Leaning against the bar counter was a striking young woman, the owner of this bar—Shakky.
With her sleek black bob and youthful, slender figure, she appeared much younger than she truly was. In reality, she was a former pirate who had roamed the seas some forty years ago.
"Rayleigh, it's rare to see you like this," Shakky remarked with a smile, her slender fingers flicking the ash from her cigarette into the ashtray.
"Ah…" Rayleigh responded absentmindedly, stroking his beard before grinning. "I'm just surprised, that's all."
"Surprised?"
Shakky glanced at the bounty poster in Rayleigh's hand. "Surprised by young Maude, or young Gaya?"
"Both, I suppose."
Rayleigh chuckled as he placed the bounty poster on the bar. Instead of taking a sip from his glass, he idly swirled the drink, letting the liquor swirl in circles.
"I wonder… how are the old crew doing these days?"
The smile on his weathered face faded, replaced by a wistful expression.
Shakky studied him for a moment before saying, "This is a mandatory stop for anyone heading to the New World. Young Maude and young Gaya will come here eventually. Why not ask them directly when the time comes?"
"True enough! Hahaha!"
Rayleigh burst out laughing and downed the liquor in one gulp.
"Still, that stingy old Sol sure found himself an exceptional successor," Rayleigh remarked, placing his empty glass on the corner of Maude's bounty poster.
"For a newcomer, he's truly extraordinary. He reminds me of last year's Ace—Fire Fist Ace," Shakky replied, pouring another drink for Rayleigh.
Rayleigh lowered his gaze to Maude's bounty poster, the cold, menacing expression in the photo drawing a grin to his face.
"I can't wait to meet the two of them," he said with genuine anticipation.
Clang, clang—
The bar's door creaked open, and a figure wrapped in heavy clothing entered.
Rayleigh and Shakky turned toward the sound.
Upon seeing the visitor, a smile spread across Rayleigh's face.
"It's Hachi! Come on in and have a seat."
"Rayleigh! Shakky!"
Hachi pushed back the brim of his hat and took a seat next to Rayleigh.
Shakky brought out a fresh glass and set it before him. "What'll it be today?" she asked with a smile.
"Let me think…"
Hachi's gaze inadvertently fell on the bounty poster on the bar. The moment he saw Maude's photo, his body tensed, and sweat broke out on his face.
"It's… it's him…"
"Yes, the 'Phantom Gun' you mentioned before," Rayleigh said, patting Hachi's shoulder to calm him.
Hachi stared at Maude's photo, his expression and gaze laden with complex emotions.
"Shakky, do you have orange juice?"
Unable to bear looking at Maude any longer, Hachi quickly diverted his gaze.
Shakky glanced at the composed Rayleigh and then at the visibly shaken Hachi before nodding. "Of course. I'll get some for you."
"Thanks."
Hachi lowered his head, avoiding further conversation.
New World – A Mansion in Dressrosa.
Crash!
The sound of shattering glass pierced the dimly lit room, its heavy curtains blocking out most of the sunlight.
By the crimson floor-to-ceiling windows, Doflamingo clenched his right hand, red wine dripping from his fingers and staining his hand and wrist.
His head was slightly lowered, his eyes burning with volcanic fury.
"Y-Young Master…"
On the small table by the window, the Den Den Mushi displayed an expression of fear, mirroring the speaker's emotions.
"I understand."
Doflamingo's voice was low, seething with undisguised killing intent.
Before the speaker on the other end could react, Doflamingo abruptly hung up the call and turned toward the gathered Donquixote Family officers in the room.
At that moment, every officer's face was grim, exuding a murderous air.
Doflamingo slowly scanned the room, his signature flamboyant sunglasses concealing his eyes.
But the officers could easily imagine…
Blue veins bulged at Doflamingo's temples as he coldly declared, "I'm going out."
"Y-Young Master, let us—"
"I won't repeat myself."
"…"
New World – A Winter Island.
In a mountain cave, the Red-Haired Pirates were drinking and laughing by the fire, their boisterous voices almost drowning out the howling wind and snow outside.
After several rounds of drinks, the storm outside gradually subsided.
"Boss, the snow's stopped."
The lookout at the cave entrance was the first to report the change in weather.
"Oh, no rush. Let's finish the drinks first."
Shanks raised his glass with a grin.
"Cheers!"
The crew raised their glasses in unison, their joyous voices echoing throughout the cave.
For pirates, such moments were pure bliss.
Some time later, another shout came from the cave entrance, this time tinged with surprise.
"Boss, the News Coo's here again—and it's brought something strange!"
"Sebby, what strange thing could a News Coo bring? It's just newspapers and bounty posters. What's there to get excited about?"
The one responding wasn't Shanks but a squad leader within the crew.
Sebby said nothing more, instead walking into the cave carrying a trembling, frostbitten News Coo.
The crew, led by Shanks, turned their attention to Sebby.
"In addition to a bounty poster… it brought a letter."
"A letter?"
Everyone looked puzzled.
After years of dealing with the News Coo, this was the first time they'd ever received a letter.
"Is the World Economy News Paper starting a new service?"
"Hey, could it be a love letter from someone's old flame?"
"Shut up!"
"Haha!"
The crew burst into laughter.
"This letter… is addressed to Yasopp."
The laughter stopped abruptly.
All eyes turned to Yasopp, who was momentarily stunned.
Someone cautiously whispered, "Yasopp… did you—"
Before he could finish, Yasopp's hand brushed his old rifle, silencing the speaker. He extended a hand toward Sebby, who quickly handed over the envelope.
The crew gathered around, curiosity piqued.
"Yasopp, who's it from?" Shanks asked, grinning.
Yasopp unfolded the letter and scanned the signature at the bottom.
It was signed by Maude, with an additional line indicating the letter had been transcribed by someone named "Dede the Turkey."
"It's from Maude."
Yasopp raised an eyebrow slightly.
Shanks looked genuinely surprised. "Maude, huh?"
"What's he written?" someone asked eagerly.
Yasopp didn't respond immediately, focusing instead on reading the letter's contents.
Once he finished, a wide smile spread across his face. He quickly folded the letter and tucked it safely into his pocket.
The crew stared, dumbfounded.
"So? What did it say?"
"Figure it out yourselves! Hahaha!"
Yasopp laughed heartily, grabbing a nearby jug of liquor and snatching the News Coo from Sebby's hands.
"You've worked hard. Here, warm yourself up with some booze."
Despite the News Coo's protests, Yasopp poured liquor down its throat, laughing uproariously all the while.
The News Coo flailed in resistance, scattering bounty posters from its satchel across the cave floor.
One of them prominently featured Maude's new bounty.
"He's lost it. Yasopp's gone mad!"
The crew watched in shock as Yasopp forced the News Coo to drink.
Meanwhile, Shanks picked up Maude's bounty poster, a sly grin forming on his face.
"What will you choose to do when you get here?" he murmured.
"Will you crash and burn, become a pawn to someone's ambition, or perhaps…"
The flames reflected vividly in Shanks' eyes as he trailed off.
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