The Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu

Watching Sengoku's figure gradually disappear from sight, Rayleigh secretly breathed a sigh of relief, while unable to resist turning to confirm with Ron:

"Ace... Is he really Roger's son?"

This matter was truly too bizarre.

Clearly the descendant of the Pirate King, yet not only was he raised by a Marine like his own grandson, but now he had also become Whitebeard's son!

Messy, it was too messy.

If Roger were still alive, he would probably have taken his blade to find those two old men.

"What was the name of Roger's sword?" Ron asked in return.

"Ace!"

Rayleigh's pupils suddenly contracted, the last shred of doubt in his heart completely vanishing.

At the same time, his memory traveled back to many years ago.

Roger once said that if he had a daughter, he would name her "Ann," and if he had a son, he would name him "Ace."

And "Ace" was the name of Roger's sword!

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Rayleigh said in a deep voice: "If I can guess this,"

"then Sengoku must have realized it as well."

Sengoku was known as the Resourceful General, and he possessed the ability of the Mythical Zoan Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu. The user would gain the strength, wisdom, and spirit of a Buddha!

"To make Sengoku suspicious is to prompt the Marines to make a big move, luring Whitebeard to the Sabaody Archipelago." Ron smiled and explained, "However... Blackbeard also knows Ace's identity. That is his trump card, and his bargaining chip to exchange for the Shichibukai position from the Marines!"

"If Blackbeard finds out his trump card has lost its effect, he will definitely flee, thereby drawing the attention of a portion of the Marines. Your job is simply to protect Ace and buy time until Whitebeard arrives."

"Of course, you must also guard against Blackbeard acting out of desperation. He might use Ace to trade for his own life from the Marines, or make the situation even more chaotic."

Rayleigh's heart trembled, and he looked up at the young man opposite him.

Unfathomable.

Despite having lived more than half his life and possessing extraordinary experience, Rayleigh could not see through Ron.

Powerful strength, and holding more information than both him and the Marines.

Most importantly, with just a story, he could make Rayleigh himself, and even the entire Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates, move according to his rhythm.

Truly terrifying...

"Sigh... I will keep your words in mind. Consider this a favor I owe you." Rayleigh sighed softly: "Tomorrow, I will bring you a Supreme Grade Blade as a reward."

Showing uncalled-for diligence usually hides ulterior motives... but Ron still agreed immediately: "Then I won't be polite."

Rayleigh did this simply because he wanted Ron to lend a hand at a critical moment, or perhaps help Ace once.

But... exchanging it for one of the twelve Supreme Grade Blades in the world made this trade highly profitable. As long as Ace escaped the Sabaody Archipelago, everything would end.

"A Rear Admiral, two veteran Vice Admirals, plus so many troops... No!" Rayleigh glanced out the window, his eyes filled with worry: "I must go see how the situation is."

"If Ace's life is not in danger, it's best you don't make a move." Ron reminded him.

Once Rayleigh interfered, the Marines' reinforcements would surely keep coming, and they might even deploy an Admiral!

"I understand."

Rayleigh nodded slightly. As he stood up, he pointed to the remaining half bottle of Tiger Whip Wine in the cabinet and asked tentatively: "By the way..."

"Tonight, I want to completely wash away the humiliation of recent years!"

What bad intentions could an old man have?

He simply wanted to retain youth in her body, while reclaiming the grand prowess of a man.

"Just take it, but absolutely do not drink too much at once." Ron nodded and reminded with a smile.

This old man was clearly looking to "train his staff." Although he was advanced in years, his addiction had not waned in the slightest.

"A true soulmate. It seems giving you that blade was the right choice."

Rayleigh hugged the bottle of Tiger Whip Wine, as happy as a child receiving a gift. He left a stack of Berries and walked out of the tavern laughing heartily.

Right after, the mechanical voice of the system rang in Ron's mind:

*"Ding! Customers Sengoku and Rayleigh have completed their heart-to-heart."*

*"Ding! Customer Rayleigh's related character, Ace, will arrive at the tavern soon."*

*"Customer Rayleigh: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki... The Host can choose one of the abilities."*

*"Customer Sengoku: Rokushiki, Mythical Zoan Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu, Conqueror's Haki..."*

Hearing the system's announcement, Ron pondered for a moment: "Take Rayleigh's Observation Haki."

"Take Sengoku's Mythical Zoan Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu, and receive it in the form of a Devil Fruit."

*"Ding! Beginning to distribute rewards."*

As the words fell, a stream of blue light slowly merged into Ron's body.

Instantly, the world in Ron's eyes underwent an earth-shattering change.

Everything seemed to slow down.

Outside the tavern, the speed of falling leaves slowed down countless times. An unknown insect flew past, and Ron could clearly see how many times it flapped its wings.

At this moment, a halo of light suddenly lit up on the bar counter. Soon, the light dissipated, and a Devil Fruit with strange patterns appeared before Ron's eyes.

"After eating this Devil Fruit, can I eat another one?" Ron asked.

*"Ding! The Host can upgrade the tavern, after which you will not be affected by the rules of this world and will no longer be limited in the number of Devil Fruits you can eat."*

Is there really such a good thing... Ron frowned and continued to ask: "How do I upgrade the tavern?"

*"When the tavern reaches a revenue of one hundred million, the tavern will undergo its first upgrade."*

*"After the upgrade, the system will invite one guest from another world every day. Of course, there is also a chance of failure. Continuing to upgrade the tavern will increase the success rate to 100%!"*

*"Ding! The current revenue of the tavern is three million Berries."*

Hearing the system's explanation, Ron felt a bit of regret. He should have squeezed more money out of Sengoku a few days ago; maybe the tavern would have been upgraded by now.

"In that case, I'll keep this Devil Fruit for now." Ron sighed softly.

Just as he stored the Devil Fruit from the bar counter into the system inventory, a faint cry for help from Rem came from the laundry room in the backyard:

"Master!"

"I... I'm stuck in the washing machine."

Sure enough... art originates from life; this saying was no joke.

Ron went to the backyard.

He saw Rem kneeling on the ground, her upper body from the shoulders up stuck inside the washing machine. One of her hands supported her on the ground, while the other covered her maid dress.

Ron: "..."

This plot was truly too familiar.

By the way, who are you guarding against? Do I look like that kind of person?

Those dark, twisted games... I know absolutely nothing about them!

"Master, please help me quickly."

Just as Ron was immersed in those beautiful memories, Rem, her face flushed red, urged him.

How embarrassing...

"No rush, no rush."

Ron, with a serious expression, stood behind Rem and carefully observed: "Let me study where you hid your Morningstar first."

As soon as he finished speaking, Rem immediately felt an unusual sensation.

Don't misunderstand.

Other than reenacting a scene of "searching for the lost," Ron didn't do anything else!

After escaping the washing machine, Rem hurriedly adjusted her skirt, trying to act as if nothing had happened, but her flushed face betrayed her.

Rem looked at Ron without any resentment; on the contrary, she felt a bit embarrassed and unsatisfied.

Under the dim light, just as the two were about to take a step further, a somewhat tense and panicked voice suddenly rang out at the door:

"Um... if I say I only asked Rem to help me get something, would you two believe me?"

Ron and Rem looked over simultaneously, their eyes flashing with murderous intent. No words were needed to understand.

Ram: "..."

How terrifying!

Are Master and Rem planning to silence me?