I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 321 The Straw Hat Pirates Arrive

Uchiha Hikaru was not surprised by these two pieces of information.

After all, these are all plot points that have been clearly established in the original work. Although she and Bulma caused quite a few incidents after arriving in the pirate world, they didn't interact with younger characters like Ace and Luffy. Therefore, their storylines will definitely continue to unfold according to the original narrative.

but……

Uchiha Hikaru was somewhat surprised by Shakky's intelligence-gathering abilities.

Judging from the date on the letter, Ace was arrested three days ago, and the Navy has not yet announced it. However, Shakky obtained this information the day after the incident.

As for Luffy and his crew defeating Moria...

Furthermore, Moria's status as a Shichibukai was considered a disgrace by the World Government, which specially dispatched another Shichibukai, Bartholomew Kuma, to try to suppress the news.

Although the operation ultimately failed due to Kuma's undercover identity as a Revolutionary Army spy, Shakky's ability to obtain the information so quickly was indeed quite remarkable.

Of course, according to the original work, Shakky had been paying attention to the Straw Hat Pirates long before they arrived, and even claimed to be their fan. It's reasonable for her to put in a little more effort to gather information about her idols.

At this time.

Xia Qi tapped the counter with her fingertips, seemed to hesitate for a moment, and finally couldn't help but speak:

"Hey, little girl, what did you mean by saying 'Ace is Rayleigh's nephew' just now?"

"I know that kid is Garp's adopted son. He set sail two years ago, founded the 'Spade Pirates,' and ate the Logia-type Devil Fruit, the Flame-Flame Fruit. A year ago, after failing to challenge Whitebeard, he joined his crew... But what does all this have to do with Rayleigh?"

"Huh? You guys didn't know?"

This time, it was Uchiha Hikaru's turn to be surprised.

But thinking about it carefully, it makes sense.

Although the Navy had known Ace's identity for a long time, they did not release this information until the day of his execution, when they announced that they would execute "the son of the Pirate King Roger".

Prior to this, only a few people, including the Whitebeard Pirates and Shanks, knew about the relationship between Ace and Roger.

Even Blackbeard only regarded Ace as a "trusted subordinate of Whitebeard with a bounty of over 100 million." Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have handed Ace over to the Navy so easily. Instead, he would have used him as leverage to make more demands on the Navy and the World Government.

In that case...

This does explain one point of doubt: why Rayleigh, who was so close to Marineford in the original work, did not participate in the Marineford War.

present.

Uchiha Hikaru succinctly explained the hidden story behind it.

As Xia Qi listened, her eyes gradually widened, revealing a surprised expression.

"I see……"

"That brat who ate the Flame-Flame Fruit, is he Roger's son? The son of the Pirate King was raised by a Marine hero, huh, that sounds really interesting."

After a pause, Shakky took out the money she had just received: "Well, I won't take advantage of you. You can take this 2 Berries back; consider it my payment for buying this information."

"No, it's not that bad, it's just a little bit of money."

Uchiha Hikaru waved his hand, declining Shakky's suggestion: "It would be great if you could just introduce us to Mr. Rayleigh."

……

After a moment's thought, Shakky agreed to help introduce Rayleigh.

However, according to her, Rayleigh never explicitly states his itinerary when he goes out, so you need to look for him in the places he frequents.

During this time, Uchiha Hikaru and her group could stay in the bar for a short rest, and it would be even better if they could help her greet the customers coming and going.

Buma eagerly took on the job.

—Although judging from the conversation, Luffy and his crew haven't been here yet, since they've already defeated Moria, they're probably already on their way to the Sabaody Archipelago or have already landed on the island, they just haven't found this bar yet.

Bulma is very interested in meeting this kid who is the main protagonist of the One Piece manga and whose personality is somewhat similar to Goku's.

of course……

Bulma also really wanted to meet the other member of the Straw Hat crew—Sanji.

"I even said I'd bring him on board as a chef, but I was too late, so it's probably hopeless now... But if I paid Sanji to cook a meal for me, that wouldn't be a problem, right? I'd really like to see what the food at the 'Restaurant on the Sea' tastes like."

"...I think you don't need to pay him. Just say a few nice words and he'll cook for you willingly."

Uchiha Hikaru said this.

Bulma hesitated: "It seems so..."

present.

Uchiha Hikaru gave Bulma a few words of advice, warning her to be careful of Sanji's words—although this guy was much more gentlemanly than Master Roshi, he was still a lecherous fellow who dreamed of using the "Clear-Clear Fruit" to peep into the women's bathhouse, so she had to be careful to avoid being taken advantage of by him.

Then, Hikaru Uchiha left Erii and Naruto behind, creating a shadow clone to stay with them, while his main body left the bar with Esdeath, ready to go out for a stroll.

The Sabaody Archipelago is quite large.

Both its geographical environment and the local customs on the island are very different from most other parts of the world, and even the pirate world.

Even Esdeath couldn't help but marvel.

As we walked side by side along the seaside path.

Hikaru Uchiha's hand unconsciously touched Esdeath's several times.

At first, both of them subconsciously moved their hands away, creating some distance between them.

But gradually...

The two stopped avoiding each other and pretended to be nonchalant, letting the backs of their hands touch, their smooth, cool skin pressed together, their slender fingers slightly spread, showing signs of interlocking.

in this process.

Uchiha Hikaru took a deep breath, his heart beating slightly faster.

"...Hey, that coffee shop over there looks pretty good."

Esdeath suddenly stopped, and as she turned around, she gently clasped Uchiha Hikaru's fingers together, then revealed a sly smile: "Would you like to come in and have a seat, Hikaru? It's on me, isn't it?"

"……good."

……

While Shakky was busy looking for Rayleigh, Uchiha Hikaru was leisurely drinking coffee.

A pirate crew flying the Straw Hat flag sailed into the port of the Sabaody Archipelago.

"arrive!"

Hachi, who looks like an octopus-man, was the first to jump off the ship, then waved to Luffy and the others behind him: "Let's go, I'll take you to find that coating master!"

(End of this chapter)