He Is Not a Pirate

The nonsensical question made Maud look at Tatam with a strange expression.

Pirate?

Maud didn't consider himself a pirate.

In the future, he wouldn't be interested in such labels either.

"No."

Without thinking much, Maud answered Tatam's question.

Hearing this, Tatam subconsciously glanced at the stairs leading to the second floor, then lowered his head, silently picked up a glass, and continued wiping it.

Maud looked at Tatam and said, "You haven't answered my question yet."

"Selling."

Upon Maud's repeated inquiry, Tatam belatedly replied.

His bar was indeed a place for information trading.

This was also why Wolf Rat had been staying here and why they knew each other.

Maud looked as if he had expected this.

In his opinion, bars like this, besides selling alcohol, mostly served information trading.

This was quite similar to the Hunter's World.

Turning his head to glance at the empty seats again, Maud smiled and said, "This place is great. I'll come here often in the future."

Tatam was slightly taken aback, then nodded after a moment. "You're welcome."

After only a few minutes of interaction, he had developed a good impression of Maud.

But when he thought about the targets of Wolf Rat and that dangerous woman seeming to be Maud, he couldn't help but glance at the staircase leading to the second floor again.

From Wolf Rat's interaction with that woman last night, Tatam could easily guess Wolf Rat's true identity.

He also clearly understood Wolf Rat's motive for bringing Maud here.

A new friend...

Tatam silently wiped the glass, not intending to get involved.

Despite his good first impression of Maud, Wolf Rat was his close friend, more important than Maud.

After a few exchanges, Maud realized that Tatam never said more than five words at a time.

However, he could understand Tatam's feelings.

As a grown man, anyone with such a voice probably wouldn't speak easily.

Maud tilted his head and looked in the direction of the stairs, suddenly asking, "Does Wolf Rat live here?"

Tatam nodded.

Maud understood and looked down at the glass, contemplating Wolf Rat's motive.

What bothered him more was how Wolf Rat had managed to find him earlier.

Like a dog.

This meant that disguises were useless in front of Wolf Rat.

Yet, Wolf Rat had approached him today pretending to be a stranger.

Was it to get revenge for the shot Maud fired yesterday?

If so, why did he block Kazt?

Maud thought about it, finding many contradictions and struggling to analyze Wolf Rat's general motive.

"Tatam, 'Wolf Rat' isn't his real name, is it? It sounds more like a nickname."

"..."

Tatam looked at Maud and chose to remain silent.

"Alright, my apologies. I was being too forward."

Seeing Tatam's reaction, Maud smiled indifferently, then took out a banknote from his pocket and placed it under a glass on the table.

"Leaving already?"

Tatam glanced at the banknote under the glass.

Normally, he wouldn't have asked.

"Yeah, I'll be back next time."

Maud stood up and casually picked up the white ferret that had somehow escaped under the chair.

It was clear the white ferret had a strong survival instinct.

But unfortunately, it had encountered Maud.

"I'm leaving now. Please tell Wolf Rat for me."

Maud walked towards the bar door, carrying the white ferret.

Tatam silently watched Maud leave.

Ten minutes later, Wolf Rat, having finished treating his injuries, came downstairs to the bar.

Seeing the bar empty, he was taken aback.

As for the white ferret, he had long since ignored it.

"Where did Usopp go?"

"He left."

Tatam glanced at Wolf Rat's bandaged hands.

"Damn it, he just left like that!!"

Wolf Rat slumped onto the bar stool, pulling at his hair in annoyance.

"We finally became friends, and I was thinking of striking while the iron was hot to deepen our bond."

"Tatam, you know what? Usopp really screwed me over today."

"Look at my hands, then look at my back, and my butt – all these injuries are thanks to him!!"

"If I weren't so tough, forget drinking right now, just being able to stand would be a miracle."

Wolf Rat grumbled as he pocketed the banknote Maud had left under his drink.

A single drink didn't even cost ten thousand Belly.

Tatam watched Wolf Rat's small actions with resignation. He was long accustomed to Wolf Rat's one-sided conversations and rarely chimed in.

After tucking away the money and finishing his usual complaints, Wolf Rat downed the untouched drink in one gulp.

"Another one."

Tatam nodded and soon mixed another drink for Wolf Rat, then asked, "Is he the target?"

"Who?"

Wolf Rat instinctively retorted.

"Usopp."

"What's this, Tatam? This isn't like you."

"..."

"Let me tell you, don't let Usopp's voice fool you. Believe me, that guy is trouble. Stay as far away from him as you can!"

"..."

"Also, it's best you don't get involved in these matters. Even if you know something, pretend you don't. If I hadn't stopped you last night, with that woman's temper, she'd have ten thousand reasons to hack you just for being a pirate. Of course, I know you're not a pirate."

"He isn't either."

Tatam looked at the spot where Maud had been sitting.

Wolf Rat looked at Tatam in surprise.

"Tatam, I don't care if he's a pirate now. I only know that he will definitely become a pirate in the future, and a great pirate who will give the Marines a headache."

"What do you mean?"

A hint of confusion appeared on Tatam's face.

Wolf Rat slowly put down his glass, twirling it with his thumb, and said, "The reasons are complicated. I don't want to say, and you shouldn't ask."

Tatam nodded and said no more.

"Actually, if circumstances permitted, perhaps..."

Wolf Rat's flippant expression gradually turned serious, a cold glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

Crack.

Wolf Rat accidentally crushed the wine glass, and with his heavily injured hand, no less.

"This..."

Wolf Rat looked at the shards in his hand, lamenting, "Tatam, where did you buy this cup? It looks like a piece of junk. You should take these fragments and get a refund."

"Ten thousand."

Tatam said expressionlessly.

"Really ten thousand?"

Wolf Rat's mouth twitched.

"Ten thousand."

Tatam reiterated.

Wolf Rat reluctantly pulled out the Belly he had just received.

Maud successfully returned to the weapon shop.

The moment he stepped through the door, Maud felt sharp eyes on him.

Facing Sunny's glares, Maud acted as if he didn't notice.

"Sunny, Saul isn't awake yet, is he?"

"I don't know."

Sunny replied curtly.

"Alright."

Maud walked to the counter and held the ermine up to Sunny.

"Look, I brought back something good."

"Are we having extra food?"

Sunny asked, eyeing the ermine with confusion.

The ermine shivered suddenly.

What kind of people are these???

Thanks to Yuan Yi, Fengkuang Xiaoshuo, Cangtian Biyou, Qian Qi, and Zheng Yi Sangshi Kong Luoli for their rewards~!