Chapter 8: Tsunade Senju, Sake Queen of the Sea
The Waifu Maru bobbed gently in the calm sea after the hellish climb down Reverse Mountain. The sun peeked through scattered clouds, casting a warm light on the battered but still-floating ship.
Ayman sat on the deck, head in his hands, still recovering from the sheer stress of nearly dying.
Then—
BOOM!
The cabin door slammed open. Out marched Tsunade Senju, now dressed in her green robe and cleavage-busting top, already holding a massive bottle of sake.
Her golden hair fluttered behind her as she took a huge swig, wiped her mouth, and belched.
"Oi! Captain! Where's the damn fridge?! Your liquor tastes like horse piss!"
Ayman looked up in horror. "That's not liquor! That was engine coolant!"
Tsunade blinked. "Tasted better than cheap rum."
Yoruichi appeared beside him, crouched and smirking. "Your new summon's already a handful."
Esdeath sipped tea calmly. "She's… volatile."
Tsunade glanced around at them, swaying slightly, then pointed dramatically at Ayman.
"You! You're the summoner, right? You summoned me from Konoha, interrupted my peaceful gambling, and dropped me onto a death trap of a boat. So now, you owe me three things—sake, cards, and a full spa treatment!"
Ayman stood up nervously. "Okay! I can get the sake! Maybe! Somehow!"
Yoruichi whispered, "Tell her about the money from the last quest."
He blinked. "Oh, right."
[System Update: Wallet – 75,000 Beli Available]
[New Store Items: Basic Spa Kit, High-Quality Alcohol, Beginner Poker Set]
Ayman tapped the system and quickly bought a deluxe sake bottle and a card set. A sparkle of light later, they appeared in his hands.
"Peace offering!" he said, handing them over.
Tsunade grabbed the bottle, yanked the cork out with her teeth, and chugged half of it.
"Now we're talking!" she said with a grin.
But then she looked around.
"Where's the bath?"
Ayman froze.
"There… isn't one."
Silence.
A vein popped on her forehead. "No bath? You summon me to a tub-less boat?!"
BOOM!
With a single punch, she shattered the corner of the deck. Wood flew everywhere. The ship rocked violently.
"Fix that later," she said casually.
Esdeath narrowed her eyes. "She's strong."
"More like dangerous," Ayman whispered.
Tsunade then walked over and sat down cross-legged on a barrel, pulling out the card set.
"Fine. We're playing poker. Winner gets the last cup of sake."
Ayman blinked. "Wait, I thought we were preparing to land at the next island?"
"Relax," Yoruichi said. "Let her get it out of her system."
Ayman sat reluctantly. Esdeath joined too.
Tsunade dealt cards like a pro—fast and precise. Her expression was unreadable. They played five rounds.
Ayman lost four.
"I suck at this," he groaned.
Yoruichi laughed. "That's because you kept bluffing with nothing."
"It's part of the strategy!"
"No," Tsunade said bluntly, sipping the last of the sake. "It's part of being bad."
Ayman slumped. "Even my summons roast me…"
[Mini Mission Complete: Survive First Game Night with Tsunade]
[Reward: 5,000 Beli + Unlock Feature – Summon Bond Level]
[Bond Levels unlocked: Increase power synergy, reduce disobedience, and unlock combo techniques with higher bond rating.]
[New Combo Available: Medical Boost – Heals minor wounds during battle automatically for nearby allies.]
"Oh! That's actually useful," Ayman said, reading the interface.
Tsunade burped. "Damn right it is. Keep me stocked with sake, and I'll make sure you don't die too fast."
Yoruichi stretched, standing. "So, captain, where to next?"
Ayman looked at the horizon. The Log Pose he bought earlier spun rapidly before locking in one direction.
"There's an island a few hours east. It's our first stop."
Esdeath stood, placing her hand on her sword. "Let's be ready. It may not be welcoming."
Tsunade tossed the empty sake bottle into the sea. "If it has booze, a bar, and maybe a hot spring, I'm in."
Ayman took a deep breath, feeling like he was just barely holding the crew together.
Yoruichi patted him on the back. "Cheer up. You've got strong women, a talking system, and a ship that hasn't sunk. Yet."
"Yay… so lucky."
[Main Mission: Reach Coral Cove Island – A Town of Secrets and Rumors]
[Reward: 500,000 Beli + Gacha Token if side quest completed]
[Side Quest: Find the Mysterious "Laughing Mask" – ???]
Ayman blinked. "Wait, what's a Laughing Mask?"
The system didn't answer.
He sighed. "Guess we'll find out."
The crew prepared their sails. The Waifu Maru headed toward its first real destination on the Grand Line—with a drunk gambler, a sadistic ice queen, a teasing speedster, and one very confused captain.
Ayman stood at the helm, wind in his hair.
"Grand Line… here we come."