Vista and his companions walked unimpeded and soon arrived at Shakky's Shakedown Bar.
Shakky's bar was built on the exposed roots of the Yarukiman Mangrove, resembling a small hill. In front of the bar, a wooden staircase was specially constructed to lead directly to the bar above the roots. It was the only building in the entire root area.
As the three entered the bar, Shakky greeted them with a smile, "You're here. Your coated ship is ready."
Her gaze swept past Vista and finally settled on Yamato, who was curiously examining her surroundings while carrying a spiked club.
"Shakky," Vista said, showing a simple and honest smile.
"So, this is Shakky..." Yamato said, eyes wide with curiosity. She had heard of this person from her seniors before her "journey." She wondered if Shakky was really as humorous as Katie had described.
"Shakky!? Is that really you?!" Tom exclaimed, looking at Shakky in surprise.
"Oh, Tom, long time no see," Shakky replied with a smile, a cigarette in her hand.
"Uncle Tom, you know her?" Yamato asked, confused.
"Yes, I know her. I just didn't expect that the shipbuilding apprentice who struggled in Water 7 would become a world-renowned legendary shipwright," Shakky teased, looking at Tom.
Shakky's words seemed to stir old memories for Tom, who scratched the back of his head with his large hand, a little embarrassed.
"By the way, you must be Yamato, the one June mentioned. You've grown well, unlike that little Katie who seems to have no prospects," Shakky said with an aunt-like smile.
"The commotion from that battle earlier was pretty big," Shakky said, looking at Vista. As a former Rocks Pirate, she managed to run a bar in the Sabaody Archipelago for years, relying on her connections and top-notch intelligence.
Vista nodded, "Yes, it was the Navy Admiral Aokiji fighting a kid who plays with fire. I didn't expect Aokiji to become an admiral."
Speaking of this, Vista seemed a bit nostalgic.
"Yeah, if little Nicholas were here, the sea would be even more chaotic. After all, that kid from the Roger Pirates is now one of the Four Emperors," Shakky said, leaning her elbow on the bar and reminiscing with a cigarette in her hand.
"With your strength, Vista, don't you want to try becoming the Fifth Emperor?" Shakky teased.
"The Fifth Emperor isn't for me. I'll only follow my captain," Vista said, downing his drink in one gulp.
"It's hard to believe, isn't it? Rocks, Shiki, Redfeld, Roger, little Nicholas, these legendary figures are either dead or disappeared. It's really quite nostalgic," Shakky said, exhaling a puff of smoke.
Thud, thud...
At that moment, someone pushed open the bar door.
"Shakky's Shakedown Bar? What a strange name."
"Hey, Ace, this place looks suspicious. Don't just barge in!"
"Yeah, Ace, the Sabaody Archipelago is too dangerous right now. We should finish coating the ship and head to the New World..."
As soon as they entered the bar, the Spade Pirates crew saw Vista and his companions sitting at the bar. The unexpected encounter made them lower their voices.
They had seen firsthand how even the Navy Admiral Aokiji had retreated before this man.
Shakky was also subconsciously seen as an unfathomable powerhouse by the crew. After all, only strong individuals could speak equally with other strong individuals.
Deuce thought, "Damn, did we hit the jackpot again?"
"What would you like to drink?" Shakky asked with a smile, seeing the new customers.
"Boss, six glasses of Volcano Whiskey and a hot milk," one of the pirates ordered.
Ace cheerfully ordered, paying no mind to Vista nearby.
"Ace, I don't want milk. I'm not a child; I want to drink too!" Ensign Isuka, dressed in her Navy uniform, slapped Ace on the head, annoyed.
"Hey, hey, show some ladylike behavior, Isuka. You'll never get married like this," Deuce joked, knowing everyone on their ship was aware of Isuka's special feelings for Ace, except for Ace himself.
Soon, Shakky placed the glasses of whiskey and the hot milk on the bar in front of them. "Thank you for your patronage. That'll be one hundred million Berries," she said, a cigarette between her fingers and a smile on her face.
"What?!" Ace, Deuce, and Isuka spat out their drinks in shock.
"Say that again... How much?!" Deuce asked, incredulous. Six glasses of whiskey and a hot milk for one hundred million Berries seemed like robbery.
Shakky calmly repeated, "Your total is one hundred million Berries. Is there a problem?"
"I want to see the price list!" Deuce demanded loudly. With Vista sitting there, they couldn't possibly resort to violence.
"Sorry, we don't have a price list, dear," Shakky replied nonchalantly.
"This is a scam, an outright scam," Isuka protested loudly.
"Oh, are you planning to dine and dash?" Shakky's gaze became dangerous. Though she wasn't the strongest on her former ship, she could handle a few rookies who hadn't even entered the New World.
Seeing Shakky's intimidating look and sensing the temperature drop, Deuce quickly spoke up. "It's not that we don't want to pay; it's just that your prices are unreasonable. Where does a glass of whiskey cost over ten million Berries?"
"Yeah, mister over there, don't you think these prices are unreasonable?" Isuka sought Vista's support, hoping his backing would make Shakky reconsider.
"I think the prices are quite reasonable, especially since I don't have to pay," Vista replied, leaving Isuka stunned. Yamato couldn't help but laugh at Isuka's dumbfounded expression, amused by this side of Vista.
"Vista, you're quite the clever one. But considering little Nicholas, your drinks are on the house," Shakky said with a smile.
"We don't have any money," Ace bluntly admitted. "But when we do, we'll definitely pay you back."
"You really are like that guy," Shakky said, lighting another cigarette. She took out a photo and a letter from a drawer, placing them on the bar.
Everyone looked at the photo, which showed Roger with the towering trees of a distant island behind him and the rest of the Roger Pirates in the background.
"Someone asked me to give this to you, provided you made it to the Sabaody Archipelago," Shakky said, her eyes looking out the window.
"Hm?" Ace glanced at the photo, then picked up the letter, opened it, and began reading.
The rest of the Spade Pirates noticed Ace's unusual demeanor and refrained from asking about the letter.
After a moment, Ace's hand ignited, burning the letter to ash, which drifted to the floor.