Chapter 42: 42. West Blue

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- The West Blue was one of Alex's primary destinations on this journey. Being relatively close to Wanokuni, it made sense for Alex to start his travels here. He had limited firsthand knowledge of West Blue, other than its reputation as the strongest of the four seas. This was the birthplace of many remarkable figures like Perona, Hogback, Laffitte, Capone Bege, and Nico Robin, each possessing talents that he wanted. Their presence alone made West Blue a compelling first stop. As one of the world's four vast seas, East Blue had not been on Alex's immediate list, given the time and effort it would take to gather the relevant information there. For now, he needed insights quickly and efficiently—and there was only one person he trusted to deliver them. Fortunately, he had a way to reach Shakky, a former underworld broker known for her profitable deals and sharp mind. Thanks to his habit of carrying useful Den Den Mushi, he could contact her without traveling all the way to the Sabaody Archipelago. Pere~Pere~Pere~Pere~ After a few rings, the call connected, and Shakky's smooth, playful voice came through. "Oh? A rare call from my handsome friend Alex! Did you finally remember you owe me a sis months old drink money?" Alex smirked. "This time, I'm here for information. I'll settle up for both the drinks and the intel next time we meet." "Back checks, huh? That makes business tough," she replied with a sly undertone. Alex understood immediately. Though she hadn't outright refused, Shakky was hinting that she expected something more profitable in exchange. Their relationship was one of pure business; any warmth was just professional courtesy. Shakky wasn't someone Alex could afford to owe favors, not for something as serious as this. He knew her well enough to know that she'd turn a single favor into a steep debt. "Then, let's add a condition," Alex proposed, keeping his tone casual. "Next time I visit, if Rayleigh's around, I'll look the other way. How's that sound?" Though he didn't have the Straw Hats' bond with Rayleigh, he knew the retired pirate held knowledge and influence that could prove beneficial. And keeping Shakky in his good books was always an advantage. "...This isn't the kind of information just anyone would know," Shakky replied, her voice tinged with intrigue. "Seems like our friend Alex has some unique sources of his own, hm?" "Who knows? But it's definitely nowhere near as sharp as your intelligence, Madam Boss, don't you think?" Alex replied ambiguously to Shakky's probing, knowing she could guess whatever she liked. "Oh, you're speaking so sweetly, nothing like that old lion," Shakky teased, clearly amused. "So, what sort of information is the famed 'Flying Admiral' looking for this time?" Alex's proposal had earned her cooperation, so he cut straight to the point. "I need to locate a few people in West Blue." "West Blue? Convenient—I have contacts there. Who are you after?" she asked smoothly. "Two people," Alex replied. "First, Laffitte, who should currently be a security officer for a certain kingdom. The other is Hogback, a doctor." There was a brief pause as Shakky took in the names. Then, without another word, she ended the call—likely preparing to gather the information. Several hours passed before Shakky called back. When Alex picked up, she delivered the intel he'd requested. "Laffitte, born in the Kingdom of Margarita, West Blue. He's 22 and works as a national security officer. As for Hogback, he's a rising star in medicine, born in West Blue and currently 28. He made a name for himself three years ago by reviving difficult patients through some...unconventional methods. He has a clinic on Al Island." The details matched Alex's expectations perfectly. He felt confident that these two were exactly who he sought. Satisfied, he inquired, "Sounds good. What's the price for this intel?" "Since you provided a solid starting point, it didn't take much effort this time, so I'll settle for 5 million Berries," Shakky replied with a lighthearted tone. Alex could practically see her smirk through the Den Den Mushi. Though 5 million was a modest fee by his standards, it wasn't trivial for the average person. Still, the price was fair, especially given that locating Laffitte could have been considerably more challenging on his own. With the deal struck, Alex ended the call and spread out the West Blue map he'd collected recently, double-checking Al Island and the Kingdom of Margarita to chart his route. --- Nearly five days later, Alex and his crew reached the seas around the Kingdom of Margarita. Though the journey itself took some time, Alex had also spent the days setting up a rigorous training regimen for Yamato and Maria, using the opportunity to sharpen their skills. Both of them, though under ten years old, had already gained a taste of real combat. Together, they had taken down two small pirate crews, all driven by the ambition of reaching the Grand Line. Maria, empowered by the Zoan Spider-Spider Fruit, Rosamygale Grauvogeli Model, could wield webs, venom, and had drastically increased physical prowess. After over half a year of Alex's focused training in combat techniques, Maria handled ordinary pirates with ease. Yamato, gifted with Kaido's powerful genes, was even more formidable. Alex wasn't expecting these pirates to challenge the girls too much or significantly boost their strength, but he knew there was more to these battles than physical skill. Facing real enemies for the first time gave Maria and Yamato the chance to experience the life-or-death stakes of combat, the tension of survival—a test meant to foster their psychological growth. In this way, the lives of those pirates served a purpose, just as Alex intended.