You Want Me to Desire You?

After a brief scuffle, the thugs lay obediently on the ground in front of Shirakawa and the others.

"I didn't expect those two kids to be so capable. They seem even stronger than our soldiers."

"Of course. They've both killed people."

"Killed people? Kids that young have killed someone? What about you?" Kaiser Lynn asked in surprise.

Hearing Kaiser Lynn and Shirakawa talk, the thugs became even more obedient.

Shirakawa gave a mysterious smile. "Take a guess."

At the sight of that smile, Kaiser Lynn felt as if she'd fallen into an icy pit, because she'd already guessed the answer.

She hadn't expected someone like Shirakawa to have killed people too. You really couldn't judge a book by its cover.

"I'm going to ask you a few questions. If your answers satisfy me, I'll let you go. But if they don't, heh heh—you know what'll happen."

"Don't worry, sir. Ask whatever you like. I'll tell you everything I know."

The leader spoke through his tears, his tone firm and resolute.

"Relax. It's nothing serious. Tell me, how many casinos are there in this city?"

"Seven."

"Oh? You know that pretty well."

"Heh heh, I know every corner of this city, sir. I've been to every one of those casinos, so I know them very well."

"Good. Get up."

"Thank you, sir."

"Send your friends on their way. You stay here."

Before Shirakawa had even finished speaking, the men hurried off on their own without waiting for their leader to give the order.

"Those guys have no loyalty at all. When I get back, I'll teach them a lesson."

Watching his companions leave without a second thought, the leader felt a pang of dismay.

"Sir, why can't I leave?" he asked Shirakawa cautiously.

"Didn't you say you knew all those casinos? We need someone familiar with the place to show us around."

"Damn it, why did I have to run my mouth?" Hearing Shirakawa's answer, he felt like he'd brought this on himself.

"Then I'll show you around, sir?"

"Move it." Buggy kicked him in the butt, acting just like a lackey.

The first casino was close to where they'd been, less than five hundred meters away.

"Were you trying to rob us back there so you could get money to gamble with?"

"Heh heh." The man laughed sheepishly. Shirakawa had clearly guessed what he'd been thinking.

When they entered the casino, they found it wasn't nearly as strict as Shirakawa had expected. There were only two men guarding the entrance, and they didn't even question Shirakawa's group. They probably recognized the leader.

"Well, if it isn't Brother Wolf! What, you come into some money again? Here to play a few rounds?"

Once they went inside, someone spotted their group and called out to Brother Wolf.

"Get lost. I'm taking care of something right now. I don't have time to play with you."

"Oh? You're pretty famous, Brother Wolf."

"Heh heh, sir, there's no 'Brother Wolf.' That's just what people on the street call me. You can call me Little Wolf."

"Little Wolf, huh? Yeah, that name suits you better."

"Thank you, sir."

"All right, enough flattery. Let's go."

"Sir, aren't you going to play a few rounds?" Little Wolf asked, confused as Shirakawa and the others headed out without playing.

"We didn't come here to play. We came to find someone."

"Oh, then let's go to the next one."

"Mm."

These casinos were tucked away in such hidden locations that it would probably take them all day to find them on their own.

By midday, they'd checked all seven casinos, but they still hadn't found Rayleigh.

"Are you sure there are seven casinos here?"

"I'm sure," Little Wolf answered firmly. He didn't seem to be lying.

"That's strange. If the First Mate isn't at a casino, where could he be?" All three fell into thought.

"Oh, there's also a big entertainment venue here. They have gambling there too."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Buggy smacked Little Wolf on the head.

"Because they also offer... that kind of service."

"What kind?" Shanks asked with an innocent look.

"You know, that kind." Little Wolf glanced at Kaiser Lynn.

"What kind?" Shanks still didn't understand.

"All right, Shanks, stop asking. You're underage. You're better off not knowing about things like that."

Seeing Kaiser Lynn's face flush, Shirakawa spoke up.

"Hmph. None of you are decent. Even the kid you're leading is no good," Kaiser Lynn muttered.

"What is it, exactly?" Shanks persistently asked Kaiser Lynn.

"I don't know."

"All right, Shanks. You'll understand when you're older."

"I'm already grown up!" Shanks protested.

"No, you're not."

"Come on, hurry up and take us there. I'm kind of looking forward to it too."

"Pervert."

Seeing Shirakawa grin lecherously, Kaiser Lynn quietly insulted him.

"Whether I'm a pervert depends on who I'm looking at. I can't get worked up over you."

Shirakawa fired back without mercy at the woman who'd just insulted him.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

"What does that mean?"

"You should know what I mean."

"I don't."

"Do you really want me to say it?"

"Go ahead. I want to hear what you mean."

"Fine. I'll tell you exactly what I mean."

"Then say it."

"I mean you don't stir up any desire in me."

"I don't stir up any desire in you? Are you blind? I'm naturally beautiful, and you're telling me you don't desire me?"

"Do you really want me to desire you?"

Shirakawa pushed Kaiser Lynn against the wall in one swift motion and looked down at her.

"Whoa!" The three onlookers gasped in unison.

"I didn't know Shirakawa could be so domineering," Shanks said in disbelief.

"Yeah," Buggy agreed, nodding.

Shirakawa's sudden move caught Kaiser Lynn off guard. Her eyes widened, and for a moment she didn't know what to do.

Breathing in Shirakawa's strong, masculine scent, Kaiser Lynn felt a little dizzy. There was also a faint, pleasant fragrance, like his natural scent.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? Do you want me to desire you?" Shirakawa asked again, his tone full of provocation.

"I don't. Get away from me."

Kaiser Lynn shoved Shirakawa away and pulled her scarf higher, not wanting him to see her face.

"There, see? You don't want me to desire you, and I won't."

For some reason, Shirakawa felt a little disappointed as he said it. Could he be the legendary scumbag?