Belial, Tregear, new members of the Straw Hat Pirates

When the three arrived, everyone was shocked. Kirisaki was fine, but Luffy and Kid were the main ones.

They were both stuffed, as full as balloons.

In the "Udon Prison," let alone being stuffed, even eating until you're half full is a luxury.

"This is the first time I've ever seen someone who's eaten too much here."

"I'm so envious."

At that moment, Kirisaki suddenly saw a short old man being trampled under Dopon's feet.

"So it was you who ate my millet dumplings?" Dopon shouted.

"Do you know how many millet dumplings are left? Only three, how can that be enough for me?"

Kidd scoffed, "We earned this by moving stones with our own skills. What's wrong with that?"

"what?"

The jailer next to him said, "Yes, warden, they did get the vouchers by moving stones. We can't do anything about it."

"Are you all idiots? You..."

"belch……"

"belch……"

Luffy and Kid burped, let out a long sigh of relief, and returned to normal.

Kirisaki said, "Warden, are you only allowed to eat millet dumplings?"

"What did you say?"

"As the high and mighty warden, it's a bit too much of a rip-off to only be able to compete with prisoners for millet dumplings."

Dopeng listened thoughtfully, "That seems to be true, but wait, why should I listen to you?"

"I was just asking."

"Kirizaki... say less," a jailer whispered. "If you anger Warden Dopon, you're in for a rough time."

"It's alright, it's alright." Kirisaki still maintained a nonchalant expression.

Dopon was furious when he saw this; he hated seeing prisoners with happy and cheerful expressions.

"Damn it, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

With that, Dopon opened his massive hippopotamus mouth and charged toward the three of them.

Seeing this, Kirisaki silently took a step back, while Luffy and Kid stood there without changing their expressions, being swallowed by Dobon.

Seeing this, the others said, "These two are doomed."

"Sigh, Kirisaki, don't be sad. They brought it on themselves."

Kirisaki remained nonchalant, saying, "Don't worry, the warden can't handle these two big guys."

After speaking, the hippopotamus suddenly convulsed, then flew into the sky and crashed heavily to the ground.

The hippo opened its huge mouth, Dobon was beaten black and blue, and Luffy and Kid walked out arrogantly.

A prison guard walked over and shouted, feigning composure, "You've already taken action, haven't you? The death sentence is confirmed!"

There are rules here too: the first time you oppose the warden, your hands will be cut off; the second time, your feet will be cut off; the third time, you will be executed.

However, the two walked past him silently.

Kidd calmly replied, "Do you have any evidence?"

Luffy picked up the old man, his face showing a guilty yet feigned calm expression, and silently left.

The other prisoners cheered and shouted, "You guys are amazing!"

"You guys are the stars of criminals!"

Just as the jailer was about to fly into a rage...

Kirisaki leaned closer, twirled a money bag in front of them, and whispered, "Please make an exception, jailer."

The jailer paused for a moment, and Kirisaki said, "I took it from Warden Dopon."

"How about we go have some drinks with your buddies later?"

After hearing this, the jailer coughed twice, took the money bag, and shouted, "Ahem, everyone go back to your cells now. No one is allowed to move around until the prisoner who attacked Warden Dopon is found, or you will be placed in solitary confinement."

"Yes."

The prisoners responded as if it were a joke, and then scattered like birds and beasts.

Kirisaki set the old man aside and secretly used the power of light to restore his body.

Luffy walked over and asked, "How is the old man?"

"It's okay now."

"Thank you, all of you..." the old man said weakly.

"Luffy, get some food and water."

"Oh."

After eating something and drinking some water, the old man finally recovered.

"Grandpa, what's your name?"

"Hyougoro."

"Then I'll call you Uncle Soldier," Kirisaki said. "You should rest well; we can talk about it another day."

……

Huadu...

Inside the restaurant, Asakura Ryuya drank his wine while watching Angelica (Magna's human form) report to him.

"Reporting to Master, our intimidation operation in Huadu has begun to show results; even Kurozumi Orochi has been frightened."

"Very good, besides civilians who cannot be attacked, there are also these people."

Asakura Ryuya took out a crescent moon tattoo. "Those with this crescent moon tattoo on their ankles are our comrades, understand?"

"clear."

After saying that, Angelica disappeared from the house.

I had just seen Angelica off when the door opened, and there was that familiar mask again.

"It's you again."

Good afternoon, Mr. Asakura.

"What are you here for this time? Do you want a tip again?" Asakura Ryūya asked.

These past few days, it's been Xiao Zi who's been leading people to deliver food and drinks, and she's been very attentive.

Asakura Ryūya generously gave a gold coin as a tip.

Xiao Zi said, "Sir, you are joking. It's just that you are drinking alone, and it would be inappropriate without music to accompany you."

"Okay, go ahead and play."

Xiao Zi stretched out her slender, jade-like fingers and plucked the strings.

A light, melodious, and pleasant tune began to play, echoing throughout the room and even the restaurant.

Asakura Ryuya was slightly surprised. This piece was really good. Having been used to Brooke's rock music, this elegant musical style was quite refreshing.

When the piece ended, Asakura Ryuya couldn't help but applaud, "That was really good, you played it so well."

"Thanks for the compliment."

Asakura Ryuya changed the subject, "But why do I sense a sense of melancholy?"

Xiao Zi was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Sir, you are joking. How could I dare to play mournful music in front of you?"

Asakura Ryuya stared at Komurasaki's mask and said, "Is that so? Why do I feel like it's a child longing for his father?"

"Boom..."

Xiao Zi's hand slipped and touched a string, and she said, "Sir, are you thinking of your father?"

Upon hearing this, Asakura Ryūya sneered and muttered to himself, "Father... I don't have such a thing..."

Seeing Asakura Ryuya's state, Komurasaki realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly said, "I'm sorry, sir."

"fine."

"Don't be sad, you will definitely have a lovely child."

"A lovely...child?"

Asakura Ryuya couldn't help but think of his son, Ultraman Geed, Asakura Riku.

Asakura Ryuya thought to herself, "He really is quite cute."

"What's wrong with you?"

"It's alright, I'm in a good mood," Asakura Ryūya said. "And what about your father?"

Xiao Zi said sadly, "I lost my father when I was young, and my mother left not long after."

"My brother has been missing for many years without any news, and Xiao Zi has been all alone. Later, she was unfortunately sold here."

Xiao Zi suddenly knelt on the ground, "My lord, could you please take Xiao Zi away from here?"

"You mean, I'll buy you out of your servitude?"

"Yes……"

"Don't joke around," Asakura Ryūya said. "Let's not even talk about how much you're worth. So what if you're not worth much?"

"I only buy things that are useful to me. What use are you to me? What use are you to me?"

"Tell me, why would I buy something that's useless?"

Xiao Zi was taken aback, completely unexpected that Asakura Ryuya would say such a thing. She had thought that Asakura Ryuya would feel pity or be tempted by her looks, just like the men before, and give her all her money.

She had expected Asakura Ryuya to refuse, but she hadn't expected him to refuse in this way, without a trace of pity or lust in his eyes.

They reacted as if they were strangers to themselves.

Xiao Zi paused for a moment and said, "I'm sorry, sir. I was being presumptuous."

Asakura Ryūya drank his wine, sneering to himself, "Does he really think I'm blinded by lust or brainless? Does he think I'm one of those lust-obsessed landlords and gentry?"

"Wait a minute." Asakura Ryūya glanced at a group of people gathered in the distance.

"What are they doing?"

"They are playing Go."

"Go?"

Asakura Ryūya said, "I'll give you a chance. Let's play a game of Go. If you win, I'll give you the money. Whether it's enough or not is another matter."

"I won. Take off that mask. What's the point of wearing a mask in front of people all the time?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zi asked someone to bring a chessboard, saying, "Then, this humble woman will make a fool of herself."

"Sir, you can go first."

“Okay.” Asakura Ryūya raised his hand and placed the chess piece on the center position.

Xiao Zi was slightly taken aback, and said with a hint of anger, "Sir, don't you plan to change seats?"

"No change."

"What does that mean?" someone asked.

"That's the Heavenly Origin rank, which is considered impolite, almost like a provocation."

Seeing that Asakura Ryūya did not change her choice, Komurasaki continued playing chess, quickly and methodically encircling wherever Asakura Ryūya placed her pieces.

Other spectators also felt that Xiao Zi was a sure winner.

Next, Xiao Zi continued to follow up, while Asakura Ryuya calmly sipped her wine and played chess.

Not long after, just as Xiao Zi was about to place her piece, she suddenly stopped, her hand holding the piece frozen in mid-air.

"What's wrong? Why did it stop?"

Xiao Zi put the chess pieces aside and said, "No need, Xiao Zi has already lost."

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled. They crowded around to take a look and found that the situation, which had originally surrounded Asakura Ryuya, had now turned into Asakura Ryuya surrounding Komurasaki.

The number of them is also far greater than that of Xiao Zi.

"How is this going?"

Xiao Zi respectfully said, "Please enlighten me, sir."

Asakura Ryuya smiled slightly, "You fell into the trap from the very beginning."

"No matter where I go down, you follow. It seems like you're separating me, but actually you're being separated too. Then I reconnect you."

"And that's how it is."

Xiao Zi nodded after hearing this and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I am still learning and not very skilled."

Asakura Ryuya then gave Komurasaki a few gold coins, and Komurasaki asked in confusion, "Why... is this?"

Consider it a tip.

"Even so, Xiao Zi should honor the bet."

Then, Xiao Zi removed her mask, revealing a beautiful face with delicate features, large eyes, and luscious red lips. Her noble princess hairstyle made her appear even more elegant and graceful.

Komurasaki looked at Asakura Ryuya with a smile, only to find that Asakura Ryuya's expression had turned very surprised.

"Mr. Asakura... how are you?"

"Ah, it's nothing, it's nothing. The title of courtesan is well-deserved." Asakura Ryuya laughed it off, but Komurasaki noticed something was amiss.

There was not a trace of eroticism or infatuation in his eyes, only pure surprise.

"If there's nothing else, Xiao Zi will be leaving now."

"Oh."

After Komurasaki left, Asakura Ryuya watched her retreating figure, muttering in shock:

"Is this for real...? Did he come back to life or travel through time?"

Afterwards, Asakura Ryūya gave the waiter some change as usual and left the restaurant.

At night, Xiao Zi stayed alone in the house, playing the tricolor string.

[It feels like a child's longing for their father...]

A gentle evening breeze blew, and raindrops dampened the strings of the instrument.