York's words plunged the entire Rocks Pirates into contemplation.
A look of thoughtfulness appeared on many faces. The Golden Lion asked directly, "Hey! York! What is this secret of the Holy Land Mary Geoise you mentioned?"
York smiled without speaking. Rocks also released his grip on York's shoulder, letting York continue enjoying the delicious food.
"It's nothing. Now is not the time to tell you that secret."
Rocks turned and jumped back onto the bar counter to drink with Harald.
"Hey! Harald, you heard all of York's suggestions clearly, right!"
"Even if you are unwilling to join us, you shouldn't lick the World Government like a dog!"
"Elbaf has its own glory! And you are throwing away this glory right now!!"
Like York, Harald remained silent.
However, judging by the thoughtful look in his eyes, he probably took some of York's words to heart.
But taking it in was one thing; what to do specifically was not something York and Rocks could forcibly control.
Behind the bar counter of the tavern, a child wearing a helmet, horns, and a blindfold also fell into deep thought at this moment.
His name was Loki, the second son of Harald, and like Harald, a direct descendant possessing the pure bloodline of the Ancient Giants.
This meeting, for which they had traveled specifically, ended in a not-so-pleasant conversation after all.
Rocks led his crew members back, arriving in high spirits but returning disappointed.
Aside from enjoying a meal of Elbaf's unique delicacies, they gained almost nothing.
...
**Hachinosu (Beehive Island).**
Half a month had passed since their return from Elbaf. Rocks had yet to issue any new orders for action.
With the arrival of the pirate ship specializing in selling newspapers, today's big news reached Hachinosu.
"Everyone! There's new information!!"
The pirate responsible for selling newspapers shouted loudly while tears streamed down his face.
"Shakky of the Kuja Pirates! She has resigned from the position of Pirate Empress! This means we will never encounter her on the sea again!!"
"What did you say?!"
Hearing this, the pirates of Hachinosu turned pale with shock and scrambled to pay for the newspaper.
After reading the report in the newspaper, countless people collapsed to the ground and wailed in despair at the first moment.
"Our youth... is over!!"
"Shakky ahhhhh!! We'll never see you again!!"
...
At the skull mountain in the center of the island.
Members of the Rocks Pirates soon received the relevant newspapers as well.
Gloriosa sat on York's lap, leaning into his embrace. The latter unfolded a newspaper, and the two read the content together.
"What is Shakky thinking?"
"Isn't she just chasing after a man like you did, Gloriosa? Turns out Amazon Lily will also fall to love."
Charlotte Linlin sat on a sofa nearby, surrounded by the Katakuri triplets who could already run around.
"You, who pop out kids like popcorn, wouldn't understand the troubles of love. It's hard to believe that child would be troubled by love. If the object of her affection is Roger, I will never forgive her!"
"Are you still thinking about Roger in your heart?"
Charlotte Linlin was a bit surprised. She looked at York, who was holding Gloriosa, and grinned mischievously: "York, you better teach her a good lesson tonight!"
York gently patted Gloriosa's pert bottom. She let out a soft hum, hooked her arms around York's neck, and actively pecked him on the cheek.
"Right now, both my body and heart belong completely to York! I stopped caring about that bastard Roger long ago."
"It's just that as someone who has been there, I really don't want my former good sister to repeat my mistakes."
Charlotte Linlin curled her lips. She finally understood. The reason Gloriosa mentioned Roger was purely to tease York; this was a special game between the two of them.
This woman, she had indeed completely taken York's shape.
On the other side, Stussy sighed lightly as she watched the lovey-dovey York and Gloriosa.
"Everyone keeps talking about Shakky, Shakky..."
She turned her head to look at Whitebeard: "My heart is set only on you, Newgate!"
"I've never gotten used to you."
However, the latter remained as indifferent to her as he had been for the past two years.
They say "women chasing men is separated only by a layer of gauze," but here, it felt like being separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.
Stussy looked at Whitebeard with complex eyes, once again pretending to be shy and annoyed: "I am Miss Buckingham, who has many suitors! Newgate!!"
"Then that's fine. Since you have many suitors anyway, you won't miss having me."
"No! I only want you!!"
Whitebeard didn't respond, and Stussy's eyes gradually became desolate.
She turned her head again, looking at York, who had barely harassed her since getting Gloriosa.
Her beautiful eyes flickered slightly, her specific thoughts unknown.
Charlotte Linlin sat aside watching the drama, the corner of her mouth curling into a subtle arc.
Stussy, this fellow, was also about to fall.
...
"Incident!! Incident!! Big incident!!"
"The Kuja ship! Has arrived at the coast!!!"
Only three days had passed since the news of Pirate Empress Shakky's retirement.
The Hachinosu, which had been dead silent, suddenly became excited again.
As the Kuja Pirates' ship docked at the pier, a peerless beauty walked off the ship. Countless pirates immediately knelt in rows on both sides of the road.
"An angel has descended!"
"Now I can die in peace!"
"What wind blew you here?!"
"I can't believe you would come to such a dirty island!"
"You shouldn't go deeper into the island!"
Countless pirates' eyes turned completely into heart shapes, tongues sticking out, drooling.
"I dare not look at her... Her radiance brings tears to my eyes!"
"Is this real?! Or am I dreaming?!"
"Could it be she's here to join the Rocks Pirates?! Just like Lady Gloriosa?!"
Facing the crowd of simps kneeling on the ground, Shakky did not show an arrogant attitude, but simply opened her mouth beautifully: "I want to live here for a while..."
"What?!"
The pirates were shocked, feeling like their hearts were about to jump out.
"I am a pirate. No matter what I do, the Marines will always chase me. I will hide, but you..."
Shakky paused slightly, smiling at the numerous pirates.
"Will you protect me?"
The pirates of Hachinosu went completely crazy. The air on the entire island seemed to turn into countless heart bubbles under the hormones they released.
"We will protect you!!"
Excited roars resounded through the sky.
Shakky: "This place smells moldy~"
"We'll clean it for you!!"
Shakky: "I want to open a shop~"
"We'll build it right away!!"
"We'll also plant some flowers for you!!"