"Alice." Shakky's gaze sharpened slightly as she looked at Alice and asked, "You mean you've already met Ron?"
"Yes." Alice nodded, her tone light. "He's not just recruiting crewmates, but wives and concubines too. With your looks, I'm sure he'd take a liking to you."
Shakky did not answer right away. Her gaze lingered on Alice's face for a moment, her lashes briefly lowering as though she were quickly leafing through a few pages of memories.
"Recruiting wives and concubines?" Shakky quietly repeated the words. If the Ron she knew really wanted wives and concubines, his strength and reputation would have earned him a whole harem long ago.
The very fact that he had none showed that he did not care about such things at all.
Then the "Ron" on this island... was most likely an impostor.
Having reached this conclusion, Shakky was about to tell Alice, only to discover that she had already left.
"Never mind," Shakky murmured. Then she turned and called into the ship, "Restock our supplies. We're leaving as soon as possible."
"Yes, Captain!" the members of the Kuja Pirates behind her answered in unison.
"Shakky, let me help you!" someone on shore immediately shouted.
"Lady Shakky, I can help too!"
"I have some fine wine aboard my ship. Could I share a drink with you?"
Shakky turned her head, her gaze sweeping unhurriedly over those eager faces as she said gently, "You can help, but drinks together are out."
Those she rejected were neither angry nor displeased. Instead, simply receiving a response left every one of them wearing a satisfied smile.
What a bunch of simps!!!
Several days later.
Marine Headquarters, a hospital room.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting soft patches of light on the white sheets.
Sengoku's upper body was covered