In the Sabody Archipelago, a vibrant place where destinies converge, three days will be enough to upset the balance of this corner of the world. Who would have thought that in just one day, so many new faces would cross paths, that pirates and marines, powerful monsters, would find themselves gathered in the same place?
Just an hour earlier, the Straw Hat Pirates had set foot on this island, just out of the shadows of Gecko Moria's territory. Their crew had been enriched with a new member, Brook, a musician as eccentric as he was talented. At that moment, they were in a bar run by Shakky, a woman with short black hair, a cigarette dangling from her lips or between her fingers. This place, discreet but full of stories, also belonged to a legendary figure, the Dark King's wife, Rayleigh.
Inside, Luffy, Brook, and Chopper, accompanied by Hacchan – a fish-man octopus comfortable in this environment – Caimie, a mermaid, and Pappag, a chatty starfish, were enjoying the atmosphere.
"Amusement park! Amusement park!" exclaimed Luffy, Brook, Chopper, and Caimie, brimming with enthusiasm. According to Shakky, the man they were looking for, capable of preparing their ship for the New World, was precisely there.
The Sabaody Archipelago, the last stop for pirates in Paradise before the big leap to the New World, was the stage for this excitement. The Straw Hat Pirates had come here to continue their adventures, but they were not alone. Shakky, with her usual calm, explained the situation to them, a smoldering cigarette in hand.
"Do you understand? It's incredible how many promising young people end up here, in this archipelago. Luffy, Kid, Law, Drake, Hawkins, Maki... Their names have been making headlines lately," she said, her calm voice contrasting with the magnitude of her words.
"I don't read the newspapers," replied Luffy, nonchalant, as if it didn't matter.
"Knowledge is power, hehe," she retorted with a mischievous smile. "You should at least know the names of your rivals."
Chopper, timidly, tried to repeat the names: "Uh... Hawkins... Kid... Law..."
"If we look at the bounties, you would be second, Luffy," Shakky added, raising two fingers with an enigmatic smile.
"What?! Someone has a higher bounty than Luffy here?!" exclaimed Chopper, eyes wide with surprise.
At that moment, images formed in the minds of the listeners, as if Shakky's words brought the scenes to life. In a lively restaurant, a pink-haired woman devoured dishes with impressive voracity, under the disapproving gaze of a well-groomed man.
"Capone 'Gang' Bege... Bounty: 138 million berries," announced Shakky, as Bege's face brightened in the image.
"'The Glutton' Jewelry Bonney... Bounty: 140 million berries," she continued, with Bonney's face appearing next.
The scene shifted. In the same restaurant, a clumsy waiter spilled spaghetti on a pirate. Terrified, he collapsed, fearing for his life. But a towering man, reading cards with a neutral expression, calmly intervened.
"'The Magician' Basil Hawkins... Bounty: 249 million berries," murmured Shakky, as the man with the cards took shape.
Then, the image shifted to a dark bar, where the atmosphere seemed heavy, almost menacing. Two pirates locked eyes: a redhead with oversized arms and another causing an explosion in the street, causing panic among passersby.
"'Roar of the Sea' Scratchmen Apoo... Bounty: 198 million berries," Shakky continued, as the image focused on Apoo.
"Eustass 'Captain' Kid... Bounty: 315 million berries," she added, revealing the explosive-tempered redhead.
The mental camera pulled back to reveal another scene, in grove 21. Screams of terror echoed, dust clouds rose under the rumblings of the earth. A colossal monk of four meters faced off against a masked blonde in a titanic battle, until a third pirate intervened, eager to avoid trouble so close to the New World.
"'Red Flag' X Drake... Bounty: 222 million berries," said Shakky, her gaze resting on the masked blonde.
"'Massacre Soldier' Killer... Bounty: 162 million berries," she added, describing the intervener.
Lastly, the image settled on a man with a mysterious look, a sword resting on his shoulder, observing the scene from a rooftop.
"'Surgeon of Death' Trafalgar Law... Bounty: 200 million berries," Shakky continued.
"'Green Naginata' Zenin Maki... Bounty: 335 million berries," she concluded, finishing her account of the twelve supernovas.
Back at the bar, Shakky blew out a cloud of smoke, her piercing gaze scrutinizing the three Straw Hat Pirates.
"The Grand Line is a ruthless survival tournament. Only the best reach this archipelago. All these rookies in the New World will leave their mark. Perhaps one of you will lead the next generation of pirates," she said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with hope. "I'm betting on you, Monkey-chan," she added, charmingly.
"Well, for now, I just want to have fun, shishishi!" replied Luffy, true to himself. "But what about that worker, is he okay?"
Shakky burst into laughter. "Don't worry, he's a hundred times stronger than you," she said, raising her cigarette with a smile.
A few moments later, the three Straw Hat Pirates, accompanied by Hacchan, Caimie, and Pappag, stood at the bar's door, ready to leave. They mounted flying motorcycles, under Shakky's watchful gaze.
"The Marines know that the rookies are gathered here, but they don't have time to send significant forces," she explained, still as calm.
"The Marines?!" exclaimed Brook, surprised that they were already aware.
"No worries, as long as you don't make waves, everything will be fine, hehe," Shakky replied, her usual smile lighting up her face. Then, her tone became more serious. "But... I heard that one of the Curses is in the archipelago."
"A Curse?! What's it doing here?!" Chopper exclaimed, panicked.
"What's a Curse?" Brook asked, perplexed.
"It's one of the commanders of the Infinite Pirates, an emperor! We've encountered one before," explained Chopper, shuddering at the memory.
"An emperor?!" Caimie and Brook shouted, their comical faces reflecting their terror.
"Really?" murmured Hacchan, pale, as Shakky nodded.
"Hehe, don't panic. As long as you stay discreet, everything will be fine," reassured Shakky, her smile returning.
"Alright, we'll watch out for the garrison, see you later!" Luffy called out, hopping on his motorcycle without a hint of seriousness.
"It's a Curse, not a garrison!" Chopper corrected, exasperated, his eyes empty and his sharp teeth showing.
"Come on, let's head to the park... I mean, let's go find the mechanic!" exclaimed Pappag, correcting his own words.
Shakky waved goodbye, a hint of worry in her eyes. She hoped that these young pirates wouldn't do anything foolish. Then, she went back into the bar, closing the door behind her, as the Straw Hat Pirates rode off.