"So this is the Sabaody Archipelago? Nothing special after all."
A certain pirate crew had landed on the Sabaody Archipelago, and one of them was running his mouth with outrageous arrogance.
Eyes looking down his nose at everyone, the kind of expression that said he looked down on the entire world. People like this were clearly the type who'd gotten far too used to strutting around the first half of the Grand Line.
"Hey, what're you looking at? Never seen pirates before?"
He immediately shifted his target to the surrounding crowd of onlookers, the kind of guy who'd pick a fight with anyone within range.
Shirakawa was now seriously doubting whether this pirate crew could even make it out of Sabaody Archipelago alive. After all, aside from the original residents, there wasn't a single person here who was easy to mess with.
Even the other two pirate crews who'd arrived alongside them were looking at this crew with outright disgust — the kind of look that said merely being associated with them was an insult to their character.
And this crew seemed to absolutely bask in that kind of attention. The more people loathed them, the more people feared them, the more comfortable and pleased they felt. You could see it clearly — those unhinged, manic grins spreading across their faces.
After leaving the port, Shirakawa wandered through a few auction houses, but found nothing that caught his eye. It was mostly noble jewelry and ornaments, unknown treasure maps, and some run-of-the-mill Devil Fruits.
He didn't even spot many famous blades. But then again, now that he already possessed a Supreme Grade blade, ordinary named swords no longer held any appeal.
Unless it was one of the twenty-one Great Grade blades — those he might still have the interest to collect.
Before he knew it, Shirakawa had wandered all the way into the evening, practically covering the entire Sabaody Archipelago. At night, he returned to Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Only this time, the bar was positively buzzing. Standing at the doorway, Shirakawa could already hear the clamor inside.
He pushed open the door and stepped in, discovering that the commotion was coming from that insufferably arrogant pirate crew he'd encountered earlier today. Their whole crew seemed to have commandeered the entire bar.
Because at this point, besides Shakky and that pirate crew, there wasn't a single other customer in the place.
But it looked like Shakky had run into some kind of dispute with these pirates.
"Hey, you got any idea who we are, woman? You actually dare to ask us for money? Are you tired of living?"
One of the pirates spoke with considerable fury, as if outraged that Shakky was charging them, and equally outraged that she had the nerve to rip them off.
"Though, you're not half bad in the looks department, woman. How about keeping us brothers company for the night? Do that, and we can let bygones be bygones for your offense just now."
As he spoke, a lecherous gleam surfaced in his eyes, and he reached his hand toward Shakky's face.
But Shakky deftly evaded it and said, "Are you under the impression you've lived too long?"
Shirakawa agreed wholeheartedly with Shakky's words. To think they'd dare harass Shakky — never mind her own personal strength, Rayleigh, the man behind her, would never permit anyone to lay a finger on his wife.
If Rayleigh were here right now, these men would have already been separated from their heads.
"Hahahaha! Lived too long? We have lived too long! We're dying for someone to grant us death!"
After that, their laughter only grew more unhinged, and every member of the crew in the bar joined in cackling.
"They're all yours. And you will squeeze the money out of their hands. I'll consider waiving your room fee from last night."
At that moment, Shakky spotted Shirakawa and spoke to him. It was fortunate he'd returned — otherwise she'd have to deal with this mess herself.
"Room fee? You're telling me staying here last night costs money?"
Shirakawa asked, bewildered. You didn't mention anything about that last night — why are you suddenly asking for payment today?
"What, you think I'd let you stay here for free?"
Hearing Shakky's words, Shirakawa thought about it and realized she had a point. Knowing Shakky's personality, she'd squeeze money out of any opportunity. Even though by now she'd already amassed quite a tidy fortune.
"Oi, brat. Who the hell are you? This is none of your business, so stay out of it."
Seeing Shakky striking up a conversation with some masked kid, the pirate who'd been hitting on her earlier was immediately consumed by a blaze of jealousy. He'd been trying to chat her up for ages and hadn't gotten this kind of response.
"Who I am isn't important. What's important is that all of you are about to have a very bad time."
"Don't tell me you're this woman's boy toy. Ah, I get it now — the old cow grazing on young grass, huh?"
"I don't have that kind of nerve."
The moment those words left the pirate's mouth, Shirakawa knew he was done for. Sure enough, Shakky vaulted straight over the bar counter, slammed a hand down on the man's head, and drove it straight through the floorboards in a burst of debris.
"Hey! You woman! What the hell do you think you're doing?! You dare lay hands on one of our own — are you tired of living?!"
Seeing their comrade taken out, the other pirates immediately erupted in fury. A moment ago they'd all just been spectating for entertainment, but now that was no longer an option.
The other side had struck first. That was a direct provocation.
"They're all yours. Take care of every last one of them. Understood?"
On that final word, Shirakawa distinctly felt a surge of murderous intent radiate from Shakky. Even with his current level of strength, that aura sent a chill through him.
As I thought — Shakky has no ordinary strength herself.
Shirakawa noted this silently in his mind.
"Understood. Not only will I get the money out of their hands, I'll toss every single one of them into the sea to feed the fish."
"Good."
Shakky gave a dark, ominous smile, then turned and walked into the kitchen, leaving the stage to Shirakawa.
"Oi, you stop right there!"
Seeing Shakky about to leave, one pirate immediately objected and moved to intercept her — only to be blocked by Shirakawa standing in his path.
"Get out of my way, you damn brat."
He reached out to shove Shirakawa aside, but was sent flying by a single kick instead — crashing straight through the bar's wall, body and wall together, all the way outside.
"Did I... use a bit too much force?"
Staring at the human-shaped hole now gaping in the wall, a bad premonition rose in Shirakawa's heart.
"You're paying for whatever you break."
Sure enough, Shakky's voice reached his ears the very next second.
Outside the bar, a small crowd of onlookers had already gathered to watch the show. They were all longtime neighbors of this establishment and knew exactly what kind of place this bar was.
The moment someone started causing trouble, they'd already bought their snacks, settled in outside the bar, and assumed their roles as enthusiastic spectators.
And as expected, this bar did not disappoint them, serving up a fine spectacle.
"Forget it. I'll just get it all out of you together."
Shirakawa looked at the pirates closing in around him and spoke without a trace of expression.
By now, they had all realized this young man wasn't as easy to deal with as they'd imagined. One after another, they drew their weapons, fixing Shirakawa with wary, guarded stares.
Only one person remained seated without moving a muscle — presumably their captain.
/-\
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