Hahaha… The New World! We're back again!
The Oro Jackson once again crossed the Red Line and reentered the second half of the Grand Line—the New World.
"Rayleigh," Roger turned to his right-hand man and asked, "Any word from Shakky?"
"Roger…" Rayleigh sighed. "We've only just arrived in the New World. I haven't even had time to send a message yet. Don't be so impatient. This isn't like you."
"…Sorry, my friend," Roger paused, then gave a bitter smile. "I guess my state of mind's a little off right now."
Rayleigh stayed silent, but a flicker of sorrow flashed across his eyes.
"Captain! Enemy ship spotted ahead!" Lookout Gorlan suddenly shouted from the mast.
The previously cheering crew fell silent and rushed to the deck, peering out toward the sea. There, not far ahead, was a pirate ship flying a flag with a grinning skeleton wearing lipstick, a fluffy coat, and a wide-brimmed hat—a waving skull that left no doubt.
"It's Big Mom's pirate crew—the Charlotte Family!" Fang Yi immediately recognized the flag.
"What the hell is the Big Mom Pirates doing here?" Jaba frowned.
The Big Mom Pirates, led by Charlotte Linlin, and the Beast Pirates, led by Kaido, were both emerging powerhouses of the New World. It was rare for crews like theirs to show up near the entry point of the New World.
"Captain, what do we do?" The crew looked to Roger for a decision.
BOOM! BOOM!
Roger hesitated, about to suggest they steer clear, when cannon fire suddenly erupted from the enemy ship.
"Heh… They fired first. That means we don't have to be polite," Rayleigh said coldly. "Let's teach them some respect. Newcomers should learn to respect their seniors."
Roger, who had initially planned to avoid conflict, changed his mind and laughed. With Rayleigh fired up, he wasn't about to back down.
"Rowen, bring us closer! Peterm, Fang Yi—you two, show them what we're made of!" Roger laughed heartily.
"Got it, Captain!" Fang Yi smirked.
He swiftly climbed the mast and pulled out his bow and arrow.
"Let's start with you," Fang Yi muttered, aiming at the comical, singing figurehead on Big Mom's ship.
Originally, he considered targeting their Jolly Roger—but that was a symbolic gesture usually reserved for deep vendettas. So he chose the singing figurehead instead.
"Charged Flame Arrow!"
SWISH!
"Aaaahh—Mama, save me!"
The flaming arrow struck the goofy face on the figurehead, which immediately began howling for Charlotte Linlin.
Fang Yi's attack was the spark that lit the powder keg. Both sides opened up with ranged weapons as the ships closed in.
The crew members were now fully prepared for close combat.
"Captain!" Fang Yi suddenly shouted from the mast, just as Roger was about to leap into action.
"What is it, Fang Yi?" Roger looked up, puzzled. Fang Yi looked more excited than if he'd just discovered treasure.
Fang Yi didn't answer directly but gestured for Roger to come up.
Though confused, Roger trusted Fang Yi and climbed up without hesitation.
"Captain, look!" Fang Yi said, his eyes glowing. "I can feel it calling to me. That's a Poneglyph—and not just any kind. It feels… different."
Roger was stunned for a moment, then focused his Voice of All Things ability on the black-cloaked object aboard the enemy ship.
"Well?" Fang Yi pressed eagerly.
He was certain—it had to be a Road Poneglyph, one of the four essential stones needed to reach Raftel. The sensation was unlike any other Poneglyph. He didn't know how or when Big Mom had acquired it, but now that he'd seen it, he was sure.
Roger's eyes suddenly gleamed as he nodded. "We need that stone."
"But Captain," Fang Yi said cautiously, "Charlotte Linlin isn't an easy opponent. If we attack head-on, we might get the Poneglyph, but we'll suffer heavy losses. What if we… did this… and then this… and maybe this…? What do you think?"
Roger considered the plan. "It could work. We might not avoid a fight entirely, but this gives us a better chance. Our goal isn't a battle—it's that stone."
"Great! Then it's all on you now, Captain," Fang Yi said with a mischievous smile, covering his mouth to hide his grin.
Roger's face darkened. "Deceiving people isn't my thing…"
"Want to let Rayleigh handle it?" he asked cautiously.
"Nope. You still have to make the first move," Fang Yi said, shaking his head. "Otherwise, they'll suspect something. But after you start it, Mr. Rayleigh can take over."
Once they finished planning, they climbed down and explained it all to Rayleigh.
"Fang Yi, are you sure this Poneglyph is that important?" Rayleigh asked, frowning. Fighting Big Mom was one thing—stealing her treasure was another.
"I can't be 100% sure, but this one feels different. Unlike any other Poneglyph I've sensed. That's why I asked the captain to confirm," Fang Yi explained.
"I agree," Roger said. "That stone doesn't carry the same heaviness of history or war like the others. And when the covering cloth shifted a little, I saw red stone."
"…A Road Poneglyph," Rayleigh murmured. "In that case, we go with Fang Yi's plan."
Roger grinned and stepped to the bow, shouting:
"Charlotte Linlin! It's been years! Is this how you greet old friends—firing on us the moment we meet? Did I offend you somehow?"
"Maa," Linlin's booming laughter echoed as she stepped forward on her ship.
"Roger! This isn't just a coincidence, is it?"
Roger grinned. It was a coincidence. But since he'd found her here, the stone was as good as his now—coincidence or not.
After a few meaningless exchanges, Roger stepped back and let Rayleigh take over.
Rayleigh's message was clear: they didn't come to fight—but if Big Mom wanted one, they'd oblige.
Charlotte Linlin had just acquired the Poneglyph and didn't want trouble right now. She initially thought Roger had come for her treasure, but seeing it was a coincidence eased her tension.
Eventually, the two sides parted ways.
But the moment Big Mom's ship sailed away, Rayleigh shot a glance at Fang Yi.
Fang Yi nodded, and he and Wangzai slipped off the back of the Oro Jackson into the sea.
Fang Yi kept a safe distance, tracking the Big Mom Pirates without getting close. He knew Linlin's Soul-Soul Fruit was dangerous—she could breathe life into inanimate objects, turning them into her eyes and ears.
Only after nightfall did Fang Yi return to the Oro Jackson.
"How'd it go?" Rayleigh and the others immediately surrounded him.
"No problems," Fang Yi said with a grin. "Sanbell is tailing them now. I warned him not to get too close—Charlotte Linlin's Soul-Soul Fruit is too dangerous. Anything could be in her eyes. We'll wait until their crew gets drunk at the feast. That's when we move."
"Good. Rest for now. Make sure you're ready to copy the inscriptions," Rayleigh nodded.
"I want to go too!" said Buggy, eyes sparkling. The idea of sneaking onto an enemy ship thrilled him.
"No. This isn't a game," Rayleigh said sternly. "If we screw up, we'll have to fight our way out."
"But Rayleigh," Fang Yi said with a mysterious smile, "Buggy's sense for treasure is amazing. If he can find their treasure vault while we're on board, who knows what bonus loot we might get?"
Rayleigh studied Buggy. The boy looked serious, like he was truly ready for this.
"Buggy, listen. We're going for the Poneglyph, not treasure. If you get greedy and go for their gold, you'll become their main target. It'll be dangerous. Are you still in?"
Rayleigh's meaning was clear—Buggy would be the decoy. A bait. His life would be at risk.
Buggy hesitated. He loved treasure—but he loved staying alive even more. Normally, he'd never agree to something like this.
Fang Yi opened his mouth to offer encouragement… but stopped. If he promised Buggy all the treasure, he'd be luring him into danger. And if something went wrong, he'd regret it deeply.
But even without being told, Buggy understood.
"Rayleigh… I'll go. But all the loot I find is mine. Deal?" Buggy asked, gritting his teeth.
"Deal," Rayleigh nodded.
"Alright, I'm in!" Buggy agreed decisively.
You going alone is too dangerous, Fang Yi said. Shanks, go with him. If anything goes wrong, forget the treasure—save yourselves. The captain and Mr. Rayleigh will be close by. If you can just escape, we'll handle the rest.