Chapter 238: Prelude to the Sabaody Storm
Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 13 · Shakky's Rip-off Bar
The bar was dim and quiet, with only a few weak wall lamps emitting an orange glow above the counter.
The air was filled with the aroma of aged liquor, mixed with the smell of tobacco and the salty tang of the sea breeze.
An old man with white hair sat alone at the bar. His back was hunched, yet he seemed like a dormant sharp sword.
The amber liquid in his glass rippled slightly with the subtle tremors of his wrist, reflecting a cold glint.
Shakky slowly wiped a glass, her fingertips sliding back and forth on the rim, reflecting her thoughtful face.
After a moment of silence, she finally spoke, her voice carrying a heaviness. "Rayleigh... are you going to act?"
Hearing this, Rayleigh paused. The glass in his hand trembled slightly, creating tiny ripples on the surface of the wine.
Shakky continued, "Escorting Marco this time... it looks like a trap no matter how you see it. But even if it is a trap, Jozu and the others will definitely act."
"This is their last chance."
Her gaze sharpened, piercing through the smoke above the counter to look at Rayleigh's profile. "To rescue Marco, they won't hesitate to bring the flames of war to this island."
"Because this is their only chance to break the deadlock."
Rayleigh was silent for a moment before slowly putting down his glass. The bottom of the glass collided with the wooden counter, making a soft, dull sound.
His voice was low and weathered. "The era... is different now."
Shakky frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Rayleigh looked up, the gaze behind his glasses as deep as the boundless ocean floor, and spoke slowly: "Roy will definitely come."
This short sentence instantly solidified the air in the bar.
Shakky's eyes trembled, and the glass she was wiping stopped with a click.
"Roy... that man who defeated Whitebeard and slew Shiki the Golden Lion..."
"His existence is like a mountain pressing on the hearts of pirates of the entire era."
Shakky murmured, her gaze becoming complex.
Rayleigh shook his head gently and continued, "The outside world thinks this is just a Commodore escorting..."
"But you and I both know, Roy's 'teleportation' ability allows him to appear on any battlefield."
"Even if it's true pressure from the World Government, as long as he doesn't want this rescue to happen,"
"Then he might already be on the Sabaody Archipelago right now."
Hearing this, Shakky's pupils contracted violently, a chill rising up her spine.
"Teleportation... an unsolvable ability... coupled with that unparalleled Haki and strength..."
Rayleigh tipped his head back to drain the remaining wine, exhaling a long breath with a faint bitter smile. "Whitebeard's era has ended."
"The Golden Lion's era has also ended."
"The old geezers have all exited the stage one by one..."
His voice was light, yet it fell on the heart like a hammer blow, as if pronouncing the end of the old era.
Shakky was silent for a long time, finally asking in a low voice, "So... you choose to watch from the sidelines?"
Rayleigh didn't answer directly. He simply stood up slowly, walking with steady, slow steps toward the bar door.
The moment he pushed the door open, he tilted his head slightly, a look of release on his aged face:
"I will watch."
"But I won't interfere."
"This is... the rule of the New Era."
As the wooden door closed gently, Rayleigh's figure disappeared into the night.
The Next Day, Sabaody Archipelago · Port
"SPLASH—!!!"
A small warship docked at the Sabaody port. The heavy iron anchor plunged into the water, splashing up large white waves.
In this moment, all eyes at the port focused on the warship in unison.
Pirates, bounty hunters, human traffickers, black market merchants... countless eyes flickered with scrutiny and hostility.
"THUD! THUD!"
Two figures leaped from the deck first, landing heavily on the stone bricks of the port, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Ace and Luffy stood side by side. Their Marine coats were draped casually over their shoulders, fronts open, revealing solid muscles tempered by hellish training.
The Haki radiating from the two was like waves crashing on the shore, causing the surrounding low-level bounty hunters to palpitate.
"Which one... is the Marine Supernova 'Fire Fist' Ace?!!" someone in the crowd exclaimed in a low voice.
"Who's that black-haired kid standing with him? To stand shoulder to shoulder with 'Fire Fist,' he must be a monster too!" another passing pirate sweated profusely.
Behind them, Sanji and Usopp slowly walked down, flanking a small prisoner cart.
Inside the cage, "Phoenix" Marco was wrapped in Seastone chains. The blonde hair on his pineapple head had lost its luster, his face pale, breath weak.
Sanji, cigarette in mouth, spoke with resignation in his tone: "Mr. Roy is really ruthless this time..."
"Knowing full well they'll come to rescue him, he still arranges for us to parade Marco around the island for supplies. It's killing the heart..."
Usopp's legs trembled as he chimed in, shivering, "Th-This... isn't this purely increasing the mission difficulty?! And why specifically parade to Grove 13?"
Sanji glanced at him. "If you're scared, go back."
Although his legs shook, Usopp forced himself to say, "I'm not scared! I'm going to become a powerful warrior of the sea!!!"
Nami followed closely behind, walking off the warship. Her crisp Marine uniform wrapped around her slender yet powerful figure, a custom extendable staff at her waist.
She walked to Luffy's side, taking a deep breath to suppress the unease in her heart. "Let's go."
Despite her calm appearance, her fingertips trembled imperceptibly, revealing her nervousness on her first mission.
Ace noticed Nami's tension, turning to look at her and comforting softly, "Don't worry, we're here."
Luffy grinned and shouted directly, "Don't worry, Nami! With me here, no one can hurt you!!!"
The prisoner cart moved slowly toward Grove 13. More and more onlookers—pirates, bounty hunters—gathered around, whispers spreading like a tide.
In the shadows of the crowd, cold eyes stared fixedly at the prisoner cart, suppressing a surging killing intent.
"It's Big Brother Marco..."
"They really came..."
Nami whispered to Ace, "Big Brother Roy said the Whitebeard remnants would definitely act."
Ace's eyes burned like fire. "Yeah, our mission is to force them to show themselves. Sending us specifically to Grove 13 probably has a deeper meaning too."
Luffy looked around like a monkey, battle intent high. "Where are the enemies? Come out and fight!!!"
Sanji facepalmed. "Idiot, who hopes for enemies to show up..."
Usopp was on the verge of tears. "Luffy, don't be so cocky..."
In the distance, atop the massive mangrove canopy of Grove 13, two figures looked down quietly at the port.
"Diamond" Jozu, muscles bulging all over, cracked his knuckles, eyes grim. "They really came..."
"Flower Sword" Vista caressed his sword hilt, a cold smile curling his lips. "Plan remains unchanged."
Jozu turned to look at him. "Are you sure about doing this?"
A chill flashed in Vista's eyes, his tone sharp as an drawn blade. "Since we're saving Big Brother Marco, we have to bet everything!"
"Lead the flames of war... to 'Dark King' Rayleigh!"
Meanwhile, in the shadows of an even higher and more distant canopy, another massive figure looked down quietly at everything below.
Holding a huge Bible in his hand, his face showed no emotion.
Bartholomew Kuma, like a silent colossus, watched Ace, Luffy, and Marco's prisoner cart below, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
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