Listening to the continuous roaring outside, Nicholas reluctantly used his pinky finger to clean his ears. He estimated that many of the unfortunate newcomers outside would disappear under the confrontation of the top strongmen in the sea this time.
"Hey, little Nicholas, long time no see. Let sister see if you've grown up."
As Nicholas walked towards the interior of the castle, a big beauty with a cigarette in her mouth and neat short hair suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Sister Shakky, we really aren't suitable."
Nicholas looked at the woman in front of him with a helpless expression. Although this woman had not yet teamed up with someone Who coated ship with bubbles at sabaody, who knows if the two of them are together now.
He didn't want to be remembered by a certain someone. After all, even in the New World, the Oro Jackson is one of the few terrifying crew capable of facing the Rox Pirates, and their captain's mind isn't all that sharp. Nicholas believed that if the hearty captain knew that his vice-captain's sweetheart had been kidnapped, he would definitely come looking for trouble.
"Tsk, I thought little Nicholas had gone out for a trip to become a real man, but it turns out he's still so immature. It's like two years ago, still a shy kid."
The woman took a deep drag on her cigarette, then blew smoke towards Nicholas' cheek before uninterestingly handing him the half-smoked cigarette.
All Nicholas could do was smile. After all, the woman in front of him could be considered one of his few bonds in the Rox Pirates, as she controlled all the intelligence sources and had helped Nicholas several times.
Just then, the castle beneath their feet suddenly shook.
"Are those idiots fighting again?"
Snap.
Shakky struck a match, lit her cigarette, listened to the noisy sounds outside, and the deafening roar, her brow furrowing involuntarily. Obviously, for someone who relied on her brains for a living, those brutes were not likable at all. Even the culture of the Rox Pirates was worthless in Shakky's eyes.
"Yeah, Whitebeard and Gold Lion are at it again. I guess they won't be able to determine the outcome for a while."
Nicholas listened to the roaring outside and, seemingly reminded of something, asked Shakky in front of him, "By the way, Shakky, did you find any news about Alchemy from the investigation I asked you about last time?"
"Huh..."
Shakky blew a smoke ring and leaned back comfortably.
"Kid, you're so interested in Alchemy. Do you also believe in the legend of immortality?"
"Hahaha~"
Nicholas didn't answer after hearing this but laughed first.
"Since you've chosen this sea, whether it's treasure, secret treasures, secret realms, All Blue, and all kinds of legends, aren't they what I'm pursuing?"
"What an interesting kid."
Saying that, Shakky took out a rolled-up map from her chest and threw it directly to Nicholas.
Then she walked towards the interior of the castle. "Little Nicholas, although there's no specific news about Alchemy based on the information I've gathered, that island seems to have been swallowed by some huge sea creature. Now only a small half-remnant remains there. If you're interested, you can go and take a look. Also, come to my room tonight. Sister has something to ask you."
As her voice gradually faded, Shakky's figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
"Hehehe, seems like you've heard some amazing news."
"Didn't expect Shakky to have such unique tastes."
"Wow, the little guy's expression is so scary."
With the voices, three figures appeared. One of them wore a kimono and could be described as having delicate features, smooth skin, charming eyes, and a smile like a spring breeze, which would not be an exaggeration according to the description in "One Piece."
Beside her was a woman with short golden hair, wearing a leopard-print coat and a red hat, and a middle-aged man in a kimono. However, what was strange was that his hands were always hidden in the wide sleeves, as if he didn't want others to see them.
"Three boring guys, I hope you can survive until next time we meet. After all, the captain's ambitions have been getting bigger and bigger lately. Don't die carelessly."
After saying that, Nicholas led Vista and the figure cloaked in a cape behind him towards the second floor of the castle. As for the other guys under his command, they weren't qualified to go to the second floor.
After bidding farewell to the three boring guys, Nicholas also arrived at the second floor of the castle. This was where the core strength of the entire Rox Pirates lay.
"XAhahahaha, Nicholas, didn't expect you to come so late this time. This speed doesn't quite match all your abilities, does it?"
A man about two meters tall, with his hair flying behind him, exuding a domineering aura, was sitting in the center of the throne, drinking from a bottle of wine. Beside him were several cool-looking beauties, one massaging him while the others licked the wine dripping down with their tongues.
"I encountered an interesting guy on the way, delayed me for a while."
Saying that, Nicholas walked towards a seat with a '7' marked on the back, while Vista and the cloaked figure stood silently on both sides behind him.
"Oh, what interesting guy? Tell me about it."
Sitting next to Nicholas, a man wearing a captain's coat and drinking from a bottle of wine asked curiously.
"It seems to be some kind of Encouragement Fruit user. Although his strength isn't much, the enhancement effect on his subordinates is significant. Many small fry with bounties of a million, under the influence of the fruit, can at least unleash several times their strength. And most importantly, under the influence of the fruit, those people don't even know what fear is. Captain John, this fruit seems quite suitable for you, given that you have quite a few pirates under you."
Nicholas said with some regret. In the Rox Pirates, it wasn't just about individual strength. If you have a large ship group of over ten thousand under you, you can also gain a good position within the Rox Pirates internally. After all, even if it's a ten thousand-strong small fry, as long as they are armed, they can be a good batch of cannon fodder.
Of course, the strength of the pirate who can command a ten-thousand-strong ship group is naturally not weak, and John, the captain, represents that. The pirates under his command largely constitute the bottom battle force of the Rox Pirates.
Hearing Nicholas' words, Captain John seemed to sober up a bit, and even stood up abruptly from his chair due to his haste.
"What!"
"Hey hey hey, I'm just saying that I crushed a small fry who dared to offend me. Do you need to be so nervous, Captain John? Or do you want to fight me?"
Nicholas propped his feet on the table in front of him and said indifferently.
"Hahaha~"
"John, looks like you're really unlucky."
Sitting beside him, a man of similar height to Vista, with a long beard, and a silver-armored knight-like figure, both burst into laughter, not aimed at Nicholas, but at Captain John.