Just as Roy was persuading Fisher Tiger, in the first half of the Grand Line, at the Sabaody Archipelago.
Area 13, " Shakky's Rip-off Bar ".
This bar looks ordinary, even a bit run-down.
But those in the know understand that the proprietress here is no ordinary person.
At that moment, behind the bar, a woman with short black hair and a capable demeanor was wiping glasses.
Shakky, the owner of this bar, is also one of the most well-informed people in the Sabaody Archipelago.
An elderly man with gray hair and glasses sat at the bar.
He was wearing a floral shirt and beach shorts, flip-flops, and holding a bottle of liquor, which he was gulping down.
"I'm talking about Rayleigh,"
Shakky glanced at him.
"You've been freeloading at my place every day for the past few days, and you're not doing the coating work anymore?"
"Take a few days off, take a few days off."
Rayleigh wiped his mouth and chuckled.
"The navy's been cracking down lately, it's best to keep a low profile."
"Come on, you're kidding me."
Shakky rolled her eyes.
I think you're just lazy.
The two were arguing when the bell on the bar door suddenly rang.
The door was pushed open, and a person walked in.
He was a man who looked to be around fifty years old, tall and thin, wearing a well-tailored dark red aristocratic suit, and holding an exquisite cane in his hand.
Shakky paused in wiping the cup.
Rayleigh stopped drinking.
The air in the bar seemed to freeze.
"... Red?"
Rayleigh put down the bottle and spoke somewhat uncertainly.
The Red Count — Patrick Redfield, the legendary lone pirate—nodded slightly. "Long time no see, Rayleigh, Shakky."
"It really is you..."
Shakky regained her composure, but surprise still lingered in her eyes.
What brings you to Sabaody? And here I am!
Red walked to the bar and sat down gracefully. "A glass of red wine, please."
Shakky turned to get the wine, while Rayleigh sized up his old acquaintance:
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"I was entrusted with this task."
Red took the red wine Shakky offered Shakky, and gently swirled it.
Roy told me to wait here.
" Roy?"
Rayleigh and Shakky exchanged a glance, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.
What does he want with you?
"Repaying a favor."
Red took a sip of his drink.
He saved my life once, and I promised to do something for him.
Now, he's going to use this favor.
Shakky leaned against the bar, lost in thought:
"Something that would make the Red Count repay a favor..."
That's probably not simple, is it?
What exactly is that kid Roy up to?
Red put down his glass, his red eyes gazing out the bar window...
"He's planning something big."
"Large enough to make the entire World Government jump."
Rayleigh's expression turned serious. Shakky also stopped talking and just quietly watched Red.
"You'll know the specifics when he arrives."
Red did not continue speaking.
"Anyway, I'll be waiting here for the next few days. I apologize for the trouble."
"It's not that troublesome..."
Shakky smiled.
Anyway, my bar doesn't usually have many customers.
But Red, are you sure you want to get involved?
Roy is a capable kid, but what he's about to do... is probably...
"Danger?"
Red picked up the conversation, a faint, sarcastic smile playing on his lips.
"When have I ever been safe in my entire life?"
Rayleigh stared at Red for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter, raising the bottle.
"That's right! Come on, let's drink to a restless old age!"
Red raised his glass in acknowledgment, and the two drank it down in one gulp.
Shakky shook her head and continued wiping her cup. But her eyes kept drifting to the window, as if she was waiting for something.
The next afternoon, the bar door was pushed open again.
The man had a cigar dangling from his mouth and wore an inconspicuous cloak.
All three people in the bar looked up.
"... Shiki?" Rayleigh narrowed his eyes.
Shiki the Golden Lion ripped off his cloak, revealing his arrogant face:
"Hehehehe! Rayleigh! Shakky! Long time no see!"
His gaze swept across the bar, pausing briefly when it landed on Red.
" Red Count? What are you doing here?"
"Same as you," Red said casually.
The Golden Lion was taken aback, then realized what was happening and burst into laughter:
" Roy, you even brought him here!"
Golden Lion swaggered over to the bar, slammed his hand on the table, and shouted, "Boss lady, bring the drinks! The best drinks!"
Shakky glared at him irritably, but still turned around to get the wine.
Rayleigh looked at the Golden Lion, then at Red, and suddenly sighed:
"I'm starting to get curious..."
"What exactly is that kid Roy up to, managing to bring both of you together?"
Golden Lion took the wine Shakky handed him, took a big gulp, wiped his mouth, and
You'll know when he gets here.
But Rayleigh, I advise you not to get involved in this...
Hey, if this gets out of hand, you could lose your head.
"Losing your head?"
Rayleigh smiled.
"My head should have been cut off when I became a pirate, but it's still perfectly fine, isn't it?"
Several old folks from the old days looked at each other and smiled, their smiles carrying a meaning only they could understand.
Shakky watched this scene and gently shook her head. She walked to the window, gazing at the bubbles that forever floated on the Sabaody Archipelago, and murmured to herself:
" Sabaody... is going to be anything but peaceful again."
The atmosphere in the bar became subtle.
The flamboyance of the Golden Lion, the elegance of Red, and the nonchalance of Rayleigh —three distinct auras intertwined.
Instead of conflict, a peculiar balance was formed.
They drank and chatted about old times, and no one mentioned what Roy was actually planning to do.
But everyone knew in their hearts that when the young captain arrived, a drama that would shake the world was about to begin.
Meanwhile, on the sea route from Fish-Man Island to the Sabaody Archipelago, Ark Maxim is moving at full speed.
Inside the cabin, Roy, Bullet, Mihawk, Tesoro, and the newly joined Fisher Tiger sat together.
In the middle lay a hand-drawn map of Mary Geoise —one that Fisher Tiger had drawn from memory.
"This is a slave prison; most of the slaves are kept here."
Fisher Tiger tapped a location on the map with his thick finger.
"If we are to liberate them, we must go here."
"Then comes the Celestial Dragons ' residential area."
Roy pointed to another area on the map,
"The treasure trove is likely scattered in the basements of various mansions. We need to split up and act quickly."
"How do we divide it?" Bullet asked.
Roy looked at everyone,
Fisher Tiger led the way to the slave prison, with Mihawk assisting.
"Me, Bullet, Tesoro, we're going to raid the vault. Tesoro, find the valuables. Bullet, you're in charge of clearing the way and covering our retreat."
Tesoro licked his lips. "Boss, how are we going to divide the stuff in the vault?"
Roy silently pointed his finger at Tesoro.
"Gather the found ones first, then distribute them back at the airport."
"However, one thing is certain: prioritize that Devil Fruit!"
"Understood," Tesoro readily agreed.
Fisher Tiger, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.
"You... are you really willing to help me rescue the slaves?"
Roy turned to look at him.
"As I said, we each get what we need."
You save lives, we get paid.
But that doesn't mean we don't treat those slaves as human beings.
Fisher Tiger, I know you hate humans, you hate the Celestial Dragons.
But you must understand that this collaboration may save hundreds or even thousands of people like you were back then.
"Isn't this outcome worth putting aside your hatred for now?"
Fisher Tiger stared at Roy for a long time. Finally, he nodded heavily.
"Good."
I'll take you there.
The Ark Maxim continued its ascent, passing through the deep sea, and flying towards the islands shrouded in bubbles.
Sabaody is just ahead.
Further ahead lies the summit of the Red Line, the center of the World Government—
Mary Geoise.