On the way to Shakky's bar.
Kaku rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "The area around Red Trees 1 to 29 is supposed to be pretty chaotic. If a bar can survive in the 13th district, it must not be that simple."
"So what?" Enel lazily replied, "Even if it's a shady place, do you really think they could scam us?"
"Hahaha, you're right," Kaku laughed, glancing at Takumi who was walking ahead of them. "With the strength of the Thunder God and myself, and with Takumi around, there's no way we'd get the short end of the stick."
Takumi ignored them and kept walking.
Soon, they arrived at a small, dome-roofed building.
The upper part of the building was covered with vines, and the place looked rather old, as if it had been there for years.
"This bar looks pretty rundown…" Enel muttered in disgust.
Takumi simply pushed the door open and entered.
Behind the semicircular bar in front of the door stood a woman with short black hair, wearing a spider-patterned shirt. She looked to be in her early thirties, smoking a cigarette while reading a magazine.
This was the owner of the bar, Shakky!
Despite looking like she was in her thirties, she was actually nearing sixty years old.
"Welcome. What would you like to order?" Shakky asked as she heard the bell over the door ring. She put down her magazine and looked at the three of them.
"It looks like an ordinary little bar," Enel scoffed. "Get me a freshly squeezed apple juice."
"I'll have some tea," Kaku followed up.
"Wine," Takumi said.
"Got it. Have a seat," Shakky responded as she turned to prepare their drinks.
Everything seemed peaceful and normal.
Takumi led Enel and Kaku to sit down at the bar.
Before long, Shakky brought over their drinks. Leaning against the bar, she rested her head on one hand, a cigarette between her fingers, while her eyes swept over the three of them.
"You're new to Sabaody, right? This your first time here?" Shakky asked casually.
Since neither Enel nor Takumi spoke, Kaku replied, "Yes, we're just here on vacation."
"Oh, vacation?" Shakky took another drag from her cigarette and continued, "I've had many customers, most of them pirates. It's been years since I've seen travelers like you. Usually, tourists stick to the safer areas between Red Trees 40 and 49. Very few wander into the lawless 1 to 29 districts. Looking at you all, I doubt you're here by mistake. If you really are tourists, then you're either here to meet someone or wait for someone, right?"
Kaku was surprised at how quickly Shakky had deduced that.
Takumi took a sip of his drink, and as he placed his glass down, he calmly asked, "When will Rayleigh be back?"
"Ah, so you're looking for him," Shakky straightened up and tossed her cigarette into the ashtray beside the bar. She didn't seem the least bit surprised that Takumi was looking for Rayleigh. "That old guy went out earlier today. Typically, when he heads out, he doesn't come back for months."
Before she could finish speaking, the bell above the door rang again.
"Well, look at that, he's back," Shakky glanced at the door before lighting another cigarette.
Rayleigh strolled into the bar with an easy smile. Glancing at the three of them, he grinned and said, "So these two are your crew members?"
"Yeah," Takumi nodded lightly, pointing first to Enel on his left. "This is Enel."
Then, gesturing to Kaku on his right, he added, "And this is Kaku."
"Nice to meet you both," Rayleigh greeted them with a smile, before teasing Takumi, "It must be tough working for this little brat, huh?"
"It's not so bad," Kaku chuckled.
Enel scoffed, "Tough? If you're saying that, you must be asking to get punched."
No sooner had Enel finished his sentence than Takumi delivered a punch straight to his head.
"Ouch!" Enel howled in pain as a large bump instantly formed on his head.
Kaku couldn't help but chuckle, "Serves you right!"
"Hahaha!" Rayleigh burst into laughter. "Takumi, your crew sure is amusing."
Then, Rayleigh turned to Enel, still smiling. "Hey, young man, mind giving this old guy your seat?"
"No way!" Enel, still nursing his bruised head, wasn't in the mood to play nice. "There are plenty of empty seats around here, why do you need mine? You're just looking for trouble, aren't you?"
"No, no," Rayleigh waved his hand dismissively. "I just want to sit next to Takumi."
"No way!" Enel stood his ground. "Don't push your luck, or I might fry you with my lightning!"
"Hey, Enel, that's going a bit far. This old man knows Takumi, so he's probably not just any ordinary guy," Kaku whispered to Enel.
Enel hesitated for a moment, then asked Rayleigh, "Are you a marine?"
Rayleigh shook his head, "Nope."
"Are you a pirate?" Enel followed up.
Rayleigh smiled, "I retired a long time ago."
"Well, if you're not a marine and just some old retired pirate, then what's the big deal? Long-nose, you're such a coward!" Enel declared confidently, "I could take down ten old guys like him at once."
Takumi nearly choked on his drink at Enel's words.
Wow.
Take down ten Rayleighs? Since when were you that strong?
Rayleigh couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha! You're an interesting one, aren't you? You must be pretty strong."
"Of course," Enel said proudly. "I'm the Thunder God!"
"Hahaha," Shakky joined in the laughter. "What a cocky little brat. Ah, to be young and fearless."
Enel: "..."
Takumi sighed, glancing at Enel. "Just give him the seat."
Enel blinked in confusion. "Why me? Why can't Kaku give up his seat?"
"I don't mind," Kaku said, standing up and motioning to Rayleigh. "You can sit here, old man."
Rayleigh had been about to tease Enel a bit more, but seeing Kaku already standing, he decided to let it go. "Thanks, long-nose kid."
"No problem," Kaku smiled politely. "It's only right."
"How old are you, kid?" Shakky asked, glancing at Kaku while puffing on her cigarette.
Kaku scratched his head, embarrassed. "In a month, I'll be eighteen."
"Oh? Your mannerisms are quite interesting," Shakky commented with a smile.
Kaku chuckled awkwardly, "It's just a habit, haha…"
"By the way," Shakky glanced at the drinks they had ordered and casually said, "Since you're friends of Rayleigh's, I'll give you a discount. Just give me 100,000 Berries."