Chapter 366 Master and Disciple—Destination Laugh Tale
Time: Slightly earlier, in Ryugu Palace's reception hall.
Tesoro stroked his chin, sighing with considerable feeling. "Who could have imagined Laugh Tale was in that place!"
"This is truly—if Miss Robin hadn't translated the Road Poneglyph rubbings, we probably couldn't have found Laugh Tale's location even after searching a hundred years."
Nico Robin had already told Brett and the others Laugh Tale's location.
This was absolutely not some obscure place. Rather the opposite—a location well-known to people across the seas. Calling it a famous landmark wouldn't be an exaggeration.
But precisely because of this, when learning Laugh Tale was actually in that place, Brett and the others were all quite surprised.
"How about it, Brett? Time to head to Laugh Tale next, right?"
Tesoro looked at Brett with expectant eyes. He couldn't wait to see Laugh Tale.
Who wouldn't feel anticipation for that island?
That place had been reached only by the Pirate King and his companions in eight hundred years.
"No rush. I need to see someone first."
Brett said.
"See someone?"
Tesoro raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Well."
Brett smiled. "Since I'm heading to Laugh Tale, I should at least tell him."
"Whatever you want."
Tesoro didn't particularly care.
After all, they already knew Laugh Tale's location. When to go was no longer an issue.
Whenever they wanted.
Brett didn't immediately leave Fish-Man Island. Instead, after entertaining Robin at Ryugu Palace, he departed only after nightfall.
His destination was the Sabaody Archipelago.
Sabaody Archipelago—Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Brett landed lightly on the slope outside the bar, then walked to the entrance.
He paused briefly, lips curving upward, then pushed open the bar's door.
"Ara, if it isn't Brett?"
The beautiful woman sitting cross-legged at the bar, smoking, greeted Brett with a smile. "Been a while, hasn't it?"
Brett smiled and nodded at her. "Indeed been a while, Shakky."
"And—" He looked toward the bar's other occupant. "Rayleigh."
"Oh! Brett!"
The white-haired old man lay drunkenly sprawled on the bar. He twisted his head toward Brett, waving in greeting. "What brings you to see me today?"
"Something very important to tell you."
Brett sat beside Rayleigh, smiling. "Extremely important."
"Extremely important?"
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow. The flush from alcohol rapidly faded from his face. He straightened his back.
"So, what is it?"
For the current Brett to call something extremely important—it had to be tremendously important.
Hmm.
Brett cleared his throat, then grinned widely. "I'm heading to Laugh Tale."
"Oh, you mean Laugh Tale—"
Rayleigh nodded. Then the next instant, his neck seemed to freeze. His thick beard trembled. "Brett, are you saying—"
"Laugh Tale?"
Had he misheard?
Did Brett really say that Laugh Tale?
"Of course I mean Laugh Tale. That Final Island only you once reached."
Brett said. "Roger left all the secrets there, right? I want to see for myself."
"Ara, if that's the case, this truly is extremely important."
Even Shakky couldn't help expressing surprise. She didn't even notice the long ash accumulated on her cigarette.
"So, Brett—you've already collected all four Road Poneglyphs?"
Rayleigh clicked his tongue.
When they'd assembled the four Road Poneglyphs to head to Laugh Tale, they'd all been in their fifties.
But this kid was barely in his early twenties. The difference was staggering!
"Naturally."
Brett nodded. "Charlotte Linlin's, Zou's, Wano's, and the one formerly at Fish-Man Island."
"I worked quite hard for them."
He seemed somewhat wistful.
Rayleigh rolled his eyes. I don't see where you worked hard at all.
"So you've already found someone to translate the Poneglyphs too?"
"Yes. Ohara's descendant—Nico Robin."
"Oh." Rayleigh nodded knowingly. "That little girl called the Demon Child? If it's her, she can certainly translate Poneglyphs."
He sighed at this. If they'd known earlier that Ohara's people could decipher ancient text, they wouldn't have taken so many detours.
"So why specifically come tell me this?"
Rayleigh asked with a smile.
"Because—" Brett paused, then said, "This way there probably won't be a new Pirate King afterward."
Brett wasn't a pirate. So when he first reached Laugh Tale, he wouldn't inherit the Pirate King title.
He'd also reveal his arrival at Laugh Tale at the appropriate time, then spread the century of history the Government had erased that he'd found on the island.
This way, the magnificent Great Pirate Era Roger had launched—lasting over a decade—would probably come to an end.
"I see."
Rayleigh nodded, then smiled. "Don't worry about it, Brett. Our voyage ended long ago. Now is the era for you youngsters."
"The Pirate King is the freest person in the world. It's not about finding Laugh Tale to become Pirate King."
Brett chuckled softly. "Don't misunderstand, Rayleigh. I'm just notifying you."
Regardless, Laugh Tale had to be visited.
"Hey, you brat!"
Rayleigh couldn't help laughing heartily.
He knew, of course. Once his disciple decided on something, he'd accomplish it no matter what.
After the laughter, Rayleigh's expression gradually became solemn. He said, "Then do whatever you want to do."
"Yes."
Brett nodded. "I'm about to change this world."
Rayleigh grabbed his bottle and took a swig, then said, "I'm looking forward to it."
"Well then, I'll be leaving."
Brett departed impatiently.
Next he'd head to Laugh Tale—to uncover the world's greatest secret.
Watching his departing back, Shakky sighed somewhat. "What an incredible kid. What'll we do next time, old Ray?"
"I mean about Roger's hat?"
"Hahahaha!"
Rayleigh simply laughed heartily.
"Well..."
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