The plan was taking shape, but one final detail remained.
For a few moments, nobody spoke. The weight of the plan settled over the group as they stood around Shakky's bar, each person silently considering what lay ahead.
Then Sabo turned toward Baby-5.
"Baby-5."
"Yes?" She looked up.
"With your Fairy Dust, can you get us through the entrance undetected?"
"My Fairy Dust has a time limit," Baby-5 explained. "I can hide us temporarily, but I can't maintain it forever."
"That's enough." Sabo nodded.
"If Young Master allows it." Baby-5 immediately looked toward Arthur.
Arthur had been standing near the wall, listening to the discussion without interrupting. His eyes moved between Sabo and Baby-5 before settling on the latter.
"You're my candidate in the first place, but Impel Down is one of the most heavily guarded places in the world. If the operation goes wrong, getting out will be even harder than getting in."
"I know."
"And you're willing to go anyway?"
"Sabo is going to save his brother. Luffy is going to save his brother. If I can help them, I want to." Baby-5's expression became firm.
Sabo gave her a grateful look.
Arthur remained silent for another moment.
Then he nodded.
"All right."
"Thank you, Young Master." Baby-5 smiled.
"But you follow the plan exactly. No unnecessary fighting." Arthur raised one finger.
"Understood." She nodded.
"And don't waste your Fairy Dust."
"I won't." Baby-5's expression became slightly more serious.
"Then let's make sure everyone understands what she can actually do." Arthur turned toward the others.
Baby-5 stepped forward.
"My Fairy Dust isn't unlimited. I can use it to temporarily enhance movement and make my allies invisible, but every use consumes a portion of my reserves. Once it's gone, I can't replenish it quickly."
"So we save it for emergencies." Sabo listened carefully.
"Exactly." Baby-5 nodded. "If we use it carelessly inside Impel Down, we could lose our best advantage before we even reach Ace."
Luffy raised his hand. "I don't understand, but we can't use your dust unless we really need it."
"That's the idea." Baby-5 smiled.
"Got it!"
"And you need to remember something else." Arthur looked toward Luffy.
Luffy turned. "What?"
"You're not going there to fight everyone."
"But there'll be enemies." Luffy frowned.
"The prison itself will try to stop you. Guards, beasts, wardens, even the prisoners—you don't have to defeat any of them unless they're directly in your way. If you try to defeat everything standing between you and Ace, you'll exhaust yourself before you reach him."
Luffy crossed his arms.
Arthur's expression hardened.
"Your objective is Ace. Nothing else."
Luffy slowly nodded. "Okay."
Sabo placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder. "We stick together and keep moving."
"Right."
Nami looked toward Arthur. "You're sure that's the best choice?"
"It is."
"What if Luffy gets into trouble?" Sanji frowned.
"He will." Everyone stared at Arthur. "That's not a possibility. It's a certainty."
Arthur shrugged.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Luffy protested.
"Hey!"
A few people laughed.
Arthur's expression softened slightly before becoming serious again.
"The problem isn't whether Luffy will get into trouble. The problem is how much trouble he causes before Sabo can reach him."
"That sounds about right." Sabo sighed.
Luffy puffed out his cheeks.
"I can take care of myself!"
"You've already proven that," Arthur replied. "That's why you're still alive."
"But this time, you need to trust the people around you." Rayleigh gave him a long look.
Luffy looked toward Sabo.
Then Baby-5.
Finally, toward the Straw Hat crew.
His expression became determined.
"I will."
Arthur nodded.
"That is enough."
Outside the bar, the afternoon light had begun to soften. The streets of Sabaody remained lively, but beneath the ordinary noise was an unmistakable sense of unease. News of Ace's execution had spread everywhere, and the closer the world came to Marineford, the more tense the atmosphere became.
Two routes had now been chosen.
Two groups would leave Sabaody.
And neither knew exactly what awaited them.
Arthur turned toward Rayleigh.
"You're coming with us."
Rayleigh's expression was unusually serious.
"No, my old bone can't handle you young people."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "There is something I haven't told you."
Rayleigh's gaze narrowed slightly.
The room fell quiet again.
Arthur continued.
"Something about Ace."
Arthur did not answer immediately.
His eyes shifted toward the window, where the sunlight was beginning to fade.
There was one truth about Ace that Rayleigh still didn't know.
A truth that would change his decision entirely.
Arthur finally turned back toward him.
"Then perhaps it's time you knew."
Luffy tilted his head.
"What is it?"
Arthur looked at him briefly before returning his attention to Rayleigh.
"Ace isn't just Whitebeard's second division commander."
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed.
Arthur took a slow breath.
"He is the son of Gol D. Roger."
The words seemed to stop time.
Rayleigh's expression froze.
For several seconds, the former Dark King said nothing. Even the faint sounds coming from the street outside seemed distant.
Luffy stared at Arthur.
Sabo already knew, but hearing it spoken aloud still carried a strange weight.
Rayleigh's fingers tightened around the glass.
For a moment, he could no longer hear the voices around him.
The room seemed to fade.
His eyes remained lowered, but his mind had already drifted far beyond Sabaody.
Back to a time when the sea had felt endless.
Back to the days when the Roger Pirates still sailed together.
Back to the final days of their journey.
The sea was calm.
The Oro Jackson sailed beneath a clear sky, its sails filled by a gentle wind.
The atmosphere aboard the ship was strangely quiet.
They had reached the end.
After years of sailing together, after countless battles, islands, storms, and impossible adventures, the journey of the Roger Pirates was finally coming to an end.
Roger stood near the bow, staring toward the horizon.
His usual grin remained on his face.
But Rayleigh knew him well enough to notice the difference.
There was something unusually peaceful in Roger's expression.
Rayleigh approached him. "So this is really it?"
"Looks like it." Roger glanced at him.
"You don't sound very sad."
Roger laughed. "Why would I be sad?"
"Because your dream lay in the next era." Rayleigh folded his arms.
Roger turned toward the rest of the crew.
They were scattered across the deck.
Some were talking quietly.
Others were drinking.
A few were already discussing what they would do once they returned to their own lives.
After everything they had experienced together, the thought of simply going their separate ways felt almost unreal.
Roger looked back at Rayleigh.
"We knew this day would come."
"I know."
"But that doesn't mean the adventure ends."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow.
"You're saying that like you already have something planned."
"Maybe I do." Roger's grin widened.
Rayleigh sighed. "You always do."
Roger laughed loudly.
Then his expression softened.
"We've seen everything we wanted to see."
"Not everything." Rayleigh looked toward the horizon.
Roger glanced at him. "You know what I mean."
Rayleigh did.
They had reached the final island.
They had uncovered the truth hidden at the end of the Grand Line.
They had laughed at the absurdity of what they found.
And yet, despite everything they had accomplished, Roger's journey was nearing its end.
Rayleigh looked at his captain.
"What will you do now?"
Roger remained silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"I'll meet the world one more time."
Rayleigh's expression changed slightly.
He understood.
Roger had already begun thinking about what came next.
The crew gathered around them.
Roger looked at each of them.
"Listen."
The conversations gradually stopped.
Everyone turned toward their captain.
"Our journey is over."
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Roger grinned.
"But that doesn't mean we have to stop living."
A few of the crew members laughed.
Roger continued.
"We've sailed together for years. We've fought together, laughed together, nearly died together…"
He paused.
"And somehow, you idiots survived me."
The crew burst into laughter.
"You're the biggest idiot here." Rayleigh shook his head.
"That's why you're my first mate." Roger laughed.
The laughter slowly faded.
Roger looked across the deck again.
"I want every one of you to live your own life after this."
His voice was quieter now.
"Find somewhere you want to live. Start a family. Drink until you can't remember your own name. Become a merchant. Become a pirate. Become whatever the hell you want."
A few of the crew members smiled.
Rayleigh watched Roger carefully.
There was no sadness in his captain's voice.
Only acceptance.
Roger looked toward the sea.
"Our journey together is over."
He smiled.
"But the sea is still waiting."
The crew slowly began to disperse.
Some exchanged embraces.
Others raised their cups.
For the first time, Rayleigh understood that the Roger Pirates were not falling apart because they had failed.
They were separating because they had succeeded.
Their dream had reached its destination.
And now each of them was free to choose where to go next.
Rayleigh remained beside Roger.
"You knew this would happen."
Roger nodded.
"Of course."
"You're not afraid?"
"Afraid of what?" Roger laughed softly.
"Being alone."
Roger looked at him.
Then he smiled.
"I won't be alone."
"What does that mean?" Rayleigh frowned slightly.
Roger's smile became mysterious.
"You'll see."
"You really can't explain anything normally." Rayleigh sighed.
"That's what makes life interesting."
The two men stood side by side as the sun slowly descended over the sea.
For years, Rayleigh had stood beside Roger.
He had watched him laugh in the face of danger.
He had watched him challenge impossible enemies.
He had watched him reach the end of the Grand Line.
And now, for the first time, Rayleigh realized that even this would eventually become a memory.
A final voyage.
A final farewell.
A final smile.
Rayleigh's eyes slowly opened.
The memory disappeared.
He was back inside Shakky's bar.
The glass remained in his hand.
But his fingers were still trembling slightly.
Roger.
His captain.
His brother.
The man who had changed the world.
And now Arthur had just told him that Roger had left behind a son.
A child Rayleigh had never known existed.
A child who had grown up somewhere in the world without him ever knowing.
A child who was now waiting to be executed.
Rayleigh finally lowered his gaze.
"Roger's... son." His voice was barely above a whisper.
Arthur nodded.
"Portgas D. Ace inherited his mother's name. The World Government kept his true identity hidden for years."
"I guess Roger had a family and maybe a child." Rayleigh's hand tightened around his glass.
"But you never knew what became of him?" Arthur studied him.
"No."
Rayleigh's expression darkened as memories of Roger flooded back—his laughter, the final voyage, and the day their captain had been executed. The secrets they had discovered at the end of the Grand Line.
And now, decades later, the son of that man was waiting to be executed by the same government that had spent years trying to erase his father's existence.
"Now you know." Arthur stepped closer.
Rayleigh remained silent.
"So tell me, Rayleigh." Arthur's voice became firmer. "Are you really going to sit here and let Roger's son be executed?"
The former first mate slowly raised his eyes.
The question struck harder than any accusation.
Rayleigh stared at him for a long moment.
Then he closed his eyes.
A quiet breath escaped him.
"I suppose I knew this day would come."
"Rayleigh?" Luffy looked at him.
Rayleigh opened his eyes again.
The hesitation was gone.
"I've spent years watching the world move on without me." He placed his glass on the table. "But perhaps I've been watching long enough."
Arthur's mouth curved into a faint smile.
"So?"
"So I'm coming." Rayleigh stood.
Luffy's eyes widened.
"Really?!"
Rayleigh looked toward him.
"If Roger's son is going to be executed, I can't simply remain here and pretend it has nothing to do with me."
"That means you'll help us?" Sabo smiled.
Rayleigh gave him a sideways glance.
"I didn't say I was going to help you break into Impel Down."
Sabo's smile faded slightly.
Rayleigh looked at Arthur.
"I'll go with you to Marineford."
"I expected that answer." Arthur nodded.
Luffy immediately stepped forward.
"Then let's all go together!"
"No," Arthur said.
Luffy froze.
Arthur looked at him calmly.
"Our paths separate here."
Luffy's expression fell.
"But—"
"You chose Impel Down." Arthur pointed toward him, then Sabo and Baby-5. "You three are going to rescue Ace before the war even starts."
He then looked toward Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh and I will head for Marineford."
Luffy clenched his fists. "But what if Ace gets transferred before we reach him?"
Arthur smiled faintly.
"Then I'll make sure Ace is still alive when you arrive at Marineford."
That answer was enough to quiet him.
"We'll make it." Sabo stepped forward.
Luffy nodded.
The room immediately shifted from discussion to preparation.
The Straw Hats checked the Sunny Go and gathered what they would need, while Sabo and Baby-5 went over their route with Luffy. Across the harbor, Arthur and the ART Pirates prepared the Athena for Marineford.
Shakky had been watching them from behind the counter.
When Rayleigh finally announced that he would be going with Arthur, she sighed and set down the glass she had been polishing.
"So you're really going."
"Looks that way." Rayleigh glanced at her.
Shakky gave him a knowing smile.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to sit this one out."
"You know me too well." Rayleigh chuckled.
She walked around the counter and stopped in front of him.
"Someone has to keep you alive long enough to come home."
"I'll bring him back." Arthur said with a faint smile.
Shakky looked at Arthur. "I'll hold you to that."
Arthur nodded. "You have my word."
Shakky's expression softened.
"Good." She glanced toward Rayleigh one last time. "Then come back alive, old man."
"I'll do my best." Rayleigh smiled.
"Don't give me your best. Give me your promise." Shakky folded her arms.
Rayleigh paused.
Then his expression became gentle.
"I promise."
"That's better." Shakky nodded.
Arthur turned toward the door.
"Come on, Rayleigh. We have a war to prepare for."
Rayleigh followed him.
Behind them, Shakky watched the two men leave.
For a moment, her smile disappeared.
She knew exactly what kind of war they were sailing into.
And she could only hope they would both return.
Outside, the afternoon sun had begun to sink toward the horizon. The golden light spilled through the windows of the bar, stretching long shadows across the floor.
It was time.
Arthur turned toward the door.
"Bepo."
"Yes, Captain!" The mink immediately straightened.
"Prepare the Athena."
Bepo nodded. "Right away!"
Arthur looked toward the Straw Hat crew.
"You'll need to move as soon as possible. The closer the execution gets, the more dangerous the route will become."
Nami nodded. "We'll be ready."
Zoro adjusted his swords and looked at Sabo. "Just make sure Luffy doesn't get himself killed."
"Hey!" Luffy protested.
Sanji sighed. "That's exactly what we're worried about."
"I'd prefer if nobody got killed." Usopp swallowed nervously.
"Me too!" Chopper nodded rapidly.
Franky raised a fist.
"Then let's make this operation SUPER successful!"
Brook lifted his cane.
"Yohoho! I have no intention of dying before I can attend the next party!"
Luffy grinned.
"We're getting Ace back!"
"Together." Sabo placed a hand on his shoulder.
Baby-5 stepped beside them.
"Let's go."
Arthur watched the three of them.
For a brief moment, the room felt almost peaceful.
Then he looked toward Rayleigh.
"Ready?"
"As ready as an old man can be." Rayleigh reached for his coat.
Arthur laughed softly.
"You're still faster than most people I know."
"That isn't much of a compliment."
"It wasn't meant to be."
Rayleigh chuckled.
The two walked toward the exit.
Luffy suddenly called after Arthur.
"Arthur!"
Arthur stopped and looked back.
Luffy stood beside Sabo and Baby-5, his expression completely serious.
"We'll save Ace."
"I know." Arthur nodded.
"And you won't have to worry about us. We'll get Ace out of Impel Down."
"I hope we won't have to fight at Marineford." Arthur's eyes sharpened.
"See you!" Luffy smiled.
Arthur returned the smile. "See you when all of this is over."
They stepped outside.
The atmosphere of Sabaody had changed noticeably by then. The bright afternoon had faded into the warm colors of approaching evening, and the shadows of the mangroves stretched across the streets.
Two ships waited.
The Athena stood ready at the harbor, her white sails bearing the emblem of the ART Pirates.
Not far away, the Sunny Go waited for the Straw Hats.
For one final moment, the two groups stood together.
Then the separation began.
Arthur looked toward Baby-5.
"Take care of yourself."
"You too, Young Master." Baby-5 nodded.
Arthur gave her a small smile.
"Bring them back safely."
"I will."
Luffy raised his fist.
"I'M SAVING YOU ACE!"
"Keep your voice down!" Sabo laughed.
"Why?"
"Because we're trying to infiltrate a prison, remember?"
"Oh, NIN NIN."
"That hasn't changed at all." Arthur shook his head.
Rayleigh laughed quietly beside him.
"That's probably why Roger liked people like him."
"Maybe." Arthur glanced at Rayleigh.
The two groups finally moved toward their ships.
Arthur boarded the Athena with Rayleigh.
Luffy, Sabo, Baby-5, and the Straw Hat crew boarded the Sunny Go.
The ropes were released.
The ships slowly pulled away from the harbor.
For several moments, they traveled in the same direction.
Then the routes diverged.
The Athena turned toward the open sea.
Marineford awaited beyond the horizon.
The Sunny Go took another course, heading toward the deadly waters surrounding Impel Down.
Arthur stood at the stern of the Athena, watching the Sunny Go grow smaller in the distance.
"They're young." Rayleigh stepped beside him.
"Too young for this." Arthur nodded. "And yet they're going."
"They would go even without us." Rayleigh smiled faintly. "That's the kind of people who change an era."
"Then let's make sure they survive long enough to do it." Arthur looked toward the darkening horizon.
The distance between the two ships widened.
One ship carried the man who had inherited Roger's will.
The other carried the man who had chosen to protect him.
Neither knew what awaited them.
But both were moving toward the same destination.
The coming war.
The sea grew darker as evening approached.
On the Athena, Arthur remained at the bow while Rayleigh stood beside him.
Behind them, the ART Pirates prepared for the journey ahead.
Far away, the Sunny Go sailed toward the most infamous prison in the world.
And aboard it, Luffy stared into the fading light.
His fists were clenched.
His eyes were unwavering.
"Ace…"
The wind carried his voice across the deck.
"We're coming."
The sun finally disappeared beneath the horizon.
Night descended over the sea.
Two paths had been chosen.
And neither could turn back now.
One was sailing toward Marineford.
The other was sailing toward Impel Down.
And somewhere between those two destinations, the fate of the era was already beginning to shift.
TO BE CONTINUED.