Tea Dolphin was furious.
He knew Momousagi didn't like him — but that truth was something no one else was allowed to say aloud. The moment Ron spoke it, it felt like someone had ripped open a secret he'd guarded for years. It was like being the vain emperor in that fable, and Ron was the child shouting, "The emperor has no clothes!"
And just like in that story — the emperor would have to silence the boy.
Now Tea Dolphin just wanted to beat the smug tavern owner senseless. His fist tore through the air with a thunderous crack, the air itself screaming from the pressure.
Ron didn't flinch. "No Armament Haki? You're holding back?"
He tightened his right fist and met the blow head-on.
"Intentional Punch — Sett's Style!"
BOOM!
Their fists collided with an explosive shockwave. Tea Dolphin felt a jolt of pain shoot through his arm before his body was sent flying. He crashed through tables and chairs, tumbling out of the tavern and into the street.
Rem, who had just pulled out a pink flail to defend her master, blinked in shock. "Ram… is our Master really that strong?"
"I'm not sure," Ram replied softly. "Even now, I still can't sense any aura from him."
They had thought Ron was just a normal man — but that single punch had launched a Marine Rear Admiral candidate through solid walls. It defied logic.
"You two stay here," Ron instructed, stepping out of the tavern.
Still… he paused mid-thought. Wait, where did Rem even pull that pink flail from? Don't tell me it's been hidden under her maid skirt this whole time...
Yeah. He'd have to investigate that later.
Outside, Tea Dolphin staggered to his feet, drunk and trembling. "Take back what you said! Momousagi definitely loves me! Otherwise, why hasn't she married anyone yet? She's waiting for me… yeah, she must be!"
Ten years of devotion — from soldier to Rear Admiral candidate. And now a stranger had torn that fantasy apart. His chest ached with rage and heartbreak.
Momousagi… you're the cinnabar mole on my chest, the white moonlight above my head…
Ron muttered under his breath, "Licked till powerless, licked till self-convinced. The man's the role model of all simps."
Even in his drunken haze, Tea Dolphin's Observation Haki caught the jab. His anger flared again. Simp?
That wasn't simping — that was mutual devotion!
"You're full of crap!" he roared. Jet-black Armament Haki wrapped his fists like flowing steel.
Ron sighed. "Before the drink, you're a simp. After the drink, you're a battle wolf."
Before he could blink, Tea Dolphin lunged — a blur of black steel and killing intent. The pressure alone made the air scream.
Suddenly, the system's mechanical chime rang in Ron's head:
[Ding! Guest Tea Dolphin's confession complete.]
[Confession target: Momousagi. She will soon visit the tavern.]
[Guest abilities: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, Rokushiki. Host may select one ability.]
Ron thought for a second. "Armament Haki."
[Ding! Congratulations, Host — Armament Haki acquired.]
A cool sensation rushed through his body — but there was no time to dwell on it. He mirrored Tea Dolphin's stance and countered the next blow with his own Armament-coated fist.
BOOM!
The resulting shockwave tore through the ground like cannon fire. Cracks spiderwebbed under their feet as debris shot into the air.
The impact snapped Tea Dolphin halfway out of his drunken haze. The man across from him — this tavern owner — was matching him blow for blow, even while using Armament Haki!
Before he could think further, another blast wave erupted. The sheer force made Tea Dolphin stagger backward, boots scraping furrows in the stone.
Ron, meanwhile, only stepped back half a pace — his hand tingling slightly, but his grin unshaken.
Between the enhancement serum and his newly acquired Haki, his strength had risen dramatically. Add in Tea Dolphin's drunken state, and the outcome was clear.
Tea Dolphin glared, breathing hard. "Who the hell are you?!"
He'd suspected something was strange about this tavern from the start — but he hadn't cared, not when he'd only wanted a drink. Still, this power was no joke.
Ron smiled faintly. "Just a simple barkeep."
"Then I'll take you to Marine Headquarters for questioning!" Tea Dolphin growled, stepping forward to attack again —
Only for Ron to suddenly rush in first.
"Time to take off!"
"Huh—?!" Tea Dolphin blinked, still drunk. Before he realized it, Ron's arms were locked around him, dragging him forward five meters — then leaping high into the air.
"Powerbomb!"
BOOM!!!
The ground split open as Tea Dolphin was slammed into the earth, dust exploding outward. The entire area trembled.
Meanwhile, at the Extortion Tavern nearby, Silvers Rayleigh looked up from his newspaper. His sharp eyes flicked toward the direction of the blast.
"Another fight?" he muttered.
The bartender shrugged. "Looks like it. This time, seems it's some kid I've never seen before."
Rayleigh stood, vanishing in an instant.
Inside a crater nearly three meters deep, Ron stood over a half-kneeling Tea Dolphin, smiling.
"Relax. I'm no pirate — not part of any faction. That hit was just to sober you up."
Tea Dolphin groaned. Sober me up? You nearly snapped my spine! He clutched his back and forced out, "That's not for you to decide. You're coming with me for interrogation."
Ron sighed, leapt into the air, and snapped a whip kick straight into Tea Dolphin's face.
THUD!
The Marine flew backward, crashing into a tree hard enough to splinter it. He tried to stand, but his drunk, battered body refused to obey. Fatigue, pain, and liquor crushed him.
As his consciousness dimmed, Ron's voice reached him — calm, firm, echoing like thunder.
"Wake up. Women will only weaken your Haki's hardness."
"You can look at her a hundred times — she'll still never be yours."
"But swing your fists a hundred times — your strength will always be real."
"You're a Marine. Your duty is to guard this sea, not chase some damn romantic fantasy."
The words echoed in Tea Dolphin's ears like rolling thunder.
And then — thud.
He collapsed completely, drifting into unconsciousness.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/ZoroTL442