Chapter 243

Being able to come to the Shōbu family’s shop was a bit unexpected for Zephyr.

But since they all lived in Dressrosa, they were bound to run into each other sooner or later.

After all!

Shōbu had mentioned last time that she would treat him to drinks. Did that still count?

Zephyr didn’t dwell on it. Maybe whenever that little girl remembered, it would count. If she never remembered, then let it go!

Once Nara Shikaku entered, he immediately began pouring drinks for Zephyr while making subtle small talk.

Following closely behind, Teuchi served dish after dish of food.

These dishes had a distinct pirate flair.

The plates were huge!

And they were mostly filled with meat.

After all, men who sail the seas are constantly burning energy, so replenishing with meat is essential!

Teuchi used to serve small bowls of ramen.

But now, his shop kept about ten bowls that were each a meter long, specially made for these big eaters.

For these monsters, even bowls that big sometimes weren’t enough.

“Ahem! Shikaku, we’ve worked together for quite some time now. You’re a central figure in Dressrosa.”

“And I’ve completely left the Navy. I’m now one of Dressrosa’s own.”

“So if there’s something you need to say, just say it. No need to be so formal.”

Zephyr smiled as he watched Nara Shikaku fuss over him.

This felt like the Navy, where scheming villains were always around!

But Zephyr knew Shikaku well. He was a man of action.

Anything related to Dressrosa that passed through his hands had been handled flawlessly.

There hadn’t been any mistakes yet.

“Well, since Instructor Zephyr said so, I won’t beat around the bush.”

Shikaku smiled, and then he pulled out a photo and placed it in front of Zephyr.

It was a picture of a sleeping baby, but Zephyr immediately noticed something off.

The tuft of yellow hair on the baby’s head and the shape of its face…

It looked a bit like Borsalino.

“Ahem! Back when Admiral Borsalino left Dressrosa, he left behind a child!”

“You should know about this. A woman was pregnant, and it just so happened to be Admiral Borsalino’s child.”

“We didn’t intend to do anything to the admiral, but he got too worked up. He misunderstood our intentions in Dressrosa!”

Shikaku muttered as he picked up a wine glass, studying the liquid inside as if it held deep secrets he couldn’t unravel.

This made Zephyr clear his throat.

Thinking back!

He was the one who caused this whole mess.

But after coming to Dressrosa, Zephyr had thickened his skin.

Since Shikaku wasn’t being explicit, he’d play dumb.

“That’s right! Borsalino, that guy, has always been bad with handling personal matters.”

Zephyr nodded in agreement.

“Exactly! Dressrosa hopes to clear up the misunderstanding and reestablish ties with Admiral Borsalino. Maybe even form a friendly cooperation.”

“Besides! A child can’t grow up without a father. A father plays a crucial role in a person’s life.”

“You wouldn’t want this child to grow up in Dressrosa, bullied and ostracized without a father, right?”

Shikaku said seriously.

“Ahem! You’re right.”

Zephyr nodded.

“So I’d like to invite Instructor Zephyr to ask Admiral Borsalino to visit Dressrosa.”

“He should take a good look at his child. That way, the child’s future in Dressrosa will be secure. What do you think?”

Shikaku looked at Zephyr expectantly.

Kakashi had already told him that it didn’t matter whether Zephyr agreed or not.

Borsalino would most likely refuse anyway.

The reason Shikaku had come tonight was for something more important.

Borsalino wasn’t the priority.

Zephyr was!

Zephyr had been in Dressrosa for a while now.

Why hadn’t he shown any initiative yet?

Like Kuzan, who had been living here for so long. Was he really going to freeload forever?

Didn’t he know what Raijin wanted?

“I’ll call Borsalino about this when I get back! But, does Raijin know about this?”

Zephyr frowned and asked.

He could sense Borsalino’s attitude towards Dressrosa.

Knowing Uchiha’s proud nature, it wouldn’t be easy to get him to lower his head.

“Raijin-sama knows about the child’s birth, but not the rest.”

“As ministers, of course, we’re focused on what’s best for Dressrosa.”

Shikaku shook his head.

“Alright, sounds good!”

Zephyr pondered for a moment and finally nodded.

He didn’t want to be cursed at by Borsalino every day, calling him an "old geezer." Clearing up the misunderstanding between them was necessary.

And besides!

Wasn’t this just giving Borsalino a son?

Nowadays, admirals were so busy they barely had time to have children. Dressrosa had even solved that problem for him.

“Let’s drink! I’ll leave this matter in your hands, Instructor Zephyr!”

Nara Shikaku burst into a wide grin, quickly pouring more wine for Zephyr.

The two of them sat in the private room, drinking endlessly, not knowing how much they had consumed.

Shikaku’s sharp eyes glistened with sweat clinging to his clothes. With the help of chakra, she managed not to pass out entirely, but Zephyr was now in a half-drunk, half-awake state.

“I’m a bit tipsy. I have to teach my students tomorrow, so I can’t keep you company tonight,” Zephyr said, feeling the world spinning as he hurriedly got up and walked towards the door.

“You’ve still got a long way to go to get back. Why not stay nearby tonight?”

Without waiting for a response, Shikaku escorted Zephyr to a pre-arranged hotel.

After leading Zephyr inside, Shikaku waved his hand, signaling a few people to come forward.

“Did you all remember what you’re supposed to say once you go inside?” Shikaku asked.

“We remember!”

The women nodded. They had all been arranged by Shikaku.

“Then go in.”

Shikaku nodded, watching the figures slowly walk into Zephyr’s room, a bitter smile forming on his face. He knew he’d probably get beaten up tomorrow, but it didn’t matter.

Shikaku was already used to it.

He was best suited to playing the villain in these situations.

Besides!

Shikaku found being a troublemaker surprisingly stress-relieving. Why hadn’t he realized this feeling before? Maybe because he hadn’t caused enough trouble before!

Zephyr felt something was very wrong now. It was as if something was off with the world. Perhaps it was because he had drunk too much, but he felt like there were women nearby.

This was something…

Zephyr had never even dreamed of before. Ever since his wife and son passed away, Zephyr had resolved to dedicate his life to the Navy.

When the Navy didn’t want him anymore, he had no choice but to turn to training new talents for the Navy.

And even since coming to Dressrosa, no women had ever been close to him.

Many women in Dressrosa had tried to catch his eye, after all. Zephyr knew he was still a handsome man, particularly appealing to widows.

Just then, Zephyr heard whispers from nearby.

“I heard from Lord Shikaku that Lord Zephyr still has two spots available!”

“Hahaha, yes! Lord Zephyr is a powerful man of the sea, strong and robust, and he even hunted the Pirate King!”

“I can’t believe we’re getting this chance. Such luck! If I could give birth to a strong child, it’d bring great honor to me.”

“We’re widows. Lord Raijin values us, but honestly, our husbands died so young on the battlefield. What could they say about us serving someone else now?”

Hearing the whispers, Zephyr’s face turned dark.

Nara Shikaku!

As soon as he heard that name, he understood the entire situation. Tonight was clearly a trap. They intended to set him up.

He had sacrificed his student, Borsalino, thinking Dressrosa wouldn’t come after him anymore.

But to his surprise!

Raijin hadn’t even said anything, and Shikaku, this despicable man, had set his sights on him.

Zephyr was relieved that he hadn’t drunk too much. Otherwise, he would have fallen into Shikaku’s trap.

This kind of thing!

If Garp or Sengoku found out, they’d laugh themselves to death.

Suddenly!

Zephyr shuddered, forcing himself to open his eyes wide.

Much of his drunkenness dissipated as he climbed out of bed, glaring at the women in front of him.

“Ah!”

“Why didn’t Lord Zephyr pass out?”

“This…”

The women cried out in shock, their faces filled with fear.

Seeing the towering figure of Zephyr sitting up, they retreated in panic.

“Get out.”

Zephyr said coldly, his expression dark, making no effort to hide his anger.

Even a blind man could sense the foul mood in the room, and in that brief moment, the women felt a chilling, murderous intent that made their hearts sink.

“Yes!”

The women shoved each other as they scrambled to leave the room.

Zephyr sat on the bed, his eyes filled with rage as he scanned the surroundings using Observation Haki.

He immediately located Shikaku, who had already reached a small alley and was heading home.

In an instant, Zephyr’s fury erupted. He shattered the hotel window and darted outside.

Standing on the rooftop, he saw Shikaku still humming a tune, looking quite pleased with himself.

A cruel smile curled at Zephyr’s lips.