Chapter 48 Free-Range Chicken
Nicholas directly paid the money, then walked out of the Market, holding the Bald 'Chicken' in his arms.
This was during a quieter time for Black Market transactions, mainly because it was broad daylight. Although Black Market business is very common in the Pirate World, many respectable people are unwilling to drop their pretense in broad daylight.
Only when night falls does a City reveal its darkest side.
After returning to his Place of residence, Nicholas first went to the Kitchen, took some Cooked Food from the Refrigerator, and went out of the Corridor into the Living Room. While gnawing on a Chicken Leg, he casually threw the Chicken Bone he had finished to the Bald Chicken, which was trotting happily behind him.
As a result, this little guy merely stretched out its head, opened its mouth to grab it, and tried to swallow it hard into its Throat, almost choking to death.
After spitting out the Chicken Bone, it stepped forward again, poked it with its Claw, and after smelling it, turned its head away, pushing the Bone away with its Wings in disgust, clearly traumatized from almost choking.
"What the heck? So picky, even disdains Bone?"
Seeing the Look of the Bald Chicken behind him, Nicholas was stunned for a moment, then stared at the thing with a surprised expression: "No way, with such a large Body Size at birth, if it doesn't eat Bone, does it want to drink Milk? But do Birds even drink Milk?
"Forget it, let's try and see."
Turning back to the Kitchen, Nicholas directly asked the Chef to bring a bottle of Milk and then walked outside. However, the Bald Chicken behind him stared at the Chef's Counter without moving, constantly flapping its featherless Wings, and its two small legs were constantly jumping, clearly wanting to jump onto the Chef's Counter.
"Mr. Nicholas, your Pet seems to want to eat Raw Meat."
The Head Chef carefully reminded him from the side. Before coming, Livanos had specially offered him five times his usual high Wage, with the only requirement being to prioritize the Guests' requests and absolutely not anger the Guests.
The Chef, who had dealt with Upper-class People quite a bit, naturally understood Livanos's meaning. In addition, the terrifying Appetite displayed by these Guests made the Head Chef even more respectful.
"Alright, bring some then."
Nicholas thought for a moment and then spoke. Subsequently, under the Head Chef's preparation, three pounds of Beef Strips, three pounds of Pork Strips, and three pounds of Lamb Strips were directly cut, then placed on a large Plate, carried by a Waiter, and followed Nicholas to the Open Ground of the Manor.
After having the Waiter place the Plate on the Table, the Bald Chicken seemed to have smelled something, becoming exceptionally excited, constantly flapping its featherless Wings and circling around the Table.
It also occasionally rubbed its head against Nicholas's leg and looked up at Nicholas.
Seeing this situation, Nicholas directly reached out and grabbed a Beef strip, throwing it towards the Bald Chicken. Then, before Nicholas could react, it darted its beak out, only to find emptiness, and the Meat directly smeared onto the Bald Chicken's intelligent Eyes.
After shaking the Beef off onto the ground, it immediately buried its head and began pecking at it with relish.
As for the bottle of Fresh Milk, it naturally went into Nicholas's mouth.
"I should say, as expected of a Raptor, it only eats Raw Meat. But what's with these intelligent Eyes..."
Watching the little guy peck at the air again, Nicholas also felt a pang of liver pain.
But a Pet, as long as it's interesting, that's enough.
Nicholas comforted himself, shook his head helplessly, and grabbed another Raw Meat strip, throwing it at the Bald Chicken's Face again.
Soon, the Bald Chicken took twenty minutes to finish its first meal in life.
Looking at the Bald Chicken sitting on the ground, looking more like a fat Chicken, Nicholas also wondered if this guy would eat himself to death.
However, seeing that this guy seemed to be fine, Nicholas also stretched lazily and began to Exercise in the Manor. Saying it was Exercise was more like Training Techniques, and the Opponent was the Enemy he simulated with Lightning Simulation.
The reason for this was twofold: first, to Training his Fighting Skills, and second, to Training Devil Fruit Control.
Speaking of which, the fastest Channel to become stronger on the Grand Line is actual combat, and only actual combat.
Of course, the prerequisite is that you have enough Talent and can survive in actual combat. Otherwise, no matter how much Talent you have, if you encounter an Opponent who is stronger than you and unwilling to give you a Opportunity, early death is the only choice.
However, no matter what, daily Exercise is essential. Only through constant accumulation in peacetime can you rapidly improve in actual combat and transform it into Strength.
In the afternoon, with a Gale, the Lightning Phantom in front of Nicholas was kicked away by him.
"Clap clap clap clap~"
A burst of Applause sounded from the side, and Livanos's Sound also came over.
"As expected of Mr. Nicholas."
Nicholas didn't say much, but directly sat down on the stool next to him, took the Towel Bell-lin handed over, and wiped the Sweat from his Face.
After all, his Body hasn't fully grown yet. These few years are the best time to tap into his potential and increase his Strength. Once he misses this period of rapid Strength improvement, if he doesn't work hard to grow, how will he confront those inhuman guys on the Grand Line in the future?
"Mr. Livanos, what brings you here?"
After returning the Towel to Bell-lin, Nicholas turned his head to look at Livanos.
"Mr. Nicholas, according to our Intelligence, the World Government seems to have already begun to take Action against you. So, I wanted to ask when you plan to leave?"
Seeming to be afraid of Nicholas Misunderstanding, Livanos quickly explained, "Mr. Nicholas, I don't mean to rush you away. It's just that the Relationship between Water Seven and the World Government is very delicate. Once they come, I'm worried it will Influence your Shipbuilding Plan."
In fact, he can't afford to offend Nicholas, and he also can't afford to offend the World Government. After all, they are not like Pirates who can roam the Grand Line and make anywhere their Home. Their base is Water Seven. Once they offend the World Government, even if Water Seven doesn't have too much Trouble, the Trouble for guys like them will definitely be huge.
"Hmm, I understand. I will leave as soon as possible. Of course, I Hope that when we meet again, my Ship will be built."
Nicholas said, speaking of the World Government's nature, he understood it quite well. Once they discovered his Cooperation with Water Seven, although they couldn't deal with him, they still had Means to deal with guys like Livanos who couldn't abandon their Headquarters.
"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Nicholas. We will definitely do our best with your Ship, please rest assured."
Just as Livanos was making a serious Promise, that guy who had evolved into a Free-Range Chicken was hopping around, pecking here and there Underfoot of Livanos. Although it was annoying, knowing that this thing was Nicholas's Pet made Livanos feel a bit Troublesome.
Then, just as Livanos was about to say goodbye and leave, the Free-Range Chicken secretly came Underfoot of him, and then left a Puddle of white and yellow Bird Droppings on his shiny black Leather Shoes.
After pooping, it seemed to think it wasn't enough. Its intelligent little Eyes stared at the other Leather Shoe, and secretly pooped another Puddle of white and green Bird Droppings.
When leaving the Manor where Nicholas lived, looking at the two 'works of art' on his luxurious custom-made handmade Leather Shoes, the muscles on Livanos's Face twitched involuntarily.
(End of Chapter)