The arrival of Red-Haired Shanks was beyond Maude’s expectations.
Although Shanks seemed very friendly from the moment he entered, Maude intended to stay quietly on the sidelines until he left.
But after hearing the conversation between Yasopp and Sunny, Maude couldn’t remain silent.
Firearms were the upgrade tool he desperately needed.
Initially, he planned to get a gun from Thor, but as a newcomer, how could he obtain a gun in the short term?
Then Yasopp came along and presented an opportunity.
At this moment, Maude couldn’t just observe. He directly asked Yasopp for the old flintlock rifle.
If he was refused, there would be no loss.
If he got the gun, it would be a big win.
This was his thought before stepping forward to make his presence known.
“Who is he?”
Shanks tilted his head, looking at Sunny behind the counter, and asked with interest.
From their initial encounter, Shanks realized the boy knew who he was.
But that was of no consequence.
Who would have thought that the boy who consciously reduced his presence would suddenly step up and ask Yasopp for a gun?
The contrast was intriguing.
“He’s Maude, Thor’s new worker.”
Sunny answered Shanks’ question.
Shanks nodded slightly and looked at Yasopp.
Yasopp was examining Maude.
“Do you know how to use a gun?”
This was the first question Yasopp threw out.
“Yes!”
Maude answered without any hesitation.
Yasopp’s gaze suddenly became sharp.
He wasn’t just any sniper; with his ability, he could tell Maude was a weak boy who had never touched a gun.
“But I don’t believe you.”
With a half-smile, Yasopp’s eyes were like a loaded gun.
He enjoyed teasing kids and didn’t mind spending time on Maude, considering he was Thor’s employee.
Maude, however, met Yasopp’s burning gaze straight on and said seriously, “How can I prove it to you?”
Yasopp was somewhat surprised.
Maude’s expression and tone didn’t seem like he was lying.
But Yasopp wouldn’t doubt his own judgment.
He calmly looked into Maude’s eyes, then suddenly picked up the 380,000 Beli flintlock pistol from the counter and, within a second, completed the relatively cumbersome powder-loading process.
“Prove it to me.”
Yasopp loaded the gun and handed it to Maude.
Maude didn’t take the gun immediately but pointed to the old flintlock rifle on the counter and asked, “If I prove it, will you give me that gun?”
“No problem.”
Yasopp laughed.
Maude nodded, stepped forward, and took the expensive pistol from Yasopp.
He knew that his success hinged on one bullet.
So, how to prove it?
As he pondered, he saw the slightly ajar shop door he had closed earlier, leaving a gap.
The idea took root, and Maude quickly walked to the farthest wall from the door, and then turned to face it.
Without any warning, Maude raised the gun quickly and, without any pause, pulled the trigger.
Bang—
A tongue of flame and smoke erupted from the muzzle, and a hot lead bullet flew out, precisely passing through the door gap at a speed difficult to see with the naked eye.
The smell of gunpowder filled the air while Maude maintained his standard shooting posture.
He had no time to worry about the potential risk of hitting a passerby.
Shanks and Yasopp glanced at the door gap. With their eyesight, they could see the wooden door was unscathed.
Moreover, the gap was narrow, only wide enough to allow two lead bullets to pass simultaneously.
Aside from Maude’s standard shooting posture, the action from raising the gun to pulling the trigger was fluid, giving an impression of not even aiming.
Even though it was just a dozen meters, Maude undoubtedly knew how to use a gun.
Behind the counter, Sunny looked at Maude in amazement.
She hadn’t expected Maude to have such a good grasp of marksmanship.
“Not bad shooting.”
It was Shanks who gave the praise.
Of course, such marksmanship on the Grand Line was nothing special.
But given the situation, it was worth a compliment.
Yasopp didn’t say anything. As a man of action, he picked up the old flintlock rifle he called his old buddy and walked toward Maude.
“This is yours now.”
“Thank you.”
Maude first returned the pistol to Yasopp, then took the flintlock rifle.
Finally, he had a gun…
“Yasopp, you’ve misjudged someone, huh?”
Shanks patted Yasopp’s shoulder from behind, giving a timely consolation.
Yasopp shrugged, ignoring the sarcastic jab from his captain.
Did he really misjudge?
He glanced at Maude, who was turning the rifle over in his hands, feeling a persistent sense of contradiction.
The boy looked like he had never held a gun, yet he had such a standard shooting posture and the feel for a gun necessary for any marksman.
Never mind.
Yasopp shook his head, letting it go.
“Boss, all the liquor is brought up.”
At that moment, Lucky Roo’s voice came from the back room.
“Good.”
Shanks responded, then looked at Sunny and smiled, “Sunny, remember to say hi to Thor for me.”
“No need!”
Before Sunny could respond, Thor’s voice came from outside.
Judging by the sound, he was still a bit away from the shop, but he somehow heard Shanks’ words.
Hearing Thor’s distant voice, Shanks sighed, “This is going to be troublesome.”
As soon as he finished speaking, rapid footsteps approached from outside.
In no time, the wooden door was forcefully pushed open.
Thor rushed into the shop just in time to see Lucky Roo moving a barrel of liquor out, and he was furious.
“Shanks, you’re stealing liquor again!”
“What do you mean stealing? We paid, didn’t we? Ask Sunny.”
“Don’t push the blame on the younger generation. I’m not selling you this liquor!”
“Haha, the deal is done. It’s too late to back out now.”
“Get out, get out, don’t let me see you again!”
“That won’t do unless you sell me the location of your hidden stash.”
Shanks looked smug and defiant, while Thor was so furious his face turned red, almost ready to collapse on the spot in protest.
Yasopp and Lucky Roo stayed out of it, and Sunny just held her forehead, speechless.
As for Maude, he had retreated to the back room as soon as Thor shouted his first words.
However, he didn’t go upstairs; instead, he stayed in the stairwell, watching the shop’s situation.
Unbelievable as it was, Thor and Shanks seemed to be old acquaintances.
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