Law's sudden proposal for a spar was something Maude hadn't anticipated.
Moreover,
From Law's composed demeanor and confident gaze, Maude could sense a newfound self-assurance.
This piqued Maude's interest, sparking his curiosity about the changes Law had undergone during this time.
Behind the bar counter, Shakky leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on the counter. Her sharp eyes observed Maude and Law—two young men she regarded as nothing short of exceptional.
The members of the Heart Pirates, mid-drink, immediately spat out their liquor in shock, staring at their captain in disbelief.
"Captain, calm down!"
Bepo, noticeably rounder than before, leaped onto Law's back.
Staggering under Bepo's sudden weight, Law's confident smile nearly froze.
With a practiced motion, Law shoved Bepo's bear head aside and swiftly grabbed his cursed sword, Kikoku, holding it firmly in his hand.
"It's over… Captain's serious."
The Heart Pirates exchanged worried glances, their eyes fixed on the quietly battle-ready Law.
To them, Maude was nothing short of a demon king.
If their captain was willingly challenging such a figure… wasn't he just asking for a beating?
Ignoring his crew's concerned stares, Law held Kikoku horizontally before him.
"Maude, you better not hold back… unless you want to be cut in two."
His sharp gaze locked onto Maude—his first sight of him in over a year—brimming with determination.
"Hold back, huh…"
Maude chuckled, setting his glass down on the bar with a light clink.
"That depends… on whether you have what it takes to make me go all out, Law."
"Just watch."
Law's brow arched, impatience flickering in his eyes as he strode toward the bar's entrance.
Since leaving Thriller Bark a year ago, he hadn't slacked off—not for a single moment.
Every minute, every second…
All of it had been dedicated to training.
Self-destructive, grueling training.
It was thanks to Maude's guidance that Law had found the right path, allowing him to progress at a staggering pace.
His stamina, the precision of his Ope Ope no Mi powers—both had reached new heights.
Yet his goal was not to defeat Maude.
Rather, it was to prove one thing:
When the so-called "opportunity" arrived, he would be more than qualified to take part.
Maude, unaware of Law's hidden motive, simply appreciated the confidence radiating from him.
That kind of self-assurance…
It was precisely the quality that would make the Ope Ope no Mi shine even brighter.
"Alright… let's see what you've got."
Maude stood, following Law out with long strides.
Bailey hurriedly stuffed the last bits of food from his plate into his mouth before hopping onto Maude's shoulder.
Perona, watching the now-empty plate with dismay, sighed before turning her gaze toward Law's retreating back.
Clenching her small fists, she silently cheered:
"Maude, make sure to beat that guy to a pulp!"
Perona was not one to forgive easily.
After all, it was Law who had stolen her heart—literally.
Shakky watched the two men walk toward the door, murmuring to herself:
"With Law, that makes five Supernovas with bounties over 100 million arriving at Sabaody Archipelago…"
She habitually pulled out a cigarette, placing it between her lips.
Just as she was about to light it, Bepo—who had been staying at the bar for the past half-month—suddenly dashed forward.
Click.
Bepo flicked open a lighter and lit Shakky's cigarette.
"Good boy."
Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke, smiling as she patted Bepo's head.
Eyes closed in bliss, Bepo basked in the praise.
The Heart Pirates, too preoccupied worrying about their captain, paid no mind to the sycophantic bear, filing out of the bar one by one.
In an instant, the once-bustling bar became eerily empty.
Resting her cheek on her hand, Shakky gazed at the still-swinging bar door.
"This year's Supernovas… truly unprecedented."
She tapped her cigarette, thinking back on recent events.
With the emergence of this year's remarkably powerful Supernovas…
And the countless undercurrents swirling beneath the surface…
She couldn't shake the feeling that this year would be far from ordinary.
But amidst all the rumors and information, one piece of news stood out—
The return of the Golden Lion.
"Shiki… after twenty years of silence, what are you planning now?"
Shakky muttered to herself.
Having once sailed with Shiki on the same crew, she knew better than anyone…
His return could only spell chaos.
Once Shiki resurfaced, the entire world would tremble.
"Shakky-neesan, aren't you going out to watch?"
Perona's voice pulled Shakky from her thoughts.
Adding a suffix "neesan" after Shakky's name was Perona's little trick—one that made her feel like she outranked Maude in some way.
Shakky glanced at Perona.
"Perona-chan, who do you think will win—Maude or Law?"
"Of course, Maude."
Perona's answer was immediate, as if there could be no other outcome.
Bepo, though he inwardly agreed, let out a low grunt in protest.
Perona shot him a disdainful glance, as if looking at a fool.
Shakky nodded lightly.
"Law is strong… but compared to Maude, he's still far behind."
With that, she extinguished her cigarette.
"I'm not interested in one-sided fights. What I'm really curious about… is whether Maude's return will scare off this year's crop of cocky Supernovas."
"…"
Perona and Bepo both froze.
Knowing Maude's merciless nature…
It wasn't entirely out of the question.
Bepo, in particular, was silently thankful that his crew had some connection to Maude.
"Let's wait and see."
Shakky smiled faintly.
Outside the bar, Maude and Law stood dozens of meters apart, facing off.
The Heart Pirates watched anxiously from the roots of the Yarukiman Mangrove.
But they weren't the only ones observing.
Who was Maude?
Phantom Sniper.
The Gatekeeper of the New World.
The most unreasonable of the Seven Warlords.
These titles had all been forged right here in Sabaody.
So when Maude returned after two months, the entire archipelago was on edge.
Pirates with high bounties would rather risk the Marines than stay near Maude's hunting ground.
Yet not all were cowed.
Some bold, reckless pirates remained.
Among them were this year's Supernovas—
Basil Hawkins, the Magician, with a bounty of 300 million.
Scratchmen Apoo, the Roar of the Sea, with a bounty of 260 million.
Urouge, the Mad Monk, with a bounty of 220 million.
Jewelry Bonney, the Big Eater, with a bounty of 190 million.
Perhaps due to some butterfly effect, this year's Supernova bounties were significantly higher than in the original timeline.
Drawn by the rumors, they had gathered near Shakky's Rip-off Bar on Grove 13…
Just in time to witness the confrontation between Maude and Law.
One a monster who had shaken the seas…
The other a rising star of their generation.
Though the reason for the standoff was unknown…
They couldn't wait to see how it would unfold.
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