Chapter 7: 7. Sabaody Land, Famous Sword Information

Sabaody Archipelago. The end of the first half of the Grand Line and the gateway to the New World. Here, countless pirates gather from every corner of the world. Each one has survived the trials of the first half of the Grand Line, proving themselves elite. Among them is Alex, who, after securing supplies by various means, arrives at this fantastical island after a week of sailing. Sabaody is unlike the grim depths of Impel Down or the vast, untamed forests of the Calm Belt. Resin bubbles rise and dissolve in the warm sunlight, leaving misty trails in the air, creating an enchanting, dreamlike landscape. Alex finds himself captivated by the unique and otherworldly beauty of this pirate haven. Yet, he's fully aware that beneath the surface charm lies a place renowned for its chaos. As a critical point on the Grand Line, and with both the holy land of Mariejois and Naval Headquarters nearby, Sabaody Archipelago brims with powerful underground forces. It's a hotspot for human trafficking, pirate skirmishes, and fierce power struggles. Knowing this, Alex has no intention of lingering. He has only two reasons for coming here: First, his original island in the Calm Belt lies relatively close; second, he's hoping to find something useful in the infamous Sabaody auction house. Despite its chaotic underbelly, Sabaody boasts undeniable wealth, and the auction industry is particularly lucrative here due to the influence of the Celestial Dragons. But before heading to the auction house, there's somewhere else Alex is curious about. In front of him stands a bar in the illegal district of Grove 13, its sign reading boldly: "Shakky's Rip-off Bar." Alex opens the door and steps inside. The scene within is quiet; a black-haired woman sits at the bar, casually smoking a cigarette. No other patrons are around, and a certain heavyweight presence isn't in sight. The woman, Shakky, looks up, slightly surprised at the sight of Alex. With a warm smile, she greets him, "Welcome! And what would this handsome gentleman like to drink?" "Just plain whiskey," Alex replies, taking a seat at the bar. Shakky retrieves a bottle of whiskey from a wooden cabinet, fills a glass, and hands it to him. "Brother, I doubt you came all this way just for a drink," she says, her tone both inviting and probing. Alex smirks. "Naturally. Though it's my first visit here, I've heard all about the reputation of your establishment, Madam Boss." Indeed, this bar is infamous on Sabaody Archipelago—for both its steep prices and its shrewd proprietress. The cost of a single drink here can be dozens of times that of any other tavern, and more than a few visitors have found themselves fleeced by Shakky and her capable staff. But for those in the know, the bar's true value lies in the information it offers. And while her prices may seem exorbitant, they're often the price of critical knowledge in the world of pirates. Seeing Shakky's calm smile, unfazed by his playful remark, Alex continued, "Besides the drink, I have some information I'd like to inquire about." "Oh? So you're a well-informed young man, aren't you?" Shakky's smile didn't falter. "So, what kind of information does my guest seek?" "About famous swords," Alex replied. "I'm looking for information on the Great Grade Swords—specifically, the Twenty-One Great Grade Blades. And if possible, anything about the Supreme Grade Swords as well." "A famous blade at the level of the Great Grade, hm?" A spark lit up in Shakky's eyes, and a shrewd merchant's look slowly took over her face. "You know, those renowned swords are one-of-a-kind treasures," she began. "There are 21 Great Grade Blades, and 12 Supreme Grade Swords. In some ways, they're even rarer than Devil Fruits." Alex stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. He knew that, since she hadn't declined right away and was talking up their value, she likely had useful information. "I don't have anything on the Supreme Grade Swords," Shakky admitted. "But as it happens, I do have a lead on a Great Grade Blade." She looked at Alex with a knowing smile. "How much is this information worth?" Alex asked without hesitation. Shakky held up a finger. "Ten million berries." "Ten million?" Alex exclaimed. That was no small amount, especially for information alone, but given Shakky's reputation as a shrewd businesswoman, he chose not to argue. "Ten million," she confirmed, offering no explanation. Her silence made it clear the price was final. Unbothered by the amount, Alex set a suitcase on the bar and said, "This is over ten million berries." Shakky took a glance at the suitcase, smiling without counting it. "The Great Grade Sword in question is Akazakura and it just so happens that this famous blade is on Sabaody Archipelago." "It's on this island?!" Alex couldn't hide his surprise. "That's right," Shakky said, reaching out to hand him a flyer. "It'll make an appearance this afternoon." Alex glanced at the flyer, which showed the details of an auction. It read: 'Auction House No. 1 presents a grand event at 3 o'clock this afternoon!' He sighed, feeling slightly duped, as he'd already planned on attending the auction. Still, he didn't take back the suitcase; he merely accepted the flyer, downed his whiskey in one gulp, and prepared to leave. The money had been stolen from others, so he wasn't particularly bothered. Besides, Shakky's information network might come in handy later, and he had no reason to spoil his relationship with her over ten million berries. Unbeknownst to him, his easygoing attitude left Shakky with an improved impression of him. "Since you're such a good sport, I'll give you a hint," Shakky added with a smirk. "The Great Grade Sword will appear alongside a Devil Fruit as the highlights of today's auction. The goods were acquired through rather shady means, and the owner is eager to offload them quickly. So, if you play your cards right, you might even snag them at a lower price." Alex nodded, thanking her, and then turned to leave. "Ah, handsome boy! You haven't paid for the drink yet," Shakky called after him as he reached the door. Without turning back, Alex pushed the door open and stepped outside, calling over his shoulder just before it closed, "I'll settle up next time." Watching him disappear, Shakky murmured with interest, "The man who tangled with Shiki and vanished for years... here he is at last."