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"What a terrifying guy... and to think he already has a bounty of 350 million," Shakky said, surprise flickering in her eyes as she turned the Wanted Poster over a few times, almost as if to confirm it wasn't some printing mistake.
Beside her, the middle-aged man stopped dead the moment he heard the name.
Rojen.
He remembered the boy vividly. Last he'd seen him, the kid had been in East Blue, alive, well, and still untainted by the Grand Line's cruelty. Back then, Rayleigh had left assured, thinking that someone like Rojen would live quietly for a while longer.
Yet now… this same boy had formed a pirate crew, claimed his own ship, and earned a bounty rivaling the most dangerous rookies of the era. Among the new "Supernova," his face stood out, a sign that his strength was anything but ordinary.
Rayleigh walked slowly to the counter, quietly pulling the Wanted Poster from Shakky's hand. His eyes lingered on the familiar face for a long time before a faint smile curved on his lips.
"Rojen," He murmured, voice low but steady, eyes narrowing as old memories stirred.
Shakky caught that tone instantly. She knew Rayleigh better than anyone.
"Rayleigh… you know him?" She asked, lighting a cigarette but not taking her eyes off him.
"Yeah," He replied softly, his gaze drifting toward the door. "Didn't expect to see his name here."
The sharpness in Rayleigh's eyes faded as quickly as it had come. The calm, laid-back air of the "Dark King" returned, his expression once again that of an ordinary, carefree middle-aged man. He set the poster down, turned, and started toward the exit.
"Where are you going?" Shakky called out, half-amused, half-curious.
Rayleigh raised a hand lazily without looking back. "Just taking a walk."
And with that, he slipped out of sight.
Sabaody Archipelago, Bubble Amusement Park
"WAAAAAAH!"
Jason's scream echoed across the sparkling air as the bubble roller coaster plunged in a wild dip before shooting back up again. He threw his arms up, laughing wildly. Around him, the rest of the Nether Soul Pirates were caught up in the same thrill, some screaming, some cheering, all of them utterly alive.
The amusement park was packed with bizarre attractions, the kind only Sabaody could produce, rides shaped from massive, reinforced bubbles that shimmered in the sunlight. Each bubble ride was powered by the island's unique mechanisms, bouncing and soaring over the glowing terrain.
There were bubble coasters, bumper bubbles, flying bubbles, even bubble races that stretched across the horizon. The crew raced from one to another like children set loose after months at sea, soaking in every minute.
By the time evening rolled in, the bubble sky was painted gold and crimson, and the group finally started calming down, their laughter fading into easy chatter.
That was when a figure appeared at the park's entrance, a middle-aged man in glasses, his posture relaxed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Found you," He said quietly.
He didn't call out. He simply stood there, waiting patiently, as though he knew the boy would come to him eventually.
Minutes later, Rojen and his crew emerged, still energetic from their day. Jason was recounting a near-fall from the ride, while Crocodile, surprisingly, had the faint ghost of a smile on his lips.
Then, a calm voice cut through the lighthearted noise.
"Rojen."
Rojen froze mid-step. His body went still before he slowly turned toward the sound. His expression shifted, recognition, surprise, and then calm composure, all in an instant.
"You're looking for me?" He asked evenly.
The man stepped closer, that familiar, knowing smile still on his face.
Rojen's lips curved slightly. "Didn't expect you to come all the way here."
"And I didn't expect you to know where I'd be," Rayleigh replied with a quiet chuckle. Then, more softly, "Though I suppose I should've known. Roger once told me, you've always been a little too good at seeing what's coming."
Throughout their journey, countless crises had been turned around thanks to this boy.
"Come with me," Rayleigh said suddenly.
Jason and the others exchanged confused glances, but the old man only smiled and beckoned them to follow.
From behind, he could've been mistaken for any ordinary man, worn-out flip-flops, slightly graying hair, a relaxed gait. Nothing about him screamed danger. Yet Rojen knew better. This was no simple man. This was the Dark King himself, the first mate of the Pirate King's crew, Pluton Rayleigh, one of the legends who once sailed to the very end of the Grand Line.
Before long, the group found themselves back at Shakky's bar.
"We're back again!" Trens exclaimed, dropping onto a stool with a grin. It was clear by now that Rojen had deliberately sought out this man.
Shakky smiled knowingly and set down several glasses, filling them with that faintly golden liquor she was known for.
Rayleigh swirled his drink, studying Rojen from over the rim. "I can hardly believe it… to grow so much, in such a short time."
His voice carried genuine admiration, and a trace of disbelief. The boy who had once seemed so powerless now carried a presence strong enough to shake the seas. Even Roger himself might not have foreseen this.
Rojen met his gaze evenly, the small smile fading from his lips. "Rayleigh, I need your help."
Rayleigh chuckled softly and leaned back, eyes narrowing behind his glasses. "I'm retired, you know. Your brother gave me enough headaches back in the day, and now here you are."
"This time, only you can help me," Rojen said quietly but firmly. "Please."
It wasn't a request that invited refusal.
Rayleigh sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in hopeless amusement. "You really do take after him… the same expression that makes it impossible to say no."
He laughed under his breath, muttering, "Back then it was all about destiny, too." After a moment, he lifted his gaze again, and the edges of his smile softened.
"Fine. I'll help you, one more time."
A wide grin broke across Rojen's face, and laughter echoed around the bar.
Outside, night had settled over Sabaody. Shakky turned on the lights, their warm glow filling the small space, then quietly shut the front door. She didn't want anyone interrupting what was about to be said.
Even so, the tension in the air was enough to make her uneasy. She didn't need to overhear much, just a few words, to realize the gravity of what was coming. If her instincts were right, the truth about this boy could shake the whole world.
"I'm going to Mary Geoise," Rojen said at last, his tone cold and steady.
The words hung in the air like a storm on the horizon.
Rayleigh's eyes lit for a moment behind his glasses. "Mary Geoise… the Holy Land of the Celestial Dragons. What are you planning to do there?"
He already knew it was nothing simple. No sane man uttered those words lightly.
Rojen's fingers tightened around his glass. "My companion is there."
He didn't explain further, he didn't need to. Even with his calm voice, everyone in the room could feel the weight behind those words. Whatever had happened, it had been enough to drive him to march straight into the dragons' den.
Shakky's expression turned serious. Jason clenched his fists without realizing it. They all knew: no Celestial Dragon ever left the Holy Land unless something truly catastrophic was at play.
Whatever awaited them at Mary Geoise… it reeked of tragedy.
Rayleigh sighed, tipping back the last of his drink. "This… is going to be troublesome."
He set the glass down with a sharp click.
(End of Chapter)