Sky Island, the Gate of Heaven above the clouds.
The first rays of dawn painted the boundless White Sea a warm gold.
Gan Fall led the way, with Kalpa, the Shani & Sharle sisters, and two captains of the Thunder Cloud Guards close behind, the entire Sky Island army standing solemnly on the clouds.
They were seeing off their beloved Lord Thunder God.
Shani, holding a small, exquisite food box, hurried forward, her eyes full of reluctance: "My Lord, these are pastries I made myself. Please take them for a snack on your journey."
Seven raised his hand and lightly beckoned, and the food boxes in the sisters' hands transformed into streaks of light, disappearing into his system space.
Such a miraculous method was a small trick to maintain the Thunder God's prestige and consolidate the people's faith.
Gan Fall stepped forward, handing over a heavy bag of shells: "My Lord, we found some excellent shells in the storeroom. You might find them useful on your journey."
"No need," Seven waved his hand indifferently. The shells accumulated in his system warehouse were enough for him to get by for a year or two.
"Keep them for emergencies."
"You all go back."
Seven waved to the crowd, his figure instantly enveloped by countless bolts of lightning, transforming into a brilliant electric flash that broke through the clouds of the White Sea and vanished into the horizon.
Only the people of Sky Island remained, gazing in the direction of his departure, standing for a long time, yearning for his return... The first half of the Grand Line, Paradise.
Above Jaya Island, in the previously clear sky, a nearly materialized bolt of lightning, accompanied by flashes and thunder, streaked rapidly towards the Sabaody Archipelago.
Seven planned to exchange some of the gold in his system warehouse for Berries at Sabaody Archipelago and visit Vice-Captain Rayleigh, the old man.
Then he would return to Water 7 to find Mr. Tom and have a large pirate ship built.
Since he didn't have a ship yet, he had no choice but to fly all the way.
Of course, if he encountered a pirate ship on the way, as a senior in the pirate world, Seven wouldn't mind plundering one and leisurely sailing to his destination.
Perhaps because the first few years after his transmigration were too oppressive, Seven adapted to pirate life extremely quickly.
There was no moral pressure at all.
To be precise.
The pirate world is a world without too many moral burdens, after all, with the Celestial Dragons as the ultimate fallback.
When it comes to being rotten, the Celestial Dragons are in a league of their own.
Compared to the Celestial Dragons, Seven's moral baseline could even qualify him as a good person.
Seven neither actively drew his sword against civilians nor wantonly massacred slaves for fun. Even the bullies who often picked on him when he was a child, he merely beat them up for a few months straight.
Compared to the actions of the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons, how could Seven's noble and pure moral character not be considered good?
However, Seven didn't want to be a good person.
Being a good person was too tiring.
It was better to do as he pleased, occasionally plundering pirate ships, robbing merchant ships transporting slaves, and looting World Government ships escorting Heavenly Tribute.
Such a life was becoming more and more promising.
In a couple of years, after the Morning Star Pirates recruited enough powerful companions, Seven would go to Wano Country to beat Kaido, snatch Yamato, and occupy Wano Country.
He'd become a Raiden Shogun.
With the support of his incredibly powerful physique, Seven traveled swiftly to his destination—Sabaody Archipelago.
Sabaody Archipelago is located at the front end of the Red Line in the middle of the Grand Line.
It is formed by the exposed roots of the world's largest Yarukiman Mangrove, and the ground produces floating bubbles made of natural resin.
The entire island's functional areas are divided by tree numbers.
Sabaody Archipelago
Islands 1-29 are human trafficking and illicit zones, 30-39 feature the Soap Bubble Park, 50-59 are for shipbuilding and coating, and 60-69 are under Marine jurisdiction.
Shakky's Rip-off Bar, owned by the former world's most beautiful woman and Vice-Captain Rayleigh's old flame, is located on Island 13 of the Sabaody Archipelago.
Shakky's Rip-off Bar
Shakky's Rip-off Bar is not just a bar.
It is also an intelligence hub. Shakky has accumulated an extensive intelligence network through long-term operation, allowing her to keep abreast of the movements of pirates, Marines, and even royalty across the sea.
As for the price.
It can be seen from the name of the bar.
Regardless of whether the customer is human or ghost, a fee must be paid to enter the bar, which is why Shakky is often described as 'knowing how to do business'.
Shakky's Rip-off Bar, front desk.
The still charming Shakky sat behind the wooden bar, a lady's cigarette dangling from her mouth. Sensing someone enter the bar, she didn't lift her head, her voice a lazy rasp.
"Customer, what can I get you..."
When she clearly saw the person's face, especially that iconic silver hair, Shakky, whose heart had collectively jumped out of the chests of legendary pirate crew members like Rocks and Roger, was stunned in disbelief for a few seconds.
"Long time no see, little one."
"Long time no see, Aunt Shakky."
Shakky sized up Seven, her eyes filled with incredulous wonder.
"You've grown taller, and much stronger."
If she didn't think it was too rude, Shakky really wanted to ask Seven: what did he eat these past two years to change so much all of a sudden?
This was all business!
"Little one, the usual?"
"Yes, a glass of Milk, no sugar."
Just like a certain famous bartender who was determined to destroy Mondstadt's wine industry, Seven had no interest in smoking or drinking.
"Rayleigh went to coat a ship," Shakky said casually while pouring Milk. "He'll probably be back later."
"No rush, I just happen to have some business to discuss with you."
"Oh?" Shakky's eyes lit up. "Upstairs to talk?"
Seven quickly shook his head, producing an exquisite gold coin as if by magic: "10 tons, what's the price?"
At this time, Shakky wasn't like her later appearance with thick lips and a 'mom' haircut; she still retained some of her 'world's most beautiful woman' charm.
Moreover, Shakky used to tease Seven often.
What if they went upstairs to discuss business, and Vice-Captain Rayleigh happened to return... The artistic gold coin was forged by Seven using high-temperature lightning metallurgy, so it would definitely fetch a higher price than simply selling raw gold.
"10 tons?"
Shakky blinked her large eyes, pondered for a moment, and then whispered: "Dumping it all at once can affect the unit price. I suggest selling it in batches and in different regions."
Seven picked up his Milk: "You can handle it. I'm planning to have Mr. Tom build me a pirate ship to set sail soon."
"Good," Shakky nodded.
If anyone else had said they had 10 tons of such gold coins, Shakky would most likely have thought they were joking, but she had known Seven for so many years.
She naturally knew the little one's character.
Thinking of the little one from Roger's ship starting to build a pirate ship to set sail, Shakky couldn't help but feel that she really was getting old.
The sea would belong to the young generation from now on.
However, neither she nor Rayleigh expected Seven to be the first to arrive; they had thought it would be Shanks.
The two sat at the bar, chatting idly.
As night fell, Island 13 officially entered the nightlife rhythm of the illicit zone.
Suddenly, a man with long curly hair, a beard on his chin, glasses, and a vertical scar on his right eye pushed open the door and entered.
"Look who it is," Shakky quipped.
Seven smiled and slowly turned around.
"Long time no see, Uncle Rayleigh."