Chapter Ninety-Four: The Remarkable Resemblance

Inside the Nightshade Bar.

Watching Maude and his companions eat so heartily, Rat wasn’t hungry himself, but he still asked Tatam to prepare a steak for him.

When Tatam brought out the pan-seared steak Rat had requested, Maude and the others were nearly finished with their meal.

“It’s delicious,” Maude praised after swallowing the last piece of beef.

“Mmm, it’s really good,” Sunny wiped her mouth, wholeheartedly agreeing about the steak’s flavor.

Tatam smiled silently at their compliments, then gathered up the empty plates and headed to the kitchen.

Bailey watched Tatam’s retreating figure, hesitating to speak.

He wanted another serving.

The food here wasn’t just delicious—the wine was excellent too.

Such a comfortable experience was worlds apart from the tense, anxious visit he had made before.

What a wonderful place, Bailey mused.

Sunny shared the sentiment.

It was her first time at the Nightshade Bar, and aside from a certain person sitting not far away, her impression of the place was outstanding.

After eating and drinking their fill, Maude didn’t intend to linger. He took out a few bills and placed them on the bar counter.

Tatam emerged from the kitchen and immediately noticed the money Maude had set down.

“Leaving already?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s getting late,” Maude replied with a smile.

Tatam nodded quietly.

Sunny looked at Tatam earnestly. “The steak was delicious, and the drinks were great too. We’ll come again next time.”

“You’re always welcome,” Tatam’s face showed a trace of a smile, but it faded quickly.

Maude, rising to leave, didn’t notice the subtle change in Tatam’s expression.

Sunny wasn’t familiar enough with Tatam to pay it any mind.

“Not staying a bit longer?” Rat asked politely, watching them stand.

“Maybe next time,” Maude replied offhandedly.

The bar stools were high, so he extended his right hand to Sunny, helping her down.

“We’re off, see you next time,” Maude waved to Tatam and Rat, then lifted Bailey—who was reluctant to leave—from his chair.

Then, under the gaze of Rat and Tatam, the pair and their plump mongoose made their way toward the door.

As they neared the entrance, Sunny smiled and asked, “When will we come back?”

“Whenever we have the time, we can drop by,” Maude answered.

“Mmm.”

The two, with their mongoose, pushed open the bar’s door and stepped outside.

Inside, Tatam turned to look at the newly closed door, his expression rather complicated.

Rat glanced at Tatam’s face, and suddenly his steak lost all flavor.

He wanted to say something to Tatam.

For instance, the Navy legend’s intended target was Saul, so Maude and Sunny might not be in danger.

But bound by his official responsibilities, he could only remain silent, set down his knife and fork, and raise his glass.

In a few days, Mad Hat Town would be plunged into unprecedented turmoil.

By then, this place might cease to exist within a single day.

As a Navy man, Rat didn’t care about the fate of the pirates and underworld figures on the island—he actually hoped none would survive.

But he certainly didn’t want anything to happen to Tatam.

So, when his colleagues arrived in Mad Hat Town, he’d make sure Tatam was safe.

Only, Rat could never have imagined in his wildest dreams that the man he’d spent two years alongside harbored an identity that would overturn everything he thought he knew.

Their relationship was just as surprising; not long ago, Tatam hadn’t expected Rat to be from the Navy either.

...

Maude and Sunny left the Nightshade Bar, walking through the alleyways.

Bailey followed closely behind, frequently glancing back at the bar’s door, his reluctance obvious.

At the alley’s end, Sabo and Koala silently watched Maude and Sunny emerge from the Nightshade Bar.

Seeing Maude, the two showed no reaction.

They had indeed met Maude before, but at that time he wore a mask, so they didn’t recognize him now.

Maude soon noticed the two unmoving figures at the alley’s end, growing wary and slowing his pace.

“Sunny.”

“Yes.”

Sunny also slowed, quietly alert.

Only Bailey, his mind still on the taste of steak, failed to notice the two figures ahead.

Sensing the tension and vigilance from Maude and Sunny, Sabo understood that people in the lawless zone tended to be sensitive, so he wasn’t surprised.

But precisely because of that sensitivity, even minor misunderstandings or friction could spark conflict.

So, Sabo stepped forward, entering the patch of dim light.

He didn’t speak but spread his hands, signaling to Maude and Sunny that he carried no weapons.

Koala also stepped forward, silently standing beside Sabo.

At this moment, their faces and bodies bore no disguise.

By the faint light, Maude got a clear look at Sabo and Koala.

For a brief moment, a flicker of surprise passed through Maude’s eyes.

He quickened his pace slightly, shielding Sunny behind him, all the while keeping a close watch on Sabo and Koala.

Even recognizing Sabo’s identity and sensing no hostility, Maude didn’t relax his guard.

He kept Sunny protected as they brushed past Sabo and Koala.

Once they’d walked some distance, Maude glanced back at Sabo.

Coincidentally, Sabo also turned to look at Maude.

Their gazes crossed in the air for a moment.

Then, each withdrew their eyes, their expressions different.

When Maude and Sunny disappeared around the next corner, Sabo rested his chin on his hand, his eyes thoughtful.

“Sabo, do you know him?” Koala noticed Sabo’s unusual reaction.

“No, but I feel like I’ve seen that man somewhere before. He looks familiar, but I just can’t place it,” Sabo shook his head. When he’d locked eyes with Maude, he’d felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

“And… that man is strong.”

“Mm.” Koala’s eyes grew a bit solemn.

Just now, as Maude passed, his alert, ready-to-strike posture had put her under considerable pressure.

...

Maude and Sunny walked through several alleyways.

Sunny had noticed Maude’s actions earlier and asked, “Do you know them?”

“Yes, those two were from the Revolutionary Army,” Maude said outright, making no attempt to hide Sabo and Koala’s identities.

“The Revolutionary Army?”

Sunny stopped in her tracks, surprised.

Bailey, trailing behind, bumped into the back of Sunny’s leg, then looked up at her curiously.

Maude also stopped and turned to Sunny, asking, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” Sunny stepped forward, rejoining Maude at his side.

Maude glanced at the strange look on Sunny’s face. She didn’t seem fine, so he pressed her.

“You seem to care about the Revolutionary Army.”

“Yes, I’ve kept an eye on them.”

“Really?” Maude was a little surprised.

Sunny glanced back at the shadowy end of the alley.

“I was rescued by the Revolutionary Army.”

“What?”