Chapter 17: A Tavern of Tension

Inside a tavern, somewhere in the Grand Line, Josh sat sipping his drink, his expression indifferent. Though his body appeared to be around 17 years old, he mentally refused to pay for the alcohol—after all, drinks were for adults. He considered himself a minor pulled into this situation by a bunch of adults who should be held responsible for spoiling a child. 

'I miss my days in law school,' Josh mused, lifting his head and relaxing. He felt a growing desire to sue someone for bringing him here.

Looking around, he observed the agents with whom he had just completed a cooperative mission. They were in their casual clothes, seemingly unwinding. He had gotten to know their names: Mr. 3 was Galdino, and his partner, the short girl who looked around 16 years old and stood at only 145 cm, was Marianne. Mr. 1, on the other hand, was Daz Bonez—a name as sharp as his demeanour. Daz rarely spoke, merely crossing his arms and looking cool, until Zala (Ms. Doublefinger) had nudged him into saying it.

Zala had changed her appearance, wearing a bandanna to tame her usually curly hair. A strand still hung over her face. Josh decided not to ask about her hair, knowing full well that women can be sensitive about their looks.

"So, good job staying alive," Galdino said, sipping his drink.

"Was there any danger in the first place?" Zala crossed her arms and chuckled.

"My point," Daz Bonez added, his expression unchanging.

Josh watched the exchange, wondering if pranking Daz Bonez would make him react. But then again, he didn't feel like risking getting sliced in half.

"So, how should we split the money?" Mikita asked, breaking the silence.

They had already received their reward. The gold was delivered to headquarters, and the bounty from the pirates was ready to be divided.

"We should divide it by rank," Goldenweek suggested.

"How about we split it based on rank numbers?" Mr. 3 proposed.

This would mean Josh, as Mr. 7, and his partner Mikita would receive 1/7th of the share.

"How about we split it equally?" Mikita said, surprising everyone.

Suddenly, everyone except Josh and Daz Bonez burst out laughing.

"Ara ara, although your chest is a bit smaller, your sense of humour is big!" Zala teased, her hands resting on her chest.

"What did you say?!" Mikita stood up, ready to attack Zala.

"Easy, darling. Your boobs are big enough for me," Josh said, pulling Mikita by the waist back into his lap. He thought to himself, Since when was a double-D cup considered small? 

He glanced at Zala, whose bust was notably larger.

Mikita calmed down but continued exchanging glares with Zala. Meanwhile, Marianne had quietly grabbed a full bottle of alcohol and started drinking, trying to ignore her own lack of curves.

Josh relaxed, with Mikita still on his lap. "Whoever takes more should pay the bill," he said.

Everyone turned to look at him. Josh, remembering how his mentor used to act, raised his hand. "Let's base it on contributions. I'd rather go hunt more pirates with my partner than waste time bickering over a few berries."

Mikita smiled, snuggling closer. The others seemed to agree with his logic—it wasn't greedy, just practical.

"Hey, I only froze them, and Goldenweek made them weak," Galdino objected.

"We'll split it," Josh shrugged.

The other option was to call the boss of Baroque Works to settle the matter, but no one wanted to go down that route.

Galdino pointed to Zala and Daz Bonez. "But that means they take more, since they did the most killing."

Josh leaned back. "Mountains don't give back what they take."

As the conversation turned lighthearted again, Daz pointed at Marianne, who was now passed out after finishing a whole bottle. Zala chuckled. "Smarter than you, Mr. 3," she teased, winking at Josh.

Mikita shifted in Josh's lap, arousing him, and glared at Zala. "Stop looking at him."

"Seems like you're happy with your boyfriend," Zala teased.

"So happy," Mikita replied with a smirk.

"Are you two bi?" Josh asked, picking up on the sudden friendliness. "You've gotten close real fast."

"I'm dating you!" Mikita exclaimed, turning to Josh with a raised voice.

Josh smirked, teasing her with his expression. "Kyahaha," she laughed, though she didn't appreciate his teasing and suddenly increased her weight, causing the chair beneath him to collapse.

"You're crazy," Josh said, still smirking as Mikita remained seated on his lap.

"Who knows?" Mikita smiled coyly, leaning in to kiss him.

As they exchanged kisses, Galdino groaned. "Oh come on, find somewhere else to do that!"

"Boo!" Marianne slurred, still half-drunk.

Suddenly, a communication snail rang, interrupting the moment. The entire tavern went silent, even Mikita stopped moving.

"It's mine," Josh said, pulling the snail from his pocket. "Hello, Mr. 7 here."

On the other line, a familiar voice answered. "Mr. 7, are you available for a chat?"

Everyone in the room froze, except Mikita, who wasn't yet aware of the gravity of the situation. Zala covered her mouth, Galdino began sweating, and even Daz Bonez's cool demeanor seemed to falter.

"Yes, who's speaking?" Josh asked, already sensing the tension.

"Mr. 0."

Crocodile. Even Josh felt goosebumps. Everyone knew how ruthless Crocodile could be, especially if he found out they were slacking off and drinking.

"Hi sir, how may I serve you?" Josh said, his voice steady even with Mikita still on his lap.

"Are you alone?" Crocodile asked.

Josh glanced at Zala, who silently urged him not to rat them out with a wide-eyed, lip-biting expression.

"I'm only with my partner, naturally, relaxing after the last mission," Josh replied.

"I see," Crocodile's voice rumbled. After a brief pause, he continued, "I've noticed your abilities. Are you ready to prove you're worthy of joining our internal operations?"

"Internal operations?" Josh repeated.

"Yes. You'll become a high-ranking agent. The pay will be generous, and your partner will be included."

"Of course, sir," Josh said. "What's the mission?"

"One simple task. After that, you'll be fully initiated."

Josh nodded. "Sounds good. Just one thing—about the payment."

Crocodile paused. "What about it?"

"Can I get paid in advance?" Josh asked, much to everyone's shock. He needed the money to grow stronger, and getting it upfront would help.

There was a long silence. Zala nearly choked on her laugh, and Galdino looked like he was about to faint from panic. Daz Bonez clenched his jaw.

"You'll get the mission details soon. Rest tonight. Tomorrow, you'll move," Crocodile finally said before abruptly ending the call.

Zala burst out laughing, tears streaming from her eyes. "You've got guts, you know that?"

"Of course he does," Mikita chimed in, still sitting on Josh.

Galdino, finally catching his breath, looked at Josh in disbelief. "Talking to the boss like that… you've got balls of steel."

Daz Bonez, in his usual deadpan manner, added, "I do."

Josh smirked. "But they're as thin as a sword blade," he quipped, making everyone chuckle. Except Daz Bonez, whose eyes widened in anger for the first time.

"Relax, man. Just joking." Josh stood up, grabbing Mikita by the waist.

As the mood lightened again, Josh used Shave to vanish with Mikita, quickly making his way to their ship. Laughter echoed between them as they sailed away, awaiting Crocodile's next task.

"Do you think Daz will forget this?" Mikita asked, still giggling.

"One day, maybe," Josh replied, a grin spreading across his face.