117 Chapter 117: The Great Villain

Are the vivid images that dance in my mind mere dreams, or could they be reality?

The aftermath of a sweltering summer night lingered.

A gentle morning breeze wafted through the curtains, its caress slowly erasing the room's lavender fragrance, replacing it with a crisp chill.

Issho, a 31-year-old novice wizard fresh out of college, awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling.

Knock knock.

A sound at the door broke the silence.

With a parched throat, Issho croaked, "Please, come in."

His tension eased slightly when he saw that the entrant was neither of the two women from the previous night's escapades nor the instigator of it all, the White Ghost. It was merely a young man, seemingly a hotel waiter.

"Mr. Shou——"

"It's Issho, not Shou!" Issho snapped, his face darkening. The events of last night's Rain Dinner had come flooding back, and he was in no mood for the White Ghost's games.

He would remember those moments for a lifetime.

The young waiter, displaying impeccable professionalism, promptly corrected himself and informed Issho that someone awaited him at the Rain Dinner's second-floor restaurant.

Ten minutes later…

Guided by the waiter, Issho entered the luxurious second-floor restaurant of the Rain Dinner. His gaze immediately landed on Adrian, who was indulging in a leisurely breakfast by the window.

With fists clenched, Issho marched toward the table.

Adrian, anticipating this moment, greeted him with a sly smile. "Ah, Issho-san, how does it feel to shed your naivety after just one night?"

A mix of shame and fury flushed Issho's cheeks as he took a seat across from Adrian, hands gripping the table's edge, leaning in with an intense stare.

A mix of shame and fury flushed Issho's cheeks as he took a seat across from Adrian, hands gripping the table's edge, leaning in with an intense stare.

Bang!

In response, Issho slammed his forehead onto the table, the clatter echoing through the room. "Thanks you for the hospitality, much appreciated," he exclaimed.

???

Adrian's head tilted, showing a puzzled expression.

You seem a bit off!

Fujitora

Is it because you were born on August 10th, so you're naturally this wild and unrestrained? {if someone can explain this for me}

Issho lifted his head, revealing a slightly red forehead from the impact. He nonchalantly addressed the restaurant waiter who had hurried over, "A bowl of buckwheat noodles, no green onions, add an extra raw egg, please. Thank you."

"Seriously?" Adrian was simply unable to accept such a strong heart (super) reason (thick) quality (face) skin.

Issho calmly bobbed his head, and even had the time to explain, "I'm a food enthusiast."

Disbelief plastered on his face, Adrian asked with a smirk. "So do you remember how many slices of bread you've eaten so far?"

"Thirteen."

Seriously!

What else could he say?

Just smile.

Adrian tugged at the corner of his mouth, forcing a commercially polished smile.

As he did so, the waiter arrived with the buckwheat noodles.

Seizing the moment, Adrian bent down and lifted a row of small wooden cages from the floor beside him. He set them on the table with care.

"Issho-san," he began, "I've heard of a unique tradition in Arabasta. It's said that when one leaves their childhood behind, friends present a special gift to celebrate the occasion."

"I'm not familiar with such a custom."

"Doesn't matter," Adrian coughed, dismissing the concern.

He slid the wooden cage across the table towards Issho, gesturing for him to take a look inside.

"A Den Den Mushi?"

"More precisely, it's a high-end imaging Den Den Mushi. Acquired directly from the World Economic News Agency in Arabasta!"

Issho tentatively reached out, toying with the creature's antennae. "So, what's the difference between this high-end Den Den Mushi and a regular Den Den Mushi?"

Adrian's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he explained, "Well, for starters, it doesn't make calls. Instead, it specializes in recording and projecting images!"

"Recording and projecting… Wait, what?!"

Issho's exclamation of shock nearly toppled the table. His finger quivered as he pointed at the imaging Den Den Mushi, his throat working to swallow his alarm.

"This Den Den Mushi, when exactly did you purchase it?"

"It's… presumably, hopefully, untainted, correct?"

"It hasn't captured any… unsavory scenes, has it?"

A night's worth of experiences crammed into a single moment.

At this juncture, Issho could no longer trust the White Ghost's integrity.

Three probing questions emerged from his soul, seeking the truth.

Adrian arched an eyebrow playfully. "Who can say? Perhaps Issho-san would like to inspect this video Den Den Mushi more closely in his room after breakfast."s

Issho's heart pounded with trepidation.

Adrian added fuel to the fire, "And, should you feel a sudden urge, Rain Dinners is at your service to reconnect you with the professionals from last evening."

Issho's complexion paled.

For the first time, he regretted acquiescing to Tokikake's request.

With a last glimmer of hope, Issho said, "Lord White Ghost, you must be joking with me, right?"

Adrian gave him a knowing look.

Issho's shoulders drooped, the image of a disheartened child stripped of his fantasies.

Melancholy Ghost: Sage Moment.

The spectral figure, bathed in a soft blue light, passed through Issho's form.

A shudder ran through him, and suddenly, he felt hollow.

His dreams, the events of the night, and the Den Den Mushi—all were cast aside. Emptiness was all that remained.

Adrian withdrew his finger and offered a gentle smile. "Feeling better now, Issho-san?"

"Yes, quite well," Issho murmured, his voice as faint as a cloud adrift in the sky.

Moments later, he hung his head, chastising himself silently:

"Ugh! Fine! I've fallen for it again…

"Listen well, Issho-san. The affairs between myself, the Marines, and the World Government are no place for an unnamed Rōnin to meddle."

Adrian rose, his tone serene yet firm.

"Given my present 'status,' had I chosen to kill you on the spot yesterday, it would have raised no eyebrows.

"So, I am now preparing to leave the Arabasta. Do you still plan to continue traveling with me?"

"No… I wish you nothing but fortune on your journey."

Negative Ghost!

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been born into this world…"

Adrian retracted his finger. Dead Fat Tiger, get lost.