The morning sun shone brightly.
After a full day of playing and a long, restful sleep, Luffy and Robin stepped out of the luxury hotel nestled beneath Red Tree No. 70, both refreshed and full of energy.
Today, they had serious business to attend to.
After asking around from the hotel all the way through town, they finally found their destination: "Shakky's Rip-Off Bar," located at Red Tree No. 13.
The bar itself was a small, moss-covered stone building. The exterior walls were weathered, with bits of plaster peeling off in places. Despite its worn-out appearance, a conspicuously bold sign hung above the entrance, reading in large letters: Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
Robin curiously inspected the place. No matter how she looked at it, she couldn't understand why Luffy would go to such lengths, getting up early, asking around endlessly, just to find this place.
"But then again… Luffy's decisions are always the right ones," she smiled gently to herself, keeping a short but respectful distance behind him as she followed his lead.
"This should be it." Luffy strode up and pushed open the bar's creaky door.
Ding-a-ling!
The sound of wind chimes greeted them.
But as soon as Luffy and Robin stepped inside, both froze in place at the doorway.
The bar was crowded, at least a dozen people inside.
At the center stood a striking woman with a well-maintained figure, though time had etched faint lines into her once youthful face.
At that moment, the woman had her hand clamped around a pirate's head.
BANG!
With a single punch, she smashed him into the floor. Blood sprayed across the room, some of it landing near Luffy's feet.
"Oh? Customers?" the woman said casually, lighting a cigarette as if nothing had happened.
"Just a moment, let me finish extorting these guys."
Robin instinctively took a step back and tugged at Luffy's sleeve, giving him a look of concern. Clearly, Shakky's presence was overwhelming.
Even Luffy was momentarily startled by her ferocity. But he quickly composed himself, squeezing Robin's hand gently and giving her a reassuring nod.
"Alright, we'll just go sit over there," he said calmly.
He led Robin to a quiet corner as they watched Shakky proceed to beat and rob a group of hapless pirates who had clearly wandered into the wrong bar. Eventually, the pirates, after giving up all their valuables, were allowed to flee in shame.
While Luffy was focused on observing Shakky's strength, he didn't notice the look on Robin's face, blushing, eyes sparkling, then shyly lowering her head. Her fingers tightly held his hand, her demeanor soft and bashful.
"Hey there, handsome and beautiful, what can I do for you two?" Shakky called out after finishing her "business" and walking over with confident strides.
She moved with graceful strength, slim waist, agile legs, and solid frame. Every motion carried a wild charm.
Luffy instinctively let go of Robin's hand, leaving her visibly disappointed.
Resting his hands on the table, his deep eyes locked onto Shakky's with an unaffected smile. It was as if the prior scene had left no impression at all.
"Nice to meet you, beautiful lady," he said smoothly. "I've heard the Sabaody Archipelago is full of hidden masters. Today's been quite the eye-opener, haha."
"Don't flatter me, kid," Shakky chuckled, tapping the ash from her cigarette. "What'll you two have to drink?"
She had sensed their presence even before they stepped through the door.
From the moment they arrived, Luffy's confident aura, though devoid of any outward threat, betrayed the unmistakable bearing of a strong individual. And with her sharp intuition and powerful Mental Power, Shakky had felt it instantly.
"If possible, I'll have a glass of milk. As for Robin…" Luffy looked to her for input.
Robin gave a small smile and nodded.
"Then one milk, one lemonade. Thanks," Luffy said.
"Alright, coming right up," Shakky replied.
Ding-a-ling-ling!
Just as she turned away, the bar door opened again.
An old man stepped inside.
He had long, silver hair and a matching beard. He wore glasses, and a vertical scar ran across his right eye. The air about him was carefree, almost irreverent.
"Whew, lots of work today," he muttered as he casually walked to the bar counter and took a seat. "Shakky, bring me a drink."
Then, as if only just noticing the other customers, he turned to Luffy and Robin with a sheepish smile.
"Oh? Didn't see you there. Sorry about that."
But as the old man turned his head, Luffy's face suddenly tensed.
In that instant, a strange wave of Mental Power pressure surged toward them like a crashing tide.
Luffy immediately focused his aura, shielding himself and Robin from the invisible probing force.
Pop.
The air pulsed faintly, almost imperceptibly.
Just like that, Luffy and the old man exchanged their first "blow," subtle but unmistakable.
Luffy knew the man meant no harm, but still, his instincts went on alert.
Because sitting casually at the counter, sipping alcohol, was none other than the man once known as the "Right Hand of the Pirate King", Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King.
Though retired and long hidden from the world, his strength and speed remained formidable. He could easily intercept Admiral Kizaru with a sword and swim unaided through Calm Belts teeming with Sea Kings.
A living legend from the previous era, his might rivaled even Whitebeard of the Four Emperors.
Rayleigh's eyes lit up in surprise. He had merely used Observation Haki as a habit, intending to get a feel for these new arrivals. But he hadn't expected his probe to be so easily blocked by a young man.
Not only that, he had caught a faint glimpse of a kingly aura buried deep within Luffy. Though still immature, the potential was undeniable.
"What a terrifying young man," Rayleigh murmured, lifting his glass and offering Luffy an apologetic toast. He sipped slowly, his eyes calm but razor-sharp.
Meanwhile, Shakky returned with the drinks and placed them in front of Luffy and Robin. Her gaze lingered on Luffy with renewed curiosity.
Though her Observation Haki wasn't as refined as Rayleigh's, she had witnessed the brief mental clash and was deeply intrigued.
Despite her renowned intelligence network, she had never heard of a powerful young man like this.
But that wasn't entirely her fault.
Luffy had been at sea for nearly two years but had never publicly revealed his identity.
The only exception was at the Camus Auction House, and even then, thanks to Doflamingo's manipulation, hardly anyone knew who he truly was.
As a result, Luffy remained an unknown name across the Grand Line.
Luffy accepted the drinks and nodded in thanks.
Then, without further pretense, he said, "Let's get to the point."
"Shakky-san, we're bounty hunters."
"We've come here to buy information on some high-value pirate targets."
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