Area 13 of Sabaody Archipelago. A remote street.
"Hey, do you think that guy's about to go into that bar?"
"He's obviously a newcomer. Doesn't he know that place is a scam?"
"Tsk, tsk. Another fool's about to get stripped clean and tossed out."
"Wait... don't you think he looks familiar?"
Someone seemed to recognize the man standing at the entrance of the bar.
"That face looks kind of familiar..."
"Isn't that the guy from the newspaper?!" a sharp-eyed pirate whispered in shock. None of them could believe they were actually seeing the newly famous marine vice admiral here.
"H-He looked over here!"
The hushed chatter came to an abrupt halt. No one had expected the rising new star of the Marines to appear in such an out-of-the-way street.
Much less to stand alone in front of a bar with such a notorious reputation.
How annoying.
Hearing the whispers from the crowd, Mo Wu stood at the entrance of the bar, irritation plain on his face.
Boom!
Thud. Thud. Thud.
A string of bodies hit the ground one after another.
It was as if a bolt of lightning had exploded inside their brains. The pirates who had been about to slip away rolled their eyes back and collapsed unconscious on the spot.
Looks like I've got pretty fine control over Conqueror's Haki now.
Glancing at the pirates sprawled limp behind him, Mo Wu pulled out a Den Den Mushi. As the line connected with a series of beeps, he spoke calmly.
"This is Marine Headquarters."
"W-Wait, this number is—?"
"V-Vice Admiral Zhige!"
Mo Wu flicked a glance at the sign hanging above the bar.
"Shakky's Rip-Off Bar."
What a familiar name.
Clicking his tongue, he had to admit it—no wonder she was a woman even Garp had chased down. Even the name of her bar was brazenly shameless.
"Tell the Sabaody marine base to send people to Area 13, to a place called Shakky's Rip-Off Bar."
"I dealt with a few pirates. Have them clean it up."
The Den Den Mushi's eyes turned reverent.
"Understood!"
"I'll relay it at once."
Hanging up, Mo Wu gave the sign one last indifferent glance, then pushed the door open without hesitation.
The bar was dimly lit, thick with the smell of alcohol and tobacco.
But inside, it was empty.
Well... empty except for the beautiful woman behind the counter, with short black hair and a cigarette held calmly between her fingers.
The former empress of Amazon Lily from two generations ago. The former captain of the Kuja Pirates. And the owner of this very bar—Shakky.
"You know, kid, causing trouble outside my place isn't exactly polite."
Their gazes met in midair, and both pairs of eyes held a faint but unmistakable note of scrutiny and caution.
"Hm..."
"So you really are the newly promoted marine vice admiral?"
Recognizing the handsome face that had been making waves across the seas lately, Shakky exhaled a ring of smoke. Her voice held a trace of amusement now, no longer bothering to conceal the teasing look in her eyes as she quietly waited for Mo Wu's answer.
It had been a long time since a marine had come to see her.
"The former empress of Amazon Lily from two generations ago."
"Former captain of the Kuja Pirates."
"After being pursued by the Hero of the Marines, you disappeared and retired here, opening a bar called Shakky's Rip-Off Bar for your own amusement."
Clack.
The beautiful woman froze, her composure instantly shattered. Mo Wu's sudden stream of words had clearly caught her completely off guard.
Every muscle in her body tensed. She did not even notice the cigarette butt slipping from her fingers and landing on the floor. Her right hand quietly moved behind her back.
So the Marines are finally making their move against me.
She had not expected the situation to deteriorate to the point where even someone like her—someone who had already washed her hands clean—would not be spared.
"I'm right, aren't I, Madam Shakky?"
Mo Wu flashed her a bright, easygoing smile, meeting her eyes directly. There was not the slightest trace of shadow on his cheerful face.
"You seem awfully confident, kid. How many men did you bring?"
Forcing out a smile, Shakky replied while frantically weighing her options for escape.
But...
Damn it. I can't think of any way out. Just how many high-level Marines came with him?
Why can't my Observation Haki detect anyone?
"I came alone."
Seeing the panic rising in her pupils, Mo Wu let the smile fade from his face.
"Alone?"
There was disbelief in Shakky's voice, though the tension in her muscles eased slightly.
"A marine vice admiral coming to my bar by himself... that doesn't sound like Marine behavior."
Mo Wu nodded lightly. Then, instead of wasting time circling around the issue, he went straight to the reason he had come.
"Where is Silvers Rayleigh?"
The tightness in her chest returned instantly. Hearing that familiar name, Shakky's voice turned cold.
"How would I know where the famous Dark King is?"
"I see. But I heard the information from your place is pretty accurate."
Mo Wu raised a brow.
"Or is it that you're worried I can't afford it?"
So he just wants information through me?
At that, Shakky relaxed a little. Buying information from her was strange behavior for a marine, but if that was truly all he wanted, then there was far less to worry about.
Still wary, she studied Mo Wu's polite expression, then gave a soft snort and looked him over deeply before speaking.
"Well, since you've already come into my bar, why don't you have a drink first?"
"Milk. No ice, thanks."
The corner of her mouth twitched. She had already turned toward the liquor cabinet, but Mo Wu's order made her stop in place.
Turning back around, she gave him an amused look.
"You came to a bar for milk?"
"I haven't had that flavor in a long time. Let me try it."
To be fair, it really had been a long time since Mo Wu had drunk milk.
And milk from the world of One Piece? He was genuinely curious what it would taste like. Call it a sudden whim.
Seeing that he insisted, Shakky shook her head helplessly.
It was the first time she had seen anyone come into a bar and order milk. But... in a way, it fit her first impression of him perfectly—a marine vice admiral who never did what people expected.
"Fine. Milk it is."
She took a clean glass from beside the liquor cabinet, pulled a bottle of milk from the refrigerator, and poured it into the cup.
"Want me to heat it for you?"
"No."
Setting the milk down in front of Mo Wu, Shakky returned to her seat. She studied him carefully, as if reassessing the overly young vice admiral sipping milk in her bar.
Much of the tension she had been holding slowly eased.
Taking small sips, Mo Wu let the cold liquid slide down his throat, then smacked his lips lightly.
He had to admit, milk in the One Piece world really did have a rather peculiar taste.
"Go on, then. What information are you buying?"
Crossing her legs, Shakky exhaled another stream of smoke and fixed her gaze directly on him.
"A sheet of paper, please."
Dark lines appeared on her forehead. Her right hand nearly crushed the cigarette between her fingers, but her left still reached over and handed him a piece of paper.
"You're a nice person, Madam Shakky."
And you're infuriatingly polite, young vice admiral.
She grumbled inwardly at the marine in front of her, who was now elegantly wiping the corner of his mouth, but said nothing.
"The right hand of the Pirate King. The Dark King—Silvers Rayleigh. Where is he, Madam Shakky?"
Folding the napkin neatly and dropping it into the cup, Mo Wu broke the silence again. No more detours, no more testing—he went straight to the heart of it.
Bang!
Just as Shakky was wondering whether or not she should simply sell out that old man, the bar's front door swung open again, and a helpless voice drifted in from behind.
"Kid, didn't Garp teach you to show a little respect to your elders?"
Unlock 100+ advance chapters on P@treon — every follow inspires me to keep going!
patreon.com/soloverse
PLEASE SUPPORT MY WRITING ON P@TREON