Inside the bar at Sabaody Archipelago…
Shakky paused mid-wipe of a glass when the two uninvited boys entered.
It wasn't often that children wandered into her bar—especially ones with eyes that didn't look afraid.
"What'll it be?" she asked, voice lazy but sharp.
"Uh… two juices, please," Roy said.
Shakky set the drinks down, then folded her arms and leaned against the counter, studying them with quiet amusement.
Beside Roy, Tesoro held his glass with trembling hands. He had personally witnessed Shakky casually throw a well-armed pirate out of the bar moments earlier. His nerves had not recovered.
Roy, meanwhile, was silently reeling.
So this was Shakuyaku. Former pirate. Former empress candidate. Former lover of the Dark King himself. And—more importantly—
The woman indirectly tied to the greatest erased incident in modern history.
The God Valley Incident.
Thirty-eight years ago, the Rocks Pirates had been annihilated there. The World Government had erased every trace of it. No newspapers. No records. No public memory.
And yet here she was. Calm. Smiling. Serving juice.
Roy cursed fate internally.
Of all the "treasures" lost in the chaos surrounding Rocks' fall, Oda really decided this would be one of them?
Twisted sense of humor indeed.
"What's wrong, kid?" Shakky asked, eyebrow lifting. "You've been staring for a while."
Roy snapped back to reality. "Ah—nothing."
Then Shakky's tone sharpened slightly.
"By the way… how did you know about Rocks?"
Her voice was casual, but the air in the bar cooled by several degrees.
"The God Valley Incident was erased completely. Even most pirates don't know the name. Someone your age shouldn't either."
Roy laughed awkwardly. "Haha… I just heard rumors."
Seeing he had no intention of explaining, Shakky didn't press further. Instead, she smiled knowingly.
"Fine. Then tell me—what did you really come here for?"
"You didn't just walk into my bar for fruit juice."
Roy straightened.
"We're buying information. Haki training methods. Basic sword training manuals. A Log Pose to Kuraigana Island. And… the Navy's Six Powers."
Shakky whistled softly.
"Haki methods and sword training are easy enough. A Log Pose to Kuraigana Island can be arranged."
Then she tilted her head.
"But Rokushiki? That's taught only within the Navy and Cipher Pol. Acquiring genuine manuals won't be simple."
Roy grinned. "But for Sabaody's best information broker, it shouldn't be impossible."
Shakky chuckled.
"You've done your homework."
Her gaze drifted to Roy's blond hair, long and wild.
"…You're not connected to Shiki the Golden Lion, are you?"
Roy blinked. "Shiki?"
Then he waved his hands.
"No relation at all! Just coincidence. Besides, have you seen his face? I'm way more handsome."
Shakky laughed outright at that.
"All right, handsome brat. I'll believe you."
She tapped the counter.
"The information you want will cost one hundred million Berries."
Tesoro nearly choked on his drink.
"W-Wha—?!"
Roy remained calm.
"When will it be ready?"
"Three days."
"Good. We'll return in three days."
Roy stood. Tesoro hurried to follow.
As they left, Shakky watched them go, amused.
"What an interesting boy…"
Outside the bar
Tesoro leaned close, whispering urgently.
"Boss… one hundred million Berries… do you actually have that kind of money?"
Roy slung an arm around his shoulders.
"No."
Tesoro froze.
Then Roy continued, tone steady.
"But listen, Tesoro. In this world, only the strong can take what they want. The weak get trampled. If we become strong, money is just something we collect along the way."
Tesoro thought of chains. Of cages. Of helplessness.
"…I see."
A spark lit in his eyes.
"Boss. Teach me to become strong. I don't want my fate decided by others anymore."
Roy smiled.
"Fine. But training is hell. If you can't keep up, I'll leave you behind."
Tesoro swallowed, then nodded firmly.
"I won't fall behind."
"Good. Let's find an inn. We'll move tomorrow."
Later that night
Roy lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Money problem?
Easy. Just take it from someone who had too much.
He turned to Tesoro.
"The man who enslaved you earlier. The one they called Wild Wolf Dogley. Who is he?"
Tesoro's fists clenched.
"Dogley runs a gang here on Sabaody. Casinos. Smuggling. Slave auctions in the lawless zones. He collects rare treasures to sell to nobles."
Roy's eyes narrowed.
"And his backing?"
"They say some Navy officers protect him."
Typical Sabaody rot.
Tesoro hesitated, then spoke quietly.
"Boss… Stella is here too."
Roy recognized the name immediately.
The girl whose death would one day twist Tesoro into a monster.
His expression softened.
"She's the only person I cherish," Tesoro whispered.
Roy exhaled.
Too many tragedies in this world. But Tesoro was his subordinate now.
Which meant Stella was under his protection too.
"First, gather information," Roy said. "Numbers. Strength. Layout. We don't rush blindly—especially not with Marines involved."
Tesoro nodded firmly.
Meanwhile — Wild Wolf Gang Headquarters
In a lavish office, Dogley sat counting ledgers. A fat man with cruel eyes and a calculating mind.
Bang!
The door burst open.
"Boss Dogley! Tesoro escaped—rescued by some brat!"
Dogley's face twisted with rage.
"Useless! You let a slave walk out of my chains?!"
Before he could explode further, another man entered calmly.
Torre Gorm—his second-in-command, overseer of the auction house.
"Boss. Good news. The announcement for the next treasure auction has spread. Several World Nobles will attend."
Dogley's anger melted instantly into greed.
"Auction profits from Celestial Dragons… excellent."
Tesoro's escape was forgotten as quickly as it mattered.
After all—
New treasures always replaced lost ones.