Chapter 84: Trouble Under the Renown
"Sister Shakky, do you also know something?" Nicholas asked, looking at Shaki. As an Information Broker active on the Grand Line, Shaki clearly knew something, which is why she chose to retire in Shambles at such a young age.
"I don't know much about Celestial Dragon Stuff. After all, the Void Century in history is enough to erase many things. However, in some Ancient Ruins and Records of Ancient Races, I still found some things. Among the Celestial Dragons, there really are people who have achieved Immortality..." Seeming to recall something, Shaki didn't continue, but fell into silence. After all, Immortality is something only Gods can touch. And the Strength of someone who touches the realm of Gods is beyond her imagination. As the saying goes, sometimes the more you know, the more powerless you feel.
"Old Monster?" Nicholas muttered to himself. Actually, he could guess who Shaki was talking about – Im, the one even the Five Elders had to kneel before. The true King of the World, one could even say that the reason the Five Elders and even the Navy tolerated the Celestial Dragons was because of Im's existence.
"Old Monster, indeed a fitting description." As she said this, a self-deprecating look appeared on Shaki's face. "Looking back now, it was really too naive. The battles for supremacy among these Powerful Figures on the Grand Line, perhaps in the eyes of others, are just childish games, a little additive to pass the boring years." Shaki crushed the Cigarette that was about to burn to the end in the Cigarette Ash tray.
"Is that more interesting? If you compare the world to a game, how can the final boss at the end be weak?" To Shaki's surprise, Nicholas didn't feel fear upon hearing this news, but rather a sense of eagerness.
"Hahaha~" Seemingly infected by Nicholas, Shaki also laughed heartily, reaching out to pick up her Wine Glass, raising it towards Nicholas, and then drinking it all in one go. Then she said, "Little Nicholas is still the same as when we first met, not changed at all. But I'm very curious, why doesn't Little Nicholas, who has such spirit, have Conqueror's Haki?"
"Huh?" Hearing Shaki's words, Nicholas scratched his head and casually said, "Maybe it's because I don't have the ambition to dominate."
"Then what level is your Haki at now?" "Armament Haki is so-so, not top-notch, but not bad either. As for Observation Haki, top three in the world, maybe." "Remarkable." Shaki looked at the young man beside her, unable to help but sigh with emotion. At this age, to have such Strength, he already held a handful of trump cards. Nicholas smiled modestly.
Then the two of them chatted about some recent events on the Grand Line. Upon hearing that Captain John was hacked to death by his subordinates on a dark and windy night because of deceiving them, Nicholas laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair. Speaking of which, Captain John's Strength was actually not bad, but unfortunately, there were several subordinates whose Strength was close to his, so he carelessly fell.
"In the past, that guy often bragged about how many subordinates he had, and sometimes he would mock me for having too few subordinates, lacking prestige. But I never expected that as soon as everyone disbanded, he would be killed by his own men, hahaha..." Nicholas was clearly in a good mood. Shaki glanced at Nicholas, who was laughing without restraint, and lit another Cigarette. Nicholas was a bit stunned watching her. Wasn't she afraid of getting lung cancer with this kind of smoking? Smoke Man dared to smoke like that entirely because he had Devil Fruit Ability to back him up, but Sister Shakky smoking like this was a bit too arrogant.
"After the news of Captain John's death spread, a Treasure Map about Captain John also circulated. Now, many Pirates have set their sights on that Treasure Map. It is said that it is the wealth Captain John plundered throughout his life, and whoever can find it will become richer than a country." "Sister Shakky, don't fool me. Although Treasure and stuff sounds very much like a Pirate story, you and I both know that John's Treasure was almost entirely used to maintain his huge Pirate Fleet's expenses. If there weren't enough Benefits, why would those guys listen to John? Because of Captain John's soft Buttocks? The so-called great Treasure is just to deceive some Pirates who don't understand the situation." Nicholas said, directly making a lewd joke.
Shaki didn't mind, just suddenly said, "Little Nicholas, are you returning to the first half of the Grand Line this time to prepare to advance to the New World to compete for supremacy?" "No." Nicholas shook his head.
"I do plan to take my Crew member to the New World, but not to compete for supremacy, but to fish in troubled waters. After all, the New World can be said to be a mixed bag now, and at least the Navy temporarily doesn't have the energy to interfere in the New World's affairs."
"Indeed, now that the Rocks Pirates have disbanded, the New World is in turmoil. The battles between Powerful Figures like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Roger, Charlotte Linlin, and Redfield, who has been in the limelight recently, can be said to have turned the New World upside down. In addition to these Monsters, Kaido, who used to follow Big Mom, has also mixed with the Kurozumi Siblings. Many quite Potential young people have also appeared in the Four Seas." After speaking, Shaki also looked at Nicholas with a smile and said, "Of course, there's also Little Nicholas, who is about to enter the New World."
"Nicholas, when you go to the New World, you probably have to solve some small troubles on the Island first." "For example?" Nicholas looked at Shaki curiously. Shaki exhaled a puff of Smoke and said with a smile, "For example, the five Supernova with bounties over 100 million this year, they have actually been here for a while, but after completing the Coating of their Ships, they did not immediately go to Fish-Man Island, but chose to stay on the Island. Do you know why?" Nicholas shook his head upon hearing this.
Shaki's smile deepened, and she said seriously, "Because, they are specifically waiting for you. They know you are going to the New World again with your Crew member, so they plan to use your head as a Gift for them to enter the New World." "Specifically waiting for me, just to kill me? Where did they get the confidence?" Nicholas was quite surprised. He had never paid attention to the so-called Supernova every year. The opponents in his eyes should at least be at Kaido's level, right? So he never expected Supernova to target him.
Shaki nodded and explained, "The newcomers who can become Supernova every year are not simple characters. And you are younger than them, but your reputation is so great, it will naturally attract their attention." "What kind of reason is that? Aren't Roger and Whitebeard's reputations even greater?" Nicholas was speechless at this point.
Shaki laughed and said, "It's very simple. They know that Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Roger are not easy to fight, and you look young, so your Strength must be a bit weaker than others. It's not surprising that they would think this way. They must have regarded you as a stepping stone. After all, the fastest way to become famous is to kill Powerful Figures, and then step on the Powerful Figures' reputation to reach the top." "..." Nicholas suddenly felt hurt. Was it his fault for being young?
Shambles Archipelago, One-Day Girlfriend Shop on Tree Island 72. A handsome man was flirting with a dozen women around him. At this moment, a man walked in. "Captain, Navy Vice Admiral Dorag's Warship has appeared in Shambles Archipelago!" "Hmm?" The man's expression changed slightly, and his eyes suddenly became sharp. He had also heard of the reputation of this new generation Powerful Figure of the Navy.
At the same time. The Supernova in Shambles Archipelago all learned of Dorag's appearance. However, everyone did not choose to leave, but became low-key and continued to patiently wait for their Prey. "Why isn't that guy here yet!" They were already getting impatient.
(Also, Elden Ring is really fun.) (End of Chapter)