked up slightly at the sound. When he saw it was Maude, he hastily buried his head and curled into a ball, feigning sleep.
Ignoring Bailey, Maude entered the bathroom, washed up briefly, and headed upstairs to his room.
Before returning to the shop, he had already discarded his bloodstained outerwear in a random alleyway in the residential area.
After stashing his Dark Crow securely under his bedsheets, Maude lay down and closed his eyes.
In no time, he drifted into a deep sleep.
The next morning.
Maude woke up and instinctively reached for the side of the bed.
To his surprise, he felt nothing.
"Where's my sword?"
Startled, Maude quickly got up and pulled back the bedsheets, only to find them empty.
"Where did it go?"
The Dark Crow's disappearance sent a wave of unease coursing through him.
He crouched to check under the bed but still found nothing.
"Don't tell me it was…"
A troubling thought crossed his mind, and Maude clutched his forehead in dismay.
Opening his door, he stepped into the hallway, casting a wary glance at Sol's firmly shut door before tiptoeing downstairs.
He held onto a shred of hope, thinking maybe Sunny had taken the sword.
Crossing the hallway, Maude soon reached the kitchen doorway.
What greeted him was Sol seated at the table, expressionless, with a black-and-red longsword in hand.
Sunny, wearing an apron, was busy preparing breakfast.
Bailey, still securely bound, lay sprawled under the table. His head was buried, but his entire demeanor radiated smug schadenfreude.
"Morning," Maude greeted calmly, his gaze shifting to the sword in Sol's hand. Feigning nonchalance, he said, "Sol, when did you buy a new fine sword?"
"Ha."
Sol tugged at the corner of his mouth, letting out a hollow laugh.
Maude chuckled along. "This blade has such a subtle aura—it must be a Wazamono (Grade Blade), right?"
"Ha."
Sol laughed again but didn't bother replying, cutting straight to the point.
"Well, well. Didn't think you'd secretly get yourself a sword. And not just any sword—it's already tasted blood, hasn't it? Impressive."
"…"
Realizing there was no hiding it, Maude forced an awkward smile and wisely decided to keep his mouth shut.
Seeing his silence, Sol unsheathed the Dark Crow and casually tossed the scabbard aside. With a smirk that didn't reach his eyes, he said, "So? Didn't know you could use a sword. How about showing me a move or two?"
"…"
"If you can actually impress me, I'll let this slide. Otherwise, the next few months, if you so much as step out of this shop, I'll break your legs."
"You'll keep your word?"
Maude asked cautiously, gauging the fiery anger in Sol's eyes.
How could he possibly stay cooped up indoors? He had just improved his physique to a one-star level and had plans to press forward, racking up more experience from targets like Abby.
"Hm?"
Sol hadn't expected Maude to agree so readily. He shot a subtle glance at Sunny before tossing the Dark Crow at Maude's feet.
"Relax. Ask anyone on this street—they'll tell you Sol's word is his bond."
"You said it."
Maude picked up the Dark Crow, gripping it firmly.
Noticing Maude's textbook-perfect sword grip, Sol's brows twitched slightly, and he cast another discreet look at Sunny.
Sunny, who had paused her breakfast preparations, now stared at Maude, puzzled.
Yesterday, she had seen him flailing the sword like a complete novice. But now… something was different.
Understanding that Sunny must have snitched, Maude shot her a sharp glare.
Sunny pretended not to notice.
Turning his attention back to Sol, Maude said seriously, "I'm starting."
Sol nodded.
Taking a deep breath, Maude retreated to a spacious area and raised the sword horizontally in front of him.
After acquiring Gabton's experience, the sword now felt like an extension of his hand—familiar and natural.
His gaze sharpened, adopting the air of a seasoned swordsman.
Swish!
With a sudden burst of force, Maude slashed three quick strokes, forming a fleeting "X"-shaped cross of sword light in the air.
Sol couldn't help but glance at Sunny, his expression grim.
You've got to be kidding me.
Sunny, meanwhile, turned away, briskly resuming her breakfast preparations.
Seeing Sol's reaction, Maude knew he had succeeded.
Feigning a few coughs to redirect Sol's attention, he said earnestly, "You gave your word."
"Word? What word? I don't know what you're talking about."
Sol's face betrayed no guilt, playing dumb with unmatched skill.
"???"
Maude froze.
At the kitchen counter, Sunny nearly cut her finger in surprise.
Under the table, Bailey let out a long, sorrowful sigh. Suddenly, he found himself missing the freedom of the great forest.
Thinking back, the streams there… They were so clean.
And thus, under Sol's relentless feigned ignorance, Maude found himself grounded.
Meanwhile, word of the Redhorn Pirates' annihilation spread like wildfire through the taverns, becoming the hottest topic of conversation.
"Usopp took out the entire Redhorn Pirates by himself?"
"Yeah, and they say he killed Kazte with a single slash!"
The stories grew more exaggerated with every retelling.
The root cause? Last night's pack of Jackal Pirates.
It all started with their boastful embellishments.
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