Inside Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, even veterans of the old era like Shakky and Rayleigh couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines as they listened to the sounds of executions taking place just outside.
"The Grand Line is about to change!"
Staring at the grim scene unfolding beyond the bar's door, Rayleigh let out a heavy sigh. "This young Fleet Admiral of the Marines will undoubtedly use unprecedented iron-fisted methods to suppress all pirates! With Sakazuki under his command, he'll have no more reservations and will carry out his absolute Justice to the fullest!"
After a brief pause, Rayleigh turned slightly to glance at Shakky, who stood behind the bar with a similarly grave expression. With a wry smile, he added, "I just hope Whitebeard doesn't make another mistake because of Bakkin's actions. Xayuki's decision to send Sakazuki to purge the surrounding seas is clearly a precaution against the Whitebeard Pirates."
Shakky lit a cigarette, exhaling a thin plume of smoke as she spoke in a low voice. "I'm curious why Bakkin Stussy would provoke Whitebeard Jr. into attacking a Marine training ship. For years, she's been going around proclaiming her connection to Whitebeard and Whitebeard Jr.'s identity. What's her endgame?"
Rayleigh chuckled softly and shook his head. "Bakkin Stussy was once a member of the Rocks Pirates. While her strength was mediocre, her ambition was anything but! After the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Whitebeard quickly rose to prominence alongside Roger and Shiki as one of the era's three great powers. She sought him out again, hoping to join forces and recreate the glory of the Rocks Pirates."
"But Whitebeard had no interest in becoming the Pirate King or dominating the world. He only wanted to create a family. Because of their differing goals, they parted ways."
Shakky blinked, a look of understanding dawning on her face. "So, could it be that Whitebeard Jr. really is Whitebeard's biological son?"
"Who knows?" Rayleigh replied, his tone uncertain. "Back then, Bakkin Stussy had another identity. She was part of the MADS Peace Research Institute, which brought together many brilliant scientists. Some were focused on creating weapons of mass destruction, others on research to promote world peace, and still others on cloning technology."
"If Bakkin, as a member of MADS, used Whitebeard as a template to clone a 'Whitebeard Jr.,' it wouldn't be impossible."
"I see!" Shakky nodded thoughtfully. "If Whitebeard did have a relationship with Bakkin Stussy and fathered a son, he would undoubtedly come to his rescue. If he doesn't come, it would mean there was never any relationship between them."
"Wait—"
Suddenly, Rayleigh's expression shifted as if he had just remembered something important. "Rather than worrying about the mystery of Whitebeard Jr.'s origins, shouldn't you be more concerned about Boa Hancock? Xayuki has scheduled the execution to coincide with the Seven Warlords of the Sea meeting. Clearly, he intends to use this opportunity to force the Warlords to make a choice. Given his iron-fisted approach so far, it's obvious he won't allow the Warlord system to continue!"
"The so-called Warlord meeting is essentially a matter of life and death for all its members!"
Shakky exhaled a smoke ring, her voice tinged with unease. "The Marines have reported that Hancock has been spending all her time around Xayuki. I have a bad feeling about this."
"It's definitely a problem!" Rayleigh said, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "I originally thought Hancock's extreme aversion to men would prevent her from falling into the same trap as you did back in the day. But now, it seems she's no exception!"
Hearing this, Shakky's face turned an uncharacteristic shade of red. Up until now, three empresses of Amazon Lily had succumbed to the so-called "love sickness": herself, her predecessor, and her successor. Her predecessor had been forced to leave Amazon Lily to survive, and Shakky herself had nearly died of the illness in her early twenties before following her predecessor's example and leaving to find a cure.
Her successor, however, wasn't as fortunate. Unable to hear from the one she loved, she eventually passed away.
Shakky had thought the curse would end with her successor's death. But now, a new variable had emerged: a Fleet Admiral bold enough to force the World Government to sign the Marijoa Treaty. Given Hancock's deep-seated hatred for the World Government and the descendants of the Twenty Kings who founded it, it was no surprise that she would fall for someone like Xayuki. It only took one meeting for her to succumb.
Turning her head away to hide her expression, Shakky muttered, "If she really does fall ill because of Xayuki, it might not be entirely a bad thing. After all, as the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Xayuki isn't likely to disappear suddenly or wander aimlessly like certain people did back in the day, leaving me to nearly get caught by Garp on multiple occasions!"
Rayleigh let out an awkward laugh. "That's true. Love sickness is one-sided, after all. As long as she can see him whenever she wants, it doesn't matter how Xayuki feels about her."
At that moment, Strawberry entered the bar, flanked by two Marine officers.
After scanning the room to ensure nothing was overlooked, Strawberry issued a curt order to the officers beside him: "Confiscate their belongings. Burn all miscellaneous items. Seize all treasures and turn them over to the government!"
The two officers' eyes lit up with excitement as they rushed to the booths, eagerly gathering the pirates' abandoned treasures.
Before long, they returned with their arms full, their excitement barely concealed. "Vice Admiral, these pirates were loaded! We've hit the jackpot!"
Strawberry's lips twitched slightly as he maintained a stern expression. "Don't bring your old habits into this new era. All treasures must be turned over!"
After a brief pause, he added, "You're allowed to keep a portion to distribute among the brothers who participated in tonight's operation."
Meanwhile, under the cover of night, the waters surrounding the Sabaody Archipelago were quiet. Aboard a large warship, Sakazuki received the latest report. Learning that nearly all pirates hiding on the island had been purged, he decided there was no longer any need to remain on the sea to prevent escape attempts. He promptly ordered the warship to return to Marine Headquarters.
Although a fleet admiral wouldn't normally need to personally oversee such operations, tomorrow's live execution was of immense importance. Entrusted with this task by Xayuki, Sakazuki took every detail seriously.
As Sakazuki's warship set course for Marineford, Strawberry remained behind on Sabaody Archipelago to handle the aftermath. Thus concluded the purge operation conducted in preparation for the public execution.
Back at Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, Strawberry didn't leave immediately. After dismissing his subordinates, he sat down at the bar and ordered a cocktail.
"You look familiar," Strawberry said suddenly, breaking the silence as he took a sip from his glass. Turning to Rayleigh, he continued, "If I recall correctly, the last time I conducted a raid on the Human Auctioning House, you were being wheeled out in a cage for auction."
"Ahaha, that's right!" Rayleigh replied with a hearty laugh. "I lost everything at the casino and ended up using myself as collateral. I was hoping someone would come and bail me out, but those scoundrels sold me to the auction house instead! I should thank you, actually. If it weren't for your raid, I might have ended up as some rich man's slave! Ahahaha~"
For once, Strawberry's usually stoic expression faltered. His hand trembled slightly as he held his glass. He had seen people ruin their lives through gambling, but Rayleigh's story was truly one of a kind.
One word: unbelievable.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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