What Difference Is There Between This and Their Own Backyard?

What Difference Is There Between This and Their Own Backyard?

The fearsome reputation of the Life Forbidden Zone in the Star Dou Great Forest was known throughout the Douluo Continent. Even Titled Douluo did not dare venture too deeply into it, much less go there several times.

Wind Concealment and the other two knew full well how dangerous this operation had been. If they had not encountered Elder Kizaru, they would have already been wiped out by the Blazing Sun Lion King in a single wave.

"Elder Kizaru, let's not joke about this for now. The Life Forbidden Zone is extremely dangerous. You should know that, right?" Wind Concealment still could not quite believe it. This was already beyond comprehension.

"Fine, fine. This old man will personally take you there for a try. Nothing major will happen just from trying it."

"Th-this... all right!"

After all, Rota was Wind Concealment and the others' superior. When their boss gave an order, all they could do was obediently carry it out.

"Then please do not panic, everyone. This old man will take you out now~"

Rota pointed at Wind Concealment and said, "Go carry Jin Ling. That way, I only need to take you with me~"

With Rota putting it so bluntly, even Wind Concealment and Jin Ling's faces reddened.

"Th-this... wouldn't that be inappropriate..." Wind Concealment was still somewhat shy, especially since they were not the only two present.

"If you do not carry her, are you saying this old man should carry her?" Rota smiled faintly.

"No, no, no! I'll carry her right away!"

Wind Concealment no longer cared whether anyone else was watching. He swept Jin Ling into his arms in a princess carry.

Jin Ling's face was as red as a ripe apple, and she buried her head directly against Wind Concealment's chest.

Watching the scene before him, Reid touched his chest. Why had it suddenly hurt just now?

"All right, let's set off~"

Rota grabbed Reid with one hand and Wind Concealment with the other, then transformed into a streak of light and vanished in an instant.

Half an hour later, Rota brought the thoroughly bewildered trio to a small village on the outskirts.

Rota had deliberately controlled his speed. If he had truly gone all out, the three of them would probably have been scared senseless.

Wind Concealment finally understood why Elder Kizaru had said he did not need their help at all. This speed was simply absurd!

They had really left the Life Forbidden Zone in just half an hour. What difference was there between the entire Star Dou Great Forest and their own backyard?

Today, Wind Concealment's worldview had been utterly shattered. He felt as if his brain was no longer enough to process it all.

"All right, stop standing there in a daze. Let's find a place to have a proper meal and talk while we eat." Rota, who was walking ahead, turned back and spoke to the three still standing where they were.

"Oh, oh, we're coming! Coming!"

If Rota had not specifically reminded them, Wind Concealment and the others would likely have remained dazed for quite a while longer.

They had barely eaten anything these past two days, constantly trapped in an atmosphere of extreme tension. Now, they were finally free and no longer had to live in fear.

Rota chose the same restaurant as last time, mainly because he was too lazy to look for another one.

After choosing a private room, Rota generously handed the menu to Wind Concealment and the other two.

"Let's treat today as a celebration. Order whatever you want. This old man is paying~"

They would all be his people from now on. As their boss, he could not be too stingy.

Once they got the menu, Wind Concealment and the other two eagerly began the grand task of ordering.

As he listened to dish after dish whose names he had never even heard before, Rota maintained a calm expression on the surface, but inwardly he was already in turmoil.

These three really showed no mercy at all. Since it was not their money, they did not feel the slightest pain spending it!

"That will be all. Sorry for the trouble!" Jin Ling said with a smile to the server after ordering the final dish.

"Not at all! Not at all! Please wait a moment, honored guests!" The server was practically overjoyed. He had not expected these guests to be such big spenders. This meal alone would cost at least several dozen Gold Soul Coins.

Their restaurant rarely received customers who spent this much. Now that such customers had finally come, how could they not serve them properly?

"Would you like to order anything else?" the server asked with a smile.

Rota suddenly coughed heavily, finally putting a stop to the evil impulse.

"Not for now~" Rota replied to the server in an even tone.

"Very well, then I'll take my leave first." The server politely closed the private room's door behind him.

Wind Concealment also realized that the three of them had just acted improperly. They had gotten carried away for a moment, and now Elder Kizaru would have to spend a fortune.

"Um, Elder Kizaru, how about we each pay for our own meals today..." Wind Concealment tentatively asked in a low voice.

"That is not the issue. This old man simply dislikes waste. Let's finish eating first, then we can discuss it~"

What a joke. How could Rota so easily go back on words he had personally spoken? It was their first meal together, after all. Whether it cost a lot did not matter; the most important thing was not letting them mistake him for a miser.

"Elder Kizaru is right. Waste is shameful. We ordered quite a lot, so let's finish eating before we talk about it," Wind Concealment echoed.

As someone good at observing others, how could he fail to understand Rota's unspoken meaning?

Rota looked at Wind Concealment with deep approval. This was what a qualified employee should be like—someone who could instantly understand their boss's intentions.

Before long, servers brought platter after platter of delicacies from the mountains and sea to the table. Wind Concealment and the other two stared wide-eyed. They had suffered greatly these past two days in the Star Dou Great Forest, and at the sight of such a lavish spread, they nearly could not hold themselves back.

"Since the food is here, eat first. We can talk properly after we finish."

In their current state, they probably could not focus on anything else anyway.

After quite some time, every bit of food on the table had been wiped clean, leaving behind only a pile of spotless plates. This was true clean-plate action!

Rota was fairly satisfied with the dishes they had ordered. Although they had cost a little more than expected, the food was quite good.

"That was so delicious! I'm satisfied!" Jin Ling said contentedly as she rubbed her slightly bloated stomach, though her face still showed that she wanted more.

"Honored guest, your total comes to 50 Gold Soul Coins." At that moment, the server came to Rota's side and handed him a bill.

The bill was like a receipt, used to verify that the price was correct.

Rota did not hesitate. Since this was his first time treating his future employees, he could not seem too fussy.

"Here are 50 Gold Soul Coins. Count them." Rota took out a small pouch and handed it to the server.

Although 50 Gold Soul Coins was not much to him, it was more than ten times an ordinary family's income. Spending what an ordinary family earned over more than a decade on one meal was indeed somewhat extravagant.

People in One Piece really did have large appetites. Besides, there were three other people this time, so the price was still understandable.

After paying the bill, Rota did not rush into anything. He let everyone digest their food a little before beginning the discussion.

"How was the meal, everyone?"

"We're very satisfied, though we do feel rather sorry for Elder Kizaru," Wind Concealment said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Do not worry about such things. Today is also a celebration of our official beginning. We can earn all this money back in the future."

"That's right. As long as we work hard together, we will definitely make our venture bigger," Wind Concealment said, equally confident about the future.

Everyone was full of confidence in the future, and having that drive was certainly good. However, confidence alone was not enough. A towering building rose from level ground; everything needed a long-term plan.

Likewise, building an organization required enormous amounts of money and manpower, so it had to be planned carefully.

Thanks to a reader for pointing out the mistake. I had a lot going on yesterday, so I did not notice that I had missed posting a chapter. I just adjusted the order.