Chapter 6: Shakky, Will You Join My Crew?

At Sabaody Archipelago.

"Clothes, pants, shoes… Kuke likes grilled meat, especially Sea King meat. Make sure we have plenty of grilling supplies."

Hancock was on a shopping spree.

Her two younger sisters watched her in disbelief.

Everything she bought was related to the captain.

All the clothes were men's.

"Sister, don't we need clothes too?" they asked.

"Having a spare change is enough," Hancock replied.

"But we don't even have spare clothes! You've bought nearly thirty sets for the captain. We can't carry anymore," the sisters complained.

Hancock paused for a few seconds, clearly reluctant. "Fine, I'll buy you each one set. Just one."

"And what about you, Sister?" they asked.

"I don't need any," Hancock responded, still focused on finding more things Kuke could use in the store.

She continued her shopping spree.

Meanwhile, a group of Marines burst out of the naval base on Sabaody Archipelago.

"We have orders from above. Anyone arriving at the archipelago today is to be detained. Strip them down. If they have the 'Hoof of the Celestial Dragon' mark, arrest them immediately. If not, let them go. Understood?" commanded Vice Admiral Onigumo, leading the mission.

"Move out!"

...

On the other side of the archipelago.

Gion threw a group of unconscious pirates off a ship.

She examined the ship with satisfaction. "A newly built pirate ship. Not bad."

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The Den Den Mushi in her pocket began to ring.

Upon answering, there was a moment of silence before Sengoku's voice, strained but calm, asked, "Vice Admiral Gion, any updates? Have you apprehended the criminal, Kuke?"

At Navy Headquarters, Sengoku had already broken several teacups in his frustration.

The Five Elders had just given him a scolding of a lifetime.

They had issued a direct order to the Navy: as long as Kuke remained at large, the Government's shame would deepen by the day.

But the vastness of the sea made finding him difficult.

Sengoku had pinned his hopes on Gion, who had pursued Kuke from the start.

"Not yet," Gion replied.

"Where are you now?" Sengoku pressed.

"I should be near the waters around Conch Island," she answered.

Sengoku quickly checked the map. Conch Island was in the early parts of the New World, which aligned with his expectations.

Kuke was undoubtedly heading into the New World, where the Navy's influence was weaker. The chaotic seas made it difficult to launch a large-scale pursuit.

"Gion, stay on him. I'll send reinforcements immediately."

"No need," Gion declined. "I have Kuke's Vivre Card. I'll catch up to him soon. I promise I'll bring him back… but Sengoku-san, could you promise me one thing? Can you guarantee he'll be imprisoned and not executed?"

Her voice carried a mix of pain and plea.

At Navy Headquarters, Sengoku breathed a sigh of relief.

Gion's tone reassured him. The worst-case scenario had not happened.

"Alright, I promise. Bring him back safely," Sengoku replied. Of course, once Kuke was captured, Sengoku couldn't guarantee his fate.

The Navy's best course of action would be to execute him swiftly to restore order.

Next to him, Tsuru, the Navy's chief strategist, said, "Feel better now? You actually suspected Gion would betray the Navy for Kuke?"

Sengoku admitted, "I overthought it."

On reflection, Gion betraying them seemed impossible. She was the Navy's most promising young officer, recently promoted to Vice Admiral with real authority. She was being groomed for the rank of Admiral, and possibly even Fleet Admiral, a position never before held by a woman.

"Even for a close relative, such treatment wouldn't be enough to make her turn," Sengoku reasoned.

...

...

Back at Sabaody Archipelago.

"Kuke, what's your plan?" Rayleigh asked, fixing his gaze on him. "You're starting out in a hellish situation."

Even Rayleigh felt uneasy for Kuke.

The road ahead wasn't just difficult—it was practically impossible.

"That's what makes it interesting," Kuke replied with a grin.

For a moment, Rayleigh was taken aback.

That smile, that tone—it reminded him of someone.

Yes, Roger had smiled like that once. He'd said the same thing.

It was when Roger had been preparing to conquer the Grand Line, fully aware that the Navy would do everything to stop him. His attitude had been exactly like Kuke's now.

"Young man, forget about the Navy for a moment. The ocean is no easy thing to conquer. You'd be wise to gather some experienced crewmates first," Shakky advised Kuke.

Venturing into the sea alone would be a grueling struggle.

"Who would dare follow me now?" Kuke asked.

"Don't be so sure. You've gained quite a reputation across the seas. There are plenty who admire you. Just say the word, and many will line up to follow you," Shakky said seriously. "Even I'm tempted."

"Oh? Would you like to join my pirate crew, Shakky?" Kuke asked, seizing the opportunity.

His gaze lingered on her.

Shakky wasn't just anyone.

She had once been a high-ranking officer in the Rocks Pirates, with a bounty exceeding 500 million Berries.

She was one of the most powerful women on the seas.

At that moment, a faint glow began to emanate from Shakky's body, a light only Kuke could see. It was a sign that she could be recruited as a crew member.

To recruit someone into his pirate crew, two conditions had to be met: they had to be female, and they had to willingly join.

Kuke's goal was to create the strongest all-female pirate crew. Only female members brought positive benefits; male members brought negative ones.

The recruited members also had to fulfill certain criteria: they had to join willingly and they had to be willing to sail with him.

The soft glow coming from Shakky indicated that she was sincere and willing to join, meeting the first condition.

This was one of the rewards of having rescued the slaves from Mariejois.

He was now someone to be admired and respected.

Recruiting members was going to be much easier.

...