Konoha: I Have Hidden Identity

Chapter 18.

Did Walpo really get anorexia?!!

This surprised Suzuki.

That brutal king of Drum Island, who used to eat all day long, now wouldn't even eat the devil fruit that was delivered to him?

"I'm telling you, young man, there's also that village to the north."

"…"

The innkeeper was still talking enthusiastically. Seeing this, Suzuki did not rush to interrupt his incessant chatter.

He temporarily set aside other thoughts, maintaining a calm expression, patiently waiting for the innkeeper to finish speaking.

"And also, that… cough cough."

The innkeeper had been talking for almost half an hour, and perhaps his throat was dry. Suzuki glanced at the cup of water he was holding and handed it back to the innkeeper with a smile:

"Innkeeper, have a drink."

The innkeeper showed an embarrassed expression, scratching his head with his right hand, awkwardly laughing:

"Ah ha ha ha, look at me, oh thank you, no need, no need, I won't talk about it anymore, I'll just get myself a cup later, ha ha ha~"

Suzuki chuckled in response:

"Alright then, innkeeper, do you have a tavern here? I'm going out for a stroll."

The innkeeper nodded with a smile and told Suzuki:

"Yes, I just came back from there, ha ha. The tavern is a left turn after you go out, you'll see it in a few hundred meters. By the way, our dinner is around seven in the evening, so if you're not eating out, remember to come back early, okay?"

Suzuki nodded with a smile, thanked the innkeeper, then picked up the cotton-padded jacket he had placed on the back of the chair. He noticed a newspaper on the table, so he casually picked it up and set the cup down on the table.

After pushing open the main door, Suzuki quickly felt the biting cold wind hitting him, and in front of him was an endless expanse of white.

He stuffed the newspaper into his jacket, tightened the collar a bit, and began walking towards the peaks of the capital.

The peak is called Drum Rockies, and the name of Drum Island is derived from this mountain.

On the way, he encountered some interesting creatures, and he vaguely remembered that they were called "Laban" rabbits in the original manga.

Since the village was not far from the capital, he soon reached the foot of the mountain.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, Suzuki looked up at the towering cliffs.

Typically, mountain peaks are conical, wider at the base and narrower at the top, making them relatively easy to climb.

But Drum Rockies is different; it has a cylindrical shape, with the same width at both the top and bottom, and the surrounding cliffs are almost vertical, making it extremely difficult to climb. The capital is located at the top of this mountain.

Looking at the towering cliffs and feeling the smooth rock face, Suzuki stood quietly for a moment in thought.

Then he wandered around the mountain a few times, scouting the surrounding environment, before returning to the village to check out the tavern.

Before long, Suzuki arrived at the tavern.

As soon as he entered, he noticed that there were quite a few people inside, various individuals gathered around the tables, drinking and chatting, with the noise and clamor filling the air.

"Hey~ Blanch, I'm so sad…"

"Hahaha, come on, Morishima, let's finish this bottle…"

"..."

"Robbie, what brings you down today?"

Suzuki squinted his eyes, keenly picking up a remark that might relate to his purpose.

With a gentle smile on his face, he casually glanced around as he walked toward the tavern , noticing that the voice came from a group of tattooed, burly men huddled together, drinking and chatting.

Suzuki ordered a glass of rum at the bar, took his drink, and walked over to a nearby table. He pulled out the newspaper from his jacket, quietly sat down, and listened attentively to their conversation.

"Hahaha, I didn't expect the king would send me down to buy food; I just took this opportunity to have a drink with you all!"

"Sounds good, Robbie, this is a great deal for you, so you're treating us?"

"Haha, I'll treat, I'll treat!"

"I heard the prince's condition is getting worse; can't all those doctors do anything?"

"No, and let me tell you, the king is planning to force-feed the prince a devil fruit!"

"Ah? Really?"

"Really!"

"That devil fruit is called the Baku-Baku no mi, right? Eating it can cure anorexia?"

"Who knows? But the abilities of devil fruits are indeed very mysterious; maybe it can cure the prince."

"..."

"Enough, enough, I'm going to buy food now~"

"Okay, come back for a drink when you have time, Robbie~"

The few people were already preparing to leave, while Suzuki remained seated, leisurely sipping his rum. When the one named Robbie opened the door, he stood up and followed.

Walking out of the inn and watching Robbie in front of him, Suzuki silently followed behind, observing from a distance as Robbie bought food and prepared to head to the royal capital with his sled.

Suzuki hid in advance along the route where Robbie would take the cable car to the royal capital.

At a deserted corner, carefully calculating the timing, Suzuki calmly placed an apple on the ground.

Then he suddenly rushed out, knocking Robbie, who was pulling a sled full of food, to the ground. Many items from the sled spilled onto the snow.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, are you okay?" Suzuki said apologetically.

Robbie's face was filled with anger, and his fury did not lessen upon hearing Suzuki's apology. He angrily shouted at Suzuki, "Are you sick? This is food prepared for the prince, do you understand the consequences?"

Suzuki's face was filled with panic. "Ah, this? What should I do? Let me help you pick it up~"

Robbie's eyes rolled, and he pretended to threaten, "What good is picking it up? It fell on the ground, it's dirty! Can the prince eat such dirty things?"

Suzuki's face grew even more flustered. "Then... I, I..."

Robbie seemed quite pleased with Suzuki's expression, a hint of glee in his eyes, while continuing to maintain a fierce demeanor, he threatened Suzuki, "What do you mean, what? Pay me! One hundred thousand berries, do you know how much it costs to buy it again?"

Suzuki's expression changed, first reluctant, then fearful, and finally he pleaded with Robbie, "How much is it? Can you make it less? I came here to get treated and only brought a little money for treatment..."

Robbie was indifferent, maintaining his fierce expression. "This is food exclusively supplied to the royal family, one hundred thousand berries, not a single less!"

He then glanced at the food on the ground, even noticing the apple at the corner, pointed towards the cable car destination leading to the mountaintop royal capital, and viciously said, "Pick up everything on the ground and put it back properly, then push it over there for me!"

"This... this, I'll give you money after I pick it up..."

Suzuki looked like he was about to cry, but still squatted down to pick up the food.

When he reached the corner, Suzuki suddenly picked up the apple and ran away. Seeing Suzuki's figure disappear around the corner, Robbie quickly chased after him but only found an apple at the end of the corner.

Robbie's face was full of unwillingness as he spat on the ground and angrily cursed into the empty alley, "Damn kid, I hope I don't see you again, or I'll beat you to death! I just lost one hundred thousand berries, damn it!"

Although filled with anger, Robbie still picked up the apple and returned to the sled.

Before long, Robbie arrived at the cable car station, pulling the sled with an unhappy expression. After greeting the staff, he took the food and boarded the cable car to the mountaintop royal capital.