Chapter 152: Jabba and Shakky at Twin Capes!
Day and night, night and day, they alternated endlessly, though it was unclear when this cycle began. Yet, each night, the Starry Sky would present different changes, sparking a strong interest in studying the Star.
But for navigators uninterested in the Star, the night represented danger, risk, and adventure.
At this moment.
The Radiance provided by the Lighthouse would become an important Road Poneglyph for direction.
At Reverse Mountain on the Red Line, when Ship from the Four Seas ascended by following the Mountain Climbing Current and then rushed into the Grand Line on the torrent, they could always see two bright lights from below.
Although, ordinary people wouldn't choose to pass through Reverse Mountain at night.
Not far from Twin Capes, in the dark Sea Waves, a Whale floated on the Sea Surface, sleeping peacefully.
[Thump thump thump]
A Black Shadow appeared in front of the Small Stone House next to the Lighthouse and gently knocked on the door. When the person inside opened the door, the bright yellow light from within instantly illuminated the Face of the two people.
"It's you?"
A middle-aged man wearing a pink T-shirt paired with blue Shorts and a yellow-purple flower-shaped decoration on his head looked at the visitor outside the door in surprise.
"It's been over a year, Mr. Crocus."
"Jabba, you... what are you guys doing here?" Crocus thought for a moment, then stepped aside and said, "Come in first."
"Thank you."
The leading strong man seemed very respectful of the former. After saying thanks, he walked into the house, and the four people behind him followed suit.
These people were former Crewmate of the Roger Pirates.
Among them, Jabba, the leader, held a Status second only to Rayleigh on the Ship, the third-in-command. It was rumored that his Strength was on par with Rayleigh's.
But the exact truth was unknown to anyone.
"Yutou, Doringo, Petermu, Yanlong, how did you all gather together? I remember you all returned to your respective Sea Area, didn't you?"
Closing the door, Crocus turned around and looked at these people with confusion.
His Situation was different from theirs. Although he had been on the Roger Pirates' Ship for a while, strictly speaking, he wasn't a formal Crewmate. He was just a temporary Ship Doctor responsible for treating and suppressing Roger's Incurable Disease.
"Mr., you must have heard about Rayleigh's death in Mary Geoise, right?" Jabba asked with a heavy expression.
Crocus nodded and said, "Of course, all I've done all day is read the Newspaper and other Matter."
"Then you should know that Rayleigh isn't the type to be impulsive and reckless. He must have sensed that there was important Matter happening in Mary Geoise to risk sneaking in!"
"Indeed, I was also surprised by Rayleigh's actions when I saw the News. So, you guys are going to..." Crocus looked at them hesitantly, and a bad feeling suddenly arose in his Heart.
Jabba said.
"I contacted Shakky before, and she said Rayleigh felt that the source of the World Government's recent changes and the end of the Great Pirate Era planned by Captain Roger might be a certain person or Matter in Mary Geoise, which is why he risked going up to investigate."
"That's very likely..." Crocus mused, acknowledging the conjecture.
"But Rayleigh didn't manage to transmit the News he gathered in the end, so we want to complete this Matter on his behalf!" Jabba said with a determined Gaze.
"It's too dangerous. If Rayleigh couldn't do Matter, you guys might also..."
"I know, Rayleigh's Strength is Strong than mine, even Strong than a few of us, but we still want to try while we're in good condition. Otherwise, when we get older, we'll truly be Heart but unable."
As he spoke, Jabba exchanged glances with the other four and continued, "Even if we die, we want to die understandingly, and then before we die, pass the Truth to our other comrades!"
"Hmm, I suppose it's not just you guys, is it?" Crocus asked.
"Yes, the people willing to participate in this Operation are Mire Pine, MAX Marks, and Langram, but they aren't in the Four Seas, so we Promise to meet up on a certain Island in the Grand Line."
Crocus asked strangely, "Only eight people? Not even Spencer? Then who will formulate the Operation Plan for you?"
Spencer was equivalent to the Strategist of the Roger Pirates; many times, even Rayleigh had to act according to his plan.
"He got married, so he doesn't want to risk it with us, but he's willing to receive the Intelligence we gather and handle it optimally based on the Situation," Jabba said, sighing as he rubbed the back of his head helplessly.
"Sambell also refused. He's worried that if the Fish-Man Tribe were to sneak into Mary Geoise, it would bring great disaster to all Fish-man fellows, especially since Fish-Man Island and the World Government have just reached friendly Cooperation. Others also have their own difficulties, and I couldn't force them."
Crocus nodded in understanding.
"That's how it is... But you don't even have a target right now, just like Rayleigh before. You'll go to Mary Geoise without even knowing what to look for, and security there must have been strengthened now."
"Honestly, I don't recommend you go, because there's a high probability you'll sacrifice yourselves without finding anything!"
"But..."
"That's right, you're seeking death, and it won't have any meaning!"
Just as Jabba was about to say something else, the door behind them was pushed open with a bang, which greatly startled the people inside. They immediately drew their respective Weapon and turned around to be on guard.
Especially Jabba, who instantly drew the double axes from behind his waist and glared fiercely with both eyes. But upon seeing the figure walking in, his Killing Intent and Aura immediately dissipated.
"Sha, Shakky!!"
The person who arrived was none other than Shakky, dangling a Ladies' Cigarette. This Woman's temperament seemed to have changed; she no longer had the Gentleness and peacefulness of the Rip-off Bar owner, but instead had become stern and assertive.
"Rayleigh's purpose for sneaking into Mary Geoise was to figure out the source of the World Government's changes, not to seek death because he had nothing better to do, rushing to see Roger."
"..."
Jabba and the other four fell silent. They knew Shakky definitely had more to say.
"I want to get revenge for that Bastard Rayleigh, and while I'm at it, find out the Matter he wanted to know. That way, after I die, I can tell him in the Land of the Yellow Springs."
"But I need manpower, I need Expert. Do you want to come along?"
After speaking, Shakky took the Cigarette down and held it between two fingers, letting the smoke drift upwards. She stared intently into their Gaze. Jabba and the others looked at each other.
"Can you tell us how you plan to do it?"
"I've done some Research on the World Government's recent changes. Essentially, they've abandoned the High-Pressure Policy of the past few hundred years and are shifting towards a more gentle Low-Pressure Policy."
"This indicates that they've noticed the Citizens of the World Nations have reached a certain level of tolerance for tyranny, so they want to loosen the rope around their Neck a bit and incidentally improve the World Government's external impression."
"Slave Liberation is the sweetener they've thrown out. According to the Intelligence I have on hand, the World Government has already started working on the Reform of the Celestial Tribute System. It will most likely be an Agenda Item at the next Reverie."
After listening to Shakky's words, Yutou, who had a relatively naive and impulsive mind, asked doubtfully, "How does that sound like all good things?"