The news about the Treasure Tree Adam was worth him making a move. After all, even if he tried to track down this intel himself, it would take quite a bit of effort.
"But why should I help you? You do realize that if I get involved, it'll require compensation of equal value."
Morgans spoke to Shirakawa, his expression completely unfazed. Right now, Shirakawa was the one asking him for a favor, so he could afford to be a little arrogant.
"Then what do you want?" Shirakawa fixed his eyes on Morgans, asking him seriously.
"I want to publish the news that you're still alive." Morgans locked eyes with Shirakawa just as intently, enunciating every word.
"Impossible."
Shirakawa rejected it without even thinking. If the Navy got word that Shirakawa was still alive, it wouldn't just be about him — his comrades scattered all across the world could end up being targeted by the Navy.
"Of course, I won't directly report that you're alive. I'll only hint at it from a sidelong angle."
Hearing this, Shirakawa hesitated. As long as there was no concrete proof that he was still alive, the Navy probably wouldn't expend manpower on him for the time being.
After all, these past few days had seen a massive surge in pirates. The Navy's forces had long since been dispersed across the globe — especially with people who'd already been planning to set sail, some even murdering local nobles before heading out to sea.
All so they'd have a bounty on their heads and a bit of notoriety the moment they launched.
At that moment, Rayleigh patted Shirakawa on the shoulder from behind and gave him a nod — likely signaling that he should agree to Morgans' proposal.
After all, Rayleigh knew just how extraordinarily rare a material the Treasure Tree Adam was. Back when they were in the Roger Pirates, they'd gone through no small amount of trouble trying to get their hands on it.
"I agree — but only after I've obtained the Adam."
"Well, that's no problem at all. But before that, allow me to take a few photos of you."
With that, Morgans pulled a camera out from within his plumage and snapped a few shots of Shirakawa's back. Then he had Shirakawa put on his mask and took several more photos.
"You really do carry that thing on you at all times."
"Of course I do — it's my bread and butter." After finishing the photos, Morgans tucked the camera right back into his feathers. Shirakawa genuinely wanted to see just what the hell was hidden inside all that plumage.
Still, Shirakawa had glanced at the photos Morgans took of him. He had to admit, the guy was a true professional. Even though the shots were taken up close, they looked exactly like covert surveillance photos.
Someone who wasn't familiar with him definitely wouldn't recognize Shirakawa from those pictures. Only those who'd once been crewmates of the Roger Pirates might be able to identify him.
"That works out fine. At least this way, they won't have to keep grieving over me."
Shirakawa didn't even need to think about it — he knew that when word of his death had spread, plenty of people must have shed tears for him.
"Now that you've taken your photos, how about telling me the information about Adam?"
"Give me three days. Three days from now, right here — I promise I'll give you a satisfactory answer."
Morgans held up three fingers toward Shirakawa. He didn't normally keep tabs on the Treasure Tree Adam, so he'd need to start investigating right away.
"Fine. Three days from now, I'll be waiting for you here."
With that, Morgans drained the wine in his glass in one gulp and left.
"Rayleigh — is he really trustworthy?"
Once Morgans had completely exited the bar, Shirakawa asked Rayleigh.
"Relax. His character is entirely reliable. After all, he'd never do anything to ruin his own reputation."
"Good, then."
That night, Shirakawa stayed over at Rayleigh's place. He had no idea whether his presence there had interrupted any... business between Rayleigh and Shakky.
In any case, by the next morning, the look Rayleigh was giving Shirakawa was distinctly odd, tinged with a hint of resentment.
The night before, when Shirakawa had asked to stay over, Rayleigh had agreed without a second thought. But when it came time to sleep, it dawned on him — Shirakawa's strength was no joke now. If he made any noise, it would absolutely be heard.
He might even get mocked for it. So last night, he'd forcibly held it all in.
"What's the matter, Rayleigh?" Shirakawa stretched luxuriously and addressed Rayleigh. That look in Rayleigh's eyes was honestly making him pretty uncomfortable.
"Nothing. Did you sleep well last night?"
"I slept fantastically. With you in the next room, even my safety was guaranteed — what's not to sleep well about? Honestly, last night was the most comfortable sleep I've had this whole stretch."
"Oh. Well, I slept terribly last night."
Rayleigh's tone was gloomy.
"Why?" Shirakawa asked, baffled. He hadn't done anything last night, so how had Rayleigh ended up sleeping so miserably?
"Because last night, you were staying next door."
After saying this, Rayleigh took off. Judging by how hurried he looked, he was probably off to indulge himself somewhere again.
"What's with him?"
Hearing Rayleigh's words, Shirakawa was completely bewildered. He turned to Shakky, who had just emerged.
I stay next door to you and I sleep great, but you stay next door to me and you can't sleep well?
"Who knows? Maybe he's a little... overheated."
Shakky slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, addressing Shirakawa.
"Though honestly, I didn't sleep all that well last night either."
After saying her piece, Shakky turned and headed back into the bar.
"What the hell — what's with you two? Fine, I'll move out and stay somewhere else tonight, alright?"
Shirakawa suddenly felt like his rapport with Rayleigh had thinned out. Yesterday, everything had been perfectly fine — how come today, they were suddenly so unwelcoming?
Hearing Shirakawa's words, Shakky, now stepping back inside, allowed a faint smile to grace her lips.
But for now, Shirakawa had nothing to do anyway, so he decided to go out for a stroll. Who knew, maybe he'd run into something interesting.
He headed straight for the sub-30 numbered zones. After all, this was the most entertaining part of the entire Sabaody Archipelago. Mask on, Shirakawa walked with a stride that said he didn't give a damn about anyone.
After all, no one here knew his identity, right? He could afford to swagger around a bit.
Almost without realizing it, Shirakawa gradually made his way to the port. There, he spotted three pirate ships slowly sailing toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
"This year's rookies?"
Shirakawa muttered to himself. He had no memory of these three pirate crews, but judging by the standard lineup of personnel on their ships, their scale seemed considerable. They probably had some real strength.
Could even be this year's Supernovas.
"More pirates with bounties over a hundred million are coming here... what the hell is going on this year?"
A resident of the Sabaody Archipelago said wearily. They were fortunate to be so close to Navy Headquarters; otherwise, they'd truly be living in constant danger.
Hearing that remark, Shirakawa grew even more confident in his guess. The three pirate crews approaching were indeed this year's Supernovas. After all, only pirates with bounties exceeding one hundred million could be called Supernovas — and only they could barely qualify to catch Shirakawa's eye.
/-\
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