Chapter 222: This is What You Call a King's Right-Hand Man
The Sabaody Archipelago, untouched by the flames of war.
The families of the Marine Headquarters who had taken refuge here, and the people from all over who had gathered to watch the battle, made the place even more lively.
In the nearby sea, over a dozen ships approached in a mighty fleet.
On the forecastle deck of the Merry lay Whitebeard's body. A few figures stood to the side.
At the bow, Luffy asked the group, "Are you guys coming ashore, Mr. Pineapple-head?"
"Forget it. This place is too close to Headquarters."
Marco shook his head, his voice low. "Just in case, we won't dock. We'll send some people up to purchase supplies, and then head straight back to the New World."
It was clear he was very down. The entire Whitebeard crew had dejected faces, their hearts heavy.
The gloomy sky added a touch of sorrow.
This day's experiences were simply too much. Whitebeard's death was a huge blow to them.
Jozu gently lifted Whitebeard's body onto his back, nodded at Reiner in thanks, and then turned to leave the Merry.
"Thank you for helping us bring back Pops's body."
Marco stepped forward, and along with several commanders, bowed to him again. He looked up at Luffy and said, "We owe you for your help this time. Otherwise, I'm afraid Ace would have..."
"He often mentioned you, his little brother, to us. Seeing you today, you're just as he described."
Speaking of this, Marco managed to squeeze out a small smile. "Consider this a favor we owe you. When you come to the New World in the future, feel free to ask for anything you need."
"Well, no need for that."
Luffy grinned. "We were going to save Ace anyway. He's my brother, after all."
"Don't say that. You all risked your lives to help," Marco said, looking at Reiner.
Luffy went to save Ace out of brotherly affection, but since he brought his entire crew to participate in the war and also helped them bring back Pops's body, the Whitebeard crew was still very grateful.
Reiner didn't think much of it. After all, he had gotten a free template from the other in Alabasta, which had been a great help along the way. He just considered this returning a favor.
Ah, and I just got a freebie from Whitebeard too.
"Speaking of which, how is Ace now?" Reiner asked casually.
Marco turned his head to look at their own ship and sighed. "Not good. He's completely unconscious."
Ace was covered in injuries and imprisoned in Impel Down, and had been in a weakened state.
Later, when Reiner and the others went to break him out, Ace had also fought a great battle and was even more exhausted.
When Whitebeard died, the dual impact on his spirit and body directly caused him to lose consciousness and faint.
"I've treated his injuries. He's out of danger, but..."
Marco's expression didn't improve at all. He said with worry, "He will definitely blame himself for Pops's death. I'm more afraid that he won't be able to walk out of this shadow in the future. At that time, we..."
Marco and the other commanders fell silent.
Even though Ace was still young, they undoubtedly all believed that Ace was the one most qualified to inherit Pops's will.
If even he remained lost, their Whitebeard Pirates would probably truly fall apart in the future.
"Ace won't be like that."
Luffy suddenly spoke, smiling, "Because he has you guys. With such reliable comrades by Ace's side, I believe he definitely can do it."
Hearing this, the group was stunned for a moment, and then the corners of their mouths couldn't help but lift.
"You're right. We are the Whitebeard Pirates, after all."
Marco laughed heartily. "Farewell for now. We'll meet again in the New World."
Waving at Luffy and Reiner, Marco led his group back to their own ship.
A crack appeared in the gloomy sky, and pale golden sunlight filtered through, bit by bit.
"A good group of people. They'll be formidable rivals for us in the future, Luffy," Reiner said, watching them gradually grow distant.
Marco's strength was beyond doubt; he could fight two top commanders without being at a disadvantage, and even briefly suppress them.
Diamond Jozu took Mihawk's greatsword slash without injury, and his strength to lift and throw an iceberg was even more terrifying.
Flower Sword Vista's mastery of the sword path was extremely high; he was also one of the top swordsmen on this sea.
Sixteen divisions, with each commander possessing unique skills and great strength.
Reiner and his crew's strength was fine in the first half of the Grand Line, but compared to the Whitebeard crew, they were like just a few little kittens now.
Putting the captains aside, in terms of the overall strength configuration of the crew, probably only the Red-Haired crew could compare with them.
Emmm, and Reiner's own undead army.
As long as he raised his own strength, in the future, he alone could bring the configurations of several Emperor crews to the absolute peak.
How many divisions can Mary Geoise have?
Just thinking about it felt...
Forget it. How boring. It's better to go find Nami and live a shameless life.
Hmm?
Wait a minute!
Reiner was suddenly startled. What's going on? Is there something wrong with my brain?!
Having finally broken free from constraints, my first reaction isn't to go frolicking among the flowers!
I'm simply not human!
Change of battle plan! Tonight's target is Grove 66, the Momoiro district!
"Reiner, what's wrong with you?" Luffy was bewildered. Thinking about what he had just said, he suddenly reacted.
"Ah! I know! You're worried about not being able to beat Ace and the others in the future, right?"
"Don't worry."
Luffy jumped down and patted his shoulder, looking up with a smile. "After we train hard for these two years, it will be our turn to protect you."
"Ah, no, uh... forget it."
Reiner sighed, too lazy to explain. Talking to Luffy about this was like playing a lute to a cow.
Sanji, Franky, and Brook, the three wolves, were more on the right track.
"Let's go ashore first."
Reiner controlled the undead to operate the ship and dock. They needed to find Rayleigh.
Luffy would be training with Rayleigh for these two years.
Although he was an irresponsible teacher, it was, after all, about building a foundation.
Without two years of hard training, there would be no explosive growth in battle.
Besides, there was no one else who could teach him. He couldn't just throw Luffy to Kaido, right?
Locked up in a quarry for two years, achieves enlightenment at the dragon farm, and then emerges to conquer the seas?
Clang! Clang!
Before long, the Merry circled around to a secluded corner and docked.
Leaving the undead to stand guard, Reiner and Luffy, along with Jinbe and Ivankov, landed on the Sabaody Archipelago.
A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of grass and soil. The four of them stepped on the grass, passed through the bubbles floating in mid-air, and walked towards the depths.
"You've already touched the threshold of Haki, Luffy. You'll soon be able to master its use."
"If Rayleigh tells you he has nothing else to teach you, don't believe that old geezer for a second."
"What future sight, Haki projection, Conqueror's Coating... there's still a lot to learn," Reiner instructed Luffy along the way.
Soon, they went deep into the lawless zone and arrived at Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
The name of the shop was, of course, roasted by Ivankov again.
As if prepared, the moment they arrived, Shakky welcomed them inside. She had even made a full table of food.
"Waahahaha! So much meat! This is great, Shakky!" Luffy excitedly dove headfirst into the pile of meat.
"You're too kind."
Reiner took off his cloak and hung it on a coat rack by the door. He walked to the bar and sat down, casually lighting a cigarette. "You're truly a beautiful and kind-hearted person, Sister Shakky."
"Uh-huh. Aren't we welcoming back the great heroes?"
Shakky smiled charmingly. "What would you like to drink? Whiskey?"
"Mm, whiskey is fine. Is Rayleigh not here?"
"Him?" Shakky took a bottle from the liquor cabinet behind her, then took out a few glasses from under the bar. As she poured the drinks, she said:
"He probably went to meet Marco and the others. He should be back soon. Your drink."
"Thanks."
The drink wasn't poured full. Reiner took the glass and downed it in one go. He put the glass down and couldn't help but ask curiously:
"By the way, is it really okay for Rayleigh to meet Marco and the others? After all, he didn't go to save Ace."
Hearing this, Jinbe and Ivankov immediately perked up their ears and looked over.
They were also curious, but didn't dare to ask.
Ace's lineage had also been publicly announced by Sengoku before the war.
Reiner remembered that in the original story, the Supernovas were able to go and watch the battle after the broadcast was cut. If Rayleigh had wanted to go, there was no reason he couldn't have made it in time.
But the other had no intention of going, and Reiner wouldn't have pried before. He was just a little curious.
"Actually, they've met before."
Shakky leaned against the bar, smiling mysteriously. "As for the reason..."
Just then, a voice came from the door.
"Hey, hey, hey, asking such a personal question when this old man isn't here." Rayleigh walked in with a smile on his face.
"Yo, Rayleigh!" Luffy greeted him happily and then continued to bury his head in his food.
Reiner and the other two twitched their lips, embarrassed. What a coincidence.
"Ahem, I also think it's not right to do this."
"Black Snake-boy is really too tactless," Jinbe and Ivankov immediately distanced themselves, retreating to the sofa behind them as if nothing had happened.
"Alright, alright, so it has nothing to do with you now, does it?" Reiner said, speechless.
Your ears were pricked up so high just now!
Yarou!! (You bastards!!)
"Hahaha, you don't need to be so nervous."
Rayleigh just smiled and walked over to sit beside Reiner. "When Ace arrived at Sabaody three years ago, I had already met him."
"Ace is a very fine young man."
Shakky poured him a glass of wine. Rayleigh took the glass and took a sip before slowly speaking:
"He doesn't want to be mentioned as Roger's son. He wants to roam the seas under his own name and prove that he is stronger than Roger."
Rayleigh couldn't help but sigh with emotion as he thought of the time when he and Roger set out to sea.
"Just as wild as Roger was when he was young."
At this point, the others understood what he meant.
Rayleigh probably wanted to go save him too, but since Ace had set out to sea with such a will, if at the last moment he had to rely on his father's former crewmate for rescue...
...that would be a negation of everything Ace had worked for. He would probably rather die there.
Rayleigh chose to respect Ace's will.
Turning his head back, he asked the group, "What are your plans for the future?"
"This old one will return to Fish-Man Island later."
Jinbe said in a low voice, "With Pops gone, Fish-Man Island has lost its protection. I'm afraid it will soon fall into chaos."
Before the Whitebeard Pirates could regroup, he had to go back and protect Fish-Man Island.
"As for me, I'll go back to my country."
Thinking of Sanji's expression then, Ivankov couldn't help but get excited. "I can't wait to go and train Sanji-boy."
"What a weird hobby."
Reiner rolled his eyes at him, then turned with a smile and sidled up to Rayleigh. "Speaking of which, you should be very familiar with the entertainment industry here, right? My treat."
"I'm not coming back tonight, Shakky."
Rayleigh, who had just sat down, immediately stood up, put on his coat, and put his arm around Reiner's shoulder, smiling indecently. "I think you're pretty good, kid. From now on, let's call each other brothers."
"Luffy, I'm not coming back to the ship later."
Reiner stood up and left with Rayleigh, arm in arm. "Good brother, let's go."
"I misjudged you. So you're two of a kind," Shakky said, unconcerned, as she collected the glasses to wash.
As expected, the Pirate King's right-hand man can't be anything good.
(End of chapter)
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 25 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you