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In the New World's sea, two majestic ships faced each other: the Oro Jackson and the Moby Dick.
"Gurarararara!! Rayleigh, it seems like you're getting special treatment from your former crewmate," Whitebeard said, unable to hide his admiration for the scene unfolding before him.
"You look great as an old man... but not as great as me."
Ignoring Whitebeard's comment, Rayleigh basked in the moment, his aged smile reflecting in his calm, lake-like eyes. Ever since he saw his older self in the manga, that smile hadn't left his younger face.
"It seems I'll live long enough to witness the new generation with my own eyes, Roger," Rayleigh said, looking at his captain beside him, alongside Whitebeard, his words carrying deeper meaning.
After recalling the events on the last island, Laugh Tale, Rayleigh felt a sense of enlightenment.
"Heh~... Wahahahaha!"
Roger's laughter filled the air, finding the current situation immensely enjoyable.
The lively atmosphere aboard the Oro Jackson, now filled with Whitebeard's crew, suddenly grew silent as Roger's laughter echoed.
"Rayleigh... you're lucky... luckier than me."
"But it seems you get bored enough to sell yourself at a slave auction, Whahahaha!"
Rayleigh didn't feel embarrassed when Roger exposed his little trick in front of everyone; after all, his captain knew him best.
"Just look at that grand presentation card... radiating opulence!"
"I suppose you're a living legend at this point..."
"A living legend selling himself as a slave, Gurarara!" Whitebeard laughed, his excitement evident.
He was genuinely glad that Roger's legacy hadn't ended completely; Rayleigh was still alive, just like him, as depicted in the manga.
"I'm genuinely thrilled to see how things unfold... and since I'm here, it means the Little Mermaid is already safe... it brings a sense of relief."
Rayleigh knew himself well and had a fondness for young girls, so he would undoubtedly ensure Caimie's protection.
"To witness the immense kindness of a legendary pirate... I wonder how the world will react to this... and particularly, how the Fish-Men will react."
"I assume they will be happy and very grateful," Rouge responded, her gentle smile answering her husband's question.
...
Elbaf Island:
"Even giants are enslaved by humans! This is unforgivable!"
Prince Loki was filled with anger upon witnessing a member of his race being sold as a slave at an auction.
Not only him, but all the proud Giants, felt a severe blow to their pride upon witnessing this spectacle.
They felt much more anguish than they did during the Enies Lobby arc when they saw how both Oimo and Kashii were deceived by the world government into working for them for many years.
Inside the art store "Elbaf" (New), Rob gazed at the enraged and clamorous Giants, sighing deeply.
Of course, this reaction was to be expected. Just like the Fish-Men felt outraged upon seeing a member of their kind being sold as a slave at an auction, the Giants shared the same sentiment.
"The auction houses where they sell humans (including Fish-Men, Giants, and any other race) have been destroyed in the Sabaody Archipelago and everywhere else in the world, so rest assured, these monoliths in the manga have no connection to the reality we are currently living in."
As Rob spoke, the Giants nodded in satisfaction and resumed reading the manga noisily.
...
•———•———•———•———•———•
"One Piece" Events:
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[[Marine Headquarters]]
"Dark King Silvers Rayleigh, huh...?
Garp was enjoying his biscuit in his office while listening to his subordinate's report.
"It appears that his captors haven't realized who he is, and they're planning to sell him off as some old man."
"They're selling the lord of the underworld at a human auction...!! Buwahahahahahahaha!"
Garp burst into laughter after hearing that.
"If it really is him, then this is a rare opportunity... My subordinates aren't 100% sure...!!"
"Tea."
Garp handed him his cup to be refilled as he listened attentively.
"Ah... Right. What do we do, Vice Admiral? Should we report it to Fleet Admiral Sengoku...?"
The subordinate suggested.
"No, I'll take care of it... Don't mention this to anybody else, not even Sengoku!"
"Make sure you tell your men, too." Garp cautioned.
"B... But if it really is him..."
"It's the real thing, no doubt about it."
"Eh!?"
"I've heard reports of people sighting him here and there. Most likely... He lost his money and ended up gambling with his own body."
Garp continued, saying:
"He must be old, but if we go after him carelessly, we'll lose an unimaginable number of men."
"Especially now... Do you want us Marines to take on two legends at the same time?"
Although his face had a smile, Garp's eyes were clouded as he said that.
•———•———•———•———•———•
Marines HQ:
"..."
After reading the last paragraph of the previous chapter and the first paragraph of the current chapter, Sengoku glanced at Garp with a furrowed brow.
"Oh shit, here we go again... Buwahahaha!"
Garp used to see himself in the manga with a smile. This wasn't the first time he had appeared in the manga, but every time he did, he felt a sense of pride and admiration for himself.
"Who is the other legend we will be fighting alongside the Dark King?!"
Suppressing the harsh words he wanted to say to that bastard Garp, Sengoku couldn't help but ask a question to which he already knew the answer.
"Obviously, it's Whitebeard..." Tsuru calmly replied.
"He is the most probable adversary... Besides, no one else deserves the title of legend apart from the fallen Golden Lion and the Dark King Rayleigh, other than Whitebeard."
"You're right, Tsuru-chan... Twenty years from now, with no Roger around... Only a select few are deserving of the title 'Legend,' representing the pinnacle of their generation."
Sengoku sighed once again. As he had anticipated, this manga was heading towards a world-altering event.
"Garp... I don't know what situation your future self was in within the manga, to hide information about the Dark King... But under no circumstances can this be the right decision."
Zephyr looked at Garp and spoke.
"Protecting a pirate like this! Are you plotting to betray the Marines, Garp?!"
At that moment, Akainu exploded in anger.
This was an opportunity for revenge.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 533: The Barbarity of the Pirate World - The List of Slaves.
Chapter 534: All races are angry with the World Government.
Chapter 535: It Will Be a War...!!! (Part 1)
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