Upon hearing these words, a strange glint flashed in Gion's eyes, but there was no resentment.
When it comes to making suggestive remarks, it all depends on the person's demeanor!
Some people imitate Boss Cui and engage in what's called sexual harassment.
Adrian, on the other hand, imitates Cao Cao and calls it humorous flirting.
Gion extended a finger, lifting a strand of hair from her forehead, and twirled it between her fingers. She softly asked, "Little Brother Momoya, don't you think your way of speaking is a bit too open and direct?"
"Is it?" Adrian took the red wine from Boss Cui Ze's hand and handed it to Gion, all the while displaying a big, clean smile.
"Because this is a rare opportunity to get close to a peerless beauty, that's why I am so enthusiastic. Besides, whether it's a man or a woman, coming to a tavern is all about seeking pleasure and enjoyment, right? Speaking in a concealed manner will only reveal a lascivious nature."
The resentful Boss Cui Ze was completely ignored.
Gion was at a loss for words. As a novice, she was encountering such an aggressive man for the first time.
Out of the blue, Gion recalled the classmate, Tokikake, who was in the same batch as her. He was also one of her fervent pursuers, but his way of speaking had always been straightforward.
Back when they were undergoing training in the elite training camp at Marine Headquarters, Tokikake had confessed to her a total of 13 times. However, it was always the same routine: "Miss Gion, I like you, please be my girlfriend!"
What woman could tolerate such a speechless confession style???
Not to mention he was short! Annoying!!! And an ugly guy!!!
Shaking her head, Gion pushed irrelevant thoughts out of her mind. She had come to the Kano Country this time to carry out a secret mission, conveyed by her Sister Tsuru, to investigate a group of peculiar undead/immortal refugees. She couldn't waste too much time on the unfamiliar man in front of her.
Gion said, "Haven't you seen enough, Brother Momoya?"
Adrian shook his head, "Not completely finished yet, I was just about to delve into it, miss Momochi."
However, just at that moment, a rough male voice suddenly sounded from behind.
"Hey! Kid! This grandpa has set his eyes on your spot, roll away!" The speaker was a middle-aged drunkard draped in a green cloak, his face flushed from alcohol.
Gion remained silent, lifting the wine glass and sipping the red wine with interest, watching the lively scene.
'Isn't this pretentious face-slapping routine a bit too forced' Adrian sighed, turning to look. "Judging by your appearance, which faction's are you from?"
"I, this grandpa, am the second-in-command of the Nipposai (Second Treasure) under Happo Navy, Celi!" The bearded and scruffy drunkard roared, a hint of pride in his tone. "If you know what's good for you, get out of this tavern!"
In the next moment, the drunkard turned to Gion, revealing a lecherous posture. "Woman, want to have a drink with this grandpa? My wine is big and white..."
Gion instantly frowned, showing displeasure.
Emphasizing once again.
When it comes to making dirty jokes, it really depends on the person!
"Indeed, quite Erbao-like…" (Er=2, 2nd)
Adrian massaged his forehead, then turned to look at Boss Cui Ze, asking, "Boss, if there's a fight later, I'll try to control it. But if..."
Boss Cui Ze furrowed his brows, waving his hand, "No need to trouble yourself, guest."
He looked at the middle-aged drunkard and said in a deep voice, "Celi! Are you sure you want to cause trouble in this bar? This is—"
Celi, the drunkard, interrupted Boss Cui Ze, shouting loudly, "This is—the territory of the Nipposai! That's what you want to say, right, little gambler? This young master isn't afraid of the Happo Navy at all!"
The atmosphere in the tavern had already become quite tense. Many customers who hadn't yet gotten too drunk stood up, preparing to leave.
The conflict involving the Nipposai and the Happosai was not something these patrons, who were only good at talking, could get involved in.
"Boss Cui Ze, it seems your reputation isn't as useful as you thought." Adrian teased, showing no sign of nervousness.
Boss Cui Ze's brows furrowed even more.
Swish!
Crash
The alcoholic, Celi, suddenly smashed the bottle of alcohol in his hand onto the floor, and the crimson liquid instantly spilled everywhere.
"Shut up! You little gambler! Just because you won this tavern from Aunt Mia, don't think—"
Bang!
A violent explosion resounded in front of Celi's face, interrupting all the words he hadn't managed to say yet.
Boss Cui Ze only saw a faint white light, and then witnessed Celi, with blood flowing from his nose and mouth, helplessly falling backward onto the ground.
The sharp-eyed Gion quietly focused her attention on Adrian. She had not realized before that the guy next to her, who kept making provocative remarks, was actually a Devil Fruit user!
Moreover, he was a quite rare Paramacia Devil Fruit user!
Relevant information slowly surfaced in Gion's mind.
"The good mood was completely ruined like this, and the mental trauma is quite severe..." Adrian flicked his fingers discontentedly and grumbled, "Hey, Boss Cui Ze, there shouldn't be any big problem in defeating the second in command of the Nipposai, right?"
He had no interest in listening to the tough talk from the small fry, nor did he want to let a mysteriously appearing extra continue to act cool and show off their existence. So, he simply used the Mini Ghost to overturn this drunkard.
However, before Boss Cui Ze could respond, another more fierce voice rang out.
"Brat, I can't pretend I didn't hear that!"
At the same time, a tall and muscular man burst in from outside the tavern.
The newcomer was close to five meters tall, his head almost touching the tavern's ceiling. Under the steel needle-like upright black hair, there was an ugly face covered with horizontal muscles. His shoulders were broad, his arms were as thick as tree trunks, and he held a goose-egg-thick strange knife in his hand, resembling a broomstick.
"It's you, brat. You've injured my people?"
The ugly muscular man looked coldly at Adrian, who was still sitting motionless at the bar. He clenched his palm, squeezing the steel-cast knife handle with a faint creaking sound.
Adrian asked the visibly alarmed tavern owner, "Who is he? Sounds like a high-ranking member of the Second Treasure Navy."
"He..." the tavern owner's face turned pale, and he quickly corrected himself, "This sir is the highest ranking member of the Second Treasure Navy (Nipposai); the backbone of the Second Treasure Navy—Hog!"
"The backbone of the Second Treasure Navy (Nipposai)?"
Adrian's level of respect for Hog instantly increased, but he remained calm on the surface and spoke casually.
"I wonder how he compares to the Chinjao, the backbone of the Happo Navy that dominated the West Sea a few years ago!"
"Chinjao? Is that the 'Chinjao of the Cone' whose head was flattened by a punch from the Marines? The one who's now crying and making a fuss in the Bed of the Treasure?"
Hog burst into loud laughter, his vulgar voice ringing in the tavern patrons' ears.
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm not the kind of person who can be compared to that trash!"
"Oh? I wonder if the reward for the backbone of the Second Treasure is worth five hundred million?" Adrian asked with feigned innocence.
"Reward..." Hog's face suddenly turned red, and when it came to rewards, even ten of him couldn't compare to Chinjao.
Hog waved his hand arrogantly and said, "That thing is only something ordinary pirates care about! I don't give a damn about it!"
"Oh, I see." Adrian nodded, "Perhaps, your bounty over a hundred million? Maybe not even one-fifth of Chinjao's?"
Hog didn't waste any more words; talking was not his strong suit.
Hog glared at Adrian with a fierce look, paused his steps, and suddenly moved forward, slashing down as if to cut this audacious little devil who dared to mock him into two!
"You little brat! Prepare to die!!"