Burufatt

"We're here. This is where the officers live.

At the moment, only Lord King and another officer, Brother Burufatt, live here.

With Miss Ra and the others, that makes five of you."

Deke pointed ahead. There was a row of two-story villas with courtyards.

The villas' exterior walls were somewhat weathered, and some spots still bore bullet holes and marks from cannon fire.

"Since islands in the New World frequently change hands, no one really maintains these houses. Over time, they ended up like this.

But the insides are still very clean."

Seemingly noticing the three girls' curiosity, Deke glanced at Ra and the other two's refined clothing and offered an extra explanation.

"Although ordinary members like us have dormitories, we're more used to living on the ship. Only officers have separate residences near the base, so it's more convenient for them to discuss matters with Boss Kaido."

"Oh, and that building over there is Boss Kaido's residence. Internal meetings of the Pirate Crew are generally held there as well."

Deke pointed to an extremely spacious building not far away, built in the same style as the villas here.

However, its walls and roof clearly showed countless repair marks, both old and new. It seemed Kaido usually did not like using the front door.

"That long building over there is the dining hall. The big bell at the entrance will ring at mealtimes. Three meals are provided every day, and you can eat as much as you want."

Lastly, Deke pointed toward a row of long, sausage-like buildings at the foot of the mountain.

It was not mealtime yet, but smoke was already drifting from their rooftops. They were presumably preparing in advance.

"All right, those are the important places. Here are the villa keys."

Deke removed a silver key from his waist and handed it to Ra.

"If you have any questions later, use the Den Den Mushi to contact me. This is my number.

As for the Den Den Mushi and daily supplies, someone will deliver them shortly."

With that, Deke waved and prepared to leave, letting the three little ones familiarize themselves with their new home.

"I didn't expect you to be so thoughtful, Uncle Deke, even though you look so rough and burly~"

Oshi praised him. She had a good impression of Deke's attentive service, to the point that she did not even use his nickname.

"Haha, it's nothing~"

Deke actually blushed a little at the praise.

Unlike his rough appearance, the man was actually somewhat shy.

Just as he was about to leave and arrange for someone to bring over their daily supplies, a Fish-Man with horns and a height of four meters approached from afar.

Seeing Ra and the others standing in front of the villa, the Fish-Man asked in confusion:

"Hey! Deke! Who are these little brats? They look so delicate. Which slave trader did you snatch them from?"

"Brother Burufatt, you're back! How did the fight with those guys from the John Pirates go?"

Deke was also somewhat surprised to see him and hurriedly explained, "This is Miss Ra, a new officer appointed by Boss Kaido. The other two are her younger sisters."

"Huh? An officer?! She's not some noble young lady you snatched from somewhere?"

The Fish-Man named Burufatt looked the three girls over again, then suddenly asked, "Hey! Don't tell me you little brats are Boss Kaido's daughters!"

"The three of us are not related to Captain Kaido by blood. We merely accepted his invitation to join the Beasts Pirates, Mr. Burufatt."

Ra answered as politely as ever.

"Exactly. How did you see even the slightest connection between us and that horned guy?" Obe was not nearly as polite.

"That's true. Boss Kaido only values strength. Even if they really were his daughters, he wouldn't treat them differently." Burufatt nodded.

"So what kind of strength do you have, little brat, for Boss Kaido to value you?

Let me tell you, we don't play pirate make-believe here. Without strength, you really will die at sea."

Burufatt put on a stern face and stared seriously at Ra.

He seemed cold on the outside but warm-hearted underneath.

Ra gave him that label in her mind.

"Ohoho! Is it happening? The legendary face-slapping showdown that always comes with changing maps!

Sister Ra, Sister Ra, can you let me have this chance?"

Upon hearing that, Oshi's eyes immediately lit up. Clearly, she did not want to miss this opportunity to play the weak and crush him afterward.

"Mr. Burufatt is only kindly warning us. He doesn't mean to make things difficult for us. Oshi, don't be so rude either."

Ra gently patted Oshi's little head as she leaned closer.

"Okay, I got it~"

Oshi covered her head, then turned to ask Burufatt, "By the way, Uncle Buru-whatever, are you a Minotaur? I see you have horns on your head just like Boss Kaido~"

"I'm a Fish-Man, and the strongest Fighting Fishman at that, not some Minotaur!"

Burufatt grew somewhat annoyed when he saw Oshi's flippant attitude and how she had ignored his words.

*I still need to teach these little brats a lesson...

Tch, why did Boss Kaido bring back children this young? The life of a pirate is still too early for them~*

At this point, Burufatt decided to straighten out Oshi's attitude first.

"From what you just said, little brat, do you want to have a match with me?"

"Uh... probably not. Sister Ra won't allow it."

"It doesn't matter if she doesn't allow it. I do.

Get ready. Let me see what you girls are made of."

With that, Burufatt threw a punch at Oshi.

The punch was neither heavy nor fast.

But for an ordinary eight- or nine-year-old child, it would have been difficult to dodge, and a huge bump would surely have formed on their head.

Of course, Oshi merely tilted her head casually and easily avoided it.

"Hm? Interesting."

After his first strike failed, Burufatt threw another punch.

This one was much faster than the last, nearing the reaction limit of an ordinary adult.

Yet Oshi dodged it just as casually as before with a tilt of her head.

"Sister Ra, the other side attacked first. It should be fine if I fight back, right~?" Oshi asked Ra with a grin.

Ra nodded, granting her permission.

"Don't go overboard. Mr. Burufatt doesn't mean us any harm."

Ra could tell that he merely wanted to assess their strength. He was not truly trying to give them trouble because he disliked them.

"Heh, you can rest assured when I'm handling it~" Oshi said, patting her unremarkable chest.

"Oh? Red-haired girl, are you finally getting serious?"

After testing her with two punches, Burufatt could tell that she was no ordinary little girl, so he threw a third punch.

This one was far faster than before. It was his normal punching speed.

Oshi punched back directly. The large and small fists collided with a heavy impact.

This little brat is so strong!

The instant their fists met, Burufatt felt his entire right arm go somewhat numb.

A Fish-Man's arm strength was several times that of an ordinary human's, not to mention that as a Fighting Fishman, his strength stood among the best of the entire Fish-Man race.

Before Burufatt could recover, Oshi's follow-up attacks came one after another.

Her fists left afterimages as they flew, and because of their difference in height, Burufatt was forced to defend in an extremely awkward posture.

Oshi's fists landed solidly, giving him no chance to catch his breath. Burufatt was suppressed and forced back again and again.

This can't continue!

After retreating dozens of steps, seeing no sign that she intended to stop, Burufatt coated his lower leg in Armament Haki.

Then he kicked Oshi's fist aside and immediately followed with a punch to Oshi's face.