Early the next morning, Lind went alone to Rocks's palace to discuss their next moves with the senior members of the Rocks Pirates.
Some of the officers, including Shakky, had already arrived at the meeting venue. Lind naturally struck up a conversation with her.
Of course, Lind had no intention of stealing Rayleigh's woman. He simply wanted to talk because Shakky controlled the Rocks Pirates' intelligence network.
Lind felt that the Rocks Pirates' limited knowledge of his forces' true situation was largely thanks to this intelligence officer helping him conceal it.
"Long time no see, Ms. Shakky."
"I wonder if you'd do me the honor of joining me for a meal after the meeting," Lind said with a smile. He wanted to have a proper discussion with Shakky about intelligence once the meeting was over.
"Hoho, if Captain Lind is inviting me, I certainly won't refuse!"
"I'm very interested in your Oran Island, too, Captain Lind!" Shakky replied with a smile, looking genuinely intrigued.
"Hoho, I'm quite interested in what you two will be discussing later, too. Would you mind if I joined you?" While Lind and Shakky chatted, Stussy, who had been watching them from nearby, suddenly chimed in.
"Hahaha, if you're interested, Ms. Stussy, I'd be more than happy to have a meal with you, too."
Lind answered Stussy with a smile, making no attempt to refuse. He could simply find another time to talk to Shakky. There was plenty of time, after all.
"Speaking of which, I've stayed at the Oran Hotel, too. I heard you provided the recipes for many of its dishes, Lind?" Seeing that he had not refused, Stussy continued with another question.
"Hahaha, I did put some effort into it when the Oran Hotel was first established, but I haven't been involved since.