L.O.J.S.H 241

Shaki's Rip-off Bar

"No, I'm fine," I said, raising the transponder snail to my mouth and letting out a sigh at the million and one questions Elly barraged me with as soon as the call connected. 

"Yeah, I'm a little beat up, but I should be able to meet you guys in Jaya in two or three weeks," I added, scratching my head with another sigh as I listened to Elly's lecture. 

"No, I don't plan on doing anything reckless. I'll head straight for Jaya," I remarked, rubbing my face in frustration as I turned to glare at Shaki, who was chuckling in amusement at my blight. 

"Yup, I'll be careful, thanks, mom," I sarcastically said, rolling my eyes at How Elly's tone that reminded me of a mother scolding a kid. "Yeah... yeah. I'll see you then," I concluded, bitterly smiling as I hung up the call and slumped onto the couch. 

"I like her," Shaki said, chuckling as she saw my exasperated expression after ending the call, and I just shrugged, refusing to take the bait. I was an expert when it came to messing with people, and I immediately recognized the attempt. 

"I'm sure you do. Did Rayleigh not come back yet?" I asked, changing the subject before Shaki could start messing with me. I'd managed to survive the Dyna stone explosion because of my phasing ability, but I couldn't avoid taking damage. 

Still, I managed to make some distance and got away from the marines and Aokiji, who was in a much worse shape than me, by phasing through the ground, but I was still severely injured and popped right out of the dirt several minutes later. 

He brought me back to Shaki's bar and left, and I haven't seen him since. Shaki said he helped me because Crocus asked him to, and I already called the old doctor to thank him, but I still felt obliged to thank Rayleigh.

"I already told you he wouldn't be back for a while," Shaki said, dismissively gesturing to the side as she rolled her eyes. "If you want to thank him that badly, then leave another million or two before you leave," she added, grinning and rubbing her index, middle finger, and thumb together. 

"You're not getting any more money from me, lady," I jokingly replied, gesturing to the side with a huff, having already left a bag full of cash in the back room, which Shaki didn't know about yet. 

"I guess I'll take my leave then," I said, sighing as I shrugged my shoulders and made for the bar's door. "Please tell Rayleigh I said thanks, and I'll be back to thank him properly and return the favor," I concluded as I opened the door and made my way out. 

"Just get outta here, you stingy brat," Shaki nonchalantly replied, causing me to chuckle, but I didn't bother to turn around and quip with her, merely waving my hand as the door closed behind me. 

...

Somewhere in the Calm Belt

"What do you hope to gain by going to the Archipelago, sister," Marigold said as she approached the bow of the Kuja Pirates' ship, the Perfume Yoda, standing beside her sister, warlord of the sea, Boa Hancock. 

Marigold was a tall, muscular woman with bright orange hair that was arranged to look like the patterns on a cobra's hood and, to some extent, a Valkyrie's helmet. 

"That man is probably dead. Even Admiral Aokiji was severely injured," Marigold added with a sigh, gesturing her hand to the side. She didn't want to go back to the Archipelago and didn't want her sisters anywhere near celestial dragons.

"Even if he is dead, I must know more about him," Hancock replied without bothering to turn to her sister, her eyes glued to the horizon. "I'm sure Shaki knows about that man and the reason behind his actions," she added, resolutely nodding her head. 

Hancock had a well-proportioned figure. She was very tall and slender with long black hair that extended past her waist with locks of hair framing her face down to her chin, showing off her high forehead, dark brown eyes with long, voluminous eyelashes, and pale skin. 

"But, sister, are you sure you want to be in the Archipelago, so close to them," Sandersonia said from the side as she approached her two sisters with a concerned expression. 

She didn't explain who she meant by them, and there was a need for her to do so in the first place since her sisters immediately understood, their expressions turning complicated. 

Sandersonia was a large woman who resembled a snake, with a shapely figure and large breasts. Her head was disproportionately large and wide compared to her body. Her long tongue was forked, often sticking out of her mouth, and she had sea-green eyes.

"It doesn't matter. You two can stay on the ship while I visit Shaki and inquire about that man," Hancock replied, shaking her head with a resolute expression that brokered no argument. 

Marigold shared a look and sighed in resignation, dropping the subject.

...

Marine Ford

Fleet admiral's office 

"HEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" a loud laugh reverberated through the office, causing a tick mark to appear on Sengoku's head as he furiously went over numerous papers, signing and stamping when appropriate.

The fleet admiral was very annoyed with the laughter, but he tried to ignore it through gritted teeth to focus on the seemingly endless amount of paperwork that kept coming his way since Saint Charlos died.

He tried and, unfortunately, failed. 

"GARP! You bastard, what the hell do you find so funny that you've been laughing non-stop for the past couple of days!?" Sengoku snapped, already at the end of his patience despite being a very patient man.

"HEHAHAHAHAHA," Garp looked at his old friend's furious expression and started laughing even more loudly, continuously slapping at his tight in amusement. 

"I can't help but laugh, Sengoku!" Garp exclaimed through hysterical laughter. "Those celestial scumbags finally got what they deserved, and it was a pirate giving it to them!" he added, gesturing wildly with his hand, and he didn't forget to stuff his mouth full of Sengoku's rice crackers while he was at it. 

"Shut your mouth before you get us both killed, Garp!" Sengoku exclaimed with twitching eyes as he got off his chair and walked toward the vice admiral. "And stop eating my rice crackers!" the fleet admiral exclaimed, snatching the bag of rice crackers from Garp's hand and emptying it into his mouth. 

"AH!" Garp exclaimed as he suddenly stopped laughing when Sengoku took away his snack. He immediately returned to his sense and reached for the bag, trying to snatch it back. 

The two old marine soldiers quickly started grappling on the ground as they tried to snatch the rice crackers.