Chapter 201 Shakky and Rayleigh
Sabaody Archipelago, Sector 13.
Hancock and her two companions looked at the "Shakky's Rip-off Bar" ahead with puzzled expressions, wondering why they were back in Amazon Lily.
Aoki didn't explain, but simply led the three of them over and pushed open the door.
The bar was empty, with only two people inside.
An old man with gray hair and shabby clothes, and a tall, thin woman with short black hair, whose age was hard to tell.
"Both of them are here, looks like we're in luck."
Rayleigh and Shakky turned their heads when they heard the voice, and then their faces showed surprise.
"A very important person has arrived!" Shakky smiled.
Aoki had regained his original appearance and humbly said, "You flatter me."
Rayleigh's eyes held a strange glint.
Yesterday, he had realized that his momentary craving for food had stirred up some trouble, but he hadn't expected this young man to be in such deep trouble.
Killing Celestial Dragons—most people wouldn't even dare to dream of such a thing,
including many ruthless criminals.
This young man not only thought of it, but he did it, and he killed more than ten Celestial Dragons in one go.
"I'm here today to ask you two for help,"
Aoki said, stepping aside to reveal Hancock and the other two behind him.
Their gazes towards Rayleigh and Shakky were filled with wariness and suspicion.
Rayleigh and Shakky could sense the emotions of the three.
However, given their status and age, they naturally wouldn't stoop to the level of a few little girls. They simply looked at Aoki with suspicion, waiting for his further explanation.
"There was some chaos in Mary Geoise yesterday, as you two should know. They escaped from Mary Geoise!"
Aoki said, and before Rayleigh and Shakky could react, he immediately dropped a second bomb.
"They're all from Amazon Lily!"
Shakky, who had been nonchalant, sat up abruptly. "You said they're from somewhere?"
"Amazon Lily!" Aoki said.
Shakky frowned, her face serious, and looked at Hancock and the other two. "What are your names?"
Hancock looked at Aoki.
Aoki explained, "She's the former Amazon Lily, the former emperor, you can trust her."
Everyone looked surprised.
Hancock and the other two hadn't expected to encounter members of the Amazon Lily's clan in the outside world, especially a former emperor.
Shakky and Rayleigh were surprised that Aoki knew this.
While it wasn't exactly a secret, it was indeed known to very few.
Shakky had been away from Amazon Lily for decades; probably few people on Amazon Lily even knew her name anymore.
Hancock said, "My name is Boa Hancock, and these are my sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold.
We all come from Amazon Lily. Three years ago, we were on the Kuja Pirates' ship…"
Her face paled.
Aoki interrupted her.
"We've come here today hoping you can help them return to Amazon Lily."
Shakky didn't ask further.
She knew all too well what escaping from Mariejois meant.
At the same time, she understood why Hancock and the other two trusted this "Dragon King" so much.
"No problem! Leave this to me!"
Shakky said seriously. "Also, thank you, Brother Dragon King!"
Aoki's lips twitched, and he quickly said, "Just call me Aoki. Also, I'd like to ask you about something."
In this world, gathering intelligence is no easy task.
There are only a handful of forces in the world with the best intelligence capabilities.
The World Government is the strongest, without a doubt. In the world of pirates, the Big Mom Pirates are considered the industry benchmark.
However, neither of them are suitable partners for him.
While Shakky isn't exactly a top intelligence strategist, her information network far surpasses his.
"Please speak, whatever I know, I will tell you everything!" Shakky said.
Aoki glanced at Rayleigh.
Rayleigh recalled their conversation from the previous night.
If he thought he could get information from Shakky, he was mistaken. Shakky didn't know anything about Laugh Tale; she hadn't told anyone the truth of history.
It concerned the future of the entire world.
Not only him, but none of the former members of Roger's Pirates would reveal a single detail.
Aoki looked at Shakky: "Do you have any information about Nico Robin?"
"Nicole Robin?"
Shakky was taken aback: "The Devil's Child, a remnant of Ohara?"
"That's right."
"Why do you want to know about her?"
"I have something I need her help with."
Shakky pondered for a moment: "I only know that Nico Robin appeared in Barabio in the West Blue last year, causing a commotion, and then quickly disappeared.
However, the World Government's bounty is still on her; she should be alright, just hiding again."
"Barabio?"
Aoki noted the location.
Although it was outdated coordinates, at least he had a direction.
He looked at Rayleigh: "Lord Hades, I have a favor to ask of you. If you agree, the cost of the drinks will be settled."
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses: "Isn't sending them back to Amazon Lily enough?"
Aoki smiled: "That's between Hancock and Shakky, what does it have to do with us?"
Rayleigh shook his head and laughed: "Alright, what is it?
However, I'm just an ordinary retired old man now, with only a little bit of coating skills. If your request is too unreasonable, I can't fulfill it!"
"It's nothing too troublesome."
Aoki pointed to Hancock: "I want you to teach her Haki!"
Rayleigh was taken aback, looking him over: "Why don't you teach her yourself?"
"Because I don't know it!"
Aoki said frankly.
Rayleigh was even more surprised.
What top-tier powerhouse in this world doesn't possess an aura of dominance?
While Devil Fruits are powerful, no one can reach the top solely through them.
Could Aoki's strength be weak?
That's even more impossible!
He wreaked havoc in Mariajoia, killing over a dozen Celestial Dragons, and escaped unscathed—very few in the entire world could accomplish that!
Hancock tugged at Aoki's sleeve.
Aoki looked down.
Hancock frowned, glancing at Rayleigh, her beautiful face filled with resistance.
"Aoki, I don't want to learn from him!"
Aoki paused for a moment, then quickly realized what she meant.
In the original story, Hancock and Rayleigh were close because Rayleigh and Shakky rescued them from danger and took them back to their hometown.
To her, Rayleigh was a trustworthy benefactor.
However, now that she has taken that role, claiming most of the credit for Rayleigh and Shakky's actions,
given Hancock's aversion to men, she naturally wouldn't feel any closeness to Rayleigh.
(End of Chapter)