Chapter 33: Rayleigh with Garlic
Lieutenant Gion—Momousagi is very nervous now.
She didn't understand why the former right-hand man of the Pirate King, the legendary "Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh, would appear so casually in a bar in Sabaody Archipelago.
But a legendary pirate of his caliber anywhere he shows up will undoubtedly stir chaos!
That's exactly why she was so tense, dreading the possibility that Rayleigh might suddenly make a move against them.
"It's been a long time since I've seen such a lovely Marine
If all Navy officers were as charming as you, the seas might be more peaceful."
Rayleigh smiled, his voice teasing but calm, then turned his piercing eyes toward Carl.
Carl, unfazed, stood up and gently pressed the confused Gion back into her seat.
"You don't have to be so tense, Lieutenant Gion the Fleet Admiral Sengoku has long been aware of Rayleigh's presence here.
I spotted signs of Marines on this island the moment I arrived, and I already informed Sengoku myself.
But the Fleet Admiral had no intention of intervening as long as Rayleigh doesn't cause a disturbance, he's permitted to stay.
And where do you think the signed memorabilia around the bar came from? Obviously, Sengoku knew Rayleigh was here even before we did!"
"Wait seriously?"
Gion was clearly confused.
She hadn't expected to run into a former Roger Pirate, much less one of his highest-ranking officers right here in Grove 13's shabby little bar.
And what was more shocking Fleet Admiral Sengoku was in on it?
That revelation made her head spin.
Carl calmly sat down again and started explaining slowly to Gion.
"To put it bluntly, Rayleigh is ridiculously strong. Arresting him would require at least two full Admirals and a dozen Vice Admirals.
Starting a battle of that scale in a neutral zone like this especially on Sabaody would be a disaster.
It would draw attention from all over the world and might even spark retaliation from the remnants of the Roger Pirates.
And the truth is, to avoid any chance of a Roger Pirates reunion, Fleet Admiral Sengoku is intentionally letting Rayleigh live in peace.
Why else do you think no one has bothered him all this time?
Besides... there's someone here even more legendary than Rayleigh!"
"Someone more legendary? Wait you mean the owner of this bar?"
Gion's curiosity was piqued as she turned her gaze to Shakuyaku.
"Don't look at me like that. I may have been a pirate, but I was a nobody in the grand scheme of things.
I was nothing compared to people like Rayleigh."
"Sure, you're not as famous as Rayleigh but the pirate crew you were once part of...
That name still makes the older generation shudder when they hear it."
Carl chuckled. Shakuyaku smiled knowingly. Rayleigh scratched his head awkwardly, but his eyes sharpened slightly.
Watching the cryptic banter between the three, Gion felt like she was being left out of an inside joke.
It gave her a slight headache.
"Ugh, whatever. Just finish your drink we're heading back after this!"
Gion decided she didn't want to think too hard about it anymore.
Rayleigh or not, she had no jurisdiction to deal with legends.
Her duty now was simply to keep the peace and follow orders.
Carl nodded in agreement, then approached Rayleigh with a casual grin and raised his glass.
"Senior Rayleigh, you're technically retired from piracy now, right?
Why not sit down and have a drink with me just a civilian to another?
Also... mind telling me a bit about the Straw Hat Pirates?
I hear they declared war on the World Government and even plan to storm Impel Down!"
"The Straw Hats? You mean the crew led by Luffy—Garp's grandson?"
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow, slightly amused.
"How their business affects me—I wouldn't know. Do I look like someone with time to rescue random pirates?"
He shrugged, his voice light but firm.
"Even if I were to break into Impel Down...
I'd only do it for Ace. Luffy? Why should I risk everything for him?"
Carl smiled, hearing Rayleigh's words. Then he tapped the Marine cap on his head with a sly look.
"But you see... that straw hat he wears—it used to belong to Gol D. Roger himself.
And Luffy was handpicked and mentored by none other than Red-Haired Shanks one of the Four Emperors."
Shanks is your former crewmate he would definitely inform you of something this important, so it's not surprising that you'd step in to help, right?
And I heard that while I was stationed here over the past few days, Shanks made a brief stop at the Sabaody Archipelago.
It's just a pity that I didn't get to see the legendary Emperor of the Sea otherwise, I'd have certainly challenged him to a duel!"
As Carl spoke about fighting, his eyes flashed with intense zeal.
Though the light in his eyes appeared only for an instant, it was unmistakably sharp.
But the others in the room weren't weak Rayleigh, Shakuyaku, even Gion they all noticed the surge of Carl's fighting spirit!
That brief surge of emotion convinced them all Carl wasn't just pretending. He was truly battle-hungry.
"Haha, and what does any of that have to do with me? I don't even know Luffy personally. Why would you think a worn-out old man like me could tame that wild little brat?"
Rayleigh waved it off casually, refusing to admit any personal involvement, despite Carl's probing words.
Carl didn't press the matter further. He simply downed the wine in his glass and replied with a cryptic tone.
"In that case, I won't pry any further. Do whatever you want.
But when some people go charging off to die without a plan... that blood might be on your hands."
"Hahahaha!"
Carl laughed as he walked out of the bar with casual ease, but Gion.Momousagi still uncertain and on edge, instinctively followed him.
Carl's presence exuded dominance, and with Gion trailing behind in silence, it almost seemed like she was his subordinate instead of a Vice Admiral.
And strangely, Carl walked like the one in charge his movements calm and controlled.
But Gion didn't concern herself with that. Her orders were clear: get Carl back to Marine HQ quickly and safely.
Once Carl and Gion had departed, Rayleigh stared at the empty bottle Carl had left behind.
After a moment of thoughtful silence, Rayleigh exhaled a long sigh and let his body relax into the chair.
"I didn't expect that kid Carl to be this sharp...
It's only been a few days since Shanks passed through here, and already he's drawing lines between me and the Straw Hat Pirates' declaration of war.
This kid's perception is right up there with Sengoku's—he's got an uncanny eye for reading people.
He's got the whole picture. If I didn't already know from Shanks that Luffy inherited Roger's straw hat, I might've written the boy off as just another rookie caught up in the storm.
I might've ignored him... and that would've been a mistake."
Rayleigh shook his head and leaned back, a trace of fatigue showing on his aged face.
In that moment, he looked older—like the weight of the past was finally catching up with him.
Shakuyaku stood behind him, her fingers gently massaging Rayleigh's temples and scalp to ease the tension.
"What's the plan then? Stick with the original timeline? Or do we push it back a bit?"
"Push it back.
That brat Carl is too clever. I can't make any moves while he's still nosing around Sabaody.
Thankfully, he won't be here forever. While we wait, I'll leave Luffy and the others in Shanks' hands.
They'll need training and quickly—if they want to make it through what's coming.
They won't be strong enough to pull off a prison break on their own.
But this time... I won't be watching from the sidelines. I'm stepping in myself!
Carl's a tough nut to crack."
"Want me to contact a few of the old guard? Could call in some reinforcements."
Shakuyaku's eyes sparkled faintly as she offered the idea, but Rayleigh waved her off with a soft chuckle.
"No need.
Between Shanks and those rookies, we've already got enough firepower.
Besides... we've got outside help. Dragon—that boy—won't sit still when his own son's life is on the line."
Rayleigh grinned.
He couldn't help but chuckle every time he remembered Dragon.
That scowling face, always wearing a grim expression, made all the more comical by the accidental boot print Luffy once left on it.
It always made Rayleigh laugh, no matter how serious things got.
"Uncle Rayleigh! I'm passing through Sabaody—I thought I'd stop by."
Just as Rayleigh was beginning to unwind, a sultry voice echoed through the bar as a tall, graceful woman entered.
Seeing the shapely figure in the doorway, Rayleigh narrowed his eyes slightly and gave a sly, knowing smile.
"It's Hancock..."