Nightfall Bar

Skunk.

Or perhaps "white weasel" would be more appropriate.

If one were to lick it, "fragrant weasel" would actually be a more fitting description.

Maud suddenly mentioning the white weasel desperately trying to escape wasn't because he wanted to taste it, but because he saw its value.

How much could it sell for?

He thought to himself, his gaze towards the white weasel deepening.

He was short on cash and needed a good sword.

Yes, he'd name the sword "White Weasel" then, a fitting tribute to its sacrifice.

When Maud asked if the skunk was edible, Wolf Rat was actually completely uninterested.

His contemplation was merely an attempt to put himself in Maud's shoes and consider the question.

"It's edible!"

After two seconds of thought, Wolf Rat confidently answered.

He didn't care if it was edible or not; he could tell Maud wanted to eat the skunk.

That was reason enough.

This was the third point of the friend-making guide – empathy!

Upon hearing this, Maud smiled and said, "Then let's take it with us."

"No problem, I happen to have a great chef. If he gets his hands on it, he can make something amazing even out of skunk meat."

Wolf Rat nodded and looked at Maud.

The two met each other's gaze for a moment.

Maud maintained his smile.

Wolf Rat, however, grew increasingly confused.

Not far away, the white weasel was still desperately crawling away.

"What's going on? He's not going after the skunk but staring at me like this? Did I say something wrong?"

Wolf Rat was bewildered at first, then his heart tightened slightly.

Until he understood, he could only stand there inexplicably with Maud.

Suddenly, Wolf Rat noticed Maud looking at his bloody hands.

"Huh? So he was concerned about my injuries? It seems the friend-making guide really works. Once you empathize with someone, they'll surely empathize with you too. It's a back-and-forth, that's what friendship is."

Wolf Rat's thoughts shifted, and he felt a surge of emotion, believing his efforts were finally being rewarded.

But gradually, he felt something was off.

Could it be…

Wolf Rat looked at Maud's smiling face and tentatively asked, "How about I get it for you?"

"That might not be a good idea,"

Maud replied, glancing at the bloodstains and dust on the white weasel.

Wolf Rat breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the situation wasn't what he had imagined.

Maud continued, "But since you've offered, I'll trouble you then."

"…"

Wolf Rat fell silent.

He had the urge to press his bloody hands against Maud's face.

Ten minutes later.

The two, along with the weasel, arrived at the entrance of Tatam's bar, "Nightfall."

"So it's here."

Maud looked around the environment.

This was where he had hunted three pirates last night, and where he had first met Wolf Rat, who was looking for friends.

At the time, his eyes were only on the prey, and he hadn't paid much attention to this bar tucked away in the alley.

Maud then turned his gaze to the distinctive skull-shaped oil lamp on the wall by the bar entrance. His eyes flickered slightly, a memory stirred by the lamp.

He remembered that when he was in the Hunter world, he often frequented underground establishments to gather information.

The places he visited most often were hidden bars.

These bars were usually hidden from daylight and were not open to ordinary people.

Moreover, both the atmosphere and the decor were filled with a bizarre style, and skull-shaped oil lamps were a common decoration.

It was quite similar to this bar called "Nightfall," giving Maud a sense of familiarity.

"Come in."

Wolf Rat pushed open the tavern door and led Maud inside.

Passing through the short entryway, the first thing they saw was a circular bar bathed in pale red light.

Behind the bar, Tatam was wiping glasses as usual. Hearing the sound, he turned his head toward the entrance.

A faint, almost imperceptible glint flashed in Tatam's eyes when he saw Maud.

He remembered the dangerous woman with a knife from last night.

Silently, he withdrew his gaze, lowered his head slightly, and continued to focus on wiping the glasses.

Maud sized up the thick-browed, big-eyed Tatam, then looked at the empty customer seats in the bar.

Just like Saul's Weapon Shop, business was dismal.

However, the decor wasn't as casual as Saul's Weapon Shop.

From the lighting and atmosphere to the placement of the seating, it was clear the owner had put some thought into it.

But compared to the refined bar, the pirates of Mad Hatter Town preferred livelier taverns, so it was no wonder there wasn't much business.

Wolf Rat walked up to the bar and placed the listless white skunk on the counter.

"This is Tatam, the owner of the bar and my friend. Don't let his burly appearance fool you; he's skilled at cooking and bartending. Hand over the skunk meat to him, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Wolf Rat introduced Tatam's identity to Maud and also mentioned Tatam's cooking skills.

The white skunk, dumped on the bar, trembled slightly, its despair deepening.

"This is Usopp, a friend I just made."

Wolf Rat then introduced Maud to Tatam, gesturing for Maud to come closer.

Maud approached the bar and greeted Tatam, "Hello, it's nice to meet you."

Tatam silently looked at Maud and nodded in response.

Wolf Rat specifically observed Maud's reaction and explained, "Tatam's personality is just like that, please don't mind him."

"I won't," Maud replied.

"That's good."

Wolf Rat smiled, then gently patted the lifeless white skunk and said seriously, "Tatam, Usopp wants to eat skunk meat. Please prepare it for him."

Tatam glanced at the white skunk and shook his head, indicating he wouldn't take the job.

"I'll pay extra, how about triple?"

"..."

Tatam shook his head again.

Wolf Rat, however, was persistent and held up his blood-covered right hand.

"Five times!"

"..."

Realizing Wolf Rat was set on it, Tatam immediately explained, "It can't be eaten."

"Huh? It can't be eaten? It's not much different from rabbit meat, is it?"

"..."

Tatam said no more.

Wolf Rat looked somewhat disappointed.

Maud, on the other hand, looked at Tatam in surprise.

Despite his rugged appearance, his voice was as melodious and pleasant as a young girl's.

This stark contrast and dissonance reminded Maud of a friend he had met in the Hunter world – Melody.

Both Tatam and Wolf Rat noticed Maud's reaction.

The former remained expressionless.

The latter, seeing that Maud was merely surprised by Tatam's voice and showed no signs of mockery, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Usopp, it seems skunk meat can't be eaten."

Wolf Rat expressed his regret.

Maud hadn't intended to eat the white skunk in the first place and didn't bother to explain, instead going along with it, "That's truly a shame."

Wolf Rat picked up the white skunk and casually tossed it onto a nearby seat. "Tatam, make Usopp one of your signature drinks. I'll go treat my wound first."

"Okay."

Tatam replied and began preparing the drink.

Wolf Rat then said to Maud, "Usopp, please have a seat for a moment."

"Mm."

Maud nodded.

Wolf Rat immediately walked towards the staircase leading to the second floor.

In front of the bar, Maud observed Tatam's bartending skills and said, "You have a pleasant voice. It reminds me of an old acquaintance."

Tatam's bartending motion suddenly stopped. He looked at Maud in surprise, and after a moment, said nothing, continuing to mix drinks.

Maud chuckled and turned his gaze to the environment, so different from the Battle Axe Tavern. "This place... is really nice," he mused.

"Thank you."

Tatam gently pushed the prepared drink in front of Maud.

Maud turned back, not intending to drink the cocktail.

"Tatam, do you sell information here?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Tatam's eyes gradually grew serious.

Instead of answering, he retorted, "Are you a pirate?"