chapter 3

"A glass of vodka!"

Nia tossed a handful of banknotes onto the bar and leaned forward, resting her chin on one hand. She lounged lazily, her posture effortlessly drawing attention.

"How about sharing a drink, beautiful lady?"

A man, clearly entranced by Nia's appearance, slid into the seat beside her. Adopting what he thought was a suave demeanor, he spoke in a low, affected voice.

Nia's gaze flicked to him briefly, a hint of amusement in her eyes. The man, encouraged, pulled out a few large-denomination bills from his wallet and handed them to the bartender.

"Please open a bottle of Stein's red wine for me—the one from the Migio Winery. Their red wine is light and sweet with a rich, spicy undertone, just like this lovely lady here."

"Apologies, sir, we don't carry that brand," the bartender replied curtly.

"Ah, in that case, Stoven's white wine will do. It's a bit green, but still a fine match."

"Sorry, we don't have that either."

"Well, vodka will have to suffice," the man conceded with a chuckle. "After all, the most important part of drinking isn't the wine—it's the company."

Nia regarded the man coolly, her golden, cat-like eyes narrowing slightly. Her gaze drifted to his hands, noting the calluses on his palms and fingers—evidence of extensive training with swords or firearms. She also observed his poised gait when he had approached.

Military? Government agent? she mused. No… not skilled enough for that.

Not that it mattered.

"It sounds like you've had your fair share of fine wines," Nia said, her tone teasing. "But I've never heard of the ones you mentioned."

"Well," the man said with a smug grin, "I'm a lieutenant commander in the Navy Headquarters. My experiences come with the rank."

"Oh, a lieutenant commander? Impressive." Nia tilted her head, feigning awe. "I've heard the Navy Headquarters is on the Grand Line. You must've had some incredible adventures."

"Absolutely," the man replied, puffing out his chest. "The stories I could tell are beyond anything someone from the North Blue could imagine. Especially about the Grand Line. It's a world full of wonders and dangers you wouldn't believe."

The man's eyes glinted with satisfaction as he noticed Nia's apparent interest.

Hook, line, and sinker, he thought smugly. His routine never failed—reveal his rank, boast a bit about the Grand Line, and watch women from the lesser seas fall head over heels.

---

Across the tavern, Rhodes watched the exchange with mild disappointment.

"I thought he might be interesting," Rhodes muttered. "Turns out he's just another guy trying to use his rank to impress women."

"Don't underestimate her," Neru replied calmly. He observed the scene with a detached air. "Catwoman Nia isn't as simple as she looks. There's a reason she's earned that nickname."

---

Back at the bar, Nia finished her vodka in one gulp. She waved dismissively at the lieutenant commander, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"I thought I'd hear something exciting from you," she said with a sigh. "But all you've spouted is nonsense. I've never been to the Grand Line, but even I can tell someone like you wouldn't last a second against a sea king, let alone one that can swallow a warship."

Her words hit like a slap. The man's confident expression faltered.

"You're boring," Nia continued, her tone dripping with disdain. "I'm not interested in men who talk big but deliver nothing. Now, move along before I lose my appetite for drinking."

"You—!"

The lieutenant commander's face turned crimson with fury. He had fabricated most of his stories, embellishing tales he'd heard from others, but no one had ever called him out so brazenly.

His embarrassment turned to anger as the patrons around him began to smirk. Desperate to save face, he grabbed Nia's wrist, his grip tight.

"You shouldn't act so high and mighty, woman!" he spat.

Nia's expression remained unchanged. With a single fluid motion, she twisted his arm and flipped him over her shoulder.

Bang!

The lieutenant commander crashed to the floor with a loud thud, his vision spinning.

"Pathetic," Nia muttered, sneering down at him.

She turned to leave, but as she walked away, the lieutenant scrambled to his feet, his face twisted with rage. He lunged, throwing a punch at the back of her head with all his strength.

---

Rhodes raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"She'll handle it," Neru said nonchalantly.

---

The lieutenant commander barely registered the blur of motion before it was too late.

Boom!

Nia's long leg came crashing down in a devastating axe kick, striking him squarely on the head. The force drove him back to the ground, his body crumpling like a ragdoll.

"Tsk," Nia said, brushing off her hands. "I told you I wasn't interested. Annoying men are the worst."

She nudged the unconscious officer with her foot, then bent down to pick up his fallen wallet.

"Guess I'll take this as payment for my trouble."

She removed a few bills, stuffing them into her pocket, and tossed the wallet onto the bar counter.

"That should cover the damages," she said to the bartender. "Now, pour me another drink."

With that, Nia sauntered toward Rhodes and Neru's table, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Well," Rhodes said, a smirk playing on his lips. "She is interesting after all."