Proof

Red-Haired Shanks's arrival was something Maud had never anticipated.

Though the man had been nothing but amiable since stepping through the door, Maud had intended only to watch in silence from the sidelines until he left.

But after overhearing the exchange between Yasopp and Sunny, he could no longer remain a passive observer.

Firearms were the upgrade tools he needed most urgently.

He'd originally planned to acquire one from Saul, but as a newcomer, how could he possibly get his hands on a gun in such a short time?

Then Yasopp had arrived, and with him came an opportunity.

At a moment like this, how could Maud keep watching? He seized the chance and spoke up, asking Yasopp for that aging smoothbore flintlock.

If refused, no loss.

If he got the gun, pure profit.

That was the thought running through his mind before he decided to step forward and make his presence known.

"Who's he?"

Shanks tilted his head, glancing at Sunny behind the counter, whose brow was slightly furrowed, and asked with evident interest.

When their eyes had first met, the boy's reaction had made Shanks realize the kid knew who he was.

But that sort of thing hardly mattered.

Still, who would have expected that the boy who'd been deliberately downplaying his presence would suddenly take the initiative to ask Yasopp for a gun?

The stark contrast between before and after—now that was interesting.

"He's Maud, Saul's new hire... employee."

Sunny answered Shanks's question.

Shanks gave a slight nod, then turned his gaze to Yasopp.

The latter was scrutinizing Maud.

"Do you know how to use a gun?"

That was the first question Yasopp threw out.

"Yes!"

Maud answered without a single moment's hesitation.

Yasopp's eyes suddenly turned sharp.

He wasn't some sniper from a second-rate pirate crew. With his skill, how could he fail to see that Maud was a frail boy who had never once touched a gun?

"But I don't believe you."

A half-smile played on Yasopp's lips, yet his gaze was like a cocked pistol.

Bullying kids had always been one of his trivial pleasures, and considering Maud was Mr. Saul's employee, he didn't mind wasting a bit of time on him.

But Maud met Yasopp's stare head-on, a look that seemed ready to burn lies to ash, and said seriously, "What would it take for you to believe me?"

Yasopp was momentarily taken aback.

Because the expression and tone Maud showed didn't seem like a lie.

Still, Yasopp wasn't about to doubt his own judgment over that.

He calmly looked into Maud's eyes, then suddenly reached out and picked up the flintlock pistol worth 3.8 million Beli from the counter. In the span of a single breath, he completed the relatively cumbersome process of loading powder and bullet.

"Prove it to me."

Yasopp cocked the gun and handed it to Maud.

Maud didn't take it immediately. Instead, he pointed at the aging smoothbore flintlock on the counter and asked, "If I prove it, will you give me that gun?"

"No problem."

Yasopp let out a laugh.

Maud nodded, strode forward, and took the expensive pistol from Yasopp's hand.

He knew that success or failure now hinged on a single bullet.

So, how to prove it?

As he pondered, Maud spotted the shop door he had left slightly ajar earlier, a gap still visible.

An idea took root. Maud quickly walked to the wall farthest from the door, then turned to face it.

Without any warning, he raised the gun toward the door and pulled the trigger without a moment's pause.

Bang—

A tongue of flame burst from the muzzle along with smoke, and a hot lead ball shot out, passing precisely through the gap in the door at a speed too fast for the naked eye.

The smell of fully burned gunpowder drifted through the air, while Maud still held the gun in a perfect firing stance.

In this situation, he had no time to worry about the possibility of injuring a passerby.

Shanks and Yasopp glanced at the door gap. With their eyesight, they could see the wooden door was completely unharmed.

Moreover, the gap in the door was not large, allowing at most two lead bullets to pass through at once.

Setting aside Maud's standard gun-raising posture, the motion from raising the gun to pulling the trigger was executed in one fluid sequence, giving the impression that he hadn't aimed at all.

Even though it was only a dozen meters or so, Maud was undoubtedly someone who knew how to use a gun.

Behind the counter, Sunny stared at Maud in astonishment.

She hadn't expected Maud to possess such skill with a firearm.

"Not bad shooting."

The one who spoke in praise was Shanks.

Of course, such marksmanship was nothing in the Grand Line.

But here and now, it was still worthy of a compliment.

Yasopp said nothing; as a man of action, he directly picked up the smoothbore flintlock he called his old partner and walked toward Maud.

"This is yours."

"Thank you."

Maud first returned the pistol to Yasopp, then took the smoothbore flintlock.

Finally, a gun...

"Yasopp, even you can misjudge sometimes."

Shanks patted Yasopp on the shoulder from behind, offering timely consolation.

Yasopp curled his lip, too lazy to bother with his captain's barbed remark.

Had he really misjudged?

He glanced at Maud, who was turning the gun over in his hands, and felt an elusive sense of contradiction.

He clearly looked like someone who had never handled a gun, yet his gun-raising posture was so standard, and he possessed that essential quality for a gunman... gun sense!

Forget it.

Yasopp shook his head, dismissing the thought.

"Captain, the booze is all brought up."

At that moment, Lucky Roux's voice came from the back room.

"Good."

Shanks responded, then looked at Sunny and said with a smile, "Little Sunny, remember to give my regards to Saul."

"No need!"

Before Sunny could speak, Saul's voice came from outside.

Judging by the sound, he was still some distance from the shop, yet somehow he had heard Shanks' words.

Hearing Saul's distant reply, Shanks sighed. "This is trouble."

No sooner had he spoken than the rapid sound of footsteps approaching from afar was heard.

In just a moment, the wooden door was pushed open with force.

Saul stormed into the shop in a fury, just in time to see Lucky Roux carrying out a barrel of fine liquor, and his anger flared.

"You bastard, Shanks, stealing my booze again!!"

"Stealing? We paid for it, you know. Ask Little Sunny if you don't believe me."

"Don't drag the kid into this. I'm not selling you this liquor!"

"Haha, the money and goods have already changed hands. It's too late for you to back out now."

"Get out, get out! Don't let me see you again!"

"That won't do, unless you sell me the location of your stash."

Shanks wore an expression that said, "What are you going to do about it?" while Saul's face flushed red with anger, nearly ready to throw himself on the floor in a dramatic fit.

Yasopp and Lucky Roux stayed out of it, while Sunny covered her forehead in silence.

As for Maud, he had already retreated to the back room the moment Saul shouted his first words.

However, he didn't go upstairs; instead, he stood at the stairwell, keeping an eye on the commotion in the shop.

Hard as it was to believe, Saul and Shanks seemed to be old acquaintances.

New week, begging for recommendation tickets, incredibly important, thank you!!!

Especially that formidable big shot with 23 recommendation tickets, please bravely step forward!!!