"I want to join Maude's crew."
"So, if I stay here, I'll be able to meet Maude, right?"
That was the real reason Hawkins suddenly came to Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
Right now, anything related to Maude had already spread across the world.
However, no one knew where Maude had gone.
Hawkins was no exception, but he knew exactly what he needed to do to meet Maude.
"I thought you were here to pick a fight."
The bulging veins on Urouge's muscles slowly receded as he scratched his temple with a finger, looking at Hawkins with mild exasperation.
If you want to pledge allegiance, then just say so—why make it seem like you're here to stir up trouble?
Perona rolled her eyes, turned around, picked up her small fork, and slowly fed herself bite after bite of raspberry cake.
Hawkins glanced at Perona before shifting his gaze to Urouge and calmly stating, "You still haven't answered my question."
"Well…"
Urouge furrowed his brows.
The awkward truth was that before Maude left for Marineford to join the war, he hadn't left Urouge any instructions.
As a result, Urouge genuinely didn't know how to answer Hawkins' question.
The mysterious silence made Hawkins frown slightly. His gaze drifted slightly to Perona.
Noticing Hawkins' stare, Perona ignored him and focused on savoring her cake.
"Did I come to the wrong place…?"
Hawkins sighed lightly and said coolly, "It seems you two are rather insignificant members of Maude's crew."
With that, he simply turned to leave.
"What did you just say?"
Urouge was instantly furious.
What do you mean 'insignificant'?
In terms of rank, he was Maude's number one subordinate!
Without hesitation, Urouge strode forward, reaching out to grab Hawkins by the shoulder.
Without even turning his head, Hawkins casually sidestepped mid-stride, effortlessly dodging Urouge's outstretched hand.
At that moment, as if sensing something, Hawkins suddenly leaped forward.
Almost the instant he moved, three Negative Hollows shot up from the wooden floor—precisely where he had been standing just a second ago.
"As expected."
Hawkins turned around, his expression emotionless as he looked at Perona, who had just sent the ghosts after him.
"You're pretty sharp, huh."
Perona put down her fork, stood up, and placed her hands on her hips, looking at Hawkins with clear irritation.
Her sneak attacks with Negative Hollows had always been foolproof, but this annoying man had actually avoided them.
Urouge also looked displeased.
Facing their hostile stares, Hawkins remained indifferent. "What? Did I say something incorrect?"
"Heh."
Urouge grinned, baring his teeth in his signature smile.
The veins that had just faded now surfaced again, snaking across his muscles like coiling green serpents, throbbing with a terrifying sense of power.
Even with nothing but his bulging, rock-like muscles, Urouge exuded an overwhelming aura of pressure.
Perona had originally wanted to teach Hawkins a lesson herself, but seeing that Urouge seemed ready to get serious, she simply sat back down, deciding to watch the show instead.
Under Urouge's imposing presence, Hawkins casually flipped a tarot card between his fingers and said in an indifferent tone, "The probability of bloodshed today… zero."
"Relax."
Urouge understood what he meant and suddenly grinned eerily. "I'll make sure to beat you down without drawing a drop of blood."
"…"
Hawkins remained unfazed, not even bothering to prepare a defense.
That complete confidence—like everything was under his control—was like a glaring beacon, constantly provoking Urouge's irritation.
Fine. I'll just knock this guy flat first.
The thought flashed through Urouge's mind as he prepared to stomp down on the floor, using the force to propel himself forward and close the distance instantly before delivering a few decisive punches.
"Hey, Little Urouge, are you planning to break my floor?"
Just as Urouge was about to move, Shakky spoke up, as if she had foreseen his actions.
"Uh…"
Hearing Shakky's teasing remark, Urouge's body froze mid-motion, and he hurriedly restrained his strength.
"N-No, of course not."
He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, glancing sheepishly at Shakky, who was leaning against the bar.
"Good."
Shakky nodded before turning her sharp gaze toward Hawkins.
"Magician Basil Hawkins… I've been keeping an eye on you."
Saying this, she snuffed out her cigarette and smiled. "Your ability is quite interesting. I just didn't expect you to willingly seek out Little Maude."
"…"
Hawkins remained composed, but deep in his eyes, a flicker of caution flashed.
This woman… is dangerous.
Shakky clasped her hands together under her chin, smiling. "I can guarantee you this—before heading to the New World, Little Maude will definitely come here to pick up Little Perona and Little Urouge. After all… these two are valuable members he personally acknowledged."
Hawkins showed no reaction, but Perona let out a soft "hmph."
Her white-stockinged legs swung back and forth beneath the chair.
Meanwhile, Urouge scratched his head even faster, visibly pleased.
"Is that so."
Hawkins gave a noncommittal response.
Shakky said seriously, "So, will you stay here and wait for Maude?"
Hawkins replied coolly, "That's exactly why I came."
Half an hour later…
"Come on, don't hold back—drink as much as you want!"
Urouge grabbed the bar's most expensive bottle of liquor and kept pouring for Hawkins.
Hawkins expressionlessly stared at the overflowing cup before him, struggling to adapt to Urouge's inexplicable enthusiasm.
If only he knew that Urouge had already begun considering him as the new 'number two subordinate,' who knows what he would think?
Perona leaned over, watching Hawkins idly play with his tarot cards.
"Hey, is your fortune-telling even accurate?"
"…"
Hawkins cast a glance at Perona, remaining silent.
Perona's eyes widened as she raised her voice. "I asked you a question!"
Hawkins let out a quiet sigh in his heart before replying half-heartedly, "Believe it, and it shall be accurate."
"Tch, you sound like some kind of fraud."
Urouge muttered under his breath.
Though, for someone of his size, "under his breath" was just a normal speaking volume to everyone else.
Perona ignored Urouge's comment entirely. Instead, she subconsciously glanced down at her less-than-impressive chest before turning back to Hawkins with eager anticipation.
"Then do a reading for me! Tell me, will my figure become sexier in two years—no, in one year?"
"???"
Hawkins looked at her like he'd just seen a ghost—though, to be fair, there were actual ghosts floating beside her.
"Do mine too, while you're at it."
Urouge slung a muscular arm around Hawkins' shoulder and, with complete seriousness, said, "Tell me, does my already perfect physique have any room for further improvement? If so, how long until I reach peak perfection?"
"???"
A cold sweat ran down Hawkins' back.
Did I… come to the wrong place?
He shook his head in resignation.
Forget it. Just endure.
A vivid image flashed in his mind—the ominous tarot card he had drawn before coming here, foretelling impending bloodshed.
As long as he stayed in this place, a deadly disaster was inevitable.
However…
If he made it through, he would obtain the result he sought.
Before that, he first had to deal with these two fools who were bound to share in that blood-soaked fate.
Suppressing his discomfort, Hawkins retrieved his tarot cards.
"…Who's first?"
The Magician had conceded.
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