Chapter 113: Hidden Information, Shakky's Rip-off Bar
After Hans and Fal left, Roy's expression calmed down.
"Luffy set sail early..."
Gulping down the rest of his cola, he muttered internally.
Without a doubt, this was another plot change—but unlike before, this time he knew the exact source.
Surprisingly, Roy didn't feel panicked about the disrupted timeline.
On the contrary—he felt only calm.
After a moment, he realized why.
It was because he was strong enough now.
Whether Luffy set sail or not, whether the future plot changed or not—it could no longer affect his plans.
"Though I should keep an eye on his info. I'll find time to analyze the Nika Fruit later..."
Whispering, Roy quickly shifted his attention to something else.
The stack of documents in front of him.
Each document bore the World Government symbol and the word 'Top Secret'.
As Fal said, these were files Roy requested from the World Government.
The contents included recent attacks on World Government affiliated agencies and profiles of almost all major pirates over the past decades.
According to Roy's stated reason for the request, it was to "understand the evils of the sea in advance to better combat them in the future."
But in reality, Roy's thoughts were different.
Most of the files here were useless to him, merely a smokescreen.
He only truly needed two of them.
"Found it."
Flipping through, he quickly found his first target.
[Year 1514 - High West Attack Incident File]
Looking at the title, Roy opened it immediately.
Sure enough, he saw a photo of a figure with long earlobes carrying drums on his back.
"Enel..."
Roy muttered, reading the record below.
[Year 1514, Sky Islander Enel attacked High West. Captured by Sky Guard Commander 'General Sky' after activating the final defense measure, the Seastone 'Sky Dome'.]
[Sky Guard casualties: 514 dead, 851 severely injured.]
[Interrogation Record: Enel discovered a Devil Fruit in ancient ruins in his hometown, Birka. After eating it, he destroyed Birka and went to the Great Sky Island 'God's Land' (Skypiea), finding it abandoned. He then followed the Sky Route to High West and launched the attack.]
**[After interrogation, Mary Geoise dispatched Special Envoy **** to bring Enel back to Pangaea Castle. With the permission of the Five Elders, Enel was pardoned and joined **.]
"..."
The general content matched what Roy heard from Hasmod.
But the problem was the redacted parts.
This was peculiar.
Remember, Roy inherited Zephyr's Admiral-level clearance.
Theoretically, he was qualified to view most World Government secrets.
"The redacted Special Envoy is likely a high-ranking Celestial Dragon. Only matters related to Celestial Dragons would be restricted even for an Admiral."
"And..."
Roy pondered, looking at the end of the file. "Enel wasn't executed or imprisoned, but pardoned?"
A guy who attacked the Sky Guard and caused massive casualties was pardoned.
Even knowing the World Government's style, Roy found it absurd.
Undoubtedly—there was a reason for this pardon.
As for the reason, Roy had a guess.
Looking closely, one thing was never mentioned in the file.
"Hasmod said Enel carried an ancient box during the attack... that thing might be related to the Ark 'Maxim'."
So Roy was almost certain the pardon was related to this—he couldn't think of another reason.
Also...
**[Pardoned and joined **]
"Joined? Some organization?"
Roy frowned at the redacted text.
Again, the restricted info must involve Celestial Dragons.
"Could it be..."
He had a guess.
He knew few organizations related to Celestial Dragons, and almost only one would accept a non-Celestial Dragon like Enel.
"If that's the case, getting the Rumble-Rumble Fruit won't be easy."
Muttering, Roy shook his head and set the Enel file aside.
Then, he continued searching for the second file.
Then...
"..."
Roy fell silent.
The pile contained almost all the intel he requested, including legendary pirates.
But one name was missing, no matter how much he searched.
Rocks · D · Xebec.
"What's going on?"
Roy frowned.
Although that era had passed, Rocks' name still echoed on the sea.
Many veteran Marines and pirates had heard of him.
Logically, the World Government should have a file on Rocks, even if just for show.
Of course, Roy guessed part of it would be hidden—the part about 'God Valley'.
He had discreetly asked Viroth about this.
Though vague, the old Vice Admiral confirmed that Rocks' life likely ended at God Valley, just like in the original story. Viroth had never heard of Rocks reappearing afterward.
"Knowing his personality, if he survived, he would have turned the sea upside down," Viroth had said.
So Roy's original thought was simple.
Since Rocks died at God Valley, his message on Skypiea must predate that event—why would the Government erase such old records completely?
But the fact was before him.
All records of Rocks were thoroughly erased.
"Is the World Government that afraid of him?"
Roy frowned, putting down the files. He knew investigating through official channels would be difficult.
But he wouldn't give up.
"If I can't find it in the files, I'll start with people who might know."
He muttered.
Coincidentally—after the discovery on Skypiea, one of his clones had already set off.
And now...
"He should be arriving there."
Sabaody Archipelago.
This archipelago, formed by the seventy-nine roots of the world's largest mangrove, the Yarukiman Mangrove, was one of the most unique places on the sea.
It was the convergence point for pirates in 'Paradise' heading to the New World.
It was also one of the closest islands to Marine Headquarters and the Red Line.
Justice, evil, pirates, Marines, lawlessness, law—everything converged here.
Grove 13.
A bar named 'Shakky's Rip-off Bar' stood quietly.
"Hey! Boss lady—another drink! And... really can't drink with me? Mmph!"
Only one table was occupied.
A heavily tattooed, fierce-looking man was flirting with the proprietress, but his companion quickly covered his mouth.
"Oh my, I'm sorry—although my husband isn't around, it's not appropriate for me to drink with customers."
Behind the counter.
A woman with short black hair and sharp attire, holding a cigarette, spoke with a smile.
Though no longer young, traces of her youthful beauty remained.
"Hehehe... Shakky-san, don't mind him—he's new..."
The companion apologized awkwardly.
Shakky smiled, exhaling smoke. "I'm not unreasonable. Just pay a little extra for the drinks later."
"Of course... of course! Double! We'll pay double!"
The companion nodded profusely.
Shakky nodded and turned around. "Another drink, right..."
She paused mid-sentence.
Then...
"Phew."
She took a drag and spoke softly. "Customers, please leave."
"Huh?"
The companion was stunned.
Shakky looked at them. "I said... forget the bill—leave the bar immediately."
"Yes, yes!"
The companion quickly grabbed the fierce man and dragged him out.
Running until they were out of breath, they finally let go.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
The fierce man was dissatisfied. "Why run? She's just a woman..."
"Idiot!"
His companion punched him. "What do you know?"
He said coldly. "Do you know where we are? Grove 13 is in the Lawless Zone!"
Groves 1 to 29 of Sabaody were Lawless Zones.
Criminals, pirates, and bounty hunters roamed freely. Human auction houses and arms dealers operated here.
But...
"Even in a place like this, that bar has been open for years—do you understand?"
He looked at the fierce man with frustration. "Let me tell you, two years ago, a Supernova with a bounty of 120 million Berries, 'Glutton' Hughes, was instantly knocked out by her in that bar."
He pointed to his eyes. "I saw it myself!"
Speaking, he glanced back at the bar uneasily.
He saw the 'Closed' sign hanging on the door.
And inside the reflection of the window, light seemed to be shining.
Inside the bar.
"Phew... truly a rare guest."
Shakky put out her cigarette.
"Want a drink?"
She looked at the figure stepping out of the light in front of her.
Countless sparkling light particles converged to form his body, revealing the unique Bird Mask on his head.
"Ah, no thanks—I heard your drinks are expensive."
He answered casually. "And is it okay to chase customers away like that?"
"Lost some income, but can't be helped."
Shakky smiled. "After all, we're retired and don't want to be disturbed by the World Government—but if they knew you were here, trouble would be unavoidable, right?"
Her tone turned serious.
"But since you're not drinking—let's make it short. Why are you here?"
Her serious words invoked the name that the entire sea was watching.
The first member of 'The Zodiac', who robbed the Heavenly Tribute months ago and announced the organization's existence, shaking the world.
"The Zodiac... Yuji."
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