Taro didn't explain why he knew Shakky was once a member of the Rocks Pirates.
Not wanting to give Shakky a chance to press further, he immediately spoke.
"36 years ago..."
Shakky waved the hand holding her cigarette, interrupting Taro.
"You probably have it wrong; I stopped being a pirate 40 years ago. Are you asking me about something from 36 years ago now?"
Taro looked at Shakky's slightly mocking smile, his heart sinking. He could see that Shakky clearly knew some inside information.
After lowering his eyes in thought for a moment, he nodded.
"Fine, I'll change the question. What exactly was the so-called 'get rich quick' opportunity that brought you all together in the first place?"
Hearing this question, the mockery on Shakky's face grew even stronger.
"You just mentioned 36 years ago, so you must know about that incident. Isn't it ridiculous to ask this now?"
Taro's brow furrowed, finding it somewhat hard to understand. "The so-called 'get rich quick' was kidnapping Celestial Dragons and demanding ransom?"
Are you crazy? Such a powerful pirate crew acting as kidnappers?
Couldn't they have some ambition?
Shakky took a leisurely and calm puff of her cigarette.
"I heard you have a deep relationship with the 'marine hero' Garp. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to ask him? He was an eyewitness!"
If Garp were willing to talk, would I still need to ask you?
Taro's eyes flickered. Just as he was about to speak, Shakky cut him off.
"It's my turn to ask. Information exchange is only fair!"
Taro was stunned. But you didn't say anything at all?
After thinking for a bit, he nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Ask away. I'll tell you what I can."
Shakky gave Taro a meaningful look and chuckled.
"No need to be so nervous. I haven't been a pirate for 40 years. I have no interest in your Marine business; I'm just curious about you!"
As she spoke, she leaned forward, getting closer to Taro, and whispered:
"I want to know, what exactly do you want to do on this island?"
Taro clearly breathed a sigh of relief and put on a smiling face.
"I thought it was something major! This? To put it bluntly, it's nothing."
"I'm the Commander here, and I'll be staying here for a long time. I'm doing this just to make my own life more comfortable."
"Before, it was too chaotic here! That's all!"
Shakky was stunned for a moment, her eyes deep, as she pulled out a card.
"Is this thing part of it too?"
Taro looked at the card in Shakky's hand, somewhat pleasantly surprised.
"Oh? George is good; he's already made the Identity Cards?"
He met Shakky's gaze, beaming.
"This is an Identity Card, just like a household registration. It serves as proof of being a legal resident of the Sabaody Archipelago. Those who have this will have their personal and property safety protected by the Sabaody Garrison!"
"Le...gal?" Shakky murmured softly.
Taro nodded, his tone matter-of-fact. "To protect the peace and the people, everything must follow rules. Of course, there must be laws!"
Shakky laughed somewhat mockingly. "Follow your rules? According to your laws?"
Taro heard the sarcasm in Shakky's voice. His brow furrowed, and his smile faded.
"This is only temporary. After all, this place is currently under my protection. To have peace, one always has to pay a price!"
Shakky gave a cold laugh. "Then you're no different from those Nobles!"
Taro felt a surge of anger. Damn it, are you blind? I'm no different from those privileged classes?
He suppressed his anger, his tone becoming stiff.
"Whether there's a difference or not, just watch and see!"
As he spoke, he was still a bit agitated and indignant, and his voice grew louder.
"Freedom has never been unrestrained! Whether it's you, those civilians, or especially those pirates, if you want freedom on this island, you have to behave yourselves for me!"
In the distance, Camie, Monet, and the others heard Taro's roar and looked over, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Taro squeezed out a stiff smile and waved at them, indicating everything was fine.
Then, staring at Shakky, he said in a deep voice:
"It's my turn to ask. Your Captain, what is his Devil Fruit Ability?"
Shakky calmly met Taro's gaze and didn't answer that question.
Instead, she answered the question she had previously deferred to Garp.
"Our Captain... his dream was to become the 'King of the World,' which is why he touched 'World Taboos' many times. That incident, of course, was related to this as well!"
Taro's brow knitted into a knot. Things in this world that could be called World Taboos and were closely related to the Celestial Dragons...
It's probably only the Celestial Dragons' 'Secret Treasure' and uranus!
So, what kind of place was God Valley exactly, and why did the Celestial Dragons gather there?
After that great battle, the place suddenly disappeared without even a trace of ruins left. What was that about?"
Shakky had already left the Rocks Pirates before the "God Valley Incident." How much of what she just said was the truth?
Not only were the doubts in Taro's heart not answered, but they were also increasing. His lips moved as he was about to ask.
"I have no more questions, so let's stop here!"
Shakky didn't give Taro another chance to ask; she turned and left immediately.
"I'll slowly watch for the difference you mentioned, Taro!"
Taro watched Shakky's retreating back, his brow twitching.
These witnesses of history from back then were always vague and secretive, making things so complicated. It really was a headache!
Sigh, in the end, it's still because my strength is too poor. If I had the strength to crush everything, I'd just charge into Marijoa, give Lord Imu a good beating, and everything would be solved!
Soft footsteps approached, and a pair of long, slender, straight legs appeared in Taro's field of vision.
Taro, who was lost in thought, was stunned for a moment. He looked up at Monet.
"Oh, they've all left?"
He was startled by the fatigue and raspiness in his own voice. He swallowed a few times to moisten his throat.
"Then let's go too!"
Both of them were lost in their own thoughts and didn't speak along the way.
It wasn't until they returned to the Garrison Base that Taro pointed to a residential area on the edge.
"You'll stay in the Marine Soldier Family Quarters for now. If you're not used to it, you can find a place to stay outside on your own."
Monet glanced in the direction Taro pointed and spoke softly.
"I've also worked as a maid within the Family..."
Taro heard the implicit meaning in Monet's words and waved his hand in rejection, somewhat irritably.
"No need!"
Seemingly worried Monet would misunderstand, he explained further.
"I already have enough trouble; don't add to it!"
"It's not that I'm afraid of you spying for information. In fact, there's no valuable information on this island anyway!"
"Go on! The guards over there will arrange a place for you!"
Monet gave Taro a deep look and then left.
"Monet..."
Monet had only walked a few steps when she was called back. While she was wondering, Taro said softly:
"Even with wings, one cannot soar through the sky while inside a Birdcage."
"Some people are destined not to guide you in the right direction. The birds and freedom you long for shouldn't be with the person who controls the 'Birdcage'!"
Seeing Monet's expression gradually turn cold, Taro said no more, waved his hand, and strode into the base.
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.