"Please... please, let us go..."
Hancock said, trembling, that despite her fear, she still tried her best to protect her sister behind her.
Roy gestured to Tesoro to open the cage.
"Who are you people? How were you arrested?"
Hancock bit her lip and whispered,
"We... we're members of the Kuja Pirates, we sneaked out to play."
As a result, they were captured by these slave traders...
She raised her head, mustered her courage, and looked at Roy.
"You're a pirate, right? Could you... take us back to Sabaody Archipelago?"
Our people should be waiting for us there..."
Roy glanced at the future Shichibukai, then thought of Shakky's relationship with the Kuja Pirates, and nodded.
"Sure. We're going to Sabaody anyway."
He turned to Tesoro and said,
"Release the other slaves as well, leave the ship to them, and let them go home on their own."
"Yes, boss."
Tesoro began to open the cages one by one, and the freed slaves knelt down to express their gratitude, some even weeping bitterly.
The Hancock Sisters also stepped out of their cage, stretching their stiff bodies.
"Thank you..."
Hancock whispered, glancing furtively at Roy.
This young man, who looks not much older than her, is actually the captain of such a powerful pirate crew.
And, it seems he knows them?
Roy didn't explain further and led the three sisters back to the Ark Maxim.
As for the slave-catching ship, he had Tesoro loot all the valuables and leave them to the other slaves.
Among those slaves were many experienced seafarers, enough to sail the ship back home.
The Ark Maxim sets sail once more, heading towards Area 13 the Sabaody Archipelago.
With the addition of three little girls on the boat, the atmosphere became even more lively.
Yamato quickly became acquainted with the Hancock Sisters, and the five girls chattered together.
Roy stood at the bow, gazing at the approaching Sabaody Archipelago.
" Shakky, Rayleigh... it's been over two years since I last saw you."
"I wonder if you'll be pleasantly surprised or horrified to see me."
A slight smile played on his lips, and a hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes.
Sabaody Archipelago, Area 13.
The Shakky's Rip-off Bar " swayed gently in the breeze.
Compared to two years ago, the bar's exterior appears to have remained largely unchanged.
But a closer look reveals that the building materials and paint are all new—the tsunami triggered by Roy two years ago almost completely destroyed the entire Area 13.
Inside the bar,
A blond, middle-aged man sat at the bar, slowly sipping his drink.
He was dressed simply and had a reserved demeanor.
But those eyes that occasionally open possess a sharp insight that sees through everything.
" Rayleigh, you've been drinking all morning."
Behind the bar, a woman with short black hair and a capable demeanor wiped the glasses and said helplessly,
The cost of the drinks has been added to the bill; we'll settle it at the end of the month.
"Haha, Shakky, don't be so stingy."
Rayleigh —the "former" " Pluton," Roger Pirates -captain—smiled.
"Aren't I just helping you attract business?"
With me here, those troublemaking pirates won't dare to come."
Shakky rolled her eyes at him.
"Come on, you're already being kind by not causing me any trouble."
She looked out the window, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes.
"Speaking of which, it's been over two years... that kid who caused the tsunami hasn't been to Sabaody since."
Rayleigh paused in his drinking motion.
You mean... Roy?
"Who else could it be but him?"
Shakky snorted.
"My bar was completely destroyed by that tsunami back then, and it took a lot of effort to rebuild it."
That kid, on the other hand, just dusted himself off and went off to New World without even an apology.
Rayleigh smiled.
"You're still holding a grudge?"
"But that kid is really something else; he was able to fight us two years ago."
I wonder how far they've grown now.
He recalled his brief encounter with the Roy Pirates in the New World.
The young man's potential and ambition had always impressed him.
Roger said he would wait for Roy in Laugh Tale.
Rayleigh said in a low voice,
"Pity..."
Before he could finish speaking, the bar door was pushed open.
The wind chimes made a crisp, clear sound.
Shakky looked up, about to say "Welcome," but the words caught in her throat the moment she saw who it was.
Rayleigh slowly turned around as well.
A young man in a black trench coat stood at the doorway.
Behind him followed a group of companions of various appearances, but all of whom possessed considerable strength.
"Hey, Shakky, Rayleigh, long time no see."
Roy greeted him with a smile, his tone as relaxed as if he were visiting an old friend.
A brief silence fell over the bar.
The wine glass in Shakky's hand fell to the ground with a "crash" and shattered into pieces.
Her expression shifted from surprise to anger, then to clenched teeth, and finally to a "kind" smile.
"Royal Youngster--"
She spoke slowly and deliberately, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between her teeth.
You still dare to come to my bar?
Roy touched his nose, a little embarrassed.
"Um... Miss Shakky, what happened back then was my fault, I apologize..."
"Does an apology even help?!"
Shakky came out from behind the bar and grabbed Roy by the collar.
Do you know how much it cost me to rebuild the bar?!
Do you know how miserable I looked when I was swept away by the tsunami?!
Do you know how much intelligence business I've lost in the past two years?!
Faced with Shakky's barrage of questions, Roy could only manage a wry smile.
His companions behind him wanted to laugh but dared not, struggling to hold it in.
Bullet whispered to Hawk Eyes,
"This is the first time I've seen our boss so cowardly."
Hawk Eyes's lips curled into a slight smile, "Guilty conscience, huh? There's nothing he can do about it."
In the end, it was Rayleigh who smoothed things over.
"Alright, Shakky, everyone's here. Let's hear what he has to say."
Shakky snorted and released Roy, but her eyes remained unfriendly.
"Tell me, what brings you here this time?"
If you dare cause trouble on my turf again, I'll sell you to human traffickers!
Roy straightened his collar and said seriously,
"I'm not here to cause trouble this time. I'm here to see someone off."
Roy stepped aside, making way for the Hancock Sisters behind him.
"These three children Kuja Pirates. They were captured by slave traders, and I happened to rescue them."
I heard you have connections with the Kuja Pirates, so I brought you along.
Shakky's expression immediately softened when she saw the Hancock Sisters.
"The child of Kuja? Come here and let me see him."
Hancock walked over timidly, Shakky looked her over carefully, her eyes suddenly lighting up.
"You are... that little girl with the ' Conqueror's Haki ' talent that Granny Nyon mentioned?"
Hancock nodded.
"Hello, Aunt Shakky Granny Nyon."
"Okay, okay, it's good that you're alright."
Shakky gently patted Hancock's head, then looked at Roy.
"You did a good deed this time. Sit down, what would you like to drink?"
With the crisis averted, Roy breathed a sigh of relief and took his seat with his companions.
The bar wasn't big, and it felt a bit crowded when a dozen or so people suddenly flooded in, but the atmosphere became lively.
Shakky was busy pouring drinks for everyone, while Rayleigh was sizing up the members of the Roy Pirates.
When he saw Hawk Eyes and Bullet, his expression turned slightly serious.