"What are we going to do for three years? Are we really stuck here?" Shirakawa asked Shanks and Buggy in disbelief.
"No. The longest I've ever stayed on an island was three or four months," Shanks said.
"Wait, Shanks, remember that island in the first half of the Grand Line where the Log Pose took a year to set? We only stayed there for two months before leaving," Buggy reminded him.
"Oh yeah, I think I remember that. How did we leave without the Log Pose being ready?"
"The Captain must have gotten an Eternal Pose for the next island."
"An Eternal Pose?" Shirakawa asked, confused.
"It's a special compass that always points to a specific island, no matter where you are," Shanks explained.
"So, do you think there's an Eternal Pose for the next island on this one?" Shirakawa wondered.
"Yes, there is," Catherine said confidently.
"How do you know?"
"There's one in the royal palace of my country."
"Really?"
"Of course. Why would I lie?"
"Who knows? You might have ulterior motives."
"You... Hmph!" Catherine turned away, offended.
"Should we tell the Captain about this?" Buggy asked.
"Definitely. We need to let him know we have a lead on the Eternal Pose, whether he already knows or not."
"But where do we find the Captain?"
"That's where you two come in. You're veterans. Surely you know where the Captain goes when we land on an island."
Shanks and Buggy exchanged awkward glances.
"We usually split up and explore on our own. Neither of us has ever followed the Captain around. So, what are his hobbies?" Shanks asked.
"If only the First Mate were here," Buggy muttered.
"The First Mate? Rayleigh? He's a womanizer, a drinker, and a gambler," Shirakawa recalled. "It's daytime, so he probably wouldn't be with women. We just ate, so he's not likely to be drinking. That leaves the casino."
"You're right. There's a good chance he's at the casino," Shanks agreed.
"We can find the First Mate with Observation Haki, and then he can lead us to the Captain."
"But what about her?" Buggy asked, pointing at Catherine, who was still sulking.
Catherine glanced at them, curious to see how Shirakawa would respond.
"We'll leave her here. She's just a burden. Besides, we know where the Eternal Pose is," Shirakawa said.
"Hey! How can you be so heartless? You're ungrateful, treacherous, and mean!" Catherine exploded.
"Hey, hey, I was just kidding," Shirakawa said, backpedaling. He realized he had gone too far.
"Hmph. Who knows if you were joking or not? I don't care. I'm sticking with you guys."
"Okay, okay. I was wrong, happy now?"
"Much better." Catherine patted Shirakawa's back approvingly.
"Alright, then let's all go together. Casinos are illegal, so there shouldn't be many. If we're careful, we shouldn't be discovered."
The four of them donned scarves to cover their faces. It looked a bit suspicious, but it would make them harder to identify.
"Do you two even know how to find a casino?" Shirakawa asked after they had been wandering aimlessly for a while.
"Nope. Not interested in that kind of stuff," Shanks said.
"Me neither. I like to keep my money to myself," Buggy added.
Buggy was a miser, and Shanks simply wasn't interested in gambling. His only passions were drinking and fighting.
"What about you?" Shirakawa asked Catherine.
"Do you think a princess would go to a casino?" Catherine retorted.
"Right. I knew it was pointless asking you."
Catherine fumed. 'Why is he so mean to me? He'll never find a girlfriend with that attitude.'
If Shirakawa knew what she was thinking, he'd probably abandon her on the spot. How could she curse him like that? Being single at twenty had been a sore spot for him in his past life.
"What about you? Do you even know where to find a casino?" Shanks asked Shirakawa.
"Of course I do."
"You do? You've been to a casino?" the other three asked in unison.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You don't seem like the type."
"But how would you know where it is if you've never been?" Buggy asked.
"Just follow me."
Shirakawa led them through a maze of narrow alleys.
"Can you really find a casino here?" Catherine asked doubtfully.
"Quiet. Just follow me."
"But we've been down this path at least twice. You're lost."
Just as she finished speaking, a group of men blocked their path, both in front and behind. The leader held a dagger.
"Speak of the devil," Shirakawa said calmly. He had been hoping to attract some unsavory characters.
"Shanks, Buggy, take care of these guys. Don't knock them out completely. I need to ask them some questions."
"Haha, it's better to ask a local for directions, isn't it, Shirakawa?" Shanks teased.
"Hand over your money, boys, and maybe we'll let you live," the leader demanded.
"You can have the money, but will you live long enough to spend it?" Shirakawa retorted.
"What did you say? Looks like you need a lesson. Boys, get them! We'll split the loot evenly!"
"Yes, boss!"
"Shirakawa, are you sure they can handle this? They look so young," Catherine whispered, concerned.
"Don't worry. If they can't even deal with these guys, they don't deserve to be on our ship."
Finally, it was Shirakawa's turn to say those words.