In the early morning, a faint light began to emerge in the sky, casting a fish-belly white hue. A cluster of immense Marine warships lay quietly docked at the port of Sabaody Archipelago.
Descending from one of the warships, a man with a sturdy visage and a grave countenance stepped onto the port. Cloaked in the garb of justice, he wore a dark red suit, emanating a palpable air of fierceness. This figure was none other than one of the Marine's three Admirals, Sakazuki, also known by the codename: Akainu.
"Let's move," Akainu muttered emotionlessly while lighting a cigar, his voice carrying a weight of determination. "Even if we have to turn Sabaody Archipelago upside down, we must capture Fire Fist Ace!"
"Yes!" echoed the soldiers as they readied themselves, forming a line, prepared to surge forward at Akainu's command.
On that day, hoards of Marines flooded the crowded spaces of Sabaody Archipelago – hotels, residences, taverns, the bustling foot-washing city, and the vibrant seafood market – methodically searching through each location.
Meanwhile, within a concealed and cramped room, Blackbeard, engrossed in drinking, suddenly froze in place. Downing the last of his drink, he gently drew open the curtains, revealing a multitude of Marines armed with long guns.
"Heh heh... Things are spiraling into more chaos," Blackbeard chuckled, his expression turning exceedingly somber. "Captain Ace, it seems you have truly backed into a corner."
Sensing the looming danger, Badgers and the rest of the crew, too, arose from their rest, preparing for an imminent and fierce battle.
Escape was no longer an option; the ports of Sabaody Archipelago were heavily fortified by Marines. Their only recourse was to carve a bloody path ahead.
"No one remembers the fallen. To survive, we must grit our teeth and persevere!" Blackbeard turned to address his crew, a touch of madness gleaming in his eyes. "Since Ace is being pursued, let's give the Marines a substantial gift."
It's possible that Sengoku had given him specific instructions to take such action.
Ron's tavern hadn't been targeted by the Marines, so he decided to check on the situation himself.
At eight in the morning, Ron's door was gently pushed open, and Rem, dressed in white pajamas with a puppy in tow, and wearing slippers, entered the room.
"Master, it's time to rise and have breakfast," Rem gently nudged Ron.
"Uh..."
Ron opened his eyes to see Rem, looking a bit drowsy, her short blue hair slightly disheveled, exuding a sense of laziness. However, despite Rem's sweet and well-mannered demeanor, her figure still displayed capability, evident in the well-fed puppy resting on her chest.
Breakfast was a simple affair. Ron had buns and porridge while the two sisters, Rem and Ram, enjoyed two poached eggs each along with grilled sausage.
As they ate, Ron perused the World Economic News displayed on the bar counter. True to form, the headlines immediately caught his attention, resembling those from his previous life:
"Shocking Revelation! World's Top Swordsman Resides with Baboons Year-Round. Will His Preferences Change?!"
"Four Emperors Update: BIG MOM's Fiftieth Husband Revealed as a Murloc. Is This a Morality Decline or an Assault on Humanity?!"
"Breaking News! The Golden Emperor, Tesoro, Spotted with a Famous Singer Late at Night!"
"Master, your sleep schedule is quite erratic," softly remarked Ram.
"Sister, let's adjust to the length and timing of the master's sleep," Rem added, taking a bite of her grilled sausage.
Length? Timing? The mention of these aspects immediately dispelled Ron's drowsiness. As an experienced individual, Ron's thoughts swiftly shifted.
Regaining focus, he affectionately ruffled Ram's hair. "I'll take note of that in the future."
Despite feeling a bit bashful after the playful interaction, Ram's eyes sparkled with enjoyment.
After finishing breakfast and settling down at the bar, an unexpected loud explosion resounded in the distance.
Small gunshots, screams, and wails echoed endlessly, intensifying the chaos. The room's temperature surged dramatically, and Ron's vision was engulfed by an inferno of flames and sprawling lava.
"Ah, Akainu has indeed made his appearance?" Ron chuckled. "Sabaody Archipelago seems to be quite vibrant these days."
While conversing, Ron and even the individuals in the 12th and 13th areas suddenly encountered a sharp sword light piercing their field of view. As the lava vanished in mid-air, it surged again, hurtling in the direction of the sword light.
The battle raged on, enduring from morning till noon. The already scorching noon seemed to amplify due to the impact of the conflict. The blazing sun beat down fiercely, seeming as though it could liquefy the very ground.
Post-lunch, Ron sought solace in a deck chair under the shelter of a large tree near the tavern's entrance, relishing the coolness in the shade with closed eyes.
As he teetered on the edge of sleep, a charred scent pricked his nostrils. Ron furrowed his brow and upon opening his eyes, was met with Rayleigh's weathered countenance.
Rayleigh appeared somewhat disheveled, with his silver-white hair singed black and most of his attire burnt. Evidently, Rayleigh had intervened when Akainu captured Ace moments ago.
Bridging the gaps in his understanding, Ron realized why Gion had hinted at Akainu's impending arrival.
It was a test—a dilemma between aiding the Marines or siding with the Pirates. If Ron disclosed Akainu's presence to Rayleigh, he would likely shield Ace, leading to potential Marine harassment for Ron in the future.
Damn it, Gion's cryptic advice didn't come with good intentions. I'm tempted to give her a piece of my mind!
After this realization, Ron chuckled and jested, "Isn't this the esteemed Mr. Rayleigh? Why, has the veteran been roasted today?"
"You know what, today, I'm letting that brat Akainu go," Rayleigh declared proudly. However, his sense of satisfaction didn't last long. His expression suddenly faltered, and he sighed helplessly, saying, "Enough of the jokes, quickly bring an excellent bottle of wine for this old man and get prepared again."
Tossing a bag filled with gold coins to Ron, Rayleigh slowly made his way into the tavern.
"Dealing with money is always straightforward," Ron remarked, shaking the weighty bag of coins.
Just as Ron rose from his seat, a young man approached from another direction. This individual, with a worn-out appearance and numerous bruises on his bare upper body, was none other than Fire Fist Ace, the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' second division.
"Ace?" Ron frowned.
The person who arrived was indeed Fire Fist Ace, seeking to meet an older gentleman for a drink, as requested. After their escape from the Marines, Rayleigh and Ace had parted ways.
Before leaving, Rayleigh had informed Ace that he would be waiting for him at the tavern. Ace, having just experienced the recent battle, was now aware that this older gentleman was his father's former deputy captain.
Despite his aversion, a relentless curiosity compelled Ace to discover more about his father—a different perspective, a different narrative from others. Rayleigh, being the closest to his father, held answers Ace sought.
Ron nodded in acknowledgment. "Come in with me."
As they entered the tavern, they found Rayleigh now dressed differently, seated at the bar sipping a mundane drink.
Not bothering to turn around, Rayleigh spoke casually, "I suppose you already know who I am."
"You're here seeking information about your father, right?" he continued, observing Ace, who sat down at the bar, visibly disturbed yet with a flicker of disgust in his eyes.
"We were the most liberated souls on the sea back then," Rayleigh reminisced, reclining in his chair, as if embracing the bygone days. "We navigated the seas, challenged storms, defied the ordinary, inquired about the cost of the most exquisite women, and stood against those foolish Celestial Dragons."