The manager and the others watching from the kitchen doorway were already scared out of their wits.
Those fantastical powers and ruthless methods kept making him suck in sharp breaths.
"You actually dared to mess with the Blond Hair Pirates. You're asking to die."
"Let's go, Makino."
Kazu paid it no mind at all. When those thugs had shouted that they worked for Captain Nezumi, he had already decided to bring Captain Nezumi over and slaughter him.
Although he was no great saint, he had his own rules for doing things.
He had to feel good about it. If he didn't, it wouldn't matter who came.
He wanted to kill that filthy rat, so he would. There was no other reason.
When he read the manga in his previous life, Kazu had never liked Captain Nezumi. Now that he was here, of course he was going to vent that resentment.
As for announcing his pirate crew's name, that was simply to help spread their ship's fearsome reputation.
Kazu and Makino walked out of the restaurant. The manager and the others couldn't very well ask them to pay. Having this lord leave was the greatest blessing they could ask for.
Kazu, meanwhile, figured that saving the restaurant its protection money counted as settling the bill.
"Kazu, that man was a Marine captain. Shouldn't we hurry and leave?"
"If the Marines send a lot of soldiers and high-ranking officers here, we'll be in danger."
Although Makino trusted Kazu, she was still a little worried.
She was from the same hometown as Marine Vice Admiral Garp, after all, and had grown up hearing of his fearsome reputation.
Now that she had become a pirate, she still felt some fear of high-ranking Marine officers.
"It's fine. Even if the Marines mobilize, they won't get here that quickly."
"We'll set out tomorrow. Let's find somewhere to rest for tonight."
Makino thought it over and felt that made sense.
This was a fairly remote place, and the East Blue didn't have any particularly formidable officers permanently stationed here. If they wanted to pursue them, they would probably have to transfer someone from headquarters.
Meanwhile, Carlmand was lingering in Kesha Town's red-light district, reluctant to leave.
"Sure enough, a man ought to have a beauty in each arm."
"What kind of miserable life was I living before?"
Carlmand kissed the beauty on his left, and the beauty on his right offered him another glass of fine wine.
"Handsome, have another drink."
Both beauties had sweet faces, and their voices carried a seductive note.
The more alcohol a customer bought, and the more expensive it was, the higher their commission. Carlmand wasn't short of money, either. Captain Kazu had given him more than enough spending money.
Carlmand's generosity naturally delighted the two beauties, and they planned to give their big spender a proper reward tonight.
"Hahaha! I can drink an ocean. Tonight, I'll let you get a good look at what I can do."
Lost in their tender embrace, Carlmand felt as though he had found life's true meaning.
Besides pursuing dreams, enjoying life was part of living, too. Once he grew old and his body couldn't keep up, all he would be able to do was watch.
That wasn't what Carlmand wanted. At least, that was how he felt now.
"No wonder those kings and nobles are so corrupt. I'm actually starting to understand them."
Carlmand was having an incredibly pleasant night. Meanwhile, Kazu and Makino picked an inn that looked decent enough.
"Hello, we'd like two rooms."
"Ahem, ahem."
Makino had just told the young man at the front desk what they needed when Kazu inexplicably coughed twice behind her.
"Kazu, is something wrong with your throat?"
"Ah, no. It was just a little ticklish. Maybe the food earlier was a bit salty."
The young man at the front desk understood immediately. He had seen this trick far too many times.
"I'm sorry, beautiful miss, but we only have one luxury couples' suite left."
"But don't worry. Two single rooms would cost 7,000 Beli, and our couples' suite happens to be on special. It's normally 10,000 Beli, but today it's only 7,000. The price is the same."
Makino wasn't concerned about that little bit of money. She just felt it wasn't quite appropriate for a man and a woman to stay together in a couples' suite.
They weren't a couple, either. Wouldn't this give people the wrong idea?
"Then let's..."
"Then we'll take it. Business really is booming for the inns in Kesha Town lately. I didn't expect the rooms to be so full."
Makino had been about to say they should forget it and find somewhere else. She hadn't expected Kazu to agree outright, leaving her somewhat caught off guard.
This was a couples' suite...
Could Captain Kazu be interested in me?
Makino's little look made Kazu feel a bit embarrassed. Had he been too obvious just now?
"Well, if this inn is this full, the others are probably in the same situation."
"We're both children of the sea. Why be so bashful?"
"Here, buddy. Your Beli."
Kazu reached out and handed the young clerk 7,000 Beli, but when the clerk gave him the room key card, he discreetly slipped another handful of Beli into his hand.
The young man slipped it into his pocket without a change in expression. The two men's eyes met, each showing appreciation for the other.
"Let's go, Makino. Let's get a good night's rest on land. We'll be setting sail again tomorrow."
Makino said nothing more and simply followed quietly behind Kazu.
After watching Kazu and Makino head upstairs, the clerk took the Beli out of his pocket and checked it. There were actually 50,000 Beli.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You deserve to land such a gorgeous girl. You really are generous."
The young clerk felt today was a wonderful day. He would have a good meal tonight and treat himself.
Squeak~
Click~
Kazu opened the door, and the two stepped inside for a look. Well, now.
There were all sorts of mood-setting decorations, a bathtub for two, and a large, pale blue, heart-shaped bed.
Not doing something would be letting this room down.
"Ahem. Well, Makino..."
Kazu looked a little stiff, completely unlike how he acted when visiting bathhouses.
Both involved women, but one was buying a service, while the other was a respectable woman.
Even a scumbag like Kazu couldn't help feeling a little nervous.
Makino had run a tavern herself. Although she had never been in a relationship, she had seen enough. Seeing Kazu so obviously ill at ease, she laughed inwardly.
All desire and no nerve.
After that silent jab, Makino walked straight into the room.
"What is it, Cap~tain~ Ka~zu~?"
"Aren't we both children of the sea?"
Makino's words brought Kazu a sudden flash of understanding.
Right, Makino hadn't objected and was willing to share a room with me. That itself showed her tacit consent.
Hehehehe. This damned charm of mine. I've really been underestimating myself.
"My mistake, Makino. Let's enjoy this wonderful night."
Once Kazu put aside his mental burden, he did indeed feel much more at ease.
With the door shut, the two gazed at each other in the room filled with an intimate atmosphere.
The atmosphere was charged with intimacy, and both their breathing grew a little quicker.
Makino gently closed her eyes. As though receiving a signal, Kazu leaned in and kissed her.
Kazu's thinking was simple. He knew Makino's personality, and her looks were beyond reproach. His interest had been sparked by her beauty; there was no need to say more.
Makino understood things, too. After spending these past few days together, she had gained some understanding of Kazu's personality. He wasn't some utterly irredeemable villain, and she rather liked him.
Since she was going to chase her dream, it wasn't something she could accomplish in a short time. She trusted Kazu's character, he was powerful, and he was handsome, too. Since they were both interested in that way, she might as well let things take their natural course.