The Terror of the Pirates

Skunk.

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a ferret.

If you were to nitpick, the name "skunk" might be more fitting and practical.

Alex's sudden interest in the ferret, which was desperately trying to flee, wasn't about tasting its meat but rather about its potential value.

How much could it be sold for?

He pondered this as he studied the ferret more closely.

He was short on funds to buy a good knife.

If he named that knife [White Skunk], it wouldn't be a waste of the skunk's sacrifice.

When Alex asked if the skunk was edible, Wolf Rat had no real interest in the answer.

His contemplation was merely an attempt to put himself in Alex's shoes and think about the question.

"It's edible!"

After a brief pause, Wolf Rat answered with certainty.

He didn't care if it was actually edible; he could tell Alex wanted to eat the skunk, and that was reason enough.

This was the third secret to making friends—put yourself in their shoes!

Alex smiled and said, "Then let's bring it along."

"No problem. I happen to have a great chef. If he prepares it, even skunk meat can taste amazing."

Wolf Rat nodded, then glanced at Alex.

The two stared at each other for a moment.

Alex maintained his smile.

Wolf Rat grew puzzled.

Not far away, the ferret was still struggling to crawl away.

"What's going on? Instead of grabbing the skunk, he's just staring at me? Did I say something wrong?"

Wolf Rat was first confused, then slightly anxious.

Unable to figure it out, he could only stand there awkwardly, waiting for Alex to make the next move.

Suddenly, Wolf Rat noticed Alex looking at his bloodied hands.

"Huh? Is he concerned about my injuries? It seems the secret to making friends really works. If you put yourself in someone else's shoes, they'll care about you in return. That's how friendships are built."

Wolf Rat felt a surge of emotion, thinking his efforts had finally paid off.

But gradually, he realized something was off.

Shouldn't it be…?

Wolf Rat looked at Alex's smiling face and tentatively asked, "Should I get it for you?"

"That wouldn't be right, would it?"

Alex responded, glancing at the blood and dirt on the ferret's body.

The ferret breathed a sigh of relief, thinking things might not turn out as badly as it had feared.

Alex continued, "But since you offered, it's a bit of a hassle."

"..."

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Wolf Rat fell silent.

He had the sudden urge to smear his bloody hands all over Alex's face.

Ten minutes later.

The two men and the skunk arrived in front of Tatamu's [Night Bar].

"So this is the place."

Alex looked around.

This was where he had hunted the three pirates the previous night and where he had first encountered Wolf Rat, who seemed desperate for friendship.

At the time, he had been too focused on his prey to pay much attention to the bar tucked away in the alley.

Alex turned to the bar's entrance, where a distinctive skull-shaped oil lamp hung on the wall. The sight stirred some memories.

Back in the Hunter World, he had often frequented underground bars to gather information.

Those bars were usually hidden, inaccessible to ordinary people, and filled with bizarre decorations, including skull-shaped oil lamps.

The [Night Bar] in front of him gave off a similar vibe, evoking a sense of familiarity.

"Come in."

Wolf Rat pushed open the bar door and led Alex inside.

Passing through a short hallway, they entered the bar, illuminated by a soft red light.

Behind the counter, Tatamu was wiping glasses as usual. Hearing the noise, he glanced toward the entrance.

When he saw Alex, a faint glint flickered in his eyes.

He remembered the dangerous knife-wielding woman from the previous night.

Silently, Tatamu lowered his head and continued polishing the glass.

Alex studied Tatamu for a moment, then glanced at the empty seats in the bar.

Like Sol's weapon shop, business here was slow.

However, the bar's decor was far from casual.

The lighting, atmosphere, and seating arrangement all showed that the owner had put considerable thought into the design.

Unfortunately, the pirates of Mad Hatter Town preferred lively taverns, which explained the lack of customers.

Wolf Rat walked up to the bar and placed the lifeless ferret on the counter.

"This is Tatamu, the bar owner and my friend. Don't let his tough appearance fool you—he's skilled in cooking and bartending. Leave the skunk meat to him, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Wolf Rat introduced Tatamu to Alex, casually mentioning his culinary skills.

The skunk, lying on the counter, trembled slightly, its despair deepening.

"This is Usopp, a friend I just made."

Wolf Rat turned to Tatamu and introduced Alex, signaling for him to come closer.

Alex approached the bar and greeted Tatamu, "Hello, nice to meet you."

Tatamu looked at Alex silently and nodded in response.

Wolf Rat observed Alex's reaction and explained, "Tatamu's just like that. Don't mind him."

"I won't."

Alex didn't care.

"Good."

Wolf Rat laughed, then patted the lifeless ferret and said seriously, "Tatamu, Usopp wants to eat skunk meat. Make sure it's cooked well."

Tatamu glanced at the ferret and shook his head, indicating he wouldn't prepare it.

"I'll pay triple."

"..."

Tatamu shook his head again.

Wolf Rat, undeterred, raised his bloodied hand.

"Five times!"

"..."

Realizing Wolf Rat's persistence, Tatamu explained, "It's not edible."

"Huh? It's not much different from rabbit meat, is it?"

"..."

Tatamu said nothing more.

Wolf Rat was visibly disappointed.

Alex, however, looked at Tatamu in surprise.

Despite his rough appearance, Tatamu's voice was as gentle as a young girl's.

The stark contrast reminded Alex of a friend from the Hunter World—Melody.

Both Tatamu and Wolf Rat noticed Alex's reaction.

Tatamu remained expressionless.

Wolf Rat was relieved that Alex only seemed mildly surprised and didn't mock Tatamu.

"Usopp, it seems skunk meat isn't edible."

Wolf Rat sighed regretfully.

Alex, who had never intended to eat the ferret, didn't bother to explain and simply said, "What a shame."

He picked up the ferret and casually tossed it onto a nearby seat.

Wolf Rat said, "Tatamu, get Usopp a drink while I tend to my wounds."

"Alright."

Tatamu began mixing a drink.

Wolf Rat turned to Alex, "Usopp, take a seat."

"Sure."

Alex nodded.

Wolf Rat then headed toward the staircase leading to the second floor.

At the bar, Alex watched Tatamu's bartending skills and remarked, "You have a nice voice. It reminds me of someone I once knew."

Tatamu paused mid-motion, looked at Alex in surprise, and after a brief silence, continued mixing the drink without a word.

Alex smiled, turned to admire the bar's unique atmosphere, and sighed, "This place… is really nice."

"Thank you."

Tatamu gently slid the mixed drink toward Alex.

Alex turned back, not intending to drink it.

"Tatamu, do you sell information here?"

"..."

Tatamu's expression grew serious.

Instead of answering, he asked, "Are you a pirate?"