One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

"Your captain is quite cute!"

There were only a few civilians in Shakky's Rip-Off Bar today. Normally, the place would be bustling with pirates, but ever since another Celestial Dragon was killed, the Navy presence on the island had intensified. With not just Vice Admirals, but Admiral Akainu himself stationed here, even the boldest pirates were lying low.

The bar was unusually quiet. Vane sat in a corner, eating silently. Kalifa was cooking for him, and although there was a bottle of wine on the table, the cork was untouched—Vane didn't drink.

"Cute?" Kalifa blinked at Shakky's comment, then nodded in agreement. "He really is."

Kalifa sat beside Shakky, her gaze drifting over to Vane, who sat about ten meters away.

"You young people live in such a wonderful world," Shakky sighed. Though she looked no older than forty, her true age exceeded sixty. Forty years ago, she was a pirate pursued by none other than Garp himself.

Kalifa asked curiously, "Shakky, haven't you ever considered getting married?"

"At my age? What would be the point?"

Kalifa smiled faintly, glancing back at Vane. "My captain's still young… probably doesn't understand a thing yet. All my efforts are wasted. But, oh well. Hard to explain in just one sentence."

At that moment, Vane looked up from his meal and waved Kalifa over. Of course, she came immediately.

"Yes, sir?"

"I'd like a glass of cold boiled water."

"Oh! Got it."

A moment later, Kalifa returned carefully holding a steaming cup.

"It's still hot… Let me cool it down for you."

She blew on it gently for nearly a minute, then handed the cup to him once it had cooled.

"Such a sweet pair," Shakky chuckled, watching the two in the corner with a knowing smile.

"All right," Vane said. "Sit. I've got something to tell you."

"Mm!" Kalifa sat down beside him, leaning in slightly.

Vane's voice was quiet, only audible to her. "You know who's outside?"

"Akainu, and some Vice Admirals like Mole and Ghost Spider… Don't tell me—"

Kalifa leaned closer, eyes wide.

"Did you kill the Celestial Dragon?"

"Yes," Vane replied calmly.

Kalifa had suspected as much. Who else in the world had the strength—and boldness—to kill a Celestial Dragon? In her heart, Vane wasn't just strong—he was unstoppable. Her loyalty had long since shifted. The World Government had trained her, yes—but now? Now she only wished to follow this man.

Life on the sea, away from the government's chains… wasn't that better? Every day on the ship, just her and Vane. She would cook, clean, wash clothes… even cover him with a blanket at night. One day, she'd become strong enough to be his right-hand woman.

She had a dream: to help Vane become the Pirate King.

"We leave Sabaody tomorrow," Vane said. "I already asked Rayleigh to handle the coating."

"Oh! What should I do?"

"Buy whatever you want here. You don't have to follow me. I plan to meet Akainu."

"What? I could help—"

"You're too weak. I can handle the ordinary soldiers with Conqueror's Haki. You wouldn't be able to fight even a Vice Admiral. Stay on the ship, or go shopping."

Kalifa pouted. "I'm not that weak…"

"You are," Vane said without hesitation.

Kalifa was left speechless. She couldn't exactly argue.

"What about Hina?" she asked hopefully. "There's a Marine Colonel named Hina. I think I could take her."

"No. Don't interfere. If I'm distracted, it could get dangerous. Just leave this to me."

"…All right. Be careful, sir."

Kalifa sighed. Vane didn't reply. He simply continued eating until the plate was clean.

This battle would mark his name.

He wasn't afraid of Akainu. So what if he was a Fleet Admiral candidate? Vane could take on anyone now.

Ten minutes later, Vane finished his drink, stood up, walked past Kalifa, and exited Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.

He was going to face an admiral.

"I want to meet Akainu myself," he muttered. "This is Sabaody. Once I make a name here, I'll enter the New World. I want every pirate to understand the difference between me and them."

Outside, chaos was brewing. The murder of a Celestial Dragon had triggered a full-scale lockdown. Marines swarmed the island, hunting for the killer. Vice Admirals Ghost Spider and Mole led the charge under Akainu's command.

Originally, they wouldn't have sent such firepower just for one Celestial Dragon. But reports hinted that Vane—infamous for his strength—was present. The Navy didn't want to take chances.

"All pirates must be eradicated," Akainu growled, clenching a cigarette that disintegrated instantly into ash in the heat of his magma-wreathed hand.

The Sabaody Archipelago was in crisis. The most ruthless admiral of the Navy was here. Pirates were being captured en masse. Those who didn't escape were thrown into chains.

Their next destination? Impel Down.

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Don't be shy, unleash those Powerstones! (⁠⊙⁠_⁠◎⁠)