After dealing with the gangsters, they lay defeated before Shirakawa and the others.
"Those kids are pretty strong. They seem tougher than our country's soldiers," one of the gangsters remarked.
"Of course. They've both killed people before," Shirakawa replied casually.
"Killed people? At their age?" Catherine gasped. "What about you?"
The gangsters looked at Shirakawa with fear.
Shirakawa just smiled enigmatically. "Guess."
Catherine's heart sank. She had a feeling she knew the answer.
'He's killed someone too? He doesn't seem like the type...'
"Answer a few questions, and we'll let you go. But if you don't satisfy us..." Shirakawa trailed off, letting the threat hang in the air.
"Don't worry, sir! Ask away! I'll tell you everything I know!" the leader said eagerly, tears streaming down his face.
"Relax. It's nothing major. Just tell me, how many casinos are there in this city?"
"Seven."
"You seem to know a lot about them."
"To be honest, sir, there's not a place in this city I don't know. I've been to all those casinos, so I'm very familiar with them."
"Alright, get up."
"Thank you, sir!"
"Tell your friends to leave. You stay," Shirakawa ordered.
The gangsters scattered without hesitation, even before their leader could give the order.
"Those ungrateful bastards! I'll teach them a lesson when I get back!" the leader muttered, feeling betrayed.
"Sir, why can't I leave?" he asked Shirakawa cautiously.
"You said you're familiar with the casinos, right? We need a local guide."
'Damn it, I shouldn't have opened my big mouth,' the leader thought, realizing he had trapped himself.
"Alright, sir. Who do you want me to guide?"
"Let's go," Buggy said, kicking the leader's backside.
The first casino they visited was less than 500 meters away.
"You call this a robbery? We don't need to steal money to gamble," Shirakawa said, unimpressed.
The leader gave an awkward smile. Shirakawa had clearly seen through his plan.
They entered the casino without any trouble. The two guards at the entrance didn't even question them, likely recognizing the leader.
"Hey, Brother Wolf! Back again? Got some more money to lose?" someone called out to the leader.
"Get lost. I'm on business," the leader replied.
"Look at you, Mr. Popular," Shirakawa teased.
"Please, sir, there's no Brother Wolf here. People just call me that on the streets. Just call me Little Wolf."
"Little Wolf. That suits you."
"Thank you, sir."
"Enough flattery. Let's go."
"Aren't you going to gamble, sir?" Little Wolf asked, surprised that they were leaving without even playing.
"We're not here to gamble. We're looking for someone."
"Oh. Let's move on to the next one then."
The casinos were well-hidden. Shirakawa and the others would have never found them on their own.
After half a day, they had visited all seven casinos, but there was no sign of Rayleigh.
"Are you sure there are only seven casinos in this city?" Shirakawa asked Little Wolf.
"Absolutely," Little Wolf said firmly, not appearing to be lying.
"That's strange. Where else could the First Mate be if he's not at a casino?" the three boys wondered.
"There's also a large entertainment establishment that offers gambling," Little Wolf offered.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Buggy smacked Little Wolf on the head.
"Well... because they also offer... other services..." Little Wolf said, glancing at Catherine.
"What kind of services?" Shanks asked innocently.
"Shanks, it's better for you not to know about those things at your age," Shirakawa said, noticing Catherine's blush.
"Hmph. None of you are decent. Leading children astray," Catherine muttered.
"What is it?" Shanks persisted.
"You'll find out when you're older."
"I'm already grown up!" Shanks protested.
"No, you're not."
"Let's go, then. Take us there. I'm curious," Shirakawa said with a suggestive grin.
"Hmph. Pervert," Catherine muttered under her breath.
"I'm only a pervert to certain people. And you're not one of them," Shirakawa retorted.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
"Which is?"
"You should know."
"I'm not sure I do."
"Do I really have to spell it out for you?"
"Yes, please do."
"Fine. It means you don't arouse any desire in me."
"I don't arouse your desire? Are you blind? How could you not desire a natural beauty like this princess?" Catherine exclaimed, indignant.
"Do you really want me to desire you?" Shirakawa asked, pushing Catherine against a wall and leaning in close.
"Whoa!" Shanks and Buggy exclaimed, impressed by Shirakawa's sudden boldness.
"I didn't know Shirakawa had such a domineering side," Shanks said.
"Me neither," Buggy agreed.
Catherine was caught off guard, her eyes wide with surprise. Shirakawa's masculine scent and the faint fragrance of his cologne made her head spin.
"Well? Cat got your tongue? Do you want me to desire you?" Shirakawa repeated, his voice low and seductive.
"No! Get away from me!" Catherine pushed him away and pulled her scarf up, hiding her face.
"Alright, alright. You don't want me to desire you, and I won't. Happy now?" Shirakawa said, stepping back.
For some reason, he felt a pang of disappointment as he said those words.
'Maybe I am a bit of a jerk,' he thought to himself.