Rayleigh stood stiffly in Shakky's embrace, his hands hovering awkwardly in the air, unsure of where to place them.
His voice was soft, tinged with helplessness.
"I had no choice, Shakky… Life at sea is unpredictable—today you live, tomorrow you don't. But our voyage… it's nearing its end."
As he spoke, he clumsily brushed away her tears with his sleeve, his movements gentle but unrefined.
"You mean you came back because your journey's over?"
Disappointment flickered in Shakky's eyes, hope dimming as quickly as it had appeared.
"Er… not exactly. We ran into some trouble, and… we came to ask for your help."
Rayleigh scratched his head, gaze drifting aside in embarrassment.
At that, Shakky pushed him away, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a plume of smoke.
"I knew it. Heartless as ever. Go on then—what is it you want from me?"
Rayleigh explained everything that had happened on Fishman Island, leaving nothing out. As the tale went on, Shakky's expression darkened.
"So that's it… You came here to take my money?"
Rayleigh flushed red, waving his hands quickly.
"No, no! Not take—just borrow. Once our crew has the means, we'll pay it back!"
"No." Shakky's refusal was immediate. "Look around. This bar barely stays afloat as it is."
Rayleigh glanced around at the half-empty tavern. A few drunkards slumped at the tables, dust clung to furniture in the corners, and the infamous name of the bar said everything about why business was slow. He sighed in defeat.
"Then… we'll just have to find another way."
He turned to leave, his voice heavy with disappointment.
"Wait."
Her sharp tone stopped him in his tracks. Shakky's eyes glinted with sly mischief.
"I don't have money—but I can show you a way to make plenty. The question is… do you dare?"
Rayleigh's eyes lit up with renewed hope. Roger, Gaban, and Shiro stepped closer, their faces eager.
"What way? There's nothing we wouldn't dare." Rayleigh's tone was urgent.
Shakky leaned against the bar, arms crossed, smoke curling from her lips as she smirked.
"This bar isn't just for pouring drinks. I deal in information too. And word is… a Celestial Dragon's fleet is headed for Sabaody."
"You mean… you want us to rob a Celestial Dragon?"
Rayleigh's eyes widened. He unconsciously pushed up his glasses, a mix of shock and thrill in his gaze.
"You already fought off an Admiral over that Heavenly Tribute mess. You're on the World Government's blacklist now. What's left to be afraid of?"
Shakky's eyes slid toward Roger, a challenge in her stare.
Roger burst into laughter. "Afraid? Not a chance! Thanks, Shakky—we owe you one!"
He tipped back the bottle of rum, finishing it in a single gulp.
"Don't thank me yet," she said coolly. "If you pull it off, I want twenty percent of the cut."
"No problem!" Roger agreed without hesitation and made for the door with the others.
"Not so fast. Rayleigh stays."
Her tone was stern, but in her eyes flickered into something softer, harder to notice.
"If you don't come back, I need someone to collect from."
Rayleigh's face darkened. "Shakky, don't you trust us at all?"
"Who in their right mind would trust pirates?" she shot back coldly, arms folded tight.
Roger clapped a hand on Rayleigh's shoulder before he could argue. "It's settled. We'll be back with the Celestial Dragon's spoils—and to ransom Rayleigh too."
With that, Roger, Gaban, and Shiro strode out of the bar.
Everyone knew Shakky's real intent. She wasn't worried about money—she just wanted Rayleigh to stay behind, both to keep him safe and to spend more time with him. In a world ruled by the Celestial Dragons, crossing them meant inviting destruction.
Back aboard the Oro Jackson, Roger climbed up to the high deck and shouted with blazing excitement:
"Listen up, lads! We've got ourselves a big job!"
The crew erupted in cheers. The thought of action lifted their hunger-weary spirits.
But when Roger revealed the target was a Celestial Dragon's fleet, unease flickered on some faces. Hands clenched tighter around weapons. Doubt lingered—yet when they saw the iron resolve in their captain's eyes, no one voiced it.
They chose silence… and resolve.
The next day, sunlight danced across the waves.
"Captain! There they are!" Buggy shouted through the spyglass, his voice trembling with excitement.
Everyone rushed to the rail. Weapons gleamed in the morning light.
And there, cutting through the sea, was a ship unlike any other.
A colossal vessel, more palace than ship, gilded and bejeweled, its sheer scale and brilliance proclaiming the supremacy of its owner. Two hundred meters long, seventy-five wide, its bow encrusted with dazzling gemstones that refracted rainbows across the waves. Beneath them flew the banner of the Celestial Dragons—the mark of the World Nobles.
Instead of cannons, its sides glittered with piles of gold, silver, and priceless jewels sculpted into ornate designs.
Trailing it were five Marine warships, an iron wall of protection. Soldiers stood at the rails in perfect order, weapons ready, the whole formation radiating menace.
On the grand ship's deck, a young man lounged casually atop a slave's back. A glass dome encased his head, his gaudy silks and smug gestures dripping with arrogance.
He swirled a glass of fine red wine, savoring the sea breeze.
"Saint Roswald," said a masked man in a crisp white suit, bowing low, "we've already captured four pirate captains for your entertainment. Are you pleased?"
Roswald sneered, his eyes cold.
"Four? Pathetic. Barely enough to amuse me. If you don't catch more, I'll make sure you pay the price."
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
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