Pirate: My partner is too crooked

Chapter 31: The Identity of Sailing (5000-in-[-] [-] words please read)

The sun sets in the west, at dusk.

The soft orange light shines, adding a hazy feel to the houses and streets of Windmill Village.

The refreshing sea breeze blows from the direction of the sea, driving the huge windmill in the village to slowly rotate.

Freed from the occasional intrusion by the Sige Bandits, even the air in Windmill Village has become much milder, with a tranquil atmosphere that makes people feel more comfortable and secure.

Inside Lin Zhi's restaurant.

"Sir Lin Zhi~ I wonder how much bounty we got from our attack on the bandit Sig this time?"

Aqua licked her face and jumped to Lin Zhi's side. Even her voice was much gentler and more pleasant than usual.

Just now when Lin Zhi was dealing with the bounty from the overseas merchants, she was immersed in her meal and didn't know the specific amount.

However, she saw the scene where Lin Zhi put piles of Baileys into sacks.

"After excluding all kinds of miscellaneous expenses, there are about 700 million beli left."

Lin Zhi put away Bailey after counting, and sat comfortably at his old position at the front desk of the restaurant.

Hearing this, Aqua's clear and foolish eyes instantly lit up.

During the time she lived in Windmill Village, she naturally understood the monetary value of the pirate world, and understood how nourishing the bounty would be if used for drinking.

According to the price of the wishing fountain, 700 million Baileys can be exchanged for two and she still has some leftover!

"It's really good. That's right. I heard that Maginot has several new wines that taste great. Let's go over and buy them all later!"

Speaking of fine wine, Aqua, as a veteran alcoholic, has no ability to resist at all.

This was also the fundamental reason why her attitude towards Lin Zhi suddenly became so, well, so flattering.

"No, we are going to sea soon, and we have to save up the funds to make a wish for new partners."

Lin Zhi refused without thinking.

Hearing this, Aqua's expression changed, and she put her hands on her hips and said confidently: "How can this be possible! I also put in a lot of effort when defeating Sig, so I should get at least half of the bounty!"

"Thank you for your efforts, preventing me from using the cleanest method to kill Sig."

"Thank you for your efforts in destroying my new flintlock musket."

"Thank you for your efforts. I also have to compensate the village for the cost of re-building the parking platform."

Listening to Lin Zhi's three words from the soul, the dissatisfaction on Aqua's pretty face gradually became unstable, and she felt so guilty that her eyes moved around erratically.

"Besides, no matter what, I still played a role!"

Aqua still wanted to mess around, but when she saw Lin Zhi's unmoved expression and thought of the mellow and delicious wine in the Maginot Tavern, she threw aside the dignity of the goddess without hesitation.

I saw her swooping over, hugging Lin Zhi's thigh tightly, and begging with a grievance tone:

"Lord Lin Zhi, please share some of the bounty with me. In the past, the wine would have been sold out if it was late! I promise, I will work harder to purify the toilets in the future to repay your kindness!"

Lin Zhi had long expected that this stupid goddess would be so unruly, so Lin Zhi slowly took a sip of black tea and stretched.

"It's strange. Is it a problem left after fighting Sig? Why do I feel a little sore in my shoulders?"

This guy has a character that gets carried away even if he gets some benefits, so he can't compromise easily.

"Happy to be of service to you!"

Aqua rolled her eyes and immediately stood up to help Lin Zhi squeeze his shoulders.

"The sun is almost setting, why do you still feel so hot?"

"Please give Aqua your orders!"

Like a magic trick, Aqua took out two folding fans, interspersed with the massage, and fanned the wind very hard.

Lin Zhi sipped the black tea, feeling the soft touch on his shoulders and the refreshing fragrance blowing across his cheeks. It was very pleasant.

A few minutes later, seeing that the time was almost up, he turned back to look at Aqua, who was smiling, and gave him a look of agreement.

"If you want to drink anything, just go to Maginot's tavern and get it. Just tell Maginot and I'll pay for it."

"Understood! Master Lin Zhi!"

Aqua was so ecstatic that she retreated to an empty space in the restaurant lobby and took the initiative to perform the flower, bird, and moon trick of spraying water from a fan.

"This is a talent show especially for the generous Mr. Lin Zhi~"

As soon as he finished speaking, he ran out of the restaurant with a whoosh and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Lin Zhi looked speechlessly at the dining table, chairs and restaurant floor that were soaked by the water, with ten thousand Squirtles rushing past in his heart.

This stupid goddess...

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

Lin Zhi, who was drinking black tea, looked up and saw two big boxes with beautiful white legs walking in.

"Lin Zhi, I've made an agreement with Maginot. She said the whole package is [-]% off!"

With her long blue hair hanging down naturally, Aqua's head poked out from behind the box, with a bright smile full of joy on her lips.

"Put it in the warehouse behind the restaurant first. I'll go over and calculate the money with Maginot."

Unexpectedly, Lin Zhi did not show much grief for the hemorrhage. He stood up and walked past Aqua and walked out of the restaurant door.

With that abnormally calm and indifferent expression, even Aqua, who was holding the big box, couldn't help but look back.

Lin Zhi, who had already made plans for this batch of wine, walked across the street, exchanged a few casual greetings with the passing villagers, and then came to Maginot's Bistro.

Pushing open the wooden barrier at the door and walking into the tavern, a light and refreshing smell hits you.

Compared with those sleazy hotels that are full of stench, the clean environment maintained by Maginot makes people feel more relaxed.

"You're here, Boss Lin Zhi."

Maginot was cleaning up the counter in front of the bar. When he saw Lin Zhi coming over, he raised his head and said hello with a smile.

"Mackino, Aqua just picked up two boxes of drinks here, right?"

Lin Zhi was already very familiar with this place, so he casually found a seat near the bar and sat down.

"Well, as soon as she walked in, she said she wanted to buy all the wine."

Maginot's eyes flickered, recalling the strange look of Aqua laughing crazily just now, and said slightly worriedly, "I saw that her mental state seemed to be very bad, so I didn't refuse and agreed to her request for a [-]% discount. I took all the drinks back."

While talking, Maginot had prepared a glass of juice and brought it to the small wooden table where Lin Zhi was.

It turns out that the so-called [-]% off all-inclusive discount was decided by the idiot goddess herself...

The corner of Lin Zhi's mouth twitched, and he took a sip of the juice: "That guy has such a reckless character, and he caused you trouble."

"It doesn't matter. The business of the tavern is thanks to your care."

Maginot's tone was still dignified and gentle, "Anyway, I have to come here to get it, so I'll treat it as being stored at your place for sale. As for the money, I can wait until it's sold."

You may not know that the drunkard wants to keep two large boxes of wine for himself and drink it slowly, and has no intention of selling it at all...

Lin Zhi complained silently in his heart, and then took out the prepared Bailey.

"To be honest, we don't intend to sell those two boxes of wine in the store, so I'll just buy them for whatever the original price is."

After seeing Maginot's concerns, he added, "Don't worry about money. I received a lot of bounty for defeating Sig this time."

Lin Zhi intercepted the bandit who was escaping to sea and forced him into a desperate situation. This incident has long been spread in Windmill Village, and he is called the hero of the village.

Thinking of this, Maginot's slightly frowned brows slowly relaxed, and she no longer worried about Lin Zhi's financial problems.

"Then thank boss Lin Zhi for taking care of me. As for the price, let's just follow Aqua's [-]% discount."

There is a discount for buying drinks in bulk, and their relationship is very good, so the [-]% discount is not excessive at all.

"No, no, no, it's whatever the original price is." Lin Zhi insisted.

"If you're so polite, then I won't sell it."

Maginot raised two fingers and crossed them, making a gesture of rejection.

"Then just follow the boss lady's wishes."

Lin Zhi nodded cheerfully and extended his palm towards Maginot, "Happy transaction."

"Happy transaction..." This 180-degree change in attitude made Maginot, who was still thinking about how to insist on the [-]% discount, a bit confused.

The discounted price of the drink taken away by Aqua was 80 Baileys, which was almost half the restaurant's income for the whole year.

This made Lin Zhi couldn't help but sigh, spending money is so much easier than making money!
"I heard from the carpenters in the village that you and Aqua will leave the village and go to sea soon?"

After the settlement was completed, Maginot thought for a while when he was free, and finally asked out his curiosity.

"Yes, if nothing else happens, we will set off in a few days." Lin Zhi confirmed this.

According to the modifications he made before, with the overtime work of carpenters and shipwrights, the sailboat with a spacious deck is almost completed, and only some equipment needs to be added before it can be launched into the water.

At that time, it was the beginning of him leaving Windmill Village and heading towards the magnificent world!
"The sea is really a place full of infinite charm."

Maginot sighed in a low voice, her eyes lowered, looking a little sad, "Shanks and the others will also set sail for the legendary new world in the near future."

Speaking of Shanks, Lin Zhi suddenly thought of Luffy.

"By the way, why haven't you seen that brat Luffy in the past two days?"

This guy used to go to restaurants almost every day to eat and drink for free. After Aqua appeared, the number of times he came every day became even more frequent.

But since Shanks broke his arm on the beach, it has been difficult to see this guy again.

"Luffy."

Maginot was surprised when he heard this, and winked at the most remote part of the tavern.

Lin Zhi looked up and realized that Luffy was lying in an inconspicuous corner like a piece of cabbage!

"The incident with Shanks seems to have cast a considerable shadow on this child. He has been looking listless recently."

Maginot also looked at Luffy in the corner and sighed softly, "Shanks and I can't even listen to what we say. It will probably take some time before we can regain our spirits."

"Is that so?"

Lin Zhi lowered his head and thought for a while, then drank the remaining juice on the table. "He just lacks the courage to move forward. Let me give it a try."

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

After ten minutes.

"I'm starving! Lin Zhi, I want to eat bird egg fried rice, ten bowls!!"

A familiar loud voice sounded, and Luffy, who had regained his former vitality, jumped off the high chair, rushed out of the dark corner, yelled and rushed out of the tavern, running towards the restaurant diagonally opposite.

"If you have money, you can eat as many bowls as you want." Lin Zhi shouted towards the little figure behind him.

However, Luffy disappeared in a flash.

"That kind of thing will definitely be settled when I become the Pirate King!"

A slightly childish voice came from the ever-swaying wooden door panel and gradually faded away.

"Here, boss Lin Zhi, what did you tell him?"

Maginot stood there, with incredible expression written all over her delicate face.

Out of respect, she didn't eavesdrop on the conversation between Lin Zhi and Luffy just now.

"It doesn't say much, it's just a short story about a passionate young man gathering his friends to chase his dream."

Lin Zhi had a smile on his face and waved his hand towards Maginot, who was tilting his head in confusion.

"As you can see, there are customers in the store, so I'll leave first."

……

Next, while waiting for the ship to be completely completed and delivered, Lin Zhi started making various preparations before sailing, including charts and compasses, medical kits, daily necessities, etc.

While the cadres of the red-haired pirates were in the village, they asked for their opinions on the Haki of sight and Haki and the Haki of Arms, and even had several guided practical discussions.

With these domineering masters answering questions, Lin Zhi's two-color domineering progress has been rapid, and it has been completely consolidated in the new stage, and he can activate it at will!

As for the cost, that is, the loss of a few free meal tickets, which is almost negligible.

As a companion, Aqua was not idle either. She wandered among the seven aunts and eight aunts in Windmill Village all day long, promoting how sacred and great her Axis religion was.

The kind and honest villagers couldn't bear to see such a cute and beautiful girl looking terminally ill. In addition, Lin Zhi had a good reputation in the village, so they were very happy to cooperate with Aqua's request to act, and became...

Well, a member of the Axis Cult who believes in the Goddess of Water!
Even though Aqua, who had gone through the publicity process, and Luffy, who came to eat as usual, would often cause chaos in the restaurant and cause all kinds of trouble.

But every time, without any surprise, Lin Zhi would be attacked with a knife full of love. With two bags, one large and one small, on his head, he would squat on the ground and apologize humbly and sincerely.

Time flies by in this harmonious and noisy daily life.

Finally, on a sunny afternoon, three regular carpenters brought good news. The boat belonging to Lin Zhi and Aqua's adventure was officially completed!

All preparations are in place and you can set sail anytime, anywhere!

The night before leaving, according to the unwritten rules of the pirate world, Lin Zhi temporarily decided to hold a lively banquet.

Not only to thank the villagers of Windmill Village for their care over the past year, but also to repay the red-haired pirates for their domineering guidance, and also to say goodbye to this difficult year of my life with tears!
As a result, the news that restaurant owner Lin Zhi was going to sail tomorrow spread throughout Windmill Village in an instant.

Luffy, Maginot, the mayor of Windmill Village, three carpenters, a merchant, and other villagers who had a good relationship with Lin Zhi all came to the scene and enthusiastically brought vegetables and beef grown and raised at home. (Luffy opened his mouth)
The members of the red-haired pirate group, including Shanks, were naturally present to show their dignity.

It's a banquet, and playful pirates like them can't miss it!
Night falls, and the stars are shining.

As the bonfire representing the carnival was lit and the pirates sang Binx's wine, the banquet held on the open beach officially began!
As the protagonist of the banquet, Lin Zhi appeared on the beach rocks far away from the center of the banquet bonfire.

He stared at the dark sea in the distance with his deep eyes, his expression serious.

Next to him, the red-haired Shanks, who had taken off his straw hat, looked much more casual. He was wearing slippers, sitting cross-legged with his knees crossed, and a large beer at his feet.

"How about Lin Zhi, the proposal I just made is quite good, isn't it?"

Shanks supported the side of his face with one hand, as if he was used to the impact of a broken arm.

There was a smile on his lips, with warm anticipation and excitement in his eyes, and he said sincerely, "Become my partner, and let's turn this world upside down together!"

Witnessing with his own eyes how Lin Zhi forced the bandit Sig into a desperate situation, and how he used his body to block the blows of his companions, he couldn't help but want to win over him.

I want to get as many waves as possible before it goes to sea.

You must know that the current red-haired pirates are not the newcomers they were when they were first formed. Instead, they have a team with enough prestige in the new world with a harsh environment.

Under such circumstances, as the captain, Shanks was willing to take the initiative to invite Lin Zhi, who had just learned the two-color domineering force, which shows how much he likes Lin Zhi!

"Sorry Shanks, I have no intention of becoming a pirate at the moment."

Lin Zhi naturally chose to refuse.

Although he is still a weakling now, he has huge ambitions and wants to reach the top in this era where strong men are rampant!
"As expected, it's such a pity."

Shanks sighed heavily and lowered his head in despair. The light of expectation that flashed in his eyes slowly dissipated.

As if feeling Lin Zhi's unwavering determination, he did not continue to talk about the topic of wooing, but slowly raised the wine glass at his feet.

"Since you don't want to be a pirate, and it doesn't look like you want to join the navy, then what identity do you want to go to sea as this time? An adventure group or a tourist?"

Lin Zhi raised his glass and touched it with Shanks. After taking a big sip, he asked, "Shanks, have you forgotten what I do?"

Shanks proudly raised his hand to wipe the wine stains from his mouth, thought for a while, and asked tentatively: "Open a sea restaurant?"

"Barely speaking, on the sea without supplies, food and drinks can definitely be sold for a considerable price."

Yes, starting an adventure as a restaurant owner on the sea was exactly Lin Zhi’s decision after careful consideration!
First of all, he has experience in running restaurants and can make money while sailing to ensure maximum profits.

Secondly, you don’t have to be chased and intercepted by the navy and pirate hunters like pirates.

Of course, there is another very important point.

"The most numerous people on the sea now are not serious caravans and tourist groups, but heinous pirates."

Without thinking, Shanks expressed his opinion, "If you do business with those guys who always like to eat Overlord meals, let alone sell the meals at a high price, if you don't do it right, you will get yourself involved!"

After hearing this, Lin Zhi not only did not show any worry, but instead raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing an extremely gentle smile.

"To be honest, the main reason why I decided to open a sea restaurant is..."

"I want to do business with these pirates who want to eat the King's meal!"

ps: Thanks to the disciples of Qingyun Sect and Big Brother Want to Eat for Breakfast for the rewards, as well as all the big guys for your monthly tickets and recommendation votes!

(End of this chapter)