At Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Sengoku the Buddha had already accepted the mission issued by the World Government.
Without delay, he boarded his exclusive warship, his expression calm yet heavy with responsibility.
Following behind him was Borsalino, currently serving as a Rear Admiral, casually holding the intelligence report in his hand with a faintly amused look on his face.
“How scary,” Borsalino muttered lazily, glancing at the blurred images of the two cloaked figures.
“They actually dared to attack a Celestial Dragon, but with only silhouettes like these… how are we supposed to find them?”
Sengoku did not even turn his head as he replied in a firm tone, “Once we arrive at Sabaody Archipelago, there will naturally be clues.
Prepare to depart immediately.”
Meanwhile, Roy was already leading Tesoro and Stella through the bustling yet tense streets of Sabaody Archipelago, heading toward Shakky’s Rip-Off Bar.
“Boss, how are we supposed to leave Sabaody after this?” Tesoro asked, still nervous from everything that had happened.
“There’s always a way,” Roy replied calmly.
“The Marines won’t locate us immediately.
Once we finish the transaction, we can just take a pirate ship.”
Without hesitation, he pushed open the bar door.
The moment he stepped inside, his gaze landed on a familiar figure seated at the counter, casually drinking.
Roy froze for a split second.
“…Why is he here?”
The man turned slightly, revealing a relaxed smile.
“Oh?
Judging by that look, you know me.
Then how about you tell me your name first?”
Roy recovered quickly.
“Of course… Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King, right hand of the Roger Pirates.”
“My name is Ronamir Roy.
These are my companions Tesoro and Stella.”
Rayleigh’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly at the immediate recognition, but he soon waved it off with a carefree laugh.
“You really are interesting, just like Shakky said.”
Roy didn’t linger on the topic.
“Let’s skip the small talk and complete the transaction first.”
He placed a box on the counter.
“Two hundred million Berries.
The agreed price.”
Shakky opened it, checked the contents briefly, and then pulled out a stack of manuals along with two log poses from behind the bar.
Roy quickly inspected the materials Haki basics, Rokushiki training outlines, swordsmanship fundamentals everything matched what he needed.
After confirming there were no issues, he pocketed the log poses and turned to leave, but before stepping out, he paused and glanced at Rayleigh.
“Mr.
Rayleigh… if you don’t have urgent matters, I suggest you leave Sabaody soon.
An Admiral will be arriving shortly.”
Rayleigh’s expression shifted subtly.
Without a word, he released his Observation Haki, scanning the entire archipelago.
At that moment, chaos had already erupted across Sabaody.
Marine forces were mobilized everywhere.
Ports were sealed.
CP agents flooded the streets.
Pirates in the lawless zones began fleeing in panic, while the unlucky ones were captured on the spot.
Roy also extended his Observation Haki and immediately noticed something alarming multiple Marine squads were advancing in their direction, some even carrying Stella’s photo.
“…Damn it.”
He clicked his tongue softly.
Even if he and Tesoro remained hidden, Stella’s identity made tracking them far easier than expected.
Rayleigh, sensing Roy’s Haki, turned his head slightly, interest flickering in his eyes.
“That’s… quite a unique Observation Haki.”
Then he smiled faintly.
“You’re the ones who caused the trouble, aren’t you?”
Roy didn’t deny it.
“That’s right.
After all, someone had to gather the money for Shakky’s information fee.”
He paused briefly before adding with a grin.
“So, Uncle Rayleigh… given the situation, how about we leave together?”
Rayleigh chuckled.
“And why should I?
Traveling alone is much safer, don’t you think?”
Roy was momentarily speechless.
…He wasn’t wrong.
With Rayleigh’s strength someone who could swim across the Calm Belt even in old age why would he bother carrying extra burdens?
Even so, Roy still felt that having someone of that level nearby would significantly increase their chances of escape.
Seeing Roy hesitate, Rayleigh smirked slightly.
“I can take you along… but what do I gain?”
Roy’s eyes sharpened instantly.
This was his advantage.
His knowledge.
“Hahaha… then how about this, Mr.
Rayleigh information about how to reach the final island?”
Rayleigh’s relaxed demeanor vanished for a brief moment.
His gaze turned serious.
“…You really are full of surprises, kid.”
But just as quickly, he smiled again, shaking his head.
“If someone tells you the answer, what’s the point of setting sail?”
With that, he finished his drink, stood up, and headed toward the back door.
“See you around, Shakky.”
“Take care, Rayleigh,” Shakky replied casually.
As he stepped out, Rayleigh added without looking back,
“If you’ve got the guts, follow me.
It’d be a waste for someone like you to die here.”
Roy let out a helpless chuckle.
“…Figures.
The Roger Pirates really are a bunch of idealists.”
Without hesitation, he followed.
Tesoro leaned in, whispering excitedly, “Boss, why are we following him?
Is that old man really that strong?”
Roy nodded slightly.
“Very strong.
One of the absolute top tiers in this world.”
Tesoro’s eyes lit up.
“Then we’re definitely getting out of here!”
Stella, standing beside them, also smiled softly, relief finally showing on her face.
Roy didn’t interrupt their moment.
Because through his Observation Haki, he could already feel it.
The Marines were closing in.
Ahead, Rayleigh had clearly sensed it as well.
He quickened his pace.
“Listen carefully,” he said without turning back.
“The Marines have locked onto us.
Move faster.
If you fall behind, no one’s saving you.”
Moments earlier, aboard Sengoku’s warship, a report had just arrived.
“The targets have been located.”
Sengoku immediately issued orders.
“Surround them.
Don’t let them escape.”
Then he turned toward Borsalino.
“You move ahead.
Don’t give them the chance to flee by sea.”
Borsalino adjusted his glasses slightly, a faint smile forming.
“Understood.”
Back on Sabaody, Roy activated his newly acquired ability.
Invisible force wrapped around Tesoro and Stella, lifting them slightly off the ground as he sprinted behind Rayleigh.
Rayleigh glanced back briefly.
“Oh?
That’s your ability?
A Devil Fruit user, huh?”
Roy grinned.
“Yeah.
Took it straight from the Celestial Dragons.”
Rayleigh snorted.
“Tch… what a bold brat.”
The four of them rushed toward the docking area at high speed.
Then a figure appeared ahead.
Blocking their path.
A Marine officer wearing a suit, sunglasses, and a lazy, almost mocking expression.
He stood there casually, as if he had been waiting all along.
Borsalino.
He tilted his head slightly, looking at them with interest.
“Well now… found you.”