Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece

After leaving the tavern, it was already late at night.

The nights in Balleywood are not quiet; instead, they possess a more enchanting and bustling atmosphere that is absent during the day.

Colorful lanterns were hung on both sides of the street, illuminating the stone pavement in a dreamlike way.

"Alright, since that girl named Bao'er is keeping us in suspense, let's come back in seven days."

Uchiha Hakuba stretched and spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Our top priority now is to find a comfortable place to get some sleep, and then head to the capital of Balewood tomorrow."

"The capital city..."

Matsumoto Rangiku had her hands behind her head, and her steps were a little unsteady, clearly indicating that the few drinks she had just had had a slight buzz.

"I've heard that the capital of Balewood is full of treasures, and the Balewood cuisine there is absolutely amazing! Mr. Baiyu, shouldn't we treat everyone to a good meal?"

"Hmm, Connor wants to try something good he's never had before."

"ha?"

Uchiha Hakuba nodded: "Okay, let's go eat something delicious, but Rangiku has to pay for it herself."

"Oh, we're all family, so let's not be so formal."

Rangiku came over with a grin and bumped Shiraha with her shoulder.

As for Connor, her attention had been drawn to something else. She was staring with a conflicted expression at a huge, colorful windmill on a roadside stall. The windmill was exquisitely made, with elephant patterns typical of Balleywood painted on its blades, and it whistled in the night wind.

"Want it?" Bai Yu walked over and asked, looking down.

Connor looked up, her big eyes blinking, and tugged at Bai Yu's sleeve with her little hand, whispering, "Bai Yu... the windmill... is beautiful."

"What an easily satisfied little guy."

Nico Robin had come over at some point. Looking at Connor's obedient appearance, her eyes were full of tenderness, and she reached out to rub Connor's head.

"Since you like it, just buy it. But Connor-chan, do you really not want to pay any money? Shiraha gave everyone money, and yours is still with me."

"Hmm!"

Connor shook his head: "Keep it with Sister Robin, she'll pay me."

Bai Yu smiled helplessly, took out his Bailey, handed it to the vendor, and bought the huge windmill.

"Here, take this." Bai Yu handed the windmill to Connor.

Connor happily accepted it, held the windmill in both hands, and spun around in place. The windmill whirred and made a crisp sound.

She seemed to think that wasn't enough, so she started running with her short legs, wanting to make the windmill spin faster.

"Run slowly, don't fall."

Robin gave a word of advice from behind, his eyes softening unconsciously.

The group followed Connor, walking slowly down the street.

"Speaking of which..."

Rangiku, watching Connor running happily ahead, suddenly spoke up: "That Bao'er girl, I always felt she wasn't as simple as she seemed. Shiraha-kun, are you really not worried at all?"

"What are you worried about?"

Bai Yu countered, "We'll meet force with force and water with earth. In this world, as long as you're strong enough, there's nothing to worry about."

"How confident you are."

Robin chuckled: "Although I think there might be a problem, it's more likely that he's taken a liking to Bai Yu-jun. This makes me very curious about what will happen in seven days."

"Huh?" Bai Yu was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Robin, you're overthinking it."

"That's right, Robin, we're enough for Bai Yu. What's with Bao'er? Bai Yu-kun wouldn't even look at her..."

"Never mind her, we'll see in seven days anyway." Rangiku waved her hand.

"The most important thing now is, where will we stay tonight?"

"Don't worry, I've already booked the best hotel around here in Balleywood."

Uchiha Hakuba pulled a room key from his pocket and waved it in front of Rangiku: "A top-tier suite, the kind with a hot spring."

"Shiraha-kun, you're so kind!" Rangiku's expression instantly changed, and she fawned over him.

"I knew you loved girls the most."

"Stop! Get away from me, you reek of alcohol."

Shiraha pushed Rangiku's face away in disgust.

"Go back and wash up and go to bed, we have to travel tomorrow."

……

The next morning, the sun shone brightly.

After a night's rest, everyone was refreshed and full of energy.

The capital of Balewood was still some distance away, so in order to save time, or rather, to comfortably enjoy the scenery along the way, Bai Yu rented a spacious carriage.

Why don't you ask why Connor doesn't turn into a dragon and fly faster?

Sometimes the process is more important than the result.

Furthermore, the magic power in the One Piece world is not as great as that of the Dragon Maid, so some needs to be conserved for unforeseen circumstances.

The carriage sped along the smooth road, the scenery outside the window rushing by.

Inside the carriage, however, the atmosphere was somewhat... eerie.

"Um... Shiraha-kun, are you sure this carriage is safe?" Rangiku gripped the handrail tightly, her face pale.

"Why is this road so bumpy!"

"This is already the smoothest carriage in Balleywood."

Bai Yu said helplessly, "After all, this is the terrain here."

"Hmm..." Connor sat in Robin's lap, holding the windmill she had bought yesterday. Although the carriage was bumpy, she seemed to find it very interesting. As the carriage swayed, she bounced along with it, making "heave-ho" sounds.

"Kanna looks very happy."

Robin smiled and helped Connor tidy his hair, which had been messed up by the car's bumps.

"Connor is always very adaptable."

Bai Yu leaned against the car window, looking at the scenery outside.

"However, the local customs and culture of Balaiwood are indeed very interesting along the way, and they are different from what we usually know."

Suddenly, the carriage came to a screeching halt.

"What happened?"

Bai Yu frowned slightly, lifted the curtain, and looked outside.

Ahead, a group of elegantly dressed people were blocking the road, seemingly arguing about something.

"It seems like there's been a problem with the convoy ahead."

The coachman's voice came from behind.

"It looks like a nobleman from Balewood up ahead. His carriage broke down, and he's throwing a tantrum."

"noble?"

Uchiha Hakuba raised an eyebrow.

"They're really troublesome."

"Let's go down and take a look. If they don't move, this road can't be blocked forever."

Robin, carrying Connor, was the first to jump off the carriage.

Shiraha and Rangiku also got off the train afterward.

Ahead, a fat man wearing a long robe with gold trim and a tall hat was punching and kicking several servants while cursing.

"Useless! All of you are useless! You can't even handle this small matter! My carriage is broken, how am I supposed to attend the banquet?!"

The fat man cursed with spittle flying everywhere, and several servants knelt on the ground, trembling, not daring to lift their heads.

"What an arrogant guy."

Rangiku pouted, indicating her dissatisfaction.

Bai Yu said calmly, "However, this mountain road is so narrow, and he actually parked it sideways like this, blocking our way. This is a bit annoying."