"It grew late into the night as Rayleigh wearily made his way back to Shakky's tavern. The recent incident with the Marines trying to capture Ace had unfolded moments ago. Despite his injuries, Ace valiantly fought back and eventually eluded the pursuing Marines. Consequently, Rayleigh refrained from taking action. Instead, he silently observed the boy, who strikingly resembled Roger, until he was out of harm's way and vanished from sight.
The dinner concluded, and Rayleigh downed half a bottle of potent tiger penis wine in one go, prompting a rush of dopamine. His gaze fixated intensely on the woman before him as he declared, 'Tonight, the old man shall avenge his honor!'
Clearing the dishes, Shakky retorted disdainfully, 'Forget it! Apart from making me salivate, what else can you accomplish?'
Rayleigh's expression froze.
...
After a tumultuous period, the elderly man lay on the bed, hollow-eyed and filled with regret and exhaustion. Meanwhile, Shakky, puffing on a cigarette, exuded contentment.
Seventy years old and even after consuming tiger penis wine, I feel utterly fatigued! The phrase 'empty but not supplementary' starkly embodied his state.
Taking a brief respite, Shakky prepared to resume work, causing Rayleigh's heart to sink. Hastily, he picked up a transponder.
Soon, a somewhat unexpected voice came through the other line of the transponder, 'Vice-captain?'
Rayleigh spoke deeply, 'Roger has a son, Ace, the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' second team. The Marines are aware, and Ace is currently trapped in the Sabaody Archipelago. Marine reinforcements are imminent.'
Despite two layers of protection, Ron and himself, Rayleigh harbored an ominous feeling. He wasn't willing to rely solely on Whitebeard, an outsider.
The person on the other end was unexpectedly a member of the Roger Pirates and one of the Four Emperors with red hair: Shanks!"
"Besides Whitebeard, only he could resolve Ace's current situation.
"Vice Captain, I understand what needs to be done," Shanks' voice carried a hint of menace.
After a brief explanation, Rayleigh reluctantly ended the call. It wasn't that he couldn't detach himself from Shanks, but rather, he couldn't disengage from his responsibilities.
At that moment, Shakky extinguished her cigarette and shared a significant glance with Rayleigh.
However, the tiger penis wine Rayleigh had brought from the tavern had run dry.
Rayleigh, now emotionally charged but physically drained, could only lament internally, "What's troubling you, little brother? Isn't this what you relish the most? Come on, pull yourself together!"
...
In the office of Marine Fleet Admiral, Sengoku unleashed a string of curses at the phone snail before him. "Garp, you scoundrel! Raising Roger's son... Do you comprehend the gravity of your actions?!"
The snail displayed Garp's stunned expression vividly. "Huh? You know about this?"
Nonchalantly pinching his nostrils, Garp retorted, "If you don't leave the task of capturing Ace to me, I'll personally bring him to Justice!"
"I'm adept at catching grandsons," he added with a touch of irony. Catch and release, right... Sengoku's countenance darkened.
"When Ace is captured, Marine will expose his life story to the world and execute him publicly," Sengoku declared before abruptly ending the call.
Meanwhile, Garp, far away on a mission in the Grand Line, wore a serious expression.
This time, I can't afford to handle Luffy as casually as I did when I caught him.
Sengoku, and even the World Government, are resolute about capturing Ace!
After much contemplation, Garp solemnly instructed his Commanding officer, "The mission falls to you Bogart. I must hurry back to Marine Headquarters."
"In the early morning haze, Ron felt something soft against him and opened his eyes to find a delicate cheek near him.
Timidly, Rem urged, 'Master, please wake up quickly. Uncle Rayleigh is here, and he seems unwell. You should go see him.'
'Um...?' Ron mumbled as he became more alert. 'Well, this comfortable spot is turning firm,' he said seriously upon waking.
Rem's small frame moved unexpectedly. 'Master!' she exclaimed, grasping the situation, blushing furiously, and hurriedly rushing out.
Ron just smiled at this and dressed himself. After a quick wash, he found Rayleigh sitting alone, drinking at the tavern. On the counter lay a simple box.
However, Ram's words were true—Rayleigh did indeed look distressing. His complexion was pallid, and his eyes seemed utterly drained.
"You ought to know how to keep yourself in check," Ron said, taking a seat beside Rayleigh with a smile. "Don't perish over something like this, having been a pirate before."
Rayleigh took a sip and boldly countered, "This is about a man's dignity. You're still young and might not comprehend."
Nevertheless, his hand holding the drink trembled slightly.
"Let's not argue about it," Ron relented. Rayleigh opened the box nearby and slid it over to Ron. "This is Roger's blade. I hope in your hands, the world can witness its edge once more."
It was a lengthy sword resembling a Western blade—a supremely sharp weapon in these waters! Despite more than two decades passing without sunlight, the wide blade still emitted flashes of cold light.
"Ace?' Ron shot Rayleigh a look as if he were foolish. "I won't use it to take lives."
Promptly, "Ace" was hung on the wall as a decorative piece.
"What?!' Rayleigh was left dumbfounded."
"This is The twelve Supreme Grade Blades. Merely hanging it on the wall seems like a waste. If a Marine admiral familiar with such treasures saw it, it would undoubtedly spark a dispute."
"Since you've entrusted it to me, don't concern yourself with these details," Ron reassured with a smile. "All expenses at the tavern today are on the house."
Rayleigh pondered for a moment. Ron's nonchalant manner indicated his confidence.
Upon finishing a bottle of wine, Rayleigh cast a lingering glance at "Ace" on the wall and quietly departed from the pub without bidding farewell. Today was different; he needed to keep an eye on Ace's activities at all times, just in case Ace found himself in serious trouble. The prospect of witnessing Ace's capture would bring immense shame upon Rayleigh.
...
After Rayleigh's departure, the morning passed without any anticipated guests. However, as lunchtime approached, the tavern's doorbell chimed, and Tokikake entered, looking a bit disheveled. His righteous cloak bore burn marks and several holes, while his face was covered in dust.
"Boss, I'm famished. Do you have anything to eat?" the tokikake asked with a smile as he took a seat at the bar.
Ron nodded. "Perfect timing, the food's just been prepared."
Before he could speak further, the doorbell rang again.
Jingle...
Hei Xiaohu pushed the door open, brimming with excitement. "Boss, what the old man mentioned to me might actually be helpful!"
Tokikake instinctively turned his head to glance.
Their eyes met.
Hei Xiaohu and Tokikake froze in place.
In that moment, it was as though they saw reflections of themselves or encountered someone with an extremely similar personality!