That's Just the Way the World Is

"Although I can't be like you, I admire you."

"No matter what it is, as long as it's not something as stupid as killing everyone in the world, I, the boss, will..."

As he spoke, he stood up and remotely controlled a jar of "Bass Wine" to fly over.

He slapped the seal off the top.

He lifted it up, tilted his head back, and took several large bites.

Glug glug glug!!

He had long wanted to drink this renowned Bass Wine, and now that he saw the jar, his craving for it kicked in, and he couldn't resist.

"Phew~"

"Cool..."

Then he turned to meet Bada's gaze, "Since..."

They all drank your wine.

He shrugged. "There's no other way. Just say it! I'll agree to anything you ask."

"But... you have to get up first!"

He looked around and said, "Look at your underlings, they look like they want to devour me whole."

"That's terrifying!"

As he spoke, he sat back down in his chair, placed the wine jar on the table, grabbed Bada's shoulder, and lifted him up.

"Don't kneel down so easily."

"A real man kneels only to heaven, earth, and his parents; he doesn't need to kneel for anything else."

"I've lived this long, and I still don't understand life as well as anyone else."

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Bada stood up and looked at Kuta, his face showing the most genuine smile he had seen Kuta that evening.

"Haha!! Boss is right."

"It was my younger brother's fault for being ignorant."

"I'll punish myself with three cups."

As he spoke, he reached for the wine jar in front of Kuta.

"Huh! What are you doing?"

Kuta snatched the wine jar, glancing sideways at Bada with a protective look on his face.

"Well!"

Bada's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, unsure whether to go forward or backward, leaving him utterly embarrassed.

Just then, one of the Eight Brothers' henchmen, Bada, noticed his boss's embarrassment and hurriedly grabbed a wine jar from behind him and came over.

"Boss."

"What?"

"Liquor."

Bada turned around, took the wine, and gave his underling a sensible look.

Seeing his underlings still holding guns, he quickly shouted, "What are you all doing with your weapons? Can't you see I'm going to have a drink with the boss?"

"Get out of here, you're annoying."

"Ha ha!!"

"The boss is right, we'll leave right now, we'll leave right now."

The underlings, realizing it was a misunderstanding, quickly put away their weapons, stepped back, and went to help set up the banquet in the center.

The open space in the middle was now filled with food.

Hundreds of children were either talking loudly, laughing heartily, or helping to carry food.

They were all very obedient and sensible; without being asked by an adult, none of them stole a single piece of food.

They're so sensible it breaks my heart.

Looking at the hundreds of children in the middle, a tenderness unique to a king flashed in Bada's eyes.

Looking at these children, he felt as if he were seeing the future of the Bass Kingdom.

No matter how lowly he was, he was determined to bring the Bass Kingdom back to life.

Only...

He might not be able to see that.

Good heavens.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but touch his chest, a flash of cold light appearing in his eyes, followed by extreme sorrow.

"Damn Bullet, damn World Government."

"Why are you showing such sadness again?"

"Me? I really can't stand it when people show that kind of emotion in front of me."

"Because someone once said that no matter how the world changes, we must strive forward and live each day to the fullest; that's what makes life worthwhile!"

"So sadness is an emotion that should only come occasionally; don't be sad all the time!"

Kuta picked up his drink and took a sip.

Then he controlled several jars of wine to fly to Ahua Trio, as well as to Indigo.

"Try it, everyone try it, it's really delicious! No wonder this wine is famous Grand Line."

As he spoke, he couldn't resist taking another sip.

This liquor isn't as strong as regular liquor, nor as bland as Rum; instead, it has a unique chill.

The icy coldness of the drink didn't make you feel cold; instead, it warmed you up.

That's strange.

It must be the unique terrain here that allows such a distinctive bar to exist!

After finishing his drink, he placed the wine jar on the table and pushed it in front of Kuina.

He knew that Kuina didn't really like the taste of alcohol, but he figured she would like this one!

"Try it."

Kuta looked at Kuina with anticipation, like a child sharing candy with a good friend.

Kuina looked at Kuta, a slight smile playing on her lips.

He picked up the wine jar, brought it to his lips, and took a small sip.

Even when holding a wine jar, one can still exude elegance while drinking Red Wine.

As expected of an elegant Swordmaster.

Seeing the blush creeping across Kuina's face, Kuta quickly asked, "Is it delicious?"

Kuina put down the wine jar, smiled gently, her laughter like the tinkling of silver bells, possessing a magical power to slowly calm people down.

He looked at Kuta and said gently, "Mmm! It's delicious, icy cold, yet warming."

"Is it that good?"

Seeing that Kuina said it tasted good, Ahua Trio couldn't resist, grabbed the jar, raised it, and gulped it down.

"Phew~"

"Phew~"

"Phew~"

Three sounds in a row, followed by a single, unified sound.

"Cool--!"

Seeing how much everyone liked "Bass Wine," a smile also appeared on Bada's face.

He looked at everyone, a hint of pride creeping into his eyes.

He was proud that his sake could win over Kuta and his crew, and he was also glad that he met Kuta before he died.

Chapter 17 The World Is Just Like This

"Alright, tell me! What's wrong?"

Kuta leaned back in his chair and looked at Bada.

Bada carried the wine jar, walked back to the original chair, and sat down.

He first opened the wine jar.

Glug glug glug!!

"Cough cough cough!!"

"Hahaha!! It's been so long since I've drunk like this, sorry, boss."

Bada, blushing, put down the wine jar, stared at Kuta, and laughed heartily.

"It's not a big deal, really. It's just that after I rescue the people, could you please lend us your Pirates flag?"

Do you want our shelter?

Kuta picked up the sake jar and took a sip.

"But our reputation is not enough to protect a Kingdom!"

"I believe in you, I believe in you."

Bada stared at Kuta with a serious expression and said, "I believe you will definitely become a world-class Pirates crew."

"Oh..."

Kuta looked at Bada and a smirk appeared on his lips.

Being affirmed by others is a pleasant thing in itself.

He didn't know that this was actually perceived by the Bada Observation Haki, and that Kuta possessed an invincible spirit in the world.

That kind of spirit is so powerful; if even someone like that can't do it, then no one else can.

"Ha ha ha ha!!"

"I thought it was something serious!"

Glug!

Kuta put down the wine jar, stared at Bada, and said seriously, "Alright, I can agree to your request!"

"Phew~"

Just as Bada breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

Kuta spoke again.

"But..."

Bada quickly looked up and asked, "But what?"

"I can accept any condition, even if the Bass Kingdom has nothing left to give you, but please believe in the future of Bass..."

"Okay, that's not a condition anymore!"

Kuta patted the wine jar. "As for the reward... didn't you guys already give it to me?"

"Ha ha ha ha!!"

Kuta laughed heartily, placed his hands on the table, leaned forward, rested his head on the back of his hands, and stared at Bada.

What I'm trying to say is, the future of the Bass Kingdom can only be entrusted to you!