Chapter 40: The Pirate Prince's Grudge
A wry, smoky laugh escaped Shakky's lips as she leaned back from the bar, the nostalgic glimmer still in her eyes. "I'm really worried about myself," she mused, tapping the ash from her cigarette. "It's my turn to be pestered by his apprentice again."
Her words said one thing, but her relaxed posture and amused expression said another. There was not a single trace of genuine fear in her.
Ian waved a dismissive hand, his own smile easy and disarming. "Don't flatter me like that. That's all just nonsense written by the newspapers to sell copies." He swirled the ice in his now-empty glass. "There are so many pirates and the world is so vast, how could we possibly catch them all? I'm not interested in Sister Shakky's past, and I have no intention of taking action against a simple bar owner." He let out a short, self-deprecating chuckle. "Besides, you say that as if I could actually beat you."
The memory of their brief but intense clash of Haki was still fresh. Ian was genuinely surprised by the formidable Armament Haki Shakky had effortlessly unleashed. The women of Amazon Lily were renowned for their innate talent in that specific area, and as a former Empress, Shakky's power level was self-evident. It was no wonder Vice Admiral Garp himself had been the one assigned to hunt her down all those years ago.
Their skirmish had lasted less than a minute, a brief, contained explosion of will where both parties had held back their full strength, resulting in a stalemate. He knew gaining any significant 'points' from her was impossible, at least not today. His purpose in coming here wasn't to fight Shakky or to confront the legendary "Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh who was often lurking in the background. No, Shakky's true value lay in her web of information. She undoubtedly knew more about the comings and goings of pirates on this island than his entire Marine intelligence network. If he could glean even one useful piece of intel, the visit would be a success.
"Commodore Ian," Shakky said, her voice pulling him from his thoughts. Her eyes, sharp and perceptive, seemed to look right through him. "You didn't come here to drink, and you certainly didn't come here to arrest me." She took a final drag from her cigarette before stubbing it out. "Let me see... you're trying to get information from me, right?"
There was no point in denial. When dealing with someone this shrewd, blunt honesty was the most effective strategy.
Clink.
Ian tapped his glass against hers in a gesture of acknowledgment. "You hit the bullseye, Sister Shakky," he confirmed, not even attempting to refute her guess.
She laughed, a rich, throaty sound. "Haha! Drinks are free for old friends. But if you want to gather intelligence, that's a different price, kid." She leaned forward again, her expression turning conspiratorial. "However, there is one piece of information I can give you for free. Even if I don't tell you, you'll find out soon enough."
She closed the distance between them, the scent of fine tobacco and a faint, floral perfume washing over Ian. "Being in the Navy is such a tough job, isn't it? No money to be made," Ian sighed dramatically, playing along. "I want to buy your information, but I can't afford the high price you're asking, Sister Shakky. Free news?" He raised a skeptical eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips. "You're not just going to tell me some useless gossip about some no-name pirates to trick me, are you? Sister Shakky, isn't cooperation between the military and civilians the norm?"
As he spoke, he boldly, casually, placed a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of false camaraderie.
Shakky's eyes flicked down to his hand, then back up to meet his challenging grin. She didn't shrug it off. Instead, her laughter deepened. "You are such an interesting and wicked kid. It's truly rare to find one like you in the Navy." Her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "None of the intelligence I possess is worthless. Listen closely. Last night, a pirate crew arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago, attracting almost no attention. Their captain was... extremely unhappy with the lack of fanfare surrounding his landing."
She paused for effect, letting the words hang in the smoky air. "He was heard threatening to personally kill the man who stole his thunder."
Ian's mind raced, filtering through the dossiers of every notable, attention-seeking pirate captain. A narcissist who craved the spotlight, arriving now... The answer clicked into place.
"White Horse... Cavendish!" Ian stated, the name leaving his lips with certainty.
"How clever!" Shakky's smile was one of genuine approval. "It seems our 'Judge of the Sea' has done his homework. Yes, it's the 'Pirate Prince' who caused a sensation across the seas. The incomparably handsome Captain Cavendish! If you hadn't landed on the island a day earlier and published your bold declaration in the newspaper, sucking all the air out of the room, he would have been the much-anticipated 'Gorgeous Supernova' today. Even if I hadn't told you, I suspect he would have come looking for you on his own."
Cavendish. Bounty: 280 million Berries. He had set sail about a year before Luffy and had just made his way to the Sabaody Archipelago. A man born into nobility, whose devastatingly handsome face had become a curse, making him a target of obsessive adoration and resentment. He was a profound narcissist who lived for the world's applause. His hostility toward Ian was inevitable—Ian's actions had blatantly stolen the limelight he felt was his by right.
The "Navy Supernova" who declared "there are no thieves in the world" versus the gorgeous and flamboyant "Pirate Supernova." It was a narrative the news coos would feast on. And with his substantial combat power, Cavendish was the perfect whetstone for Ian's blade at this very moment.
Buru buru buru! Buru buru buru!
The sudden, insistent ringing of a Den Den Mushi broke the tension. Peacock, who had been observing the scene with silent vigilance, pulled the snail from her coat. It instantly mimicked Nami's distressed expression. She glanced at Ian, a silent question in her eyes—should she take this outside?
Ian gave a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head. "Just answer it here. It's fine." There were no more secrets to keep from Shakky now.
With his permission, Peacock pressed the answer button. "Report," she said crisply.
The Den Den Mushi's voice was a high-pitched, panicked imitation of Nami's. "Commodore Ian! There's an emergency! This is Civilian Street in District 31! Colonel T. Peng and I are on patrol and we've been attacked!"
The snail's eyes widened with alarm. "The opponent is...! It's the 'White Horse' Cavendish!"