The Thousand Sunny slowly approached the towering mangroves of Sabaody Archipelago.
Gigantic roots stretched across the sea like pillars holding up the sky itself. Countless bubbles drifted upward, shining under the sunlight.
Camie leaned over the railing, excited.
"We're here!"
Pappag struck a dramatic pose beside her.
"Welcome to Sabaody! Fashion, culture, danger, and shopping all in one place!"
Usopp gulped. "…You said danger very casually."
Hatchan scratched the back of his head nervously. "Well… before we dock, there's something important you all need to know."
The Straw Hats turned toward him.
His expression had grown unusually serious. "There are… unwritten rules on this island."
Nami immediately crossed her arms.
"That already sounds expensive."
Hatchan nodded. "One of the most important rules is this…"
He hesitated. "…Never touch or offend a Celestial Dragon."
Luffy tilted his head.
"Celestial Dragon?"
"What's that?"
Hatchan exhaled slowly. "They are the descendants of the twenty kings who founded the World Government eight hundred years ago."
Robin's eyes narrowed slightly. "They call themselves the creators of the world."
Hatchan nodded.
"They live above everyone else… literally and socially."
"They wear bubbles over their heads so they don't breathe the same air as common people."
Chopper's jaw dropped. "They don't breathe the same air?!"
Usopp panicked instantly. "That's terrifying! What kind of people are they?!"
Hatchan continued.
"They are… untouchable."
"If anyone harms or even lays a hand on one…"
His voice lowered.
"…a Marine Admiral is immediately dispatched."
Silence fell over the deck.
Usopp and Chopper screamed together.
"AN ADMIRAL?!"
Nami turned sharply to Luffy. "So basically— no causing trouble for them. Right?"
Hatchan nodded quickly.
"Yes. Exactly."
"That's the point."
Zoro leaned against the railing. "What happens if someone does offend one… and an admiral gets sent?"
Hatchan paused.
His expression turned complicated.
"…It already happened once."
The crew blinked.
"Here?"
Franky asked.
Hatchan nodded slowly. "A pirate crew killed a Celestial Dragon on this island years ago."
The Straw Hats froze.
"You're kidding," Usopp said weakly.
"Who would be crazy enough to do that?" Sanji muttered.
Hatchan looked at them.
"…It was Emperor Nyx D. Ada."
Shock rippled across the Sunny.
"Ada?!" Nami gasped.
Sanji exhaled smoke slowly.
"So it's her again, huh…"
Robin spoke calmly. "If you read the newspapers often, most of her notoriety comes from clashes with the World Government."
Hatchan nodded. "After she killed the Celestial Dragon… an admiral was sent immediately."
Franky leaned forward.
"Which admiral?"
"Admiral Zephyr."
Zoro's eye sharpened. "And?"
Hatchan swallowed. "She and her crew defeated him."
The crew stared.
"…Defeated an admiral?" Usopp whispered.
Hatchan nodded. "She even cut off his arm."
Brook's jaw dropped open. "She cut an admiral's arm?!!!"
"Yes," Hatchan said quietly.
"She was feared everywhere…"
"But she stood against those so-called gods."
His voice softened.
"In Fish-Man Island… many people consider her a savior."
Camie nodded eagerly.
"She protected fish-men and humans alike back then."
Luffy grinned widely.
"That's cool."
Nami immediately grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't say that like you're getting ideas!"
Luffy shrugged casually. "But I can't promise anything, Hatchan."
Everyone froze.
"If one of those Celestial Dragons hurts my friends…"
His smile sharpened.
"I'll beat them up."
"LUFFY!" Nami shouted. "They'll send an admiral!"
Luffy stretched his arms behind his head.
"Then we'll beat the admiral up too."
Zoro smirked. "Well… that's our captain."
Sanji nodded calmly. "Action before thinking."
Nami facepalmed. "You two are encouraging him!"
Usopp cried. "We're going to die!"
Chopper hugged him. "I don't want to fight an admiral again!"
Brook laughed nervously. "Yohohoho… I would prefer to keep my bones intact!"
Hatchan sighed, scratching the back of his head as the Sunny drifted closer to the mangrove roots.
"…There's actually more you should know before we land."
The crew looked at him again.
Hatchan raised one finger.
"Sabaody isn't just dangerous because of the Celestial Dragons."
"It's also filled with pirates… and bounty hunters."
Usopp stiffened immediately. "B-Bounty hunters?!"
Hatchan nodded.
"A lot of crews gather here before heading to the New World."
"And bounty hunters come to cash in on them."
He gestured toward the distant groves.
"Fights break out all the time. People battle… even kill each other here."
The crew went quiet for a moment.
Then Zoro smirked. "Heh. Pirates, huh?"
He rested a hand on his sword. "Then I'll just slash them all."
He glanced at Hatchan. "It's not illegal here, right?"
Hatchan shrugged.
"…Honestly? No."
"A lot of violence gets ignored as long as it doesn't involve the wrong people."
Usopp screamed. "SCARYYYY!"
Chopper clung to him. "I don't like this island already!"
Then Chopper ran toward Sanji.
"Sanjiii! Protect me!"
Sanji puffed his cigarette calmly. "You won't get targeted."
Chopper blinked. "…Huh?"
"Your bounty's too low," Sanji said bluntly. "No one's interested."
Chopper froze. "…Oh yeah…"
A dark aura formed around him as he slumped into depression.
"…My bounty is tiny…"
Usopp patted his back awkwardly.
"There, there…"
Hatchan cleared his throat.
"Anyway— Camie, Pappag."
"We need to disguise ourselves once we dock."
Camie nodded seriously.
"Yes!"
Luffy tilted his head. "Why?"
Camie hesitated.
"Well… Sabaody is also… a den of slavers."
The deck fell silent.
"…Slaves?" Nami repeated slowly.
Luffy's expression darkened. "Why?"
Pappag crossed his arms, unusually serious.
"It's mostly for rich buyers."
"Auction houses sell people like merchandise."
The Straw Hats stared in disbelief.
"And fish-men like us…" Hatchan added quietly, "…are common targets."
Camie nodded nervously. "Especially us mermaids."
She forced a small smile. "A mermaid can sell for up to 500 million berries."
Usopp's jaw dropped. "FIVE HUNDRED MILLION?!"
Franky nearly choked. "That's higher than some pirate captains!"
Camie lowered her gaze.
"…Celestial Dragons especially love owning mermaid and fish-man slaves."
"They can even kill people on the spot if they feel like it…"
A heavy silence fell over the ship.
Luffy's shadow covered his eyes.
"…Hearing that makes me want to beat them up."
Zoro nodded immediately. "Same."
Sanji exhaled smoke sharply. "Yeah. That kind of trash doesn't deserve respect."
Nami clenched her fists.
"How could the Marines allow that?!"
"Isn't slavery banned?!"
Robin answered calmly, though her eyes were serious.
"The World Government funds the Marines."
"So technically… they cannot oppose their creators."
"There are rules that apply to everyone else… but not to them."
Franky frowned. "How is that fair?"
Hatchan gave a small, sad smile.
"…It isn't."
"It's just always been that way."
Luffy suddenly grinned. "Then it's simple."
Everyone looked at him.
"We just protect you guys so you don't get caught by slavers, right?"
Zoro nodded confidently. "Yeah."
Sanji instantly struck a dramatic pose. "Of course we'll protect Camie-chaaaan!"
He grabbed her hands gently.
"No one will lay a finger on you while I'm here!"
Camie laughed nervously. "T-Thank you!"
Chopper puffed his chest. "I'll help too!"
Usopp quickly added, "From a safe distance!"
Hatchan sighed, half worried, half amused.
"…Let's worry about that later."
He pointed toward the mangrove groves ahead.
"First, we need to find Ray-san."
"The coating mechanic I told you about."
Robin looked curious.
"The one who can prepare the Sunny for Fish-Man Island?"
Hatchan nodded. "The very best."
Luffy slammed his fist into his palm.
"Alright!"
"Let's meet this Ray-san guy!"
The Sunny drifted closer to the massive roots of Sabaody—
Toward bubbles, nobles, pirates…
And the meeting that would change everything.
—————————-
The Thousand Sunny finally docked along one of the massive mangrove roots.
Bubbles floated endlessly through the air, reflecting sunlight like drifting glass. Strange shops lined the curved walkways, pirates and traders moving everywhere — loud laughter, arguments, and the distant sound of fighting echoing through the grove.
Luffy jumped off the ship first.
"Alright!" he shouted excitedly. "So where do we go?!"
Hatchan climbed down after him. "First, we need to meet someone named Shakky."
Luffy tilted his head. "Shakky?"
"Yeah," Hatchan said. "She owns a bar here. Ray-san spends most of his time there."
Luffy grinned widely. "Okay! Let's go!"
But before they could move, Nami crossed her arms.
"Hold it."
Everyone turned.
"I'm not going straight to a bar after arriving on a new island."
Her eyes sparkled. "I need new clothes."
Sanji's eyes turned into hearts instantly.
"NAMI-SWAAAN! I'll carry your bags!"
Zoro stretched his shoulders. "I'll pass. I'm gonna look around."
He smirked. "Maybe find some strong guys to fight."
Sanji scoffed. "You just want trouble."
"And you don't?" Zoro shot back.
Sanji lit a cigarette. "I need to restock food supplies for the crew."
He glanced toward the markets. "A proper chef prepares ahead."
Nami nodded. "Fine. We'll split up."
She pointed firmly. "No causing trouble."
Luffy immediately looked away innocently.
"I didn't say anything…"
Robin smiled softly. "I'll go with Luffy's group."
Soon the teams divided.
———————-
Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
A small bar sat tucked beneath a mangrove root, its sign slightly crooked.
Luffy pushed the door open. "HELLOOO!"
The bell rang loudly.
Hatchan stepped inside. "Shakky? Are you here?"
From behind the counter, a woman with short dark hair emerged, lighting a cigarette calmly.
"Oh?"
She smiled.
"Hatchan… it's been a while."
"Shakky!" Hatchan said happily.
He looked around. "Is Ray-san here?"
Shakky exhaled smoke lazily.
"Nope."
"He probably got lost somewhere and spent all his money on booze again."
Franky laughed.
"That guy sounds SUPER unreliable."
Then Shakky's eyes shifted toward the pirates filling her bar.
She paused.
"…Oh."
Her gaze landed directly on Luffy.
"Well, well."
"Monkey D. Luffy."
Luffy blinked.
"Yeah, that's me."
He pointed at himself.
"How do you know me?"
Shakky smirked.
"Information is power these days."
"I read the newspapers."
She studied his face more closely now, her eyes narrowing slightly as if comparing memories.
"…Say," she added casually, tapping ash into a tray, "are you by any chance related to Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp?"
Luffy nodded immediately. "Yeah! He's my grandpa!"
Hatchan chuckled awkwardly. "Believe it or not… Shakky here used to be a pirate herself."
Usopp and Chopper froze.
"EH?!"
They slowly turned toward her.
Shakky smiled faintly, completely unfazed.
"That's right."
She leaned back against the counter.
"Long time ago."
She took a slow drag from her cigarette.
"Garp used to chase me all over the seas."
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Really?! Grandpa chased you too?!"
Brook laughed. "Yohohoho! Vice Admiral Garp truly has wide connections!"
Shakky's expression softened slightly, nostalgia flickering across her face.
"But I left that life forty years ago."
She looked toward the open doorway, watching bubbles drift past outside.
"Met some good friends during those days."
"We still keep in touch now and then."
A small, almost sentimental smile appeared.
"…Talking to you kids makes me reminisce."
Robin observed quietly, noticing the warmth hidden behind Shakky's calm demeanor.
Franky crossed his arms. "Sounds like you've lived a SUPER wild life."
Shakky shrugged lightly. "Maybe."
Her eyes returned to Luffy. "You really do resemble him, you know."
Luffy grinned widely. "Shishishi! Everyone says that!"
Usopp leaned closer to Chopper and whispered loudly, "So… we're drinking in a former pirate's bar… owned by someone chased by Luffy's grandpa…"
Chopper whispered back nervously, "This island is terrifying…"
Shakky chuckled softly, amused by their reactions.
She then leaned on the counter. "You know… I'm actually a fan of yours."
Usopp gasped proudly. "You hear that?! We have fans now!"
They all took seats around the bar while Camie and Pappag relaxed nearby.
Shakky poured drinks casually.
"You know," she said, "you and your crewmate Roronoa Zoro are part of something interesting."
Luffy tilted his head.
"Huh?"
"The Worst Generation."
Usopp blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Chopper nodded quickly. "Yeah! What is it?!"
Shakky took a slow drag from her cigarette.
"All of you pirates entered the Grand Line around the same time."
"When pirates first enter the Grand Line, there are seven possible starting routes."
"Each crew follows a different path depending on their Log Pose."
"But no matter the route…"
She tapped the counter.
"They all end here at Sabaody."
Robin nodded thoughtfully. "A convergence point…"
"Exactly," Shakky said. "And this year, eleven rookies arrived here with bounties over 100 million berries."
Chopper's eyes widened. "EH?! Eleven other pirates?!"
Shakky smiled.
"Let's start from the lowest."
She began counting on her fingers.
"Mad Monk Urouge — 108,000,000 berries."
"Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro — 120,000,000 berries."
Usopp puffed his chest proudly. "That's our swordsman!"
"Capone Bege — 138,000,000 berries."
"The Glutton Jewelry Bonney — 140,000,000 berries."
"Killer — 162,000,000 berries."
"Scratchmen Apoo — 198,000,000 berries."
"Surgeon of Death Trafalgar Law — 200,000,000 berries."
Robin's eyes sharpened slightly at the name.
"X Drake — 222,000,000 berries."
"Basil Hawkins — 249,000,000 berries."
She paused briefly.
"Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy — 300,000,000 berries."
Usopp grinned proudly.
"See?! Our captain—"
Shakky raised one more finger.
"And finally…"
"Eustass Captain Kid — 315,000,000 berries."
Silence filled the bar.
Usopp and Chopper jumped up at the same time.
"EH?!"
"There's someone with a higher bounty than Luffy?!"
Shakky nodded calmly. "Yes."
She took another drag. "Eustass Kid is known for killing civilians and causing massive destruction."
"That's why his bounty is higher."
Luffy just grinned, completely unfazed. "He sounds strong!"
Usopp collapsed dramatically. "You're not even shocked?!"
Franky crossed his arms. "Sounds like Sabaody's packed with monsters."
Brook laughed softly. "Yohohoho! This island truly is dangerous."
Outside, the sounds of chaos echoed through the mangroves—
The gathering place of the strongest rookies.
And the calm before a storm none of them yet understood.