Gulp gulp gulp...
Yamato downed the entire glass of wine in big gulps, then wiped the traces from her lips with the back of her hand in a bold, carefree manner.
She pushed the glass back toward the bartender with a smile.
"Yeah, just got here today.
Before this, I only knew about the Thunder God Pirates through the newspapers."
The bartender's eyes lit up, his expression clearly showing he'd found someone to chat with.
"No wonder you didn't know—so you're one of those who read about things online, huh?"
"If you stay in Dressrosa for a few days, you'll soon understand why we respect the Thunder God Pirates so much."
Just then, a pirate nearby stood up and sneered.
"Ain't that the truth. Everyone in Dressrosa can't shut up about how great the Thunder God Pirates are.
Talk with anyone for more than two minutes, and somehow they'll drag them into the conversation."
"Anyone would think they're not paying protection money."
Hearing that, the bartender's face darkened.
"What's it to you if we're happy to pay?
If you don't like it, then get the hell out. You're not welcome here!"
"Why, you—!"
The pirate's eyes gleamed with menace. He stood and pointed a finger at the bartender, clearly ready to start something.
But the bartender didn't give him the chance. Unafraid, he cut him off coldly:
"What? Planning to cause trouble here?
Believe me, I can call the city guard right now and have you thrown into the Corrida Colosseum!"
At the mention of the guard, a flicker of fear flashed across the pirate's face.
But backing down in front of everyone would make him lose face.
So he just stood there stiffly, caught in a bind, unable to advance or retreat—like riding a tiger with no way to dismount.
"Alright, alright, we came to drink, didn't we?
Let's sit down and enjoy the wine."
His companion tugged at his sleeve, quickly stepping in to smooth things over.
Seeing the way out, the pirate gave a cold snort and sat back down.
The bartender didn't care in the slightest. He turned back to Yamato and continued:
"You've no idea what life was like before Lord Sanders arrived."
"Doflamingo's rule was brutal beyond words."
"If not for the Thunder God Pirates, we wouldn't be living in peace right now."
Yamato's eyes lit up with curiosity, and she quickly asked him about those days.
The bartender, happy to oblige, began recounting the history of Dressrosa under Doflamingo's rule—vivid and full of color.
He clearly had a knack for storytelling.
Yamato listened, completely absorbed, exclaiming now and then at the more dramatic parts, fully immersed and emotionally invested.
After a while, the bartender took a sip of wine to moisten his throat, his tone still full of energy.
"You're my kind of girl. This round's on me."
"Oh, thank you,"
Yamato smiled, clearly treating him like a newfound friend.
"By the way, is the protection money you pay a lot?" she asked casually.
"I heard you still have to pay Heavenly Tribute too.
That must be a lot of pressure, right?"
Yamato didn't have a problem with the Thunder God Pirates collecting protection fees.
As long as they weren't cruel like the Beast Pirates, she had no objections.
"It's alright,"
the bartender said after thinking for a moment.
"Lord Sanders doesn't charge much.
It used to be a bit of a burden, sure—
but now that his reputation's grown, more and more people have been coming to Dressrosa.
We're earning more, so life's about the same, if not better than before."
Then he added:
"I mean before Doflamingo took over, of course."
Yamato nodded in understanding, saying nothing.
Suddenly, a pirate in the tavern chimed in:
"If you ask me, Dressrosa should just stop paying the Heavenly Tribute altogether.
Keep the money for yourselves, live it up a little.
With Lord Sanders protecting you, no one would dare mess with this place."
From his respectful tone, it was clear—this guy had likely come to Dressrosa hoping to join the Thunder God Pirates.
"We'd like to,"
the bartender replied honestly,
"but King Riku refuses."
Ever since Doflamingo's rule, the people of Dressrosa had no love at all for the World Government.
After all, they'd paid enormous sums in Heavenly Tribute to earn a spot as a World Government member nation—
only to be oppressed by a Warlord of the Sea endorsed by that same government.
Anyone would be bitter.
After the Thunder God Pirates set up base here, many among the people did voice the idea of refusing to pay the tribute anymore.
But King Riku had always put a stop to those discussions.
He still held great respect and authority among the people.
And since their quality of life hadn't worsened, the matter was eventually dropped.
"If you ask me," the pirate muttered under his breath,
"your King Riku's just a fence-sitter…"
"Aren't you worried the Thunder God Pirates might stop protecting you one day?"
"Word is, Marco of the Whitebeard Pirates and King of the Beast Pirates both arrived today."
"The Whitebeard Pirates are supposedly handing over part of their territory to the Thunder God Pirates."
"When that happens, you guys won't be their only territory anymore."
Another pirate spoke up loudly, causing a commotion throughout the tavern.
"Wait—seriously?"
"Both the Whitebeard and Beast Pirates sent people?"
"How come I haven't heard anything?"
"Why would the Whitebeard Pirates give their land to the Thunder God Pirates?"
"It's true. I saw it myself earlier at the port—from a distance, of course."
The pirate puffed out his chest proudly, clearly enjoying the spotlight.
"As for why they're handing it over—Marco said it was to celebrate Lord Sanders becoming one of the Four Emperors."
"But if you ask me, it's because Lord Sanders beat it out of them."
"Didn't they fight not long ago? And Sanders won. This is just the price Whitebeard's crew had to pay."
"Ahhh, that makes sense..."
Everyone nodded, their faces lighting up with realization.
Some glanced smugly at the bartender, a few with gloating expressions.
"Well, boss... guess you're not the only territory of the Thunder God Pirates anymore."
"Without that unique title and your riches, there might be plenty of bold pirates lining up to raid you."
"Heh. Maybe your King Riku was actually smart for once—knowing he'd better hold on to that World Government membership."
"I heard most of the Thunder God Pirates are based in the legendary Sky City, right?"
"This place is just a supply and trade post."
"Once they've got more territory under control, this town won't be their only resupply hub."
"That means fewer of their people coming around."
Amidst the smug looks and jeers, the bartender remained perfectly calm.
"Princess Viola of Dressrosa is a member of the Thunder God Pirates."
He replied in a flat, even tone.
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T/N:
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