Ron's mouth tugged into a wry smile.
The newcomer might be a simp, but his fate was far crueler than most. In the end, he didn't just lose everything — he nearly lost his life, too.
Then again… this guest wasn't exactly human. He was a tiger — upright, regal, and terrifyingly composed.
A tall crown rested between his ears; his face was cold and stern. A blue‑violet martial outfit emphasized his powerful build, and a crimson cloak swayed behind him with each step, giving him an undeniable air of command.
From Ron's own childhood memories, this was Black Tiger — the heir to the Demon Sect.
With that pedigree… and you're pining after a rabbit?
Ron honestly couldn't wrap his head around it.
Rayleigh, who'd been reminiscing moments ago, noticed Ron's change in expression and glanced over.
"Mink Tribe?" he muttered, startled.
On Sabaody, a Mink had a base auction price of seven hundred thousand Berries. If any slaver saw this one, they'd risk everything to capture him.
Black Tiger followed Rayleigh's gaze and gave him a single, flat look.
Pressure crashed down. Rayleigh's instincts flared, body shifting subconsciously into a ready stance.
Strong.
Stronger than either of the rulers he knew from Zou — Inuarashi and Nekomamushi. But… far too young for that level of presence. Some kind of freakish outlier?
"Easy," Ron said lightly. "He's just a customer." Then, to Black Tiger: "What would you like to drink?"
Black Tiger didn't answer. His eyes tracked the thick, refined aroma curling from a bottle — the same one by Rayleigh's hand.
He sat at the bar and pointed. "A pot of that. Exactly the same."
"I hope the voice that led me here didn't lie. They said your liquor was like immortal nectar."
Moments later, Rem set a bottle of Moutai in front of him. "Your drink, sir. Please enjoy."
Black Tiger nodded and said nothing more, drinking in heavy silence.
Within minutes, half the bottle was gone — as if he were pouring his frustration straight down his throat.
Ron spoke gently. "If you're here to get drunk… you can talk about what's eating you. Maybe the old gentleman beside you can help."
Rayleigh's face darkened. Is this supposed to be funny?
Couldn't he see how strong this Mink was? And what kind of cave are you running, exactly?!
Black Tiger eyed Rayleigh, hesitated… then tilted the bottle for a long pull and rasped:
"Before I came here, I used my inner energy to heal the girl I love."
"But when she woke up… the name she called wasn't mine." His mouth twisted. "Hongmao, was it?"
"At the edge of death and life — she still cried for someone else. Ridiculous."
He felt like a dog — no matter how he wagged his tail in front of Blue Rabbit, all he ever earned was a roll of her eyes.
Rayleigh winced. "Young man, let it go. You're still early in life. You'll meet someone better."
"Maybe soon you'll meet another girl worth dying for— worth losing yourself over."
Ron nearly spat out his drink. Black Tiger's expression said a stampede had just run over his chest.
He raised the bottle and drained the rest. "I won't meet another," he said hoarsely. "Faithful, steadfast, loyal to the end… there won't be a second like her. If only we weren't enemies."
But I won't accept it.
By character — when Blue Rabbit lost her memory, I never crossed a line.
By skill — ten years in seclusion, then sweeping my peers upon return.
I seized the Qilin to save my father. Where was I wrong?
"So tell me—" he slammed the bottle down, eyes burning, "—Where exactly am I, Black Tiger, inferior to Hongmao?!"
Ron patted his shoulder. "Seeing a stunning woman too young leaves her shadow on the rest of your life. Too beautiful."
Black Tiger lowered his gaze. "Yeah."
"Seven Swords as one — I could stop six by myself. Only your Ice‑Soul Sword pierced straight to my bones… The pain— it's too much."
Rayleigh sighed. "Fine. Let an old man give you a hand. Don't be too good to her. Let her see you can live without her — live better, with plenty of other women."
"That difference will gnaw at her. She'll think of the things you went through together."
Enlightenment flashed in Black Tiger's eyes. The drunken haze thinned, replaced by a sharp clarity. A true senior! If he'd met this elder earlier, maybe he and Blue Rabbit would already have a child running around.
"But her heart's always held someone else," he whispered. "There's never been space for me."
Rayleigh smiled. "Then cause the occasional 'accident' for them — discreetly."
Black Tiger's brows knit. "I, Black Tiger, act openly and honorably. I won't stoop to such filth."
Behind the counter, Ron facepalmed. Brother, you're already a simp. At this point, dignity's moot. Besides… 'open and honorable' doesn't match your history — poisonings, kidnappings, arson? Ring any bells?
Ron slid another bottle across the counter. "That pride of yours — must burn to the touch. Can it burn through this love? If you can't do it yourself, have your men do it."
He hadn't planned to meddle, but Black Tiger — son of the Martial Alliance Leader — was loaded. If the story continued on rails, the man would be dead within days… and the tavern would lose a recurring interworld guest.
Black Tiger accepted the bottle without comment. He didn't refuse this time.
He drank — one glass after another — until the last drop was gone. When he set the cup down, the confusion had left his eyes. He placed several gold ingots on the counter and rose.
"Gentlemen, I'll remember your advice. I'll visit again another day."
He turned and walked out. His figure didn't melt into the incoming night — it vanished altogether, returning to his own world.
"I'm off as well," Rayleigh said, dropping a sack of coins. "I'll come back tomorrow. Tonight I'll test the 'medicine' — we'll see whether Shakky's the one begging for mercy… or if I'm still the one suffering like the old days."
The bitterness on his face said plenty. Age had not been kind.
"Let's close up," Ron said. He swept the money into the till and began shuttering the tavern with Rem and Ram.
The instant the door clicked shut, the System chimed:
[Ding! Guests Rayleigh and Black Tiger have completed confessions.]
[Host may select from Black Tiger's abilities: Heaven Demon Rampage, Star‑Absorbing Art, Kua Fu Chases the Sun…]
[Rayleigh: Conqueror's Haki, Observation Haki, Armament Haki…]
Ron slapped a hand over his face. "Do the names have to be this edgy? This is embarrassing!"
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