After the combined bombardment from Rem, Ram, and Shendu,
the once-green meadow had become nothing but blackened earth.
"Let's head back. They're all dead," Shendu said quietly.
Across the field, Blackbeard, Van Augur, Burgess, Doc Q, Lafitte, and even the skeletal horse Strong-Strong lay charred beyond recognition, no sign of life left.
Ram and Rem hesitated.
"No need to double-check?"
During their "daily-training lectures," Ron had been clear: No matter who the enemy is, always take the head. Only then is it truly over.
But remembering the divine punishment they'd just unleashed, the twins finally nodded.
No one could have survived that.
Half an hour later—
"Huff… huff…"
Blackbeard's eyes snapped open. Gulping the cool night air, he immediately spread out his Observation Haki.
Sensing no trace of pursuit—only distant Marines rushing toward the fire—he exhaled in relief.
Beside him, Doc Q and his emaciated horse twitched back to life.
"It was close," Doc Q rasped. "I only had time to save you and Strong-Strong."
At the final moment, he had fed them both a special concoction—one that stopped the heart and stilled the lungs, fooling even Observation Haki.
It had been their only way to play dead and survive.
Blackbeard coughed, and blood splattered across the ash.
Looking down, he saw his entire body scorched, his abdomen burned clean through by Shendu's Laser Vision.
"We're lucky to be alive. If Burgess and Van Augur hadn't taken the blast for me—and without the Dark-Dark Fruit's absorption—I'd be ash."
Pain ripped through him, forcing him to the ground, body convulsing.
The side-effect of the Dark-Dark Fruit—absorbing damage meant feeling it twice as much.
Still, he didn't scream. He only clenched his teeth until they cracked.
"We move. Now," Doc Q said. "In this state, if the Navy finds us, we're finished."
He hauled the captain onto the bony horse and started away from the smoking plain.
Using his last ounce of strength, Blackbeard turned back toward the distant tavern.
Hatred blazed in his bloodshot eyes.
At the Tavern
Shendu was sprawled across the bar, nursing a drink and venting his endless woes.
Good thing the tavern had no close neighbors—anyone else would've filed a noise complaint by now.
Suddenly, his body stiffened.
"They're alive?"
His eyes widened.
For the last half hour he'd been locking onto that battlefield with his aura, ready in case anything went wrong.
And yet—something had gone wrong.
"They've already run off, haven't they?" Ron asked with a calm smile.
Shendu nodded, shifting back into his human guise and starting toward the door.
Judging by his look, he wasn't planning to stop until every last one of them was dead.
Burgess might already be toast, but Shendu clearly believed—
A family should die together, neat and complete.
"Leave it," Ron said lightly. "If they run into a populated zone, killing them will just cause trouble. Don't worry—they won't leave the island soon. You come by often enough; you'll get your chance."
If Shendu exposed himself to the Navy now, Sengoku would be camping outside the tavern by sunrise, demanding answers.
And besides—
Ron wanted Shendu to keep coming back.
Not for the money.
For the Twelve Talismans.
Each one a world-breaking power—
and among them, the Tiger Talisman, which could split good and evil into two separate bodies.
If—just if—he used that on Rem and Ram… wouldn't that be double the fun?
The Monkey Talisman had its own appeal too.
Just imagine… enhancing the twins' "attributes" from an A-plus to a D—maybe even an E.
"Fine," Shendu nodded. "I'll drink here every day until I catch him."
He dropped a few gemstones on the counter and rose.
"It's late. I'll be back tomorrow for another drink."
"You're always welcome," Ron said, smiling as he saw him out.
The demon's massive silhouette faded into the darkness until it was gone.
Ron was wiping down the bar, ready to close up, when the familiar system voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding — Customer Shendu has completed his confiding.]
[Ding — Involved party detected: Drago. He will visit the tavern soon.]
[Customer Shendu rewards: Monkey, Dragon, Rabbit, Pig Talismans. Choose one.]
Ron rubbed his chin, thinking.
He already had his three Haki mastered, the Flame Dragon's scales, and Hei Xiaohu's abilities.
He didn't need more firepower.
What he lacked was speed.
After a pause, he said softly,
"Select the Rabbit Talisman."
Light shimmered, and an octagonal charm engraved with a rabbit symbol appeared in his palm.
He clenched his hand around it.
Brilliant light burst forth—
—and in the next instant, Ron was standing in his bedroom.
He'd closed the bar door on the way, undressed, and slid under the sheets in one breath.
"Not bad," he murmured, satisfied.
Just as he was about to discuss philosophy with the dream god Zhou Gong…
A rustle came from the window.
Ron snapped alert and turned—then froze.
A tall silhouette climbed gracefully inside.
In the dim moonlight, a flawless body came into view—snow-white skin, long legs wrapped in black stockings, hips like poetry, and a taut, athletic waist etched with perfect lines.
And that view up top—
"Momousagi?" Ron sighed.
Good grief. What now?
She smiled playfully.
"Didn't I say I'd come find you tonight?"
Before he could answer, her soft lips pressed against his.
For all his intellect, at moments like this, a man's other head tends to take command.
And that's how Ron committed the same mistake men have been making since the dawn of time.
That night,
Ron emptied his wallet, lost his dignity, and woke up utterly broke.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/ZoroTL442