Chapter 71: Chapter 71
Chapter 71 - Flamingo
The Career Stabilization Center, commonly known as the Human Auction House, plays a unique and significant role on this island, and few dare to have sinister intentions towards it.
Of course, the Career Stabilization Center deals with pirates and human traffickers on a daily basis. It possesses a certain defense force, making it difficult for small forces to cause trouble.
Additionally, there are powerful figures from the underworld supporting it. These could be the underworld kings mentioned at the Big Mom Tea Party or other individuals.
Anyone willing to target the Human Auction House indicates that the person is either reckless or aims to meddle in the underworld's dealings.
As for the identity of the attacker, it's quite coincidental. Someone mentioned seeing a peculiar ship nearby, resembling a flamingo.
Connecting these clues, Adrian quickly understands that Doflamingo has come to the Grand Line to cause trouble and has already reached the Sabaody Archipelago. The Human Auction House might change hands.
However, there's something he doesn't understand: Doflamingo's pirate crew has always operated in the North Blue and occasionally clashed with Vice-Admiral Tsuru. If he crossed the Calm Belt from the North Blue, he could directly enter the latter half of the Grand Line. Doflamingo should have the power for that.
Moreover, he doesn't aspire to become Pirate King, so there's no need for him to go out of his way to circumnavigate the world. Why would he come to the Sabaody Archipelago? The profits from a mere auction house probably wouldn't be enough to entice this ambitious man.
Unable to make sense of it, Adrian decides that if he encounters them, he should keep his distance.
Doflamingo's ultimate goal is to destroy the world. Viewing him as a madman from a commoner's perspective isn't wrong. It's better not to get involved with someone like him, who possesses strength, strategy, and grand ideals, until he can be easily defeated.
Tavern patrons, unlike Adrian, don't overthink things. No matter how big the incident in the lawless zone, it's just fodder for their boasts. Even if great pirates emerge in the world, they can only worry briefly, curse the ineffectiveness of the Marines, and then focus on eating and drinking.
Occasionally, world government officials on vacation drop by the tavern. They don't mind the banter. In fact, they're used to it. When they encounter familiar drinking buddies, they might even join in on the cursing.
After closing for the afternoon, Adrian remembers an important task he hasn't completed yet.
That is, it's Rui Mengmeng's first experience in battle, and she bled. He hasn't provided her with any psychological counseling, though he himself isn't skilled in that area. Nonetheless, he should at least show some concern.
Thus, Rui Mengmeng sits obediently on a round stool, her upper body erect, knees together, and hands properly resting on her lap, holding a teacup.
Across from her, a long table with three chairs is set up. Tom, Adrian, and Artoria sit in a row. Their left hands rest flat on the table, right hands supporting their cheeks, staring fixedly at Rui Mengmeng, with a cup of tea placed in front of each of them.
Five seconds later, all three of them simultaneously switch to resting their left hands on their cheeks, placing their right hands flat on the table, gently tapping their fingertips on the surface.
Oh, and because the chairs are too low and the table is too high, Tom has piled up four cookbooks he bought in the past, along with marine life encyclopedias and books about common land creatures. This allows him to prop his arms on the table.
Feeling uneasy under their gaze, Rui Mengmeng cautiously attempts to ease the tension: "Um... is this what they mean by inviting someone for tea?"
"Ha, seems somewhat similar, but maybe we're missing a lamp." It's an old joke, but only Adrian understands the underlying meaning, making the atmosphere a bit peculiar.
"Let's get straight to the point, Mengmeng. Your condition during the morning's battle seemed off, didn't it?" Adrian took charge of the question, while Tom and Artoria mostly contributed to the atmosphere.
"What's wrong with my condition?" Rui Mengmeng tried to recall the battle, blushing slightly. She felt embarrassed because she realized she had been shouting things like 'so scary,' 'terrifying,' 'oh my god,' and 'don't come closer.' Wasn't that too embarrassing? She might end up being looked down upon by her boss.
No, that's not right. Even though this girl seemed like a startled rabbit at the beginning of the fight, she was fierce and decisive when it came to striking. While she was shouting about being scared, she raised her hand and launched a direct attack toward vital points. Her startled expression had just appeared when she had already sneak attacked her opponent from behind and followed up with a backstab...
Admiral Kizaru's "so scary" was feigned, but Rui Mengmeng's fear was genuine. She was the type to say the most timid things and engage in the most ruthless battles.
When she was attacking the person Tom injured, she didn't hesitate to strike. At that moment, there was even a bit of blood on her face, and she appeared somewhat... frenzied, that would be the right word.
That's why Adrian had set up such a big arrangement, worrying that she might have some psychological issues.
"Did you feel uncomfortable afterward? Like after chopping so many people, were you afraid of yourself in that state?"
Rui Mengmeng thought for a moment. "Not really? Boss, you said those were all bad people. If I didn't chop them, they would have chopped me. Isn't that considered self-defense? I heard that self-defense isn't against the law."
"Uh... well, it's not against the law. Let's just say you did a good job."
After chatting for a while, Adrian realized that Rui Mengmeng's mindset was extremely positive, making him seem somewhat melodramatic in comparison.
"Blurp blurp blurp..."
The sound of the Den Den Mushi startled Tom. He was getting sleepy listening to their chaotic conversation, and now he woke up abruptly and fell off his chair.
The stack of books piled high lost its balance, crashing down and burying Tom underneath.
Tom's head emerged from the pile of books, dazed. He had been sitting on so many books?
Adrian temporarily put aside his confusion and picked up the phone: "Hello, this is Adrian's tavern."
As soon as the other person spoke, the Den Den Mushi's "caller ID" appeared, revealing a large mustache. "Ah, Adrian, my boy! It's Guragas. I'll be delivering near your place this afternoon. Just wanted to ask if you need a restock, and I'll bring it over."
Adrian calculated his stock and said, "Sure, bring it over together. Same quantity as usual."
"No problem!" Guragas readily agreed. It would save him a lot of trouble to make this trip.
"By the way, do you have any good wine that would make a suitable gift? Could you bring over two bottles? It's fine if they're a bit pricey."
Adrian remembered it was time to pay a visit to the Goodman family. Even though it wasn't far, it had been a month since he last visited. They had taken care of him so well back then, and he couldn't forget that kindness, right?
"Haha, leave it to me!" Guragas hung up the phone with a hearty laugh.
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