Chapter 11 - Ch 11 - Shakuyaku

"Hey everyone! 🎉 Let's give a huge, thunderous welcome to our newest adventurers, Legend Wolfpack Studios and Legend frandley mesidor! With them on board, our journey just got even more exciting and fun!"

🌟 These legends have taken the plunge, joined our exclusive crew, and are now getting all the extra perks and early access on this amazing journey!

Who's ready to follow in his and many others' footsteps? 😉 Don't miss out—there's a whole world waiting for you too!

***********************************

**Sabaody Archipelago** 

"W-Where are we?" Hancock asked in a nervous tone, clutching Luffy's hand tightly as a faint buzzing sensation faded. Her eyes were squeezed shut, but as the strange feeling subsided, she cautiously opened them. 

The sight that greeted her was unlike anything she had ever seen. Towering mangrove trees stretched hundreds of meters into the air, their roots sprawling like veins over the land. Floating bubbles shimmered and danced all around them, lazily drifting upward until they disappeared into the forest canopy. 

The festive sounds of life filled the air—a bustling crowd, laughter, and the clinking of goods being sold at the many stalls scattered about the area. 

The Gorgon sisters, still in their ragged slave clothing, gawked at the bubbles, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten. They had spent so much of their lives in misery and confinement that the wonder of this new world felt almost dreamlike. 

"This place... it's beautiful," Sandersonia whispered in awe. 

Marigold nodded. "I've never seen anything like it. The bubbles… they're everywhere." 

Luffy, however, wasn't admiring the scenery. He was slumped against a tree, drenched in sweat and visibly pale. His breathing was ragged, his usual exuberance nowhere to be seen. 

Marigold turned to him with concern etched across her face. "Hey, what happened to you? Why do you look so weak?" 

Both Hancock and Sandersonia snapped out of their daze at Marigold's words, their gazes locking onto Luffy's haggard form. 

"I'm fine," Luffy said with a tired grin, raising his hand as if to wave off their worries. "It's just… using my warp ability to travel tens of kilometers with all three of you… kinda took everything I had. Just give me a few minutes, and I'll be good as new." 

The casualness in his tone contrasted sharply with the effort it had clearly taken, leaving the sisters momentarily speechless. 

Hancock frowned, crossing her arms. "You shouldn't push yourself so recklessly. What if you collapsed completely? Then what would we do?" 

Luffy chuckled weakly, the sound slightly strained. "Then you'd have to carry me. But hey, I couldn't exactly leave you behind." 

Hancock's cheeks flushed faintly, though she quickly turned away to hide it. Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged knowing looks but said nothing. 

After about five minutes of rest, Luffy stretched his arms above his head and got to his feet. Though he still looked a little drained, his signature grin was back. "Alright! Let's get moving!" 

Hancock let out a soft huff, her lips curling into the faintest hint of a smile. "Just don't overdo it again." 

Luffy grinned at her, his expression as cheeky as ever. "What, worried about me?" 

Hancock stiffened, her cheeks darkening further. "D-Don't be ridiculous!" 

Marigold snickered softly, nudging Sandersonia. "Looks like someone's warming up to him." 

"Let's just get going," Hancock said sharply, marching ahead to hide her embarrassment. 

Luffy pulled out his **[Universal GPS]**, which displayed a map with their current location marked alongside their destination—a bar atop a small hill. 

"Alright, this way," Luffy said, extending his hand toward the sisters. "We'll warp again to save time." 

Sandersonia hesitated, but Hancock was already reluctantly reaching out. "If you collapse again, I swear—" 

"Relax," Luffy said with a wink. "I've got this." 

Another dizzying warp later, they found themselves at the base of a staircase leading up the hill. At the top, a building came into view, its wooden structure weathered yet sturdy. 

Luffy released their hands, taking a moment to steady himself. "Phew. See? Still standing." 

Hancock rolled her eyes, though she felt oddly relieved. "Barely." 

It took them five minutes to climb the stairs, during which Hancock kept glancing at Luffy out of the corner of her eye. He climbed ahead of them with ease, as though the earlier fatigue had never happened. 

Finally reaching the top, the group was greeted by a small, unassuming bar. The sign above the door simply read: **"Shakky's Rip-off Bar."** 

Luffy knocked twice on the door, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet surroundings. 

"The bar's open," came a charming, slightly amused female voice from inside. 

Luffy pushed the door open, stepping inside with a grin that immediately froze on his face. His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. 

A slender woman stood amidst a pile of unconscious bodies, holding a bloodied man by the collar. She exhaled a puff of smoke from her cigarette before lazily turning her gaze to the newcomers. 

The woman, Shakky, looked to be in her thirties. Her pink v-neck t-shirt, adorned with a black spider design, exposed her toned stomach. A black jacket with pink stripes hung loosely over her shoulders, while her giraffe-patterned pants and beaded necklace gave her an eccentric air. 

"Welcome," Shakky said casually, her voice calm despite the chaos around her. "What'll it be?" 

Luffy opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Behind him, the Gorgon sisters clung to each other, their eyes darting nervously between the unconscious bodies and the woman who seemed utterly unfazed by the carnage. 

Shakky raised an eyebrow, blowing out another puff of smoke. "Well? Don't just stand there, kid. If you're here for a drink, you're a few years too young." 

Luffy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not here for a drink, Shakky-san. I need your help." 

Shakky's curiosity was piqued. "Help, huh? What kind of help?" 

Before answering, Luffy stepped aside, motioning for the sisters to enter. Hancock and her siblings hesitated before cautiously stepping inside. Their eyes widened in horror at the sight of the unconscious men scattered across the floor, their bodies littered like broken toys. 

"Relax," Luffy said, offering the sisters a reassuring smile. He gently took Hancock's hand, giving it a light squeeze. "She's on our side." 

Hancock stiffened at the contact but didn't pull away. Instead, she glanced at Shakky, her wariness mingling with a flicker of hope. 

Shakky studied the sisters closely, her sharp eyes noting their ragged clothes and the brand marks faintly visible on their skin. She exhaled slowly, her expression softening ever so slightly. "I see… Escaped slaves, huh? Brave move, bringing them here, kid." 

"Yeah, well," Luffy said, scratching his cheek sheepishly. "I couldn't just leave them." 

Shakky's lips curled into an amused smile. "You're an interesting one, aren't you?" She turned to the sisters. "Take a seat. I'll clean up this mess, and then we'll talk." 

With practiced efficiency, Shakky dragged the unconscious bodies outside, leaving the group momentarily alone. 

Marigold leaned toward Luffy, whispering, "Are you sure we can trust her?" 

Luffy grinned. "Absolutely. She's got a sharp tongue, but her heart's in the right place." 

--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---

Thank you for being a part of this journey. May these stories bring excitement and inspiration to your life, and I look forward to bringing you many more adventures!

🔮 Myth Guild 🦉

Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley

Want to donate directly?

Visit: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley