Shakky's Secret (Extra Chapter Continued!)

Gion finally knocked on Gawain's door, and with the sound of the door opening, the maids in the other rooms outside the bedroom also stirred.

When Gion, Shakky glanced at Rayleigh and gave Rayleigh a meaningful look.

Shakky: "I want to see just how special your new captain really is!"

Rayleigh: "Heh heh, just you wait."

After exchanging a glance, Rayleigh grinned and found a sofa to sit on, taking drinks from the arriving maids.

Seeing Rayleigh's lazy appearance, Hancock snorted irritably, then turned to look at Gawain's door.

A moment later, Gawain's voice came from the bedroom.

"What's wrong?"

As they spoke, Gawain straightened his pajamas and then took a coat from the bedside and put it on.

At the same time, Gion opened the door and whispered to Gawain.

"Sir, Grandpa Rayleigh has arrived with Sister Shakky!"

"Oh?"

Gawain frowned slightly, then gently patted his forehead.

After regaining some composure, Gawain looked towards the door.

Sure enough, Shakky was standing there watching him with interest.

Upon seeing Shakky, Gawain gave a sleepy smile and waved his hand.

"Please sit down, I'll be right there."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain wrapped his coat around himself, put on his slippers, and naturally left the room, sitting down on the sofa in the middle of the side bedroom.

As soon as he sat down on the sofa, Hancock brought him a blanket embroidered with a large pink Orochi and laid it on his lap.

Gawain instinctively stroked the soft blanket, and at the same time, he raised his hand and gently pressed it in the air.

"What are you still standing for, Shakky? Sit down."

Invited to sit down for the second time, Shakky finally sat on the sofa next to Rayleigh. After she was seated, Gawain gave her a deep look, then shook his head thoughtfully.

"I didn't expect Rayleigh wasn't joking; he really brought you aboard."

"What's wrong, Saint Gawain? It seems you're not particularly looking forward to my arrival?"

Shakky smiled and said to Gawain, while taking out two cigarettes, lighting one for herself and tossing the other to Gawain.

Gawain took the cigarette and let Hancock light it, while he continued speaking to Shakky.

"I don't know how to describe my feelings, because your arrival is a good thing for me, but quite the opposite for Rayleigh."

At this point, Gawain slightly opened his mouth and naturally bit the cigarette Hancock put into his mouth.

He then continued.

"Because once you're on my ship, Rayleigh has no way out. No matter how dangerous the battle, he'll fight to the death for you."

At this point, Gawain rubbed his eyes.

"In any case, since we're already on board, this is for the best."

Unless it's extremely dangerous, the Dark Bird Ship won't face a battle that would force Rayleigh to fight to the death.

"We'll talk about the rest later."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain flicked off his cigarette ash, and Hancock brought out a pink snake doll hat and put it on Gawain's head.

Meanwhile, in the direction of Rayleigh.

Shakky gave Rayleigh a look that was anything but ordinary.

Seeing Shakky's surprised expression, Rayleigh grinned.

"Don't be surprised, Shakky, Gawain is just like this."

He's still just a child, yet...

"Ahem..." Gawain coughed softly.

Seeing this, Rayleigh pursed his lips and shrugged.

"Okay, not a child, but at least a young man."

But the longer you spend time with him, the more you'll find that he always wants to act as your parent!

At this point, Rayleigh raised his glass in a toast to Gawain.

Whether it was the sound of clinking glasses or the voices of the people talking, the lights in the cabins near Gawain gradually came on.

In short, as they put down their cups, Kuma silently walked in from outside the door.

He picked up his notebook and pen, and skillfully sat down not far from Gawain, then waited silently.

After drinking a glass of wine, Gawain smiled and said to Rayleigh.

"I'm not used to being a parent, I just... hope to bring about a little change for you."

At this point, Gawain pointed to Hancock beside him.

"Whether it's Hancock or Kuma, I've brought about some changes for them. It might sound domineering, but I think they can accept it!"

Just as Gawain was saying this, Hancock happened to find a pair of fluffy pink snake-patterned slippers. She squatted down on the ground, blushing, and helped Gawain put them on.

Gawain glanced at Hancock with a puzzled look, but without giving it much thought, he continued speaking to Rayleigh.

"As for you, to be honest, before Shakky boarded the ship, there was nothing I hoped you would change."

However, once Shakky boards the ship, Grandpa Rayleigh will have to be careful. You are indeed the most reliable one among us, but you are also the oldest.

If in the future... I mean, if.

If you really encounter some troublesome battle that requires you to fight to the death to save the Dark Bird Ship...

Then I hope you will step down and give the opportunity to work your ass off to the younger generation.

You embody the high hopes of our times, and you are our foundation, not something to be consumed.

Compared to you, the young people on the ship are still growing, and even I haven't stopped striving to become stronger.

So, for an old man like you, how about taking it easy during the fight?

"Ha ha!"

At that moment, old man Rayleigh suddenly burst into hearty laughter, patting the armrest of the sofa with a sigh as he laughed.

"So, Shakky, this is my new captain. Don't you think he's special? Haha!"

"That's really interesting!"

Seeing Gawain's smile, Shakky's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"They didn't say a single word to me, but every word they said was meant for me!"

Moreover, these words will earn Rayleigh's approval and satisfaction, and at the same time, they will inspire other young people around you and yourself!

Shakky clapped her hands gently.

"I'm afraid I made a mistake; I should have trusted Rayleigh!"

"Oh?"

Gawain flicked his cigarette ash with interest.

"So, I've passed your test?"

"Haha, I was too narrow-minded, Saint Gawain ~."

Hearing Gawain's words, Shakky Gawain and waved to him.

"I hope you can understand that, unlike letting this old guy teach you Conqueror's Haki, his decision to join you really caught me off guard."

In just three months, not only did he join himself, but he also tried to pull me into his current team."

Thump!

With a muffled thud, Shakky's fist gave Rayleigh a huge bump on the head.

Shakky then continued.

"Rayleigh and I have been together in this strange way ever since Roger died."

We don't always sit together; often he's busy with his own thing, and I'm busy with mine.

Just like you described, we are far apart, but no matter what troubles we encounter, we hope to be able to return to that little bar, where there is always a little something to hold onto.

But now..."

Shakky stubbed out her cigarette and waved to Gawain.

"Now that I've burned down my bar, I'm counting on you to take me in, Saint Gawain."

"Haha, welcome! Of course, it would be even more welcome if we could reschedule for another time!"

Gawain finally smiled genuinely. He stood up and solemnly shook hands with Shakky.

At the same time, Gawain couldn't help but glance at his own clothes.

She was wearing Snake Princess blanket, a Snake Princess hat, and Snake Princess slippers...

So, I've been passively turned into Snake Princess fanatic?

Glancing back at Hancock, the Snake Princess was lost in thought, seemingly pondering something...

Gawain chuckled, then nodded to Shakky.

"Sister Shakky, look at my outfit now. I don't know what kind of environment you used to navigate the seas, but in the future, we'll probably maintain this relaxed style."

Hopefully, this style will make you want to linger.

Most rules are just for show, but for outstanding people like you, I don't want you to be bound by rules in any way.

I have only one request for you, eldest sister.

"Stop beating my master in front of me, that's all."

After emphasizing this, Gawain gently hugged Shakky Qi, then sat back down on the sofa and waved his hand.

"It's quite interesting to think about. I thought the test my older sister was going to give me would be about talking about my future goals or plans or something."

This was to test my magnanimity.

After all, my older sister didn't come to my ship to be a simple combatant or sailor, right?

"Certainly."

Shakky nodded.

"I'm quite sensitive to intelligence and have a lot of communication with the Underworld, but I've been lazy for so many years, so I'm afraid I'll need some time to adapt."

As for why I didn't talk to you about future goals, after hearing what you just said, I felt there was no need to talk about it anymore.

You know exactly what to say to whom, and your language is so sophisticated that even we seasoned old folks find it a bit overwhelming!

With such abilities, I don't see the possibility of you making a major mistake. As for minor mistakes, although I don't think you'll make any oversights, I will keep an eye on them appropriately.

In short..."

At this point, Shakky nodded to Gion, who was standing next to Gawain.

"I hope to be assigned a role similar to that of Vice Admiral Tsuru in the Navy!"

That's great.

Gawain smiled and raised his glass to Shakky, and everyone drank together.

After putting down the cup, Shakky looked around and said softly.

"Your determination, as everyone has seen through those training sessions, is evident."

Your capacity is such that as long as you can wake up smiling to see me, that will be enough to support your ambitions.

Your personality is so unpredictable, even I can't quite grasp it, so all I can do is admire it.

"In that case, why should I bother talking to you about goals and ambitions in the old way?"

Having finished her evaluation, Shakky stood up, smiled, and knelt down on one knee before Gawain.

"I am Peony, the former Chief of Staff and Intelligence Chief of the Rocks Pirates. I once had a bounty of around 700 million. We, these two old guys Rayleigh, are counting on you from now on!"

Please don't say that.

Gawain got up and helped Shakky up. After helping Shakky sit back on the sofa, Gawain smiled, raised his hand, and rubbed the Snake Princess doll hat on his head, saying...

"From now on, you can just call me by my name like Rayleigh does, so I don't feel uneasy about the honorifics you use."

As for taking care of them...

"Wasn't it you two who gave up your comfortable lives and stepped back into the storm to personally take care of me and the other young people on the ship?"

At this point, Gawain glanced at the sky outside the window.

"It's a pity it's really too late now. To entertain Xia... I'll just call you Shakky, it'll feel more intimate that way."

Let's postpone the banquet for Shakky until tomorrow afternoon after my workout.

Also, Kalifa?

"I am here!"

Kalifa quietly slipped out from the corner; as her secretary, she would never lose sight of her boss.

Upon seeing this, Gawain asked Kalifa.

"Is Lucci still with Charlos and Shalria?"

"Yes, sir, Saint Charlos is in high spirits. After leaving the Dark Bird Ship, he went to the Entertainment Islands to play cards with his father, Saint Rosward."

Shalria, on the other hand, returned to Mary Geoise much earlier.

"Sir, should I recall Lucci?"

"No need. Let him keep an eye on Charlos, lest that guy cause me trouble."

"Take some time to prepare the Dark Bird Emblem for Shakky. Also, remind Lucci to connect Shakky with the Black Ice Terrace's intelligence department."

At this point, Gawain turned around with a smile and asked Shakky.

"Shakky, do you know any clues about the Three Ancient Weapons, Pluton? I mean, the kind of clues I don't know about?"

"You mean... Alabasta?"

Shakky casually agreed.

Upon hearing this, Gawain gave a thumbs up, and then said to Kalifa.

"See? One answer answers many questions. That's what a true intelligence officer looks like."

"Whether it's Lucci or Kaku, their styles are too biased towards henchmen and assassins. We still need Shakky to handle the intelligence aspect."

"Please don't say that, Little Gawain. I only benefited from my connections."

There's nothing that can't be said. Although the Rocks Pirates disbanded, that once largest pirate group left behind a great legacy.

Among them was that little guy Morgans.

When Rocks disbanded, Morgans was only fourteen years old and hadn't eaten the Bird-Bird Fruit for long. I took care of him for a while, so through him I always know a little more than others.

Also, regarding the Underworld, I don't know if you've ever heard of Stussy!

"Stussy?"

Gawain smiled.

"The infamous Queen of the Underworld?"

"Indeed, so do you think Stussy and I have some similarities?"

Shakky continued, and her words made Gawain think of something.

Seeing Gawain's expression of sudden realization, Shakky nodded and smiled.

"That's right, Stussy and I are both very old, really very old."

But time leaves no trace on us.

She and I are the same kind of people. We both worked together in the Rocks Pirates, or even an even older pirate crew.

Stussy and I share a common creator, whose identity we ourselves cannot ascertain. We have never seen her in person, nor has she given us any orders, but she certainly exists.

You need to be wary of me on this point, because I'm always worried that something might happen to me.

That being said, regarding my sources of information, although Stussy joined CP0 after the Rocks Pirates disbanded, we still had a lot of contact, and even the Five Elders were unaware of those contacts.

With Morgans and Stussy around, it's not surprising that I know a little more than others, right?

At this point, Shakky pondered for a moment, then lit another cigarette.

Exhaling a puff of smoke, Shakky said solemnly.

"However, now that Rayleigh and I are both behind you, I must separate myself from them. When I am no longer useful to Stussy and Morgans, they can be my sources of intelligence."

But now I'm someone they can use, and we're just in a relationship of mutual exploitation, so I can no longer trust all their intelligence.

"We'll deal with future intelligence properly after I take over your current intelligence department."

"You decide!" Gawain said decisively.

Hearing this, Shakky nodded.

"Then, sir, we must first find a Bird-Bird Fruit that belongs to us!"

There are no special requirements for the form, just like Morgans' Albatross form can also utilize seagulls.

This is a threshold!

Therefore, the intelligence department I'm taking over will now need to focus its time on collecting information about the Bird-Bird Fruit!

As soon as she finished speaking, Shakky looked at Gawain expectantly.

Gawain nodded, then closed his eyes and pondered for a moment.

After a moment, Gawain spoke.

"The Bird-Bird Fruit is quite rare. I can ask the Five Elders if they have any in stock. If not, we can use some of the existing Devil Fruit users."

In addition to the Bird-Bird Fruit, Lucci has a flock of very clever pigeons that you might be able to use.

As long as we don't use them to fill our stomachs, it's fine.

As the word count increases, the average daily subscription growth slows down, only increasing by a few dozen per day. Sigh...

Fortunately, we received the news that the editor-in-chief strongly recommended it at our Celestial Dragon meeting on the 17th.

Those who haven't invested yet can take this opportunity to invest; if your investment is listed as "Editor's Recommendation," you can potentially reap some profits.

Finally, please vote for me with monthly tickets!