Chapter 22: Night Organization

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"Was that aimed at me? How did it disappear? Was the feeling I just sensed an illusion?" Shanks suddenly felt a faint killing intent. 

Although it quickly vanished, it still caught his attention. Just as Shanks was puzzled, Ben Beckman furrowed his brow and subtly nudged Shanks.

As the vice-captain and sniper of the Red Hair Pirates, Beckman's senses were also very sharp; he had just felt that killing intent. 

Shanks and Beckman exchanged a glance, confirming that the feeling just now was not an illusion. 

Shanks remained composed and asked in a low voice, "Who do you think wants to go after us?"

Beckman shook his head, indicating that he didn't know either. The killing intent dissipated too quickly, and amidst all the noise, they hadn't paid much attention. 

"I'm not too sure either, but those three guys seem suspicious," Shanks pointed in the direction of Byakuya and his companions.

Following Shanks' gesture, Beckman chuckled and said, "Captain, are you sure you're not picking a fight with him because Markino got scooped up by him?" 

Shanks retorted, "Well...I told you, it was an accident. Besides, am I really that petty?"

After teasing Shanks, Beckman resumed a serious expression. "Why do you think there's something wrong with him?" 

Shanks replied, "I just feel like that kid is a bit strange. Earlier, it seemed like he recognized me from his gaze."

"You know, I'm one of the Four Emperors of the New World." 

"Ordinary people are scared stiff just hearing my name, but that kid recognized me and yet remained so calm, casually drinking there?" 

Hearing Shanks' words, Beckman also felt that the kid was indeed a bit off. "If you're not sure, I'll go test him."

Beckman advised, "Hmm, that's one way to do it, but be careful not to unleash too much power. Garp doesn't know we're in Windmill Village yet. If that old man finds out, we'll have trouble." 

Though the Red Hair Pirates weren't afraid of Garp, they also didn't want to provoke such a strong opponent.

After all, being targeted by such a powerful opponent would be troublesome. One-on-one, Garp isn't afraid of fighting with Shanks. 

After finishing his drink, Byakuya was about to leave when he saw Shanks approaching with a glass of wine in hand. 

He realized he probably couldn't leave now. 

He hadn't expected Shanks to be so keenly aware of killing intent; he had only revealed a trace, yet Shanks had noticed.

However, it was inevitable. In the past half month, more than ten pirate crews had been wiped out by Byakuya. 

Dealing with so many people, Byakuya's control over his killing intent was naturally not as precise as before. 

It would take some time for him to settle down. Since he had been discovered, he could only find a way to deal with it.

The aura emanating from Shanks was very ordinary, just like any average person, making it impossible to tell any difference during normal times. 

If Byakuya didn't know Shanks' identity, he wouldn't have been able to associate Shanks with the Pirate Emperor. 

"You seem unfamiliar, my friend. You're not from Windmill Village, are you?"

"Right, I just arrived at Windmill Village today. I think this place is pretty nice!" 

Byakuya finished his drink. "The wine is good, and the landlady is beautiful. I quite like it here." 

There was no direct relationship between Shanks and Markino, at most just some goodwill, and their previous interaction had just been some banter among companions.

But hearing Byakuya talk about it in front of him, Shanks, despite his good temper, felt a bit annoyed. 

"What's your purpose in coming to Windmill Village?" In his words, Shanks subconsciously exuded a hint of Conqueror's Haki. 

Although the aura was weak, it was extremely thick.

He seemed like a lone leaf thrown into an endless storm, letting the waves crash and the winds rage, yet still floating on the surface. 

Under the impact of this aura, the tables and chairs around Byakuya suddenly cracked, and his clothes fluttered without any wind, but his expression remained unchanged.

Byakuya didn't answer Shanks' question. 

With a calm expression, he said, "Indeed, you're one of the Four Emperors. Just this aura alone could crush many people." 

"You recognized me after all. Who are you exactly?" 

A flash of killing intent passed through Shanks' eyes, and the released pressure disappeared in an instant.

Shanks was very curious about Byakuya's identity. 

Was he a Marine? A pirate? A special organization of the World Government? Or someone from the underground world? 

Shanks didn't want to make a move in Markino's bar, nor did he want the people in Windmill Village to know his true identity. 

"Shall we talk outside?" 

"Sure!" Byakuya readily agreed. He didn't want to stay here either.

The reason was simple; there were too many strong individuals here, and if a fight broke out, it wouldn't be easy to escape. 

Byakuya wasn't foolish; he didn't think his current strength could match Shanks'. 

However, after seeing Shanks, a bold idea emerged in Byakuya's mind. 

The two walked out of the bar side by side and headed towards the sparsely populated coastline.

Their departure did not affect the bar, which remained lively and bustling. 

When they reached the shore, they stood facing each other. "Can we talk now?" 

Byakuya looked at Shanks, who was ready to strike at any moment, with a calm expression and said, 

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Harry, from 'Night Organization'." 

Byakuya wasn't about to reveal his real name; when you're out, you use an alias, that's just being cautious. 

"Night Organization?" Shanks furrowed his brows, even more puzzled. 

"That's the name of our organization. Our people are scattered all over the world. Some are responsible for gathering intelligence, while others are responsible for selling it. I'm one of the sellers."

"An information broker? How come I haven't heard of your organization in the New World?" 

"Our organization was recently established. Naturally, big shots like you wouldn't have heard of us." 

Shanks didn't fully believe Byakuya's explanation and countered, "So, you came to find me this time because you have information to sell?"

"For someone like you, who stands at the pinnacle of the world, naturally, you're our biggest buyer." 

Byakuya could tell that Shanks still didn't trust him entirely, but he was prepared for this situation. 

After all, to become the Pirate Emperor, besides extraordinary strength, one's cunning and calculations couldn't be underestimated.

Even Kaido, who seems like a lunatic, had plenty of schemes up his sleeve. 

Moreover, he was the only man to become Pirate Emperor without relying on a Devil Fruit. 

Byakuya chuckled, "For a special customer like yourself, 'Night' will offer a piece of information you don't know about as a gesture of our sincerity."

"Something I don't know about? Well, then I'm interested in hearing it." 

"If it turns out I've heard this piece of information before, or if it displeases me, you won't be leaving this island alive today." 

<End Chapter>

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