The bounty hunters dismissed Ryuya's tall tales as blatant lies.
Besides the obvious difference in physique, the very idea of the Dawn Bird leader being interested in a simple treasure map seemed ludicrous.
And the size discrepancy was significant. While they hadn't seen him in person, newspaper photos clearly showed Zero and Navy Admiral White Dove Ryuya to be almost identical in build.
Their devastating battle on Sabaody Archipelago, which completely destroyed Island 1, was still fresh in everyone's memory.
Having dismissed these inconsistencies, Igaram and Vivi relaxed. Igaram refilled Ryuya's cup, saying, That's the best story I've ever heard!
As for the map, it does indeed lead to Whiskey Peak. We'll take you there at dawn tomorrow."
Ryuya laughed heartily, "Perfect! I'll leave it to you then."
Igaram thought to himself, Tomorrow? After they drink our poisoned wine, they won't be seeing tomorrow!
As predicted, Carina, already quite intoxicated, collapsed first. Ryuya pretended not to notice, laughing loudly, "Hilarious! Your drinking capacity is truly abysmal!"
However, as he finished speaking, Ryuya himself began to sway and then fell to the table.
Kuina was momentarily surprised; she hadn't been briefed on any acting.
But her sharp mind quickly grasped the situation. She feigned a stumble, falling onto Ryuya and hugging him tightly.
There was a touch of genuine affection mixed with a hint of playful competition with Carina's earlier actions.
Igaram scoffed at the three seemingly incapacitated large men sprawled on the table.
"They talk a big game, but it's all hot air!" He then announced to the bounty hunters, "Alright everyone, let's have a proper celebration! After the festivities, we'll deal with these three."
The bounty hunters roared their approval. Ryuya ignored the commotion, letting them enjoy their revelry.
Time slipped away unnoticed until midnight. The celebration finally wound down. Only then did Igaram and his men remember the three "men" at the table.
"Kill them, take their treasure, and find where their ship is docked!"
A bounty hunter immediately drew his pistol and fired at Ryuya.
Gunpowder smoke filled the tavern. The bullet flew towards Ryuya, but seemingly had no effect, simply bouncing harmlessly off his body and falling to the ground.
"What in the...?" The bounty hunters were utterly perplexed.
"Fifth, did you buy fake bullets? They're useless! Watch this!" Another bounty hunter, aiming at Kuina, who was slumped against Ryuya's arm, fired his weapon.
The gunshot was even louder this time, the recoil jarring the shooter's arm. The bullet sped towards Kuina, but she remained completely unharmed.
"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible! Damn it! I don't believe it!" He aimed again, this time at Carina.
But before the bullet could even reach its target, a blinding sword arc sliced through the air, shattering the bullet and bisecting the shooter and his gun.
Ryūjin Jakka appeared in Ryuya's hand as if summoned from thin air. Carina, it should be noted, was genuinely incapacitated by the alcohol; her acting was unnecessary.
Ryuya snapped his fingers. The illusions vanished, revealing Ryuya, Kuina, and Carina in their black robes.
Igaram and Vivi's faces drained of color. Igaram could only stammer, "How…?!"
Before they could utter another word, Ryuya commanded, "Kuina!"
Kuina, Ryuya's deadliest weapon, drew Ominous.
A chilling gleam filled the tavern.
Every bounty hunter within sight, except for Igaram and Vivi directly in front of Ryuya, had their heads cleanly severed.
Blood spurted forth, painting the tavern in a horrifying crimson.
Ryuya then pressed Ryūjin Jakka to Igaram's throat.
"Didn't I subtly hint at this earlier? Why didn't you believe me?"
Igaram and Vivi felt a bone-chilling fear. Their eyes widened in horror. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
They finally realized they were facing the legendary Dawn Bird Leader.
The commotion in the tavern attracted the attention of other bounty hunters, who began to cautiously approach.
But before they could reach the entrance, Kuina charged out into the night.
Whiskey Peak was a nest of bounty hunters, but these were not ordinary bounty hunters.
This was not only a gathering place for bounty hunters, but also a branch office of the clandestine criminal organization, Baroque Works!
Therefore, it was far more efficient to simply eliminate them all.
Screams of terror erupted from outside, but as the minutes ticked by, the screams gradually dwindled to silence.
Vivi and Igaram felt the icy grip of death tightening around them…
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