Chapter 184 The Roger Pirates reunite...
And so, Shakky settled on Beehive Island.
And so, Violet became a full-fledged crew member.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Shanks said, annoyed. "Isn't this story a bit illogical? Why did you suddenly become a full-fledged member of Rocks' crew?"
Why is he still an intern? And why does Locke always seem so unhappy whenever he sees him walking with Violet?
Last time, Rocks even specifically asked Shanks to spar with him to get some exercise.
Although fighting Rocks would be a great form of entertainment for the energetic red-haired Big, Shanks isn't stupid; how could he not sense the targeted tactics Rocks employed when fighting him?
It was Violet who was causing all the trouble, while he was the one who did absolutely nothing.
Could it be that the hatred Captain Roger incurred with Rocks was so strong that it could be carried over to him across time?
Full-time crew member Violet looked at trainee crew member Shanks and shook her head, lowering her palm: "Hey, keep it low-key, keep it low-key, I was just lucky... Shanks, the deck behind you doesn't look clean."
"I wasn't in charge of cleaning the deck today... Wait, what's Xiao Xiangzi called?!"
"Hey hey hey, don't worry about the details. Are you planning to go to the 'hit-and-run' bar today?"
"Are you serious?" Shanks shook his head, recalling the line outside the bar that stretched for a month and Ms. Shakky's usual practice of passing off inferior drinks as high-end ones. "You go if you want, I don't want to."
Ms. Shakky is very beautiful, but Shanks is a man who appreciates wine and stories more than beauty. He would rather follow Val than drink inferior wine at Ms. Shakky's place.
In short, as long as you're with Violet, there will always be endless excitement and thrilling adventures to enjoy.
However, Shanks couldn't help but glance at Violet. This guy, taking advantage of his gender, still shamelessly admired the beauty even after knowing about Shakky and Rayleigh's future.
Are you sure you don't want to go?
He wasn't sure.
"...What news did you hear?"
“It’s not hearsay, it’s deduction from my brain,” Vera analyzed to Shanks. “You said it before, right? At this point in time, Roger was still pursuing Shakky.”
"Since Shakky arrived at Beehive Island, the number of pirates there has increased several times over. This news couldn't possibly have been kept from the Roger Pirates. Given that, do you think Roger will come to Beehive Island to see Shakky?"
"Then, based on the last photo of Roger's crew in the newspaper, we can make a little calculation and know that if he is coming, it will be within the next day or two."
Shanks looked at Violet in surprise. So Violet was this smart!
"Hey, what's with that surprised look on your face?!"
Players are very clever when analyzing tasks.
So, are you going or not?
"……go."
The reason Captain Roger wasn't seen last time was because he was on the Sword of Gybeck at the time. If he showed himself, Captain Roger would inevitably mistake him for one of Rocks' men.
But things are different now. Shakky's appearance has caused the density of pirates on Beehive Island to skyrocket, and there are even quite a few people who are not pirates at all.
Shanks could easily have concealed his identity and met with the big shots of Roger's Pirates.
They hit it off immediately, and the two squatted in the bushes next to the long line outside the Knockout Bar, waiting for their chance to strike.
For someone skilled in Observation Haki, there is no possibility of "missing something".
but……
With a snap, Shanks and Vale, who were crouching furtively in the bushes, were simultaneously slapped hard on the shoulders from behind. A man wearing a straw hat and a bright smile was standing with his arms outstretched, as if embracing one of them, with one hand on each shoulder and his head between them.
He looked at the frozen Vale, then at the frozen Shanks.
"What are you two... friends doing squatting here?"
Oh no, I was so focused on finding him that I completely missed when he got to the back.
Vera immediately looked around warily, searching for a way to escape. But as soon as her gaze fell in front of her, she met Rayleigh's eyes, who had also appeared at some unknown time and was standing with his arms crossed in front of him.
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses and gave Vera a gentle smile.
"Sorry, our captain is a bit too curious."
Since you know that Roger is very curious, why don't you stop him, Rayleigh? Aren't you the first mate? Isn't your job to stop the captain when he has a sudden idea?
Perhaps because Violet's emotions were so turbulent, Rayleigh unexpectedly understood the meaning behind her shocked expression at that moment.
"...Because I'm also curious about who you're looking for while you're hiding here." The still-young first mate, whose hair wasn't a single strand of gray, asked sharply, "It wouldn't be...us, would it?"
"Ahaha? So you were waiting for the Roger Pirates?" Roger nodded in sudden realization. "I see. So we've met before? But I have absolutely no recollection of it..."
"Ah, that look in your eyes, I know, you're the guy who was spying on me on Rocks' pirate ship back then!"
Vera: ...
Violet glanced at Shanks, who had been exposed on the spot.
Shanks was also helpless. He had been able to control his emotions then and now, but it seemed that it would be too difficult to keep it from the captain who could hear the voice of all things.
Shanks: "I... have indeed seen you before, but it's a long story."
“Interesting.” Roger stroked the stubble on his chin. “I always feel like you’re looking at someone else through me.”
That look of nostalgia and admiration... Could this guy be mistaking him for some dead person's substitute?!
Roger shuddered, "You'd better not look at me like that, or I'll think I'm some kind of guy who's seriously ill and about to die."
Serious illness… Upon hearing this, Shanks’ pupils constricted for a moment.
For Shanks, his memories and life began with the Orleans Jackson, the ship and its crew that formed his childhood and ultimately became the most important cornerstone shaping the existence of Shanks.
Captain Roger undoubtedly inspired Shanks' initial vision of what kind of man he wanted to become.
I want to become a cool pirate like Captain Roger, to find my own goal and complete an incredible adventure, and to sing Binks' Sake loudly amidst my companions and the campfire...
He has probably barely fulfilled his grand ambition from his youth, but unfortunately, he can no longer tell Captain Roger about the interesting stories he experienced with the Red-Haired Pirates.
The sadness was only temporary. As a pirate, Shanks's true nature was cheerful and open-minded. He quickly took the initiative and put his arm around Roger's shoulder.
"Actually, I've always admired the adventures and atmosphere of the Roger Pirates," Shanks chuckled. "You haven't met me before, but that's not important. How about we go to the tavern for a few drinks? My treat."
"Hey, so you're a fan of the Roger Pirates? Haha, I really didn't expect that." Roger laughed twice, then suddenly became serious. "But, you're not planning to go to 'Shakky's Rip-off' bar, are you?"
Shanks, who was being stared at by the captain with the same look he was giving a love rival, almost choked on his own saliva: "How could that be?!"
How dare he try to steal people from the first mate?
"Oh?" Roger was surprised that someone could resist Shakky's charm. He narrowed his eyes and scanned Valerie and Shanks, revealing a suspicious and thoughtful expression.
Could it be that these two...? Should we ask them?
"Ahem, Roger." The reliable first mate stopped Roger's idea. "Drinking, that's not a bad idea either."
"This is our first time on Beehive Island. We don't know which taverns are good. Could you please recommend some?"
Shanks looked at Mr. Rayleigh, who was even younger than he remembered, and nodded: "Alright, then leave it to me!"
As a paradise for pirates, Beehive Island naturally has no shortage of taverns. However, Shakky's bar is so popular that even though the drinks are of poor quality, the prices are unreasonable, and the service is bad, it still attracts most people. As a result, the ordinary taverns are particularly deserted.
When Shanks and his crew entered, the tavern owner was still asleep at the table, only reluctantly lifting his head when Roger's loud voice woke him up.
"Roger?!"
"Oh no. Haha, I've been recognized again. I was planning to hide my identity until I met Xia Qi, haha!"
Roger said it was bad, but his expression didn't show any sign of it being bad.
"Hey, hurry up and bring all your drinks, this gentleman..."
"Shanks."
"Yes, this guy named Shanks is treating."
Violet: "..."
Vera glanced at Shanks: "Did you bring any money?"
When Shanks and she went on an adventure, all he had on him besides his clothes was his sword. He didn't even bring a change of clothes. Vale couldn't believe that he would bring Bailey with him.
Shanks, who was immersed in the joy of reuniting with Captain Roger and First Mate Rayleigh, froze upon hearing this and awkwardly turned to look at Violet.
"Haha, haha... Um, Violet..."
Violet raised her chin, gave Shanks a "watch me" look, pushed aside Roger and Rayleigh who were walking side by side in front of her, and took the lead to the bar counter.
She raised her hand and gently tapped the bar counter. The next second, a bag the size of an adult's fist was tossed onto the bar counter.
The bag wasn't sealed tightly, and the glittering gold coins inside rolled out.
Shanks: "Wow—"
Roger: "Wow—"
Rayleigh: "Ah..."
"Bring out all your best wines!"
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The author says: The light in the rented room is broken and won't be fixed until Saturday or Sunday. I feel like I'm under some kind of curse, everything I touch breaks.
A while ago I broke the mirror in my room, and a week ago I pulled the drawer of my desk apart. I'm just [cracked]
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