As a last resort, Kaito could only come here to fill his stomach. The Sabaody Archipelago wasn't far from Water 7 anyway, and at his speed, he could reach it in about an hour.
After finishing a quiet meal, Kaito rose effortlessly into the sky, letting the wind carry him toward the horizon. Below him stretched the dazzling blue of the Grand Line, while ahead, the shimmering cluster of islands known as the Sabaody Archipelago came into view.
Also called the Soap Bubble Islands, Sabaody stood as the gateway between the first half of the Grand Line and the dreaded New World. The islands weren't made of ordinary land but of the enormous roots of ancient mangrove trees. From these roots seeped a special natural resin that expanded when exposed to air, forming floating bubbles of all sizes that drifted lazily through the sky.
Bubble cars. Bubble ferris wheels. Even bubble houses. The air itself sparkled with the shimmer of translucent spheres, giving the island an ethereal, dreamlike glow.
Sabaody—known to pirates as the Island of Re-Departure. Much like Loguetown in East Blue, it divided the Grand Line in two: the end of the first half, and the threshold to the pirate's paradise—the New World, a chaotic sea even the Marines struggled to control.
Landing lightly on one of the island's roots, Kaito strolled through the lively streets, observing pirates, bounty hunters, and merchants passing by. It was a place where danger and opportunity mixed freely—everyone chasing fortune or fame.
Before long, a man in a Marine officer's uniform appeared before him, sharp-eyed and composed.
"Mr. Kaito! I'm Dalmesia, Vice Admiral stationed here under Marine HQ!" he greeted, handing something over with both hands. "This is a Den Den Mushi from Fleet Admiral Sengoku. He said you'd know what to do."
Kaito took the small snail-like creature, smirking slightly. "He's fast. I was expecting this."
"I'll take my leave then," Dalmesia said quickly, his tone respectful but strained. "I was told not to interfere with your... activities."
Without another word, the Marine turned and left, his composure betraying the unease beneath it.
Kaito sighed. "Tch. There goes my good mood."
He tucked the Den Den Mushi away and made his way toward Area 13. It didn't take long for a familiar building to appear—a plain bar with a wooden sign that read 'Shakky's Rip-Off Bar'.
"This is the place," Kaito muttered.
He pushed open the door.
"Welcome, guest! What can I get yo—"
The bartender's words froze as she laid eyes on him. Shakky's relaxed smile faltered, her cigarette nearly slipping from her lips.
(That face… it's him! That troublesome monster! What's he doing here? Wasn't he just in Water 7?!)
Her mind raced. If the rumors were true, this man had captured Admiral Akainu himself. The moment word of his presence spread, the island would descend into chaos.
She swallowed hard, forcing a faint smirk. "Well, isn't this a surprise…"
Kaito's gaze swept over the dim bar. The lighting was low, the air thick with the smell of tobacco and rum. It wasn't the kind of place that attracted many customers—fitting, considering Shakky didn't make her living off drinks.
He knew the truth. This woman dealt in information. Her network of spies and informants stretched across every sea. If she wanted to, she could probably find out what someone had for breakfast halfway across the world.
Kaito smirked knowingly. Her reaction was proof enough—she already knew about Akainu.
"Since you're here, might as well have a drink," Shakky said, reaching for a bottle. "Rum all right?"
"That'll do."
She poured the amber liquid into a glass and slid it over to him.
Kaito glanced at it, chuckling softly. "You're quite casual about all this. Cheapest stuff on the island, huh?"
"Just keeping things simple," Shakky replied, lighting another cigarette.
Kaito ignored the drink, leaning back against the counter. His eyes scanned the room again. "Where's your old friend Rayleigh? Haven't seen him around."
Shakky arched an eyebrow. "Oh? You know Rayleigh?"
"Of course. Doesn't Marine HQ know about him too?"
She exhaled a ring of smoke, amused. "Not many people these days do. You're full of surprises."
Kaito smiled faintly. "You could say that."
He paused, then said with deliberate calm, "Tell me something, Shakky. How much do you think the Marines would pay to get Akainu back?"
Her cigarette froze halfway to her lips. She studied him for a moment before answering, "Hmm. That's hard to say. But considering Marine HQ's pride… I'd wager around 2.03 billion Berries."
Kaito frowned slightly. "Only 2.03 billion? That's way too low."
Her eyes narrowed. "You really are fearless, aren't you? That kind of money could buy you a peaceful life anywhere in this world."
He gave a faint grin. "Peace isn't really my thing."
For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the faint hum of bubbles outside. Then Kaito reached into his coat and pulled out the Den Den Mushi.
"Guess it's time to talk business."
He set the snail on the counter and turned the receiver. The little creature's eyes blinked, and from its mouth came a deep, commanding voice.
"Moshi moshi. This is Sengoku."
Shakky froze mid-step, staring. Her cigarette dropped from her fingers, the ashes scattering on the counter.
Kaito smirked, ignoring her shock. "It's me."
Silence.
Then, after a long pause, Sengoku's voice returned, heavier this time. "Kaito… The fact that you have this Den Den Mushi means you're already at Sabaody. What are your terms for releasing Akainu?"
Kaito's tone was light but sharp. "Simple. Money. Devil Fruits. Gold. Whatever you've got that's worth something."
"How much?" Sengoku demanded.
Kaito smiled, his voice steady. "Not much. I did the math. The Four Emperors are worth about four billion each, with Whitebeard hitting five. I'd say a Marine Admiral's about equal to that. So let's round it off—five billion Berries sounds fair."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Even Shakky's expression twitched. This guy's insane.
From the other end, Sengoku's fury barely held back. "Was your arithmetic taught by fools, Kaito?! Five billion?! You're out of your mind!"
Kaito chuckled, unfazed. "Maybe. But you'll pay it."
He reached for the glass of rum, finally taking a sip. The bitterness burned his throat, but his grin only widened.
"Because you and I both know, Sengoku…" he said softly, "you can't afford not to."
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