Chapter 115

"No, no, no I didn't mean that.... that's not what I intended," Arnold hurriedly protested.

Arnold had known that in this region, there was a woman with black moles who had an aggressive nature.

So , with this notion in mind, Arnold had carefully selected the freshest fruits, ones with no damage for her child so there would be no problem.

Confusion clouded the mole woman's face. "Then, what do you mean?"

The woman with the mole reached out and grasped Arnold's hand and implored,

"Please explain clearly. If you are giving me this peculiar fruit, are you ready to shoulder the responsibility in case my child consumes it and falls victim to its poison?"

"Unless you give a satisfactory explanation today, you might as well shut down this fruit shop," she added assertively.

Uttering those words, the black mole woman commenced a vehement outcry, summoning attention from the people nearby.

"Gather 'round, everyone! Witness this heartless scoundrel attempting to poison my dear child to their demise!"

Her cry summoned shoppers nearby, forming a curious audience.

"I didn't do it!"

"I swear, it's not what you think!"

"The fruit isn't mine, honestly."

"I have no connection to this fruit!"

Arnold's face contorted with frustration as he struggled to break free from the woman's grip, yet his efforts were futile.

Even Anuo, who had sought to speak up for Arnold and defend his innocence, found himself ensnared in the situation as well.

The middle-aged man had merely spoken a few words in Arnold's favor, voicing his support, but little did he anticipated he found himself branded an accomplice in this alleged poisoning her child.

.....

"Is that a Devil Fruit????"

"Could it belong to that person?? Has it already appeared in the sea?" muttered someone among the assembled crowd.

A scar-faced pirate's eyes gleamed. He had a long scar on his face.

Never could he have anticipated stumbling upon a Devil Fruit while merely seeking some diversion.

Without hesitation, he quickly maneuvered his way through the crowd, deftly seizing the Devil Fruit.

"My sincerest apologies, I seem to have misplaced it."

Upon hearing these words, the mole woman halted, her gaze landing on the scarred man.

Discerning his unassuming attire and genuine demeanor, she promptly relinquished Arnold's hand and instead clutched the scarred man's hand.

"Very well, I hadn't foreseen your cruelty. I didn't expect you to be so cruel that you wanted to poison my child to death. Unless you provide an explanation today, you shall not depart."

The man with the scar frowned slightly. He marveled at the foolishness of this woman mistaking an invaluable Devil Fruit for a poisonous one. Truly, this person lacked discernment.

"Fool," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with exasperation.

"Release your grip. I find myself in a rather good mood today, so don't force me to take more severe measures."

"Threatening me?" she retorted, her voice laced with a mix of indignation and fearlessness.

"Presumably, my elderly stature emboldens you. Approach if you wish to strike, strike right here, do you assume I'll cower?

Try your luck, strike me if you dare!"

As her words hung in the air, the woman leaned forward audaciously.

Unexpectedly, a sinister aura emanated from the eyes of the man bearing long scars, his gaze fixed upon the woman before him.

With a swift motion, he drew the sword hanging from his waist and thrust it directly towards her head.

"Ah!!!"

The mole woman's piercing scream resonated as she crumpled to the ground, pain coursing through her.

"Mother…"

"Mother…"

The bystanders who had been leisurely enjoying their melons were jolted from their reverie, hastily scattering in all directions.

With a surge of panic, they scattered like leaves caught in the wind.

The scarred man wasted no time lingering. His concern wasn't the woman retaliating; rather, he dreaded the attention other pirates and marines alike might catch the sight of this precious Devil Fruit which now clasped in his hand.

Not far from the bustling Grove No. 30 shopping street, the coastline stretched, and it was here that the Eternal Gale had been peacefully docked.

With Carnes' permission, a grand feast was underway.

However, among the attendees were also three pirate groups affiliated with Gale Emperor Pirates and Carnes.

"It's a shame you didn't join us during the Marineford battle."

"Indeed, it was a battle that would make your heart race!"

"Did you witness the captain and commanders' might?

The captain took on three opponents single-handedly. He's took on the Marine Fleet Admiral, the hero of the Marines, the strongest man in the world."

"Moreover, he even managed to kill one adversary. Hahahahaha..."

"Even the commander Ulquiorra had the upper hand when faced with two Marine Admirals simultaneously."

Amidst the celebration, a group of dozens huddled around a table. Much of their discussion centered on the events of Marineford.

Listening to these accounts, Bonney and other affiliated pirates hung their heads, feeling uncomfortable under the scrutiny and sensing their discomfort akin to sitting on pins and needles.

Who could have foreseen the extent of Carnes' power, having grown to such monstrous heights?

Against the world's strongest forces, he stood alone and emerged victorious, not only that he also killed Whitebeard.

A chilling realization settled upon her. I... have joined a terrifying pirate group.

"Who's she?"

After a prolonged period of contemplation, Bonney inquired of a senior crew member seated nearby.

Following the trajectory of Bonney's gaze, the crew member responded amiably between sips of his drink,

"Ah, her. She's the newest addition to our crew, Commander Tatsumaki."

"Commander? Tatsumaki?"

Bonney's eyes widened imperceptibly, taken aback by this revelation.

"This young girl is a high-ranking member of the Gale Emperor Pirates?"

"Indeed," the senior crew member affirmed, adding with a wry grin,

"Don't be deceived by her child like appearance; she wields remarkable strength. I'd venture to guess she could take you down ten times over without breaking a sweat."

Bonney felt a pang of embarrassment; what a disheartening realization. To think she'd be overshadowed to such an extent – someone capable of outmatching her ten times over.

This caused her to question herself as she had regarded herself as among the mightiest in these waters.

Since joining Carnes' affiliated pirate group, I've been getting cruel reality checks???

"Come come, Commander Tatsumaki ,join us! I never thought you'd hold your drink so well; I didn't expect you to drink so well."

Across the table, the senior crew members raised their glasses to Tatsumaki, toasting her repeatedly.

Tatsumaki, of course, wasn't one to be overly polite. She clutched a bottle of wine in one hand, taking swigs and moving from Right side to Left side with each gulp.

"It's a shame the captain's taking a break; this place would be even livelier if he were around."

No doubt about that.

Apart from Carnes, there were other special crew members noticeably absent from the feast.

For instance, Ulquiorra Cifer—seated on the ship's railing, he refrained from indulging in the meat or drink, merely observing in silence.

Obito and Nagato had a similar approach, though compared to Ulquiorra Cifer, they were a bit more relaxed. They sat on the railing as well, indulging in the meat and occasionally sipping from a wine glass...

Then there was Albedo, seated behind the very chair Carnes was reclining in, waiting patiently.

After a short while, Tatsumaki began to feel the effects of her overindulgence of wine, her face flushing.

In the past, I'd have used my hands, but now lets me use my psychic powers.

With a wave of her hand, dozens of wine bottles soared into the air, manipulated by her extraordinary abilities.

"Boom boom boom..."

In a matter of moments, corks popped from the dry, aged wine bottles.

"Easy there, take it slow, take it easy."

There was a momentary pause as everyone hurriedly attempted to intervene.

"Alright, alright, Commander Tatsumaki, you've had enough."

"Really?"

"Hmmp?"

Tatsumaki's gaze darkened, and she retorted with an air of arrogance:

"I just had a mere sip of alcohol; you think that's enough to get me drunk? Don't underestimate me and my capacity."

"Let's share a drink together!!!"

"Let's drink together!!!"

At that instant, manipulated by her psychic abilities, bottles of exquisite wine gracefully soared into their awaiting hands.

"A low growl rumbled through the room....

Though everyone's brows furrowed slightly, they surrendered to the libation's allure and indulged deeply.

"Hush!!"

This time, an array of crates containing fine wine levitated into the air.

"Bam Bam..."

In the blink of an eye, every lid was unsealed.

"Join in, join in! No one is excused until the last drop is drained!!!"

"None shall depart before that."

Perplexed expressions danced across the faces of the group.

"?"

"Why the silence? Ah, I see. The quantity isn't satisfactory, is it? I concur."

In hushed tones, all the wine bottles strewn across the ground levitated upwards.

"Bam bam..."

The lids of bottle clattered onto the floor.

"That shall suffice!"

Scatter!

Charge forth!

"That's the spirit!"

Precisely in that very moment, a crew members seated at Tatsumaki's side conceived a plan.

"Hey, hey! Where might you be off to, sneaking off, huh? You are not allowed to go!"

Yes. those who shared the table with Tatsumaki emitted a vivid emerald, green glow.

Swiftly, they levitated into mid-air.

With a graceful turn, they were settled back into their seats, one after another.

"????"

"Gah!!!"

A grim realization dawned upon them.

Their matter had escalated and was spiraling into chaos.

"Swish Swish Swish!!!"

A large wine crate fell infront of each individual.

"Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

Audible swallows reverberated throughout the room.

"Tatsumaki... Commander Tatsumaki, she's truly taking this to the extreme.

This can't be real, can it?"

"We're done for. Commander Tatsumaki's completely drunk."

"We can't escape her; she is unbeatable when it comes to drinking!!!"

"Only Captain can save us," cried out the crew members.

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