Meanwhile, in the New World, on Hachinosu Island, at "Shakkys Rip-off Bar".
In stark contrast to the quiet wilderness of Elbaf, the bar was currently bustling with noise and activity, both inside and out.
Pirates who had heard of her fame flocked from all directions, forming a line that stretched from the bar's entrance to the end of the street, all just to catch a glimpse of the landlady Shakky's peerless beauty.
Friction inevitably broke out in the queue:
"Hey! Line up properly, you bastard!"
"Thinking of cutting in? Have you asked my fists first?!"
A cash-strapped pirate approached the counter and asked sheepishly, "Um... Miss Shakky, could the price be... a little cheaper? I didn't bring enough money..."
Shakky leaned against the bar, lazily blowing a smoke ring. She spared him a glance and said coldly:
"No money? That's fine. Go to the warehouse in the back. For the next two years, you'll work for me for free to pay off your debt."
The pirate was instantly excited.
On the other side, a travel-worn pirate finally managed to squeeze his way to the counter and said excitedly:
"Miss Shakky! I came all the way from the North Blue just for this! Could I have a glass of your finest whiskey? If... if I could taste a dish made by your own hands, I would have no regrets in this life! I've heard your name even back in the North Blue!"
Shakky skillfully mixed a drink without even bothering to look up, replying with disdain, "You certainly have a sweet tongue, which makes This lady happy. But wanting me to cook for you smelly men? Dream on."
Instead of being angry, the pirate looked blissful. "Whoa... she's just as full of personality as I imagined! I'm so happy!"
"Miss Shakky! My special snack beans are ready!" a temporary clerk called out, poking his head from the kitchen. "Also, the whiskey stock in the warehouse is almost gone!"
Without looking back, Shakky ordered, "If we're out, just use cheap rum instead."
The clerk did as he was told.
Shakky handed the casually mixed drink to the young man in front of her. "Here you go, guest. This is our shop's specially reserved premium whiskey!"
The pirate who took the drink was actually moved to tears. "Thank you for your... terrible service!"
It was as if being treated "poorly" by Shakky was a badge of honor.
In a corner of the bar, the core members of the Rocks Pirates occupied the best seats.
Shakky walked over with a pitcher and filled Rocks's glass. Seeing his thoughtful expression, she teased:
"What's the matter, our Great Captain? You have such a satisfied, reminiscent look on your face, yet your mind has drifted off to who-knows-where, refusing to open up to me~ It really makes me feel lonely."
Rocks: "Huh?"
Beside him, Shiki took a swig of his drink and chuckled, "Jiehahaha! A woman's intuition is truly terrifying."
Rocks waved his hand irritably. "So noisy, shut up! This is a top-secret matter on all fronts!"
Newgate looked over, puzzled. "Hmm? What is it?"
Stussy, sitting nearby, covered her mouth and giggled, hitting the nail on the head. "Newgate, you're far too dense. Looking at him, he likely has another woman on his mind. He might even... have an illegitimate child by now."
Amidst this noisy atmosphere—
BANG!!
The bar's front door was kicked open with a bang! Wood splinters flew everywhere!
"Shaaakkyyy! I'm here!!" A vibrant man stood boldly at the entrance with his arms wide open—it was none other than Gol D. Roger!
Behind him, Gaban and the others swarmed in. Gaban shouted excitedly, "Shakky-chan! It's me! Do you still remember me?"
The onlookers in the bar instantly erupted. "Whoa! It's the Roger Pirates!!"
"Quick! Take a photo! Hurry up and take a photo for a souvenir!"
Hearing the commotion, Shakky's long-maintained lazy and composed expression instantly shattered. She quickly turned her head, saying with a hint of disappointment, "Ah... it's just Roger..."
Rocks's face instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. He stood up abruptly, a powerful, oppressive aura filling the room.
"Rooogerrr! How many times do I have to tell you?! This Hachinosu Island is my territory! Who gave you permission to barge in whenever you like?!"
Roger was completely fearless. Laughing, he walked right up to Rocks until their foreheads were practically touching, neither of them backing down.
"But this is Shakky's bar, Rocks! Everyone here is a guest, and fighting or arguing isn't allowed! Stop your shouting, you short-tempered porcupine!"
Rocks said loudly, "There should have been a long line outside, right? How did you get in?"
Roger pointed outside smugly. "There's no one lining up at all! Boys! Drink to your heart's content! Tonight is on me!"
Outside the bar, the pirates who had been forming a long queue were now lying scattered all over the ground, "asleep"—evidently, Roger's group had "politely" invited them to go and play chess with the God of Dreams.
"Ugh, it's too noisy. I can't stand these guys." Annoyed by the chaotic scene, Newgate shouldered Murakumogiri and prepared to leave.
The clerk quickly chased after him. "Mr. Newgate! You haven't settled your bill yet!"
Without looking back, Newgate waved his hand. "Put it on Rocks's tab!"
With that, he strode away from the scene of the commotion.
As a pirate, he didn't often go out to plunder on his own, and most of the treasures he did bring back were sent to his hometown.
Taking advantage of the standoff between Rocks and Roger, Shakky quietly moved to Roger's side and asked in a low voice, her tone carrying a hint of hidden expectation:
"Mr. Roger... has Mr. Rayleigh... come?"
Roger, who had been exuding an overbearing aura just moments ago, instantly deflated like a popped balloon the moment he heard Shakky ask about Rayleigh. However, looking at Shakky so close to him, a lovesick, goofy grin still spread across his face.
"Rayleigh... he didn't come. I asked him to join us, but he said he wasn't feeling well and is sleeping back on the ship..."
Hearing this answer, the light in Shakky's eyes dimmed. Her long-maintained "ice queen" persona showed a flicker of genuine disappointment, breaking the hearts of the pirates watching from the shadows and making the bar's atmosphere even more subtle and heated.
Roger seemed to realize he might have said the wrong thing. Looking a bit sheepish, he turned to look around, hoping to find someone to drink with to break the awkwardness.
"Hey! Newgate! Where is that guy Newgate? I want to have a drink with him!"
Shiki pointed gleefully toward the door. "He just left. You chased him away."
"Tch, he ran off fast," Roger muttered, wondering to himself, (That guy Rayleigh... he was perfectly fine before, so why did he refuse to come?)
Meanwhile, at the harbor of Hachinosu Island, at the stern of the oro jackson.
Silvers Rayleigh sat alone on the railing, a bottle of wine in his hand. Gazing toward the distant bar from where the faint noise of the crowd drifted, he softly hummed the famous pirate song, "Binks' Sake".
His gaze was somewhat unfocused, carrying the carefree air of one who had seen through the world, yet also holding a hint of indefinable complexity.
Tucked inside his coat was a lightly scented letter that had been delivered by a News Coo a long time ago.
It was written in Shakky's hand, clearly expressing her wish for him to come to Hachinosu Island and take her away with him.
Rayleigh tilted his head back and took a swig of spicy rum, letting the sea breeze tousle his golden hair. Gazing up at the starry sky, a bitter and helpless smile touched his lips, as if he were talking to himself, or perhaps answering that silent invitation:
"But... as for me, I just don't want to be tied down like that..."
The sea breeze scattered his whisper, merging it into the endless night and the sound of the waves.
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