"Here, try some of our red tea~"
"Red tea?"
Usopp looked curiously at the cup placed on the counter. "You actually serve tea here?"
Even though she was an information broker, this was still a bar.
"Of course we have tea," Shakky chuckled. "I'm not really running a bar, you know."
In the business of selling information, she encountered all kinds of clients, so it was only natural to be well-prepared.
That was just part of her hospitality.
Of course, for any troublemakers who dared to cause a scene, she wouldn't hesitate to greet them with her fists.
"Ah, that makes sense..." Usopp nodded.
Since she dealt in information here, it wasn't surprising she had other things too.
"Slurp~"
"Hmm?"
After taking a sip, Usopp's expression turned to surprise. "Wow, this is unexpectedly good!"
"Hehe, glad you like it."
Shakky smiled and nodded, then glanced over the members of the Straw Hat Pirates. "Though... your crew's composition is quite unique."
A reindeer named Chopper who loved cotton candy, a Ship Spirit who also adored cotton candy, a living skeleton who enjoyed drinking milk... and then there was that Cyborg who hadn't arrived yet.
In a crew of only about ten people, four of them weren't even human.
For a moment, Shakky wasn't sure what to say.
This little Straw Hat guy... really was something else.
Thinking this, she glanced at the straw hat on Luffy's back.
"Ahahaha, my crewmates are all super interesting, right?" Luffy laughed loudly.
"Yes, very interesting indeed."
"Yohohoho~" Brook grinned at Shakky. "Hello, I'm Brook, just a pile of bones~"
"Hello there~"
At that moment, Brook straightened his tie like a proper gentleman, then—under Shakky's puzzled gaze—uttered his signature line.
"May I ask what color your underwe—"
"Hey!"
Usopp stared at Brook in disbelief. Was this guy trying to get himself beaten up?
"You idiot, what kind of question is that?!" Pappag exclaimed in shock.
"Ah, now that you mention it, I think today I'm wearing..."
"Don't answer that!"
"Yohohohoho!"
"Ah..."
Meiser covered his face with his hand. Just how many weirdos had this woman named Shakky encountered to remain so unfazed by such a question?
"How long until the Coating Craftsman gets back?" Luffy asked.
"Ah, shouldn't be too long now," Shakky mused.
After all, he hadn't been gone for very long—he'd probably return soon.
"Alright..."
Luffy thought for a moment, then decided not to dwell on it and turned back to raiding the fridge.
"Sorry, Luffy eats a lot..." Usopp said awkwardly.
In just this short time, Luffy had already polished off half the fridge's contents.
"It's fine, let him eat if he enjoys it," Shakky waved it off, completely unbothered.
"By the way... what's your relationship with Marine Garp?"
"You know my grandpa?" Luffy gave her a puzzled look.
"Ah, I do." Shakky sighed nostalgically. "I used to be a pirate too. Back then, he chased me around for ages."
Recalling those days, Shakky couldn't help but feel helpless—that guy was truly formidable.
If she had dared to turn around and fight Garp one-on-one, she would have been knocked flat.
If it weren't for Rayleigh...
Ah, perhaps this was fate.
Meiser gave Shakky a curious glance, surprised to learn they had such a connection.
"Don't look at me like that. Even though his grandfather hunted me down, I wouldn't lay a hand on him."
After saying this, Shakky took out a few Wanted Posters and said, "Before that guy returns, let me fill you in on the current situation."
"Intel...?"
"Don't worry, I won't charge you," Shakky chuckled. "Besides, this isn't exactly classified information."
Apart from the news that all the Supernovas had landed on this island today, the rest wasn't particularly secretive.
"Wanted Posters..."
Usopp leaned in, carefully examining the posters on the table, then gasped in shock. "Why are all these bounties over 100 million?!"
"No way..."
Brook was equally astonished.
Every Wanted Poster on the table belonged to someone with a bounty exceeding 100 million—clearly not people to be trifled with.
"These are the Supernovas," Shakky explained with a smile.
"Supernovas?"
"Mhm," she continued. "In the first half of the Grand Line, every era produces a few rookies with bounties over 100 million. Once these rookies fight their way to Sabaody Archipelago, they're called Supernovas."
"And this year... there are twelve of them!"
At this, Shakky wore a nostalgic expression.
After all... it was rare for so many Supernovas to appear on Sabaody Archipelago at the same time.
Hearing her words, the others crowded around.
"Wow, it's really twelve people..."
"That's amazing!"
"Hahaha, three from our Pirate Crew are on here!" Luffy laughed as he joined in.
Meiser, who had also been studying the posters, glanced at Shakky and asked, "What does this title actually signify?"
"It means you're all rookies with tremendous potential," Shakky replied. "The next Pirate King... might very well emerge from among you."
"That'll definitely be me!"
Luffy immediately stood up, declaring with absolute conviction, "I'm the one who'll become the Pirate King!!"
Shakky grinned at his unwavering confidence. "My, such bold claims~"
"Of course!"
Luffy had never doubted for a second that he would become the Pirate King.
Meiser and the others smiled at his declaration—clearly, they believed in him just as much.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when you all enter the New World," Shakky mused.
"The New World, huh~"
"Indeed. Who knows how those guys in the New World will react when they meet you."
"We'll find out when we get there," Luffy said simply.
"True enough."
Shakky then picked up Meiser and Luffy's Wanted Posters and added, "You two have the highest bounties—and are the strongest among the Supernovas. The others might come looking for trouble."
Especially Meiser—this man's bounty started at over 400 million, which speaks volumes about his potential and strength!
For reckless outlaws like some, such a man is incredibly enticing.
At this thought, Shakky glanced at Kid's portrait. That madman had slaughtered countless ordinary people.
One could say this pirate was the worst of the worst, somewhat reminiscent of Rocks from back in the day. The only question was whether his future strength could ever reach that level.
"Let them come," Meiser sneered.
They weren't afraid of fellow Supernovas. At worst, they'd just fight—who was scared of whom?
"I'm the man who'll become the Pirate King! I'm not afraid of them!"
If those guys dared to cause trouble for the Straw Hat Pirates, he wouldn't mind sending them flying right here!
"My, so confident~" Shakky chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm on your side~"
Compared to scum like Kid, she much preferred the Straw Hat crew.
Just then, a man's voice came from outside.
"Shakky, I'm back~"
"Oh? That was quick."
Shakky gave him a strange look. Hadn't it only been ten minutes? How was he back already?
Watching Rayleigh push the door open, she said with a hint of resentment, "Seems these youngsters are more appealing than me."
Ahem. Rayleigh cleared his throat subtly, signaling Shakky not to say anything unnecessary in front of their guests.
Shakky rolled her eyes but didn't press further.
Meiser studied Rayleigh and Shakky with suspicion. Something about their dynamic felt... unusual.
Well... Hachi did say they'd run this shop together for over a decade. They were probably married.
That made sense.
Though the old man had aged quite a bit—he looked like he was in his sixties or seventies.
"This is the coating craftsman you've been looking for—Silvers Rayleigh," Shakky introduced.
"Heh, finally meeting you all."
Rayleigh set his things down and smiled warmly at the group, his eyes brimming with nostalgia.
At that moment, Usopp fell right off his seat, his face frozen in shock.
Clatter!
"Huh?"
"Usopp, what's wrong?"
Chopper stared at him, baffled. Did he know this old guy?
Usopp didn't answer. Instead, he turned to Shakky. "W-wait a minute, Miss Shakky... what did you say his name was?"
"Silvers Rayleigh~" Shakky replied with a knowing smile.
Clearly, she understood what Usopp was getting at—he'd recognized Rayleigh.
"Ah, seems someone still remembers me," Rayleigh said, scratching his head as he casually took a seat beside Luffy.
Shakky poured him a drink just as naturally—though it was still that special brew.
Rayleigh: "..."
He sighed inwardly under Shakky's amused gaze.
"Usopp, do you know this guy?" Luffy asked, puzzled.
"Hey, don't any of you recognize that name?!"
"Nope."
Usopp stared at his companions in disbelief—this was the name of the Pirate King's vice-captain!
How could any pirate not know this?
"So, who exactly is this old man?" Meiser asked, puzzled.
Judging by Usopp's expression, this guy must be someone important—though who exactly remained a mystery.
"He's the Pirate King's vice-captain!" Usopp exclaimed.
"Huh?"
"HUH?!!"
Everyone gaped at Rayleigh, their faces filled with shock.
This utterly ordinary-looking old man was the Pirate King's vice-captain?!
Do all the strongest people look this unremarkable?
"Old man, you were really the Pirate King's vice-captain?!" Luffy cried, staring at Rayleigh in astonishment.
"Ah, that's right~"
"The Pirate King's vice-captain is working here as a Coating Craftsman?"
Meiser's face was full of question marks. How did that make any sense?
Hadn't the Pirate King Roger obtained the world's greatest treasure? That was what he'd declared before his execution.
As the Pirate King's vice-captain... how had Rayleigh ended up doing coating work for money?
Even if he'd only taken a fraction of the treasure, he should've been able to retire comfortably.
Unless... was he such a big spender that he'd blown through all his wealth?
"Ahahaha, a man's gotta keep himself busy, right?" Rayleigh laughed heartily. "I'm not the type to sit around doing nothing."
Hearing this, Meiser understood.
There really were people in this world who couldn't stand idleness—even if they had no financial worries, they'd still find something to occupy themselves.
"Then... does that mean Shakky-nee was also part of the Pirate King's crew?" Merry asked.
"That... might actually be possible," Usopp mused.
He'd heard about how the Navy hero Garp had cornered the Pirate King Roger.
Maybe during that time, Shakky had been pursued by Luffy's grandfather?
"Oh, I wasn't," Shakky chuckled. "I just happened to meet Rayleigh by chance."
Hearing her words, Rayleigh exchanged a glance with her, and the two burst into laughter.
Thinking about it, their meeting had been quite fateful.
That great battle back then... perhaps it had all been destiny's arrangement.
"So that's how it is."
"But then, how does Hachi know someone as big as you?" Usopp glanced at Hachi.
Hadn't this guy been causing trouble in the East Blue with that bastard Arlong? How did he know someone like the Dark King Rayleigh, who was in the Grand Line?
"Him?" Rayleigh grinned. "Twenty years ago, I was shipwrecked, and Hachi happened to save me."
"You could say he's my lifesaver."
"That really happened...?"
"It was a long time ago," Hachi scratched his head sheepishly.
Running into Rayleigh at sea had been an incredible coincidence.
Back then, he'd just sneaked out of Fish-Man Island, eager to see the outside world, when he spotted the shipwrecked Rayleigh and rescued him.
In a way, Hachi's kindness had led him to befriend one of the world's strongest men.
"As Roger's vice-captain, you managed to survive all this time..." Meiser stroked his chin. "Does that mean the Navy never caught you back then?"
Meiser was extremely curious. Even Roger, the Pirate King, had been executed by the Navy, so why was the vice-captain still alive?
"To be precise, all of us survived except the captain."
Meiser: ???
What did he mean by everyone except Roger surviving?
Could it be... that Roger had done the same thing as Luffy, staying behind alone to fight a powerful enemy?
"Because Roger wasn't captured," Rayleigh said. "He turned himself in."
If not for their captain surrendering voluntarily, how could the Navy have ever caught that man?
After all... he was Roger!
"Eh?!!"
Everyone stared at Rayleigh in shock. That incredibly powerful Pirate King... had turned himself in?
"Turned himself in..." Usopp muttered. "But the newspapers back then said..."
"The World Government did that just to flaunt their power," Rayleigh waved his hand dismissively. "That's why they claimed they captured Roger."
"But... but why?" Pappag asked, confused.
Why?
After becoming the Pirate King, hadn't he already obtained the greatest treasure in the world? Why would he turn himself in?
"Because our journey had reached its end..."
3
At these words, everyone froze for a moment.
"What do you mean... reached its end?"
Chopper looked at Rayleigh in bewilderment. Was it because they had conquered the Grand Line and didn't need to go anywhere else?
But even so, turning himself in was too extreme.
"Because Roger was suffering from an incurable disease!"
"Incurable disease?!"
"Yes." Rayleigh nodded. "About four years before his execution, Roger contracted an illness—a terminal disease no one could cure."
"It was a terrible affliction, and even Roger suffered greatly."
"Fortunately, we later learned of a doctor named Crocus at Twin Cape, whose medical skills were exceptional. He could help alleviate Roger's pain."
"Twin... Cape?"
Brook was stunned. He hadn't expected to hear Mr. Crocus's name here.
"Yes." Rayleigh nodded again. "We found him there, and after much pleading, he agreed to become our ship's doctor, helping Roger endure his illness."
"Thanks to that, Roger held on for three more years, conquered the Grand Line, and became... the Pirate King!"
It could be said that without Crocus, their captain wouldn't have lived that long, nor would he have led them to the final island, where they witnessed... the ultimate truth!
"Mr. Crocus..."
"Hey, didn't that old man say he'd been at Twin Cape for 50 years?" Usopp said incredulously. "He was actually part of the Pirate King's crew?"
"Oh, you've met him?" Rayleigh laughed heartily. "Seems like he's doing well."
"Yeah, he's doing great."
Usopp couldn't help but smile as he recalled the life that old man was living.
One could only say... he was living it up.
"That's good." Rayleigh nodded. "The main reason he agreed was because he wanted to go out and search for a pirate crew. That's how he became our companion."
"Hey Brook, wasn't he looking for you guys!"
"Mr. Crocus..." Brook covered his face, weeping. "He actually went that far for us..."
He was deeply moved.
After returning, he would definitely thank Dr. Crocus properly!
Once Brook had calmed down, Rayleigh said, "So you're the one he was searching for?"
"Come to think of it, I haven't asked yet. You are..."
"Mr. Crocus was looking for the Rumba Pirates, and I was the acting captain, Brook." Brook explained. "But we had already died decades ago."
"I see..."
Rayleigh nodded. No wonder Crocus couldn't find them—they had already perished in battle.
"Your current appearance is because of a Devil Fruit, right?"
"Yes, I ate the Underworld Fruit." Brook sighed. "After I revived, I became like this."
"Then why didn't you go back to look for them?"
"It was impossible. Our sails and cabins were destroyed, and we were in the Devil's Triangle—there was no way to leave."
"If I hadn't met Captain Luffy and the others, I would probably still be wandering like a lonely ghost..." Brook said with a complicated tone. "Thinking about it carefully, I've been drifting for almost fifty years."
"So... that's how it was..."
Rayleigh was surprised. He hadn't expected the other to have gone through such an ordeal.
"The Underworld Fruit, huh." Shakky remarked with emotion. "This world truly has all kinds of Devil Fruit abilities."
Even one that could bring the dead back to life—it was astonishing.
"Because... that's the charm of these seas!"
"Hahahaha."
Watching Rayleigh laugh heartily, Shakky also nodded. "You're right about that."