In the days that followed, Witte and the others found Rhett. Roger was also there. He knew that forging a sword couldn't be rushed and that the old master needed quiet focus. He said to Rhett,
"Rhett, go do what you need to do. Leave Ann here. She'll be safe with me. Since the master has agreed, he won't do a sloppy job."
Rhett nodded. He did have more important things to do. He wanted to see what secrets lay in the Void Century. He wanted to know Imu's true power. Witte's era still held many mysteries and unfulfilled promises.
He turned and boarded the Bruma Jackson. The sails rose again. The sea breeze brought the familiar scent of salt and freedom.
"Our destination this time... is Wano Country," Rhett said from the bow.
Witte walked up and asked softly, "Are you really ready? How long do you plan to stay this time..."
Rhett looked back at her.
"What's there to fear? Time, fate — when I want to go somewhere, no one can stop me."
He looked out at the horizon.
---
The Bruma Jackson slowly sailed into Wano's inner sea. The familiar roar of the waterfall echoed. As soon as the ship docked, a bold figure came running with a laugh.
"Rhett! Back so soon?!" Oden practically jumped onto the deck, throwing his arm around Rhett's shoulder. "It's been so long! Wait, hasn't it only been like a month?"
Rhett swayed from the pat and laughed. "Easy, Oden! The banquet only lasted half a month." He paused and raised an eyebrow. "I do need Lady Toki's help again. But she doesn't have to come with me this time. I can just channel the life force into her body. I need to find the smith who forged my sword to make one for Ann."
"The smith who forged the Black Tide!" Oden was excited. "That girl Ann is going to be something special! Come on, Toki's been waiting for you!"
He pulled Rhett along. The villagers bowed respectfully as they passed. Their eyes were full of curiosity and awe. Rhett's reputation was now on par with Oden's.
Soon, they arrived at Lady Toki's quiet courtyard. Toki was already kneeling in the tea room, waiting. When she saw Rhett, she smiled gently. "Lord Rhett, you've returned."
"Lady Toki," Rhett nodded, "I need your help again. I'll skip the pleasantries. I can now condense my life force into a tangible form."
The blood mist around him surged, more concentrated and powerful than before. He had experience now. It left only a warm, pure flow of life. A life sphere, far more brilliant than before, almost solid, appeared in his palm. It floated gently toward Toki.
And in the tea room, bottles and jars began to appear. This time, Rhett had stored over seventy percent of the life force he had accumulated over decades. It filled the room.
Each jar could extend a person's lifespan. If this were exposed, it would be as valuable as One Piece itself. The Five Elders thought they could outlive Rhett. To them, time was both worthless and priceless.
This idea came from when Rhett had left Toki on an island during his rampage at Marineford. He had channeled life force directly into her body. Now, by solidifying it, she wouldn't have to stay with him.
Toki took the sphere solemnly. A hint of wonder flickered in her eyes. She nodded. "I understand. Tell me, then, the 'coordinates' you wish to travel to. Which era do you want to return to?"
Rhett shook his head. "Not my memory. My vice captain's. I want to go to Joy Boy's era."
At the words "Joy Boy's era," Toki's hand trembled. Shock filled her eyes. Even Oden, usually carefree, gasped. His arm fell from Rhett's shoulder.
"Rhett! You're not joking, are you?" Oden's eyes were wide. "The beginning of the Void Century! That's even further than any of our attempts! This is insane!"
Toki spoke. "Lord Rhett, are you certain? Crossing such a vast stretch of time would require astronomical amounts of life force. Even with all you've prepared..."
She looked around the room, almost filled with jars of life energy. "...I don't know if it's enough. The risks are far beyond anything you've faced!"
Rhett looked at their worried faces and smiled.
"Relax, Oden, Lady Toki." His voice was calm and confident, reassuring. "I don't go into battle unprepared. This life force is my ticket."
He pointed at the jars. "This is what it's all for. Time is scary, sure. But the Void Century? Joy Boy left legends there. Why can't I go see for myself?"
He looked at Toki, his voice firm. "Begin, Lady Toki. Use this life force to open the door for me. Whatever's on the other side, I can handle it. Don't worry so much. If the life force runs low, just call me back. It doesn't have to run out completely."
Rhett looked at Witte beside him. She closed her eyes, recalling a vague memory of her homeland, a specific year and place. The sphere in Toki's hand flickered, resonating with the memory, turning it into a beacon across time.
Everything was ready. The waves of time began to ripple in the room.
Witte stepped forward, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Captain, do you want me to come with you? That era... is my home. I know it better."
Rhett turned and grinned. A smile of pure confidence and excitement.
"Don't worry." He waved his hand, his tone light but certain. "The unknown adventure is the fun part. Stay here and wait for the stories I'll bring back from the past."
With that, the power of the Time-Time Fruit was unleashed.
A blinding light swallowed Rhett's figure. The time waves were so strong that the wind in the courtyard stood still. In the depths of the light, Rhett's last sight was Oden's thumbs-up, Toki's focused face, and the complex anticipation in Witte's eyes.
Then, the world spun. The river of time opened before him.
A new adventure, at the other end of the past, had officially begun.