King Kong Barbie?

Chapter 39: King Kong Barbie?

Rodney and Crocus entered a tavern filled with the scent of alcohol, neither particularly good nor bad.

"The wine is decent, but the selection is lacking," Crocus, being an experienced old man, could discern the quality of wine just by its taste. Rodney, being a newcomer, could only follow along and pretend to appreciate it.

"Two guests, what would you like to drink? We have excellent wine made from last year's harvested grapes. It's quite delightful," the bartender recommended.

Crocus waved his hand dismissively. "Bring me the strongest wine. The wine is like fruit juice; it doesn't have to taste good." He preferred potent alcohol, the kind that took you to the edge.

"Very well!" The bartender smiled and went to fetch the strongest drink.

The local drunkards exchanged glances, realizing that these newcomers were in for some trouble. They had ordered the strongest drink, and that meant trouble for them. They didn't even need to resort to tricks; alcohol alone would be enough to take them down!

The bartender served the drink that Crocus had requested, and Rodney, with a deadpan expression, said, "I'll have a cup of oolong tea(1)."

"What's oolong tea?" The bartender was taken aback, clearly unfamiliar with Rodney's request.

"Sorry, I forgot something." Rodney slapped his forehead, then picked up a bottle of whiskey and an unidentified transparent liquor from the shelf. He mixed them together, and the liquid caught fire.

Well, as we all know, oolong tea can be set ablaze. Blowing out the flame, he took a satisfied sip.

Rodney: ...

Silently, he put down the glass, rolled his eyes, and slumped onto the table, unwilling to get up.

Everyone: ...

Crocus: "Your tolerance for alcohol is abysmal. How can you survive in the sea?"

He picked up the wine bottles and began drinking them one by one, pointing at Rodney. 

"Bring ten more bottles and put them on the boy's tab."

Rodney: ...

After ten bottles had passed, Crocus, too, fell to the floor.

"Hmph! Two weaklings who can't hold their liquor. I could finish a whole barrel myself!" one person sneered.

"Ha! I can handle three barrels!"

"I can handle ten barrels!"

"Twenty barrels!"

Unbeknownst to them, a quarrel had broken out among the bounty hunters in the tavern.

"Enough with the arguing," a voice interrupted, and two people entered the tavern, bringing the quarrel to a halt.

The first person to enter was a middle-aged man with long curly hair, dressed in a suit and leather shoes. He spoke with a slow and kind tone, instantly calming the rowdy atmosphere. Following behind him was a tall, dark-skinned... nun?

Indeed, she was dressed as a nun, but her face... well, she had a unique face, but without a beard. If there had been a beard, it would have easily been mistaken for a man.

The two individuals were the mayor of Whiskey Peak, Igaram, and the nun, who were actually members of the Baroque Works, Mr. 8 and Miss Monday.

Mr. 8 was not only a mid-level agent of Baroque Works but also the captain of the Alabasta Kingdom Guard. He worked as an undercover agent, protecting Princess Vivi and investigating the secrets of Baroque Works. He had infiltrated the organization alongside Princess Vivi.

However, the bounty hunters stationed here by Crocodile, who controlled Whiskey Peak, would capture inexperienced young pirates who had just entered the Grand Line. These unfortunate souls would then be exchanged for bounties, providing funds for Baroque Works.

Mr. 8 glanced at the now silent crowd and spoke, "The pirate hunter from the East Blue had a bounty of only three million bellies. If taken down and turned in to the Marine branch, one will receive the bounty—three million bellies."

"Three million bellies? That's hardly impressive."

"A pirate hunter? From the weakest sea area? Pathetic."

"Yes, no need to bother getting them drunk."

"Where is that useless old man?"

"Just a worthless old man. Throw him into the sea; whether he survives is up to him."

A few people chatted amongst themselves, but as they tried to carry Rodney away, the seemingly "drunk" Rodney waved his hands, causing those people to crash into the wall.

"Well, that's quite the strength!"

Witnessing those people sinking into the wall, unable to extricate themselves, a group of onlookers swallowed nervously. Mr. 8 furrowed his brow and said, "Miss Monday, it's your turn."

"Okay." 

Miss Monday approached, extending her bear-like hand to grab Rodney. Her wrist hurt, and upon closer inspection, her wrist was being gripped by another hand—Rodney's hand, which was even stronger, faster, and smaller.

Rodney opened his eyes, his dark gaze seemingly mocking.

Just like this: ╭∩╮（￣▽￣）╭∩╮

Miss Monday flipped her wrist, freeing herself from Rodney's grip.

In a feminine voice that contrasted her rough appearance, she spoke, "You're a man with great strength, but not stronger than me."

Rodney: ? ?

'Who said that? And I didn't even use my full strength?'

With his peculiar power, his body was enveloped in chakra, emanating a powerful aura that could easily shatter walls. It was a power-boosting ability that allowed him to augment his strength.

The more chakra he used, the greater his power became. By allocating chakra properly, he could unleash tremendous destructive force. The chakra consumption was manageable.

Seated there, his chakra surged, creating violent air currents that made their clothes rustle. Crocus, on the side, couldn't help but open one eye and glance at Rodney.

'Does this kid have some hidden tricks? No wonder he dares to venture alone into the Grand Line.'

Miss Monday narrowed her eyes, her fist aimed at Rodney's head. Rodney countered with "Fish-Man Karate: Pulverizing Pressure Plunge!" The resulting impact shattered the ground beneath Rodney's feet, unloading the force onto the superior ground.

Miss Monday, however, wasn't as fortunate. She was sent flying back, unable to withstand the force of Rodney's strike. Taking advantage of the situation, Rodney pursued his advantage!

"Shave!"

"Leaf Whirlwind!"

Bang!

Miss Monday was kicked away by Rodney. Though it was "Leaf Whirlwind," the blow wasn't lethal. It only incapacitated her temporarily, preventing her from recovering quickly.

"What are you all waiting for? Why don't you finish him off?" 

Mr. 8's words snapped the stunned group of bounty hunters back to reality after witnessing Miss Monday's defeat.

They raised their guns and began shooting at Rodney!

Ratoon's Note:

Oolong tea- is a traditional Chinese tea that falls between green tea and black tea in terms of oxidation levels.