"Hey! There's no need to go this far!"
Everyone looked at Bada, their faces filled with shock.
This guy wasn't just Bada, the bounty hunter they met upon arriving on the island. He was King Bada of the Bass Kingdom!
Bada ignored the others, his eyes fixed solely on Kong Tai.
"Boss."
The subordinates who went to fetch the wine came out and saw their boss kneeling before Kong Tai, wondering what had happened.
They immediately put down the wine jars they were carrying, grabbed their weapons, and rushed forward.
"You fellow, finally showing your true colors?"
"A pirate is still a pirate."
"If you want to hurt the boss, you'll have to get past us first."
With that, the subordinates raised their guns towards Kong Tai.
Gulp—!
Kong Tai ignored the approaching subordinates, put down his wine gourd, looked down at Bada, and a smile curved his lips.
"You fellow, you need to have some order when asking for favors!"
"Who kneels and immediately calls someone boss, asking the boss to do the work for his subordinates!"
As he spoke, the smile vanished from his face, and an incredibly powerful aura erupted, causing Bada's subordinates to break out in a cold sweat.
However, they didn't retreat an inch; instead, they took a step forward.
"Or perhaps, you think I'm a pushover, someone who just has to help out when I see misfortune."
"Don't kid yourself!"
"If I want to help someone, it's not something you can force!"
"Kong Tai..."
Gu Yina looked at Kong Tai and couldn't help but speak.
She felt great sympathy for Bada, especially for Liya.
Kong Tai raised his hand, waving it to interrupt Gu Yina's words.
Then, he retracted his imposing aura, reached out, patted Bada's shoulder, and burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!!"
"You fellow, your methods are a bit rough and crude, but you're surprisingly likable!"
"Even though I can't be like you, I admire you."
"No matter what, as long as it's not some idiotic thing like destroying the whole world, your boss here..."
As he spoke, he stood up and telekinetically controlled a jar of "Bass Wine" to fly over.
He slapped off the seal.
Raising it, he took several large gulps.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!!
He had long wanted to try this renowned Bass Wine. Seeing the wine jar now, the craving surged, and he couldn't resist.
"Hoo~"
"Refreshing..."
Then he turned to meet Bada's gaze. "Since I've had your wine,"
He shrugged. "There's no helping it. Tell me! I'll agree to anything."
"But... you need to get up first!"
He looked around. "Look at your subordinates, they look like they could eat me alive."
"It's terrifying!"
He sat back down, placed the wine jar on the table, grabbed Bada's shoulder, and pulled him up.
"Don't kneel at the drop of a hat."
"A man kneels to heaven, earth, and his parents. For anything else, there's no need to kneel."
"You've lived this long and still don't understand as much as I do."
"Hahahaha..."
Bada rose with him, looking at Kong Tai, a most genuine smile appearing on his face since Kong Tai arrived that night.
"Haha! You're right, boss. Your subordinate was ignorant."
"Your subordinate deserves punishment, three cups of wine."
As he spoke, he reached for the wine jar in front of Kong Tai.
"Hmm? What are you doing?"
Kong Tai snatched the wine jar, looking at Bada askance with a possessive expression.
"Uh!"
Bada's outstretched hand froze mid-air, neither advancing nor retreating, utterly awkward.
Just then, one of Bada's quick-witted subordinates, seeing his boss's predicament, quickly retrieved another wine jar from behind and approached.
"Boss."
"What?"
"Wine."
Bada turned, took the wine, and gave the subordinate an appreciative look.
Seeing his other subordinates still holding their weapons, he immediately shouted, "What are you holding your weapons for? Didn't you see I'm drinking with the boss?"
"Get out of the way, you're annoying."
"Haha!!"
"The boss is right, we're leaving, we're leaving."
The subordinates now understood it was a misunderstanding and quickly put away their weapons, retreating to the side to help set up the feast in the middle.
In the cleared central area, food was already spread out.
Hundreds of children were either talking loudly, laughing heartily, or helping to move food.
They were all well-behaved and sensible, not a single one stealing a bite of food without an adult's instruction.
Their obedience was heartbreaking.
Bada looked at the hundreds of children in the center, his eyes flashing with the unique gentleness of a king.
Looking at these children, he saw the future of the Bass Kingdom.
No matter how humble their current status, he was determined to see the Bass Kingdom resurrected.
Only...
He might not live to see that day.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but touch his chest, his eyes flashing with a cold light, then filled with extreme sadness.
"Damn bullets, damn World Government."
"What, showing that sad expression again!"
"I, for one, don't like seeing people show such emotions in front of me."
"Because someone once told me that no matter how the world changes, we must strive forward and live each day to the fullest; only then will life not be in vain."
"So sadness is something for occasional moments, not to dwell on!"
Kong Tai picked up his wine and took a sip.
Then he telekinetically sent several jars of wine flying to Ah Hua, his two companions, and Indigo.
"Try it, all of you. It's truly delicious. No wonder this wine is famous throughout the Grand Line."
He couldn't help but take another sip.
This wine wasn't as strong as ordinary liquor, nor as bland as rum. Instead, it had a unique coolness.
Yet, this coolness, upon drinking, didn't feel chilling but rather warm.
This was strange.
It must be the unique terrain of this place that could brew such a distinctive wine!
After finishing, he placed the wine jar on the table and pushed it towards Gu Yina.
He knew Gu Yina wasn't a big fan of alcohol, but he thought she would surely like this one.
"Try it."
Kong Tai looked at Gu Yina, his face full of anticipation, like a child sharing candy with a good friend.
Gu Yina looked at Kong Tai, a slight smile playing on her lips.
She picked up the wine jar, brought it to her mouth, and took a gentle sip.
Even holding the wine jar, she drank with the elegance of someone sipping red wine.
Truly a graceful swordswoman.
Seeing a flush of red appear on Gu Yina's face, Kong Tai quickly asked, "Is it delicious?"
Gu Yina put down the wine jar and smiled lightly, her laughter like tinkling bells, possessing a magic that gradually calmed the soul.
She looked at Kong Tai and said softly, "Yes! It's very delicious, cool and refreshing, yet warm."
"It's that good?"
Seeing Gu Yina praise it so highly, Ah Hua and the other two couldn't resist. They grabbed a jar, raised it, and guzzled it down.
"Hoo~"
"Hoo~"
"Hoo~"
Three sounds, followed by a unified exclamation.
"Refreshing—!"
Seeing how much everyone enjoyed the "Bass Wine," Bada's face also showed a smile.
He looked at everyone, his eyes unable to hide a trace of pride.
He was proud that his wine could conquer Kong Tai's group, and he was also grateful that he had met Kong Tai before his imminent death.