Find a Local to Guide the Way

"Three years—what are we supposed to do about that? It's not like we can just wait here for three years, can we?"

Shirakawa had never encountered this situation before. "Haven't you two run into this before?"

He directed the question at Buggy and Shanks.

"No, the longest we've ever stayed on an island before was three or four months."

"Wait, Shanks, do you remember that island in the first half that needed a year to record its magnetic force? But we left after only two months back then."

Suddenly, as if something had occurred to him, Buggy spoke to Shanks.

"Now that you mention it, I think I remember that too. That really did happen."

"So how did you leave last time without fully recording the magnetic force?"

"I think the Captain bought an Eternal Pose for the next island somewhere there."

"Eternal Pose?"

"It's a compass that's locked onto a single island. No matter where you are, that needle always points toward that island."

Seeing Shirakawa's confusion, Shanks explained to him.

"There's actually something like that? Then I wonder if this island has an Eternal Pose for the next one?"

"It does." At that moment, Kaiser Lynn spoke up, her tone very certain.

"How do you know?"

"Because in my kingdom's palace, there's a compass that records the next island."

"Really?"

"Of course it's true. Do you think I'd lie to you?"

"And who's to say you don't have some ulterior motive?"

"You—hah, kindness thrown to the dogs." Kaiser Lynn pointed a finger at Shirakawa, then turned her head away, sulking.

"Then shouldn't we tell the Captain about this?"

"We definitely should tell him. Whether he already knows or not, we have to let him know. And we should tell him we have a lead on an Eternal Pose for the next island."

"So where do we find the Captain?"

"That's something you two should answer. You're both veterans here—surely you know where the Captain goes after landing on an island?"

Hearing Shirakawa's question, the two exchanged awkward smiles.

"After we land, we all split up. And neither of us has ever really stuck with the Captain, so we don't know what his hobbies or interests are."

"If only the First Mate were here," Buggy muttered.

"The First Mate? Rayleigh? That guy's a lecher, a drunkard, and a gambler."

"It's broad daylight now, so he probably can't be off whoring. And we just finished drinking, so he's most likely at the casino right now."

Shirakawa lowered his head, analyzing quietly.

"That's right. There's a good chance the First Mate is at the casino."

Shanks and Shirakawa's eyes lit up at the same time.

"If we find the First Mate, we can use his Observation Haki to track down the Captain. That shouldn't be a problem."

"Then if we go find the First Mate, what about her?" Buggy pointed at Kaiser Lynn, who was still sulking.

Hearing Buggy's words, Kaiser Lynn's eyes slanted in their direction, curious to see how Shirakawa would handle her.

"Just leave her here. Bringing her along would be dead weight. Besides, we already know where the Eternal Pose is."

"Hey, is that how you treat people? You're nothing but an ungrateful, treacherous, shameless little man!"

"Hey, hey, I was just joking. Do you have to go that far?"

Shirakawa might have felt his earlier words were a bit too harsh, so he gave himself an out.

"Hmph, who knows if you're really joking or not? I don't care—I'm sticking with you no matter what."

"Fine, fine, I admit I was wrong, alright?"

"That's more like it." Kaiser Lynn patted Shirakawa on the back approvingly.

"In that case, the four of us should stick together. Casinos are illegal places, after all, so there probably aren't many around. If we're careful, we shouldn't get caught."

"I suppose that's the only way."

Each of the four wrapped a scarf around their neck, covering most of their faces.

It looked a bit odd, but it made it hard to make out their exact features.

"By the way, do you two know how to find a casino?"

After wandering aimlessly for a while, Shirakawa asked the two.

"No idea. I've never had any interest in that stuff."

"I don't know either. I keep all my money for myself—no way I'm handing it over to someone else."

True enough—with Buggy's personality, if he had money he'd keep it all for himself. Even though he didn't really buy anything, having money made him feel secure. Shanks, on the other hand, simply had no interest in gambling; the only things that interested him were drinking and fighting.

"What about you?" Shirakawa asked Kaiser Lynn.

"Do you really think I, a princess of a nation, would set foot in a place like a casino?"

"Fair enough. I knew asking you would be a waste of breath."

Hearing this, Kaiser Lynn was a little exasperated. Why did the words coming out of his mouth sound so harsh when directed at her? Someone like him was bound to stay single for life.

Kaiser Lynn silently cursed Shirakawa.

If Shirakawa knew what Kaiser Lynn was thinking right now, he would have dumped her without hesitation. Who would use such a vicious curse on someone else?

After all, being single until twenty in his past life had always been a sore spot for him.

"What about you? You don't know either, do you?"

"Who says I don't know?"

"You know? You've actually been to a casino?" All three of them spoke up at once, demanding an answer.

"What, do I not look like it?"

"No." The three of them shook their heads in unison again.

"But does not having been to a casino mean you don't know where one is?"

"How?"

"Just follow me."

Shirakawa led them through a maze of remote, narrow alleys.

"Can we really find a casino here?" Kaiser Lynn asked Shirakawa.

"Shut up and follow me."

"But we've already walked down this path at least twice, haven't we? You're not lost, are you?"

Just as Kaiser Lynn finished speaking, a group of people blocked them from both front and back. The leader held a weapon in his hand—a dagger.

"Here they are," Shirakawa said calmly, seeing these men. His efforts wandering around here for so long had finally paid off.

"Shanks, Buggy, they're yours. Don't knock them out—I still need to ask them some questions."

"Haha, great idea, Shirakawa. Get a local to lead the way."

"You lot, if you don't want a beating, hand over all your money right now and let us brothers have some fun."

"We'll give you the money, but will you live long enough to spend it?"

"Kid, what did you say? Looks like you won't cry until you see the coffin. Brothers, get them! Once we have the money, we split it evenly."

"Alright."

"Shirakawa, are those two really okay? They don't even look old enough yet, do they?"

"Relax. If they can't handle scum like this, they don't deserve to set foot on our ship."

This time, it was finally Shirakawa's turn to say those words to someone else.