One Piece My Partner is Too Crooked - Chapter 31

As the sun sets, dusk arrives.

The gentle orange glow sprinkles, adding a hint of haze to the streets and houses of Windmill Village.

A refreshing sea breeze blows from the sea’s direction, causing the village’s massive windmill to turn slowly.

Freed from the occasional harassment of the Higuma bandits, even the air in Windmill Village has become much milder, carrying a comforting and peaceful atmosphere.

Inside Icey’s restaurant.

“Master Icey~ I wonder how much bounty we’ve earned this time from defeating the Higuma bandits?”

Aqua, with a flattering face, bounced over to Icey’s side, her voice softer and more pleasant than usual.

While Icey was counting the bounties with the merchant just now, she was busy eating and unaware of the exact amount.

But the scene of Icey stuffing bundles of berries into the sack was seen by her.

“Excluding various miscellaneous expenses, there’s probably about seven million berries left.”

Icey neatly collected the counted berries and sat comfortably in his usual position behind the restaurant counter.

Upon hearing this, Aqua’s clear yet foolish eyes instantly lit up.

While in Windmill Village, she naturally understood the value of pirate world currency and knew how enriching this bounty would be if used for drinking.

According to the price of the wishing pool, seven million berries could buy her two more wishes!

“Not bad at all. In that case, I heard that Makino’s family has introduced several amazing new wines. Let’s go buy them all later!”

As a seasoned drunkard, Aqua had no resistance to fine wine.

This was also why her attitude towards Icey suddenly became so fawning.

“No, we’ll be setting sail soon, so we need to save this money for our new crew members.”

Icey refused without hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Aqua’s expression changed, and she stubbornly said, hands on hips, “How can you do this! When we defeated Higuma, I also put in a lot of effort, so I should at least get half of the bounty!”

“Thank you for your efforts, which prevented me from killing Higuma in the cleanest way possible.”

“Thank you for your efforts, for breaking my newly purchased flintlock rifles.”

“Thank you for your efforts, I still need to compensate the village for the cost of rebuilding the docking platform.”

Listening to Icey’s heartfelt trilogy, Aqua’s defiance gradually weakened, and her eyes wandered irregularly with guilt.

“No, no matter what, I also contributed!”

Aqua wanted to continue to haggle, but seeing Icey’s unmoved expression and thinking about the delicious wine at Makino’s bar, she unhesitatingly put aside the dignity of the goddess.

She pounced over, tightly hugging Icey’s thigh, with a pleading tone:

“Master Icey, please share some of the bounty with me. If we delay, the fine wine will be sold out! I promise, I’ll work even harder to clean the toilets in the future to repay your kindness!”

Having anticipated this foolish goddess’s lack of integrity, Icey leisurely took a sip of tea and stretched lazily.

“Strange, could it be a problem left over from the fight with Higuma? Why does my shoulder feel a bit sore?”

This fellow became intoxicated with a little favour, so he couldn’t easily compromise.

“I’m very willing to serve you!”

Aqua’s eyes rolled, and he immediately got up to help Icey massage his shoulders.

“The sun is setting soon, why does it feel so hot?”

“Please feel free to command Aqua!”

Aqua, like performing magic, pulled out two folding fans and alternated between fanning and massaging, putting in a lot of effort to create a breeze.

Icey sipped his tea, feeling the soft touch on his shoulders and the refreshing breeze brushing his cheeks, feeling very comfortable.

After a few minutes, seeing that the time was almost up, he turned to look at Aqua, who was smiling and gave a consenting look.

“What do you want to drink, just go to Makino’s bar and get it. Tell Makino I’ll foot the bill.”

“Understood! Master Icey!”

Aqua rejoiced, retreated to the space in the restaurant hall, and actively performed a show of fanning and spraying water, showcasing her talent.

“This is a special performance for the generous Master Icey~.”

With that said, she ran out of the restaurant with a “swoosh” and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Icey looked at the wet restaurant tables, chairs, and floor with ten thousand Gennys racing through his mind.

This foolish goddess…

Soon, the sound of clinking bottles came from outside the restaurant.

Looking up while drinking tea, Icey saw two large boxes with fair legs walking in.

“Icey, I’ve talked to Makino, she said she’ll give a 20% discount on everything!”

With her blue hair naturally falling, Aqua’s head popped out from behind the boxes, her mouth hanging a bright smile full of joy.

“Let’s put them in the warehouse behind the restaurant first, and I’ll go over to settle the bill with Makino.”

Unexpectedly, Icey didn’t show much distress at the thought of spending so much. He got up, passed by Aqua with the boxes, and walked out of the restaurant door.

The calm and indifferent unusual expression, even Aqua, carrying the boxes, couldn’t help but look back for a moment.

Already planning for this batch of wine, Icey walked across the street, exchanged a few words with the passing villagers, and arrived at Makino’s small bar.

Pushing open the wooden barrier at the entrance, the faint fragrance greeted him.

Makino’s well-kept environment was relaxing compared to the filthy and smelly rundown bars.

“You’re here, Boss Icey.”

Makino, in front of the bar, was tidying up, and when she saw Icey approaching, she lifted her head and smiled to greet him.

“Makino, Aqua just took two boxes of liquor from here, right?”

Icey was familiar with this place by now, so he casually found a spot near the bar and sat down.

“Yeah, as soon as she came in, she said she wanted to buy all the wine.”

Makino’s gaze flickered, recalling Aqua’s strange appearance of crazy laughter just now, and she said with a hint of concern, “I think her mental state seems very unstable, so I didn’t refuse and agreed to her request to give an 20% discount on all the liquor.”

During the conversation, Makino had already prepared a glass of juice and placed it on the small wooden table where Icey was sitting.

It turned out that that foolish goddess herself decided on the so-called 20% discount…

Icey’s mouth twitched slightly, picking up the juice and siping, “That guy is just impulsive like that, causing.

trouble for you.”

“No worries, the bar’s business is thanks to your care.”

Makino still had a dignified and gentle tone, “Since you’re here to pick up the goods anyway, just consider them stored here for sale, and we’ll settle the money when they’re sold.”

You might not know that the drunkard wanted to keep all two boxes of wine to herself and had no intention of selling them.

Icey silently complained in his heart and then took out the prepared berries.

“To be honest, those two boxes of wine are not intended to be sold in the store, so let’s just buy them at the original price.”

Seeing Makino’s concern, he added, “Don’t worry about the money, I’ve received a lot of bounty from defeating Higuma.”

Icey intercepted the fleeing pirates at sea halfway, pushing them into desperation. This incident had already spread throughout Windmill Village, and he was hailed as a hero.

Thinking of this, Makino’s slightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, no longer worried about Icey’s financial situation.

“In that case, thank you for your kindness, Boss Icey. As for the price, let’s go with what Aqua said, 20% off.”

Bulk liquor purchases already had discounts, and their relationship was very good, so the 20% discount was quite reasonable.

“No need, no need, let’s just go with the original price.”

“If you’re going to be so polite, then I won’t sell it.”

Makino crossed her fingers with two hands, making a gesture of refusal.

“In that case, let’s go with the landlady’s idea.”

Icey nodded readily, reaching out his palm to Makino, “Deal.”

“Deal, and happy…”

This sudden change in attitude from before to after left Makino, who was still thinking about how to insist on the 20% discount, a little bewildered.

With Aqua taking away the wine and the price settled, Icey felt a bit melancholy.

“This seems to be a more charming place, the sea.”

Makino sighed softly, her eyes downcast, looking somewhat sad, “Shanks and the others will also set sail soon, heading for that legendary New World.”

Speaking of Shanks, Icey suddenly thought of Luffy.”

By the way, why haven’t I seen that stinky kid Luffy these past two days?

He used to come to the restaurant almost every day for free food and drinks, but after Aqua showed up, he started coming even more frequently.

But it’s been hard to see him around since the incident with Shanks losing his arm at the beach.

“Luffy.”

Marineford was momentarily surprised, gesturing towards the most secluded corner of the bar.

It wasn’t until Icey looked up that he realized Luffy was like a withered cabbage, now lying in the inconspicuous corner!

“It seems like the incident with Shanks has left quite an impact on this kid, lately he’s been looking rather downcast.”

Marineford also looked at Luffy in the corner, sighing softly, “I can’t even get through to him, it’ll probably take some time for him to recover.”

“Is that so?”

Icey pondered momentarily, finishing the remaining juice on the table, “He just lacks the courage to move forward, let me give it a try.”

With that, he stood up and walked slowly towards Luffy.

More than ten minutes later.

“I’m starving! Icey, I want ten bowls of bird egg fried rice!!”

The familiar loud voice rang out, and Luffy, now revitalized, jumped off the high chair, rushed out of the bar, and ran towards the restaurant across the street.

“If you’ve got money, you can eat as many bowls as you want,” Icey shouted after the small figure.

However, Luffy disappeared in a flash.

“That kind of thing, when I become the Pirate King, I’ll definitely settle it!”

A slightly immature voice came from the constantly swinging wooden door, fading into the distance.

“What, Boss Icey, what did you say to him?”

Marineford stood in place, her delicate face filled with disbelief.

Out of respect, she hadn’t intentionally eavesdropped on Icey’s conversation with Luffy just now.

“I didn’t say much, just a story about a group of hot-blooded youths gathering together to chase their dreams.”

Icey smiled and waved at Marineford, who was tilting her head in confusion.

“As you can see, we have customers in the store, so I’ll take my leave.”

…

Next, while waiting for the ship to be completed and delivered, Icey began various preparations for the voyage, including nautical charts, compasses, medical kits, and daily necessities.

At the same time, while the Red-Haired Pirates’ officers were all in the village, he sought advice on the insights of Observation Haki and Armament Haki, even engaging in several instructional combat exercises.

With the guidance of these Haki masters, Icey’s proficiency in dual-colour Haki improved rapidly, firmly consolidating him in the beginner stage, able to unleash it at will!

As for the cost, it was just a few free meal tickets lost, which could almost be ignored.

As a companion, Aqua was not idle either, roaming between the seven and eight aunts of the Windmill Village, promoting her Akusixis doctrine as sacred and great.

The kind-hearted villagers couldn’t bear to see such a cute girl suffering; with Icey’s good reputation in the village, they were more than willing to cooperate with Aqua’s request and act as…

Uh, members of the Akusixis religion believe in the Water Goddess!

Although Aqua, who completed the promotional process, and Luffy, who still came to freeload on meals, often caused chaos in the restaurant, resulting in various troubles.

But every time, they would inevitably be met with Icey’s loving palm attack, with a big and small bump on their heads, squatting on the ground and apologizing sincerely.

Time flew by in this harmonious and noisy daily life.

Finally, on a sunny afternoon, three old customers, the carpenters, brought good news, the ship for Icey and Aqua’s adventure was officially completed!

All preparations were in place, ready to set sail at any time!

On the night before departure, according to the unwritten rules of the pirate world, Icey decided to hold a lively banquet.

It was to thank the villagers of the Windmill Village for their care over the past year, to repay the Red-Haired Pirates for their formidable guidance, and, more importantly, to bid farewell to his difficult life of the past year!

So, the news that restaurant owner Icey would be setting sail tomorrow spread instantly throughout the Windmill Village.

Luffy, Marineford, the village chief, the three carpenters, the travelling merchants, and all the villagers who had a good relationship with Icey all came, enthusiastically bringing their home-grown vegetables and beef. (Luffy brought his appetite)

Including members of the Red-Haired Pirates, including Shanks, naturally, they all attended with great faces.

As for the banquet, pirates like them naturally couldn’t miss out on such revelry!

As night fell, the stars twinkled.

With the bonfire lit representing the celebration, the pirates sang and danced, enjoying Binks’ Sake, and the banquet on the open beach officially began!

As the protagonist of the banquet, Icey appeared on the beach rocks far from the bonfire’s centre.

His deep gaze looked into the distance at the pitch-black sea, his expression serious.

Beside him, Shanks, who had taken off his straw hat, appeared much more casual, wearing slippers and sitting cross-legged with a large beer at his feet.

“So Icey, what do you think of my suggestion just now?”

Shanks propped up his chin with one hand, seeming accustomed to the impact of his lost arm.

He had a smile on his lips, his eyes filled with eager anticipation and excitement, earnestly saying, “Become my companion, let’s stir up the world together!”

Having witnessed how Icey had cornered Higuma and how he had taken a blow for his comrade, Shanks couldn’t help but feel drawn to him.

He wanted to seize the opportunity before Icey set sail.

After all, the Red-Haired Pirates now weren’t the rookies they were at the beginning, but a team with enough reputation in the treacherous New World.

In such circumstances, for Captain Shanks to actively invite Icey, who had just learned dual-colour Haki, showed how much he favoured him!

“Sorry Shanks, but I currently have no desire to become a pirate.”

Icey naturally chose to refuse.

Although he was still weak now, he had considerable ambitions, wanting to climb to the peak in this age of the strong!

“Indeed, that’s a pity.”

Shanks sighed heavily, his head hanging low with disappointment, the hopeful light in his eyes slowly fading.

Sensing Icey’s unwavering determination, he didn’t continue trying to recruit him but slowly raised the cup at his feet.

“If you don’t want to be a pirate, and it doesn’t seem like you want to join the

Marines, either. What identity do you plan to sail with this time? An adventurer or a tourist?”

Icey clinked his cup with Shanks’, took a big gulp, and asked, “Shanks, have you forgotten what I do?”

Shanks wiped the stain from his mouth, pondered momentarily, and tentatively asked, “Open a restaurant at sea?”

“More or less, on the open sea without supplies, food and drinks can definitely be sold at a considerable price.”

That’s right, embarking on an adventure with the identity of a sea restaurant owner was the decision Icey made after careful consideration!

Firstly, he had experience running a restaurant, so he could earn money while sailing, ensuring maximum profit.

Secondly, he wouldn’t be chased and intercepted by the Marines and pirate hunters like pirates.

Of course, there was a very important point.

“Nowadays, the most abundant presence at sea isn’t legitimate trade fleets or tourist groups, but ruthless pirates.”

Shanks immediately said, “Doing business with those guys who love to eat a pirate’s dinner, let alone selling food at high prices, might even get yourself involved in trouble!”

Upon hearing this, instead of showing any worry, Icey’s lips curled up slightly, revealing an incredibly gentle smile.

“In truth, the reason I decided to open a sea restaurant is mainly because…”

“I want to do business with those pirates who plan to eat a pirate’s dinner!”

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