One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Curious Similarities



Inside the Nightshade Bar.

Seeing Maude and the others eating with such relish, although Wolfrat wasn't particularly hungry, he couldn't help but ask Tatamu to prepare a steak for him as well.

By the time Tatamu served Wolfrat's pan-seared steak, Maude and the others had nearly finished their meal.

"That was delicious," Maude remarked, swallowing the last bite of beef.

"Agreed, it was really good," Sunny said, wiping her mouth, her tone equally approving.

Hearing their praise, Tatamu smiled faintly as he silently gathered the empty plates and headed to the kitchen.

Bailey watched Tatamu's retreating figure, hesitating.

He wanted another serving.

The food here wasn't just excellent—the drinks were remarkable as well.

This level of comfort was a stark contrast to the tension and fear they experienced the last time they visited.

What a fantastic place, Bailey mused.

Sunny seemed to share the same sentiment.

It was her first visit to the Nightshade Bar, and aside from a certain individual seated not too far away, her impression of the place was overwhelmingly positive.

After they'd eaten and drunk their fill, Maude showed no intention of lingering. He placed several banknotes on the bar.

When Tatamu emerged from the kitchen, the first thing he saw was the money Maude had left on the counter.

"Leaving already?" Tatamu asked.

"Yeah, it's getting late," Maude replied with a smile.

Tatamu nodded silently.

Sunny looked at Tatamu and said earnestly, "The steak was amazing, and the drinks were top-notch too. We'll be back."

"You're welcome anytime," Tatamu replied with a faint smile, though his expression shifted subtly afterward.

Maude, now standing, didn't notice Tatamu's momentary change in demeanor.

As for Sunny, unfamiliar with Tatamu, she didn't think much of it either.

"Not staying a little longer?" Wolfrat offered politely.

"Next time," Maude replied casually.

The barstool was high, so Maude extended his hand to help Sunny down.

"Let's go. See you around."

Maude waved to Tatamu and Wolfrat before picking up a reluctant Bailey from his chair.

With that, the two of them, along with the plump ferret, headed toward the door under Tatamu and Wolfrat's watchful eyes.

As they approached the exit, Sunny smiled and asked, "When can we come back again?"

"Whenever we have the time," Maude replied.

"Alright."

The two, with Bailey in tow, pushed open the tavern door and stepped out.

Inside the tavern, Tatamu turned to watch the door slowly close behind them, his expression complicated.

Wolfrat glanced at Tatamu's face, and suddenly, the steak on his plate seemed to lose its flavor.

He wanted to say something to Tatamu—like how the target of the Navy legend's upcoming campaign was Sol, so Maude and Sunny might not necessarily be in danger.

But due to his duties and the constraints of his identity, he could only remain silent. He set down his knife and fork and lifted his glass instead.

In a few days, Mad Hat Town would face unprecedented chaos.

By then, this place might be wiped off the map in a single day.

As a Marine, Wolfrat had no reason to care about the lives of the pirates and underworld figures on the island. In fact, he hoped they would all perish.

But he did not want anything to happen to Tatamu.

When his comrades arrived in Mad Hat Town, he would do whatever it took to ensure Tatamu's safety.

What Wolfrat couldn't imagine, even in his wildest dreams, was that the man he had spent the past two years working alongside had an identity that could shatter his worldview.

Their relationship mirrored the recent revelation that Tatamu had also never expected Wolfrat to have Navy roots.

Meanwhile.

The trio walked through the alleyways, with Bailey trailing behind. Every so often, the ferret would glance back at the bar's door, his reluctance written all over his face.

At the alley's end stood two silent figures—Sabo and Koala—watching Maude and Sunny emerge from the Twilight Tavern.

Upon seeing Maude, the pair showed no reaction.

They had encountered Maude before, but at the time, he had been wearing a mask. As a result, they didn't recognize him now.

Maude quickly noticed the two figures standing still at the end of the alley. His instincts flared, and he slowed his pace, growing cautious.

"Sunny."

"Mm."

Sunny also slowed, equally alert.

Only Bailey remained oblivious, his mind still occupied with thoughts of the steak's flavor.

Sensing their vigilance, Sabo, well aware of how sensitive people could be in lawless areas, didn't find it surprising.

It was precisely because of this sensitivity that minor misunderstandings or conflicts could easily escalate into full-blown disputes in such environments.

Taking the initiative, Sabo stepped forward into the dim light, spreading his hands to show he was unarmed.

Koala followed suit, stepping forward to stand silently beside him.

At this moment, neither of them wore any disguises.

Under the faint light, Maude caught a clear look at Sabo and Koala's faces.

For a brief moment, a flicker of recognition flashed through his eyes before vanishing.

He quickened his pace slightly, positioning Sunny behind him while discreetly keeping a close watch on Sabo and Koala.

Even though he recognized Sabo's identity and sensed no hostility, Maude remained on guard.

He shielded Sunny as they passed by Sabo and Koala without incident.

After walking a short distance, Maude glanced back over his shoulder at Sabo.

At the same moment, Sabo also turned to look at Maude.

Their gazes met and lingered in the air for a fleeting moment.

Then, each withdrew their gaze, their expressions unreadable.

Once Maude and Sunny's figures disappeared around a corner, Sabo rubbed his chin, a contemplative look in his eyes.

"Sabo, do you know him?" Koala asked, noticing his unusual behavior.

"No, but he seems familiar—like I've seen him somewhere before. I just can't place it."

Sabo shook his head, recalling the brief exchange of looks. A strange sense of familiarity lingered.

"Also... that man is strong."

"Mm."

Koala's expression turned serious.

As Maude passed earlier, his guarded stance—poised to react at a moment's notice—had exerted considerable pressure on her.

Walking down a few more alleys, Sunny glanced at Maude, curiosity evident in her eyes.

"Do you know them?"

"Yeah, those two are with the Revolutionary Army," Maude said, not bothering to hide the truth.

"The Revolutionary Army?"

Sunny froze in her tracks.

Caught off guard, Bailey bumped into her leg and looked up in confusion.

Maude also stopped, turning to Sunny with a puzzled look.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Sunny stepped forward again, resuming her place beside Maude.

Maude glanced at her, noting the odd look on her face.

"You seem pretty interested in the Revolutionary Army."

"Yeah, I've been keeping an eye on them."

"Is that so."

Maude was a little surprised.

Sunny looked back toward the shadowy alleyway they had left behind.

"They saved me once."

"Huh?"

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