Sabaody Archipelago, Lawless Zone · Island 13, Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
At that moment, Gion was eyeing Rayleigh, seated on the sofa, with clear curiosity. Her stare made Rayleigh shrink back slightly, his feet drawing in with discomfort. He truly hadn't expected Ortoren to bring a Marines officer to such a secret meeting.
Was he afraid their cooperation wouldn't get reported?
"Why are you staring at him like that? It's not like you haven't seen him before. Didn't you hunt down the Roger Pirates with Garp-san?" Ortoren nudged Gion with his elbow, confused.
Gion let out an awkward little laugh before speaking. "No, it's just… the Dark King·Silvers Rayleigh I remember was a cool, blond-haired guy. How did he turn into this scruffy mess in just a few years?"
In Gion's memory, Rayleigh had been undeniably stylish—even as a pirate. His neatly slicked-back golden hair, fitted trench coat, long, slender pants, and heavy leather boots made for an impressive image.
But now? Rayleigh's hair was a tangled mix of gray and gold, his beard unkempt, his clothes a random old rag draped over him, shorts showing off his leg hair, and flip-flops so worn their straps were turning black. No wonder he'd managed to hide on the Sabaody Archipelago, this close to Marine Headquarters, without being discovered.
Looking like this, who could connect him to the once-legendary Pluton·Silvers Zoro?
The moment Gion called him scruffy, Rayleigh nearly jumped up. "Scruffy? This isn't scruffiness—this is returning to simplicity, embracing the essence of life. You young folks just don't get it…"
"No, it's simply because you're idle now and spend all day drunk, so you don't bother cleaning yourself up. Don't explain." After serving tea to everyone, Shakky gave Rayleigh a disdainful look. "Back then, I only liked you because you were somewhat handsome. How did you end up like this?"
As a kept man living off a wealthy woman, Rayleigh didn't dare talk back when she spoke. His expression collapsed a bit, and he quickly shifted the topic. "We're not here to talk about me. We're here about Hancock… Alright, Ortoren, do you have any ideas?"
"Settle the previous debt first." Ortoren raised his teacup, took a sip, and lifted a brow.
They'd agreed the fifty billion Belly would be paid after the matter was handled, but since Ortoren had come in person, Shakky had prepared. Hearing his words, Shakky sighed helplessly. "You really are stingy…"
After complaining, Shakky walked to the bar, rummaged around under the counter, and retrieved a check from the safe. He handed it to Ortoren. "A bearer check from the underworld. Don't tell me you don't have the channels to cash out these two hundred billion."
Ortoren accepted the check with a smile. After inspecting it, he flicked it lightly and slipped it away with satisfaction. "Thanks for looking out for me, Big Sis. Now let's get to the main issue."
As he finished speaking, Ortoren pulled a map from his pocket and spread it across the table. "This is the detailed blueprint of Mary Geoise, including the road layout inside the Divine Residence."
Rayleigh stared, completely stunned. A blueprint of Mary Geoise of all places—and he had it? Even the internal road system and functional layout of the Divine Residence?
The leak of such a blueprint alone was enough to brand Ortoren with the crime of "attempting to overthrow the World Government."
"The World Government is truly lucky to have someone like you…" Rayleigh looked at the map, then at Ortoren's indifferent expression, and couldn't help but praise him.
"It's only fair. He's committed so many sins—letting him enjoy some fortune isn't a problem," Ortoren said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Before Rayleigh could respond, Ortoren continued, "But these blueprints and the functional zoning within the Holy Land are from quite a long time ago. I'm not sure if things are still the same. Still, I haven't heard of any major changes inside, so there shouldn't be an issue..."
Of course, the internal layout of the Holy Land had been reconstructed entirely from Doflamingo's prodigious memory.
After Rayleigh and the others finished looking over the blueprints, Ortoren said, "Now, there are two plans. First, I give the blueprints to you. You figure out your own way to sneak into Mary Geoise, use these maps to find those three sisters, then smuggle them out quietly."
Rayleigh didn't even need to think before shaking his head. "That's too difficult. What's the second plan?"
"Find partners, burn Mary Geoise, create a massive uproar, and fish them out amid the chaos..." Ortoren grinned as he spoke.
But before he could finish, Rayleigh immediately cut him off. "Wait a moment. Let's go back and discuss the first plan!"
"Didn't you just say the first one was too difficult?" Ortoren glared at him, visibly annoyed.
"That was before I knew you were insane enough to propose burning Mary Geoise! Are you even a Marine? Is the World Government really paying you!? When I was a pirate, I wasn't even close to being this ruthless!" Rayleigh roared.
Shakky sighed helplessly from the side. "All we want is to rescue three people from Mary Geoise. We never planned on going to war with the World Government. To even suggest burning Mary Geoise... I really underestimated how crazy you are."
For a moment, both Shakky and Rayleigh genuinely considered cutting ties with Ortoren and ending the deal.
This was too vicious. Anyone who tried something like that would be dead. Would the World Government just shrug it off? Even if they escaped Mary Geoise, they'd be hunted for life with no hope of peace.
Seeing both Rayleigh and Shakky backing down, Ortoren waved his hand dismissively. "Suit yourselves. You've already seen the blueprints. The remaining three hundred billion Belly stays the same—consider it the price of the map. The rest is your problem."
With that, Ortoren stood up to leave.
Rayleigh hadn't expected this dog-faced bastard to flip attitudes so quickly. He hurriedly grabbed Ortoren's arm. "It's not that we won't do it. But you should at least propose something realistic. If we burn Mary Geoise—even if we save them, what good will it do? It'd still end in death! And if Amazon Lily gets dragged into it, the entire Kuja Island could be destroyed!"
With Rayleigh still holding onto him, Ortoren spoke with mild impatience. "That's why I said we need a partner. And we need a scapegoat who's qualified enough. As long as someone else takes the blame, what are you afraid of?"
"Someone willing to take the blame?" Rayleigh hesitated. "And what do you mean by 'partner'?"
"Listen closely..." Seeing Rayleigh hadn't completely backed away, Ortoren sat back down. "I already have a candidate for the scapegoat. Someone absolutely qualified, and with enough motive to commit something this treasonous."
"Who?" Rayleigh raised an eyebrow.
"Shiki the Golden Lion... Shiki," Ortoren said gravely.
Rayleigh was stunned.
Shakky looked just as confused. "Wasn't Shiki captured and sent to Impel Down?"
"Yes. And because he was thrown into Impel Down by us, he must be full of resentment. So if he escapes, wouldn't it make perfect sense for him to seek revenge against the World Government and attack Mary Geoise?" Ortoren answered.
"But if he wants revenge, shouldn't he go after Marine Headquarters?" Rayleigh asked doubtfully.
Ortoren looked at him as if he were a fool. "Why do you think he was sent to Impel Down in the first place?"
Rayleigh froze, then realization dawned. "Right... he caused havoc at Marine Headquarters, that's why he was put in there. That does make sense. But can he really escape from Impel Down?"
"Ahem... He can't do it on his own, no. But I have a long-term cooperative project with Impel Down, so G-5's relationship with them is excellent. I'm practically brothers with Magellan, the boss of Impel Down. Every year I help him take tons of pressure off his plate. So don't worry—even if Shiki can't escape by himself, with us sworn brothers helping, he'll definitely get out and carry the blame..." Ortoren declared righteously.
Rayleigh was stunned for a long moment before clicking his tongue. "I don't know when you two became sworn brothers, but Shiki is truly blessed to have someone like you."
"He's caused so much trouble—letting him enjoy some fortune is only fair," Ortoren replied instinctively.
Huh? Why did that sound so familiar...?