Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
Shakky exhaled a thin stream of smoke and looked at Enel with interest.
"All of it?"
"If I'm not mistaken," she added, "you just came down from the sky islands, didn't you? Why so interested in White Crow?"
A faint smirk tugged at her lips.
"Did he kick you out of Skypiea?"
Enel's face darkened.
"Mind your business."
"Are you selling information, or am I?"
Shakky laughed lightly.
"Sorry, habit."
She began reciting.
"Karl. Twenty-eight years old. Joined the North Blue 108th Branch at fourteen as a miscellaneous soldier…"
She continued for a long while, detailing everything publicly known about him.
By the end, Enel's expression had grown increasingly serious.
Karl was troublesome.
Yesterday's single slash had nearly killed him.
Yes, there had been arrogance on his part.
But even so—
Karl's physical strength alone had completely suppressed him.
Shakky leaned back.
"What I told you is reliable. White Crow's reputation isn't small."
"If you doubt me, ask around."
Enel silently placed a fist-sized gold nugget on the counter.
Shakky smiled and pocketed it.
Easy profit.
Most of Karl's information came from newspapers anyway. Marines weren't pirates—true secrets were hard to obtain.
Enel placed another gold chunk down.
"The Celestial Dragons."
"How much do you know?"
Shakky's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What exactly do you want to know?"
"Same as before."
"Everything."
"I am not lacking gold."
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she glanced at Rayleigh.
Rayleigh stood up quietly and stepped outside, closing the door.
"Understand," Shakky said calmly, "the Celestial Dragons visit this island frequently. The waters here are… deep."
Enel sneered.
"If anyone dares eavesdrop, divine punishment will follow."
Shakky ignored his arrogance.
"The Celestial Dragons… World Nobles."
"They reside in Mary Geoise, atop the Red Line."
"The Holy Land."
As she explained—
Enel's expression grew heavier.
This mission was more difficult than he imagined.
If even one Celestial Dragon were harmed—
An Admiral would be dispatched.
Karl was only an Admiral candidate.
Then what of the real Admirals?
Even if he destroyed Mary Geoise—
The Marines would hunt him endlessly.
Though—
With his speed…
Escape might not be impossible.
But how would he build a kingdom?
How would he establish rule?
How could he become a "god" in the Blue Sea if the entire Marine force pursued him like rabid dogs?
Unless…
Unless he became someone even the Marines dared not provoke.
Like the—
"Four Emperors…"
Shakky casually commented,
"You look troubled."
"You're not planning to assassinate a Celestial Dragon, are you?"
She said it lightly.
But she was dangerously close.
Enel didn't answer.
"I told you," he said coldly, "mind your own business."
Shakky was a professional information broker.
Reading people was second nature.
That reaction—
Confirmed it.
He wasn't planning assassination.
He was planning annihilation.
"Listen carefully," she said firmly.
"I provide information. That's it."
"If something happens, don't drag me into it."
"Or you'll never get information from me again."
Enel remained silent.
Then—
Crackle.
He dissolved into lightning and vanished.
Rayleigh pushed the door open moments later.
"He left?"
"What else would he do?" Shakky replied.
Rayleigh scratched his head.
"The Goro Goro no Mi…"
"That ability hasn't appeared in centuries."
"Another monster stepping onto the stage?"
Shakky blew out smoke slowly.
"Monster?"
"He plans to assassinate Celestial Dragons."
Rayleigh's mouth fell open.
"Seriously?"
"He didn't say it outright," Shakky replied, "but his face said enough."
"And I suspect this has something to do with White Crow."
Rayleigh frowned.
"Karl? He's a Marine."
"Why would he send someone after Celestial Dragons?"
Shakky shrugged.
"You think Celestial Dragons are universally adored?"
Rayleigh sighed.
"Let's just hope it doesn't involve us."
He casually reached toward the counter to swipe Enel's gold.
Shakky slammed his hand away.
"Trying to exchange it for liquor again?"
"In your dreams."
"That's my hard-earned money."
Rayleigh sighed dramatically.
"So heartless…"
"Looks like I'll have to sell myself again."
Skypiea – Angel Beach
Karl and Hancock walked barefoot along the white sands.
Hancock's laughter rang softly in the air.
"Look, dear! A shell! It's beautiful!"
She ran ahead and picked it up, presenting it proudly.
"Do you know what kind this is?"
Karl smiled.
"Let me see…"
They laughed and teased each other.
To Hancock—
This was a honeymoon.
A world belonging only to the two of them.
Above the Red Line
High within the clouds—
Enel floated silently.
Below him—
The most extravagant city he had ever seen.
Mary Geoise.
Even he had to admit—
The so-called descendants of the creators lived lavishly.
He had seen many towns on the Blue Sea.
None compared to this.
"Descendants of the Creator…"
He sneered.
"Let us see."
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