One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

Eustass Kid.

In the original story, he was one of the infamous Supernovas, renowned as part of the "Worst Generation," a ruthless man who wouldn't hesitate to kill.

Maude habitually considered Kid a potential target, though for now, it was merely a thought. He wasn't reckless enough to act without careful consideration.

If conditions allowed, Maude wouldn't hesitate to collect experience points from Kid.

But if they didn't, he would never take unnecessary risks—especially not now, in his current weak state.

"The world of One Piece..."

Maude withdrew his gaze, lowering his head to mask the strange glimmer in his eyes.

Seeing a young Eustass Kid here was completely unexpected, like a spark that reignited dormant memories of the world of One Piece hidden deep within his mind.

These memories would later transform into critical intelligence recorded in his Hunter's Noteboook, to be converted into valuable experience points.

Maude and Sunny's arrival brought a temporary truce to the tense standoff.

Kid glanced briefly at Maude, who remained silent with his head lowered. He had no idea that this seemingly fragile newcomer had already marked him as a potential hunting target.

If Kid knew, he would probably just scoff dismissively.

Without paying Maude any further attention, Kid turned to face Sol, speaking bluntly.

"Another free laborer you've picked up? Wonder what kind of death he'll meet this time. Let me guess—hacked to pieces in some alley and left as a pile of worthless flesh."

"Heh, Mad Hat Town doesn't lack undertakers. Even if this little one gets chopped into dozens of pieces, they'll find a way to squeeze some value out of the scraps. So, as long as he dies worthily, I don't mind not getting a share of the benefits," Sol replied.

His face, etched with deep lines from age, gave a casual shake of his gilded smoking pipe, letting ash fall lazily to the floor.

"Speaking of labor, I have high hopes for you, Kid. If you work for me, I'll not only get you Keanu's pistol but even Salaman's short blade. On top of that, I'll supply you with the finest West Blue wine for as long as you want."

"Get lost!"

Kid's reply was as cold as ever. "I don't work under anyone."

"What a pity, what a pity," Sol said, shaking his head theatrically.

Their conversation, as if no one else was present, fell into Maude's ears, giving him fragments of useful information.

Mad Hat Town? West Blue?

A place where people could kill freely on the streets... and the gunshots from earlier.

This was likely an unregulated black zone where pirates mingled freely.

Thinking this, Maude discreetly glanced at the shelves lined with various weapons inside the store.

This was a weapons shop.

And Sol, who appeared to be the shop's owner, seemed to hold a unique philosophy about "value."

Maude quietly pondered.

As an outsider, newly arrived in this world, he could only act with caution and restraint.

Noticing Maude's calm demeanor, a glint of interest flashed in Sol's eyes.

He then hopped off his stool and stepped out from behind the counter.

It was then that Maude realized Sol was less than a meter tall.

Instinctively, Maude glanced at the counter, which stood over 1.5 meters high. He surmised that Sol must have been standing on a stool to see Kid at eye level earlier.

After a brief exchange of words with Sol, Kid's patience was wearing thin.

Looking at Sol stepping out from behind the counter, Kid asked coldly, "So, are you selling that gun or not?"

Sol cast a glance at the pouch of beri in Kid's hand and replied, "Where'd you get the money?"

Veins bulged on Kid's forehead as he growled, "That's none of your business. Are you selling it or not?"

Knowing Sol wasn't an easy man to deal with, Kid begrudgingly restrained his temper.

Unbothered by Kid's looming anger, Sol took another leisurely puff from his pipe.

"Didn't I already say? I'd rather dismantle Keanu's pistol and throw it in a junkyard than sell it to you."

More veins popped on Kid's forehead as he glared furiously. "Then go ahead and throw it!"

Tap, tap.

Sol knocked the pipe against the counter's edge, letting the ash fall. "I'll find a good day for it."

"You old bastard!"

Kid struggled to contain his fury.

In stark contrast, Sol remained utterly composed, as though unfazed by the outburst.

Maude silently observed, gradually realizing that Sol wasn't as simple as he seemed.

After all, anyone who could make the hot-tempered Kid suppress his urge to lash out was no ordinary person.

While Maude was quietly watching, Sunny stood by, visibly exasperated.

To her, Sol might be miserly, but he wasn't the type to grovel for money. In fact, he despised rudeness.

If Kid had approached more respectfully, Sol would have likely sold him Keanu's pistol. After all, it wasn't some priceless heirloom.

Yet Kid, despite knowing this, refused to change his approach.

This led to the farce of a customer wanting to buy something that the shopkeeper refused to sell.

What puzzled Sunny most was why Sol tolerated Kid's attitude time and time again.

Just what did Sol see in Kid?

Unable to gain any leverage against Sol, Kid grabbed his pouch and stormed toward the open wooden door.

"Don't bother seeing me off," Sol said flatly.

Kid didn't look back.

Just as he reached the door, a man holding a machete kicked it open with a loud bang.

The door slammed into the wall with a heavy thud, nearly falling apart.

The man, blood-stained and exuding a residual killing intent, immediately locked eyes on the pouch in Kid's hand.

"You little brat! Made me hunt you all over!"

"And who let this stray dog in?" Kid sneered, his thin lips curling into a mocking grin.

Back at the counter, Sol narrowed his eyes. First, Kid had kicked the door open, and now this guy.

"Seems like everyone's in the mood to abuse my doors today," Sol muttered grimly.

The man ignored everyone else in the shop, his murderous gaze fixed solely on Kid.

"You're messing with the wrong guy! I'm a pirate with an 11-million-beri bounty, known as the..."

Smack!

Before the man could finish his introduction, Sol darted forward and knocked him unconscious with a single slap.

Kid's pupils contracted. Standing closest to the man, he hadn't fully registered Sol's movements.

This old man... really isn't to be trifled with.

Sol landed lightly. Given his height, he had to jump just to reach the man's head.

Without sparing a glance at the unconscious intruder, Sol turned to Kid. "What's wrong? Planning to stay for dinner?"

Kid's cheek twitched as he stormed out without another word.

Watching him leave, Sol casually shut the battered door behind him.

"Boss, don't you think you're being a bit too lenient with Kid?" Sunny asked, approaching Sol.

"Lenient?" Sol chuckled. "You might say I'm biased. That's probably more accurate."

Sunny nodded, adding as she looted the unconscious man, "Yeah, you're definitely biased when it comes to him."

Sol laughed, retrieving a bloodied machete from the floor and wiping it clean.

"This world isn't fair. I'm biased because he's worth being biased for."

As Sol placed the cleaned blade onto the shelf as a sale item, Maude watched their effortless banter and looting in disbelief.

Turning to the unconscious man, Sol gave him a nudge with his foot. "This guy's head is worth a bit. What's his name again?"

Sunny, ever the well-informed local, chimed in, "That's Evan Watt, captain of the Ghost Blade Pirates. Known as 'The Executioner,' he has an 11-million-beri bounty."

Sol raised an eyebrow before glancing at Maude.

"You, come here."

Maude, realizing Sol was addressing him, approached without hesitation.

Sol tapped Maude's knee. "Can't you show some respect for an old man? Sit down."

Suppressing the urge to sigh, Maude immediately sat cross-legged on the floor, leveling his gaze with Sol's.

Sol, now satisfied, studied Maude closely. He liked the calm composure this newcomer had displayed throughout the ordeal—something rare and valuable.

"What's your name?"

"Maude Bacardi," he answered, borrowing the name from a photo he'd seen earlier.

"That surname..." Sol murmured, glancing at Sunny.

Sunny helpfully added, "It's the family that sells rum."

Sol nodded in realization. "Oh, right. Good stuff, their rum. Didn't they make the news recently? Something about a shipment being plundered by pirates, and no survivors left, including the head of the family?"

"That's correct," Sunny confirmed.

"Interesting." Sol's eyes narrowed as he turned back to Maude.

After a moment's silence, Sol suddenly produced a short dagger, no larger than a fruit knife, and handed it to Maude with a smile.

"Consider this a farewell gift to your past. Kill that Watt fellow."

"Gladly," Maude replied without hesitation, taking the dagger.

His expression remained impassive, but inwardly, he was brimming with excitement.

This was practically a gift delivered straight to his doorstep.

Maude turned his gaze toward the unconscious Watt.

"I'll remember you—Evan Watt, known as 'The Executioner,' with a bounty of 11 million beri."

In his heart, Maude paid the pirate a solemn tribute.

Sol, seeing Maude's obedient and decisive demeanor, grew even more satisfied.

Then Maude spoke up, "I'd like to use the restroom first."

"...…" Saul fell silent.

"...…" Sunny was equally speechless.

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