"So, are you here on behalf of the Marines, young man?" Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke with a knowing smile.
Ryu shook his head and replied, "No, I'm only representing myself."
Shakky chuckled softly, her mind quickly trying to figure out Ryu's intentions.
"Let's skip the formalities—Lena here is someone I trust," Ryu said, glancing at Lena. "My purpose here is straightforward. First, I'd like to see if I can get the attention of the Dark King himself; if I could learn a few techniques from Rayleigh, that'd be a bonus. Secondly, I'm looking for a way to contact the Revolutionary Army. Lastly, I'd like any information on Whitebeard's current location." Ryu took a sip of water, speaking calmly.
"Just the first one alone is intriguing enough," Shakky laughed lightly. "My husband may be an ex-pirate, but even if he dared to teach, would you dare to learn? Besides, your mentor Garp isn't any weaker than him."
"To be honest, I don't see you as pirates. The title 'adventurers' fits you much better. As for the era of piracy Roger started... well, I can't say whether his decision was right or wrong," Ryu said, setting down his glass with a serious expression.
Shakky was momentarily taken aback by Ryu's words. She thought for a moment before saying, "Is that why you sometimes let certain pirates go after capturing them?"
"That's right. As long as they don't pillage, kill innocents, or bully the weak, then even if they fly the pirate flag, they're still adventurers in my eyes. I'm a Marine; I hold my own sense of justice. My duty is to protect peace on the seas and ensure the safety of ordinary people, not act as someone's lapdog!" Ryu nodded, confirming.
"Haha, it seems to me that it's only a matter of time before you become a pirate yourself," Shakky teased. "But as for your other two objectives, I'm afraid I can't help you much. If you want to meet Whitebeard, it's simple. Just head to one of the islands protected by his crew in the New World; you should be able to get in touch with him through them. But I can't help you with the Revolutionary Army."
Ryu nodded—this had been his plan anyway. Finding Whitebeard in the New World wasn't difficult, but whether Whitebeard would agree to meet him was another matter, given his own status as a mere Rear Admiral.
As for the Revolutionary Army, Ryu had a backup plan: if he couldn't locate them, he'd head to Impel Down. The Okama King there was one of their leaders and could likely connect him with Dragon.
"My husband's been away for a few days and hasn't come back yet, so if you really want to ask him for guidance, you might have to go find him yourself. I can't make decisions on his behalf," Shakky said, putting out her cigarette.
"That's unfortunate. This island is one of my least favorite places, so I'd rather not roam around here too much. It's a shame I couldn't meet Mr. Rayleigh today. If he returns, I'd appreciate it if you could put in a good word for me. If I come back, perhaps I'll get a chance to learn from him," Ryu said, rising to his feet.
Shakky didn't ask why he felt uneasy wandering around the Sabaody Archipelago but simply extended her hand. "That'll be one million Berries, young man."
Though the price was steep, Ryu didn't hesitate. He retrieved a million Berries from his inventory and handed it over.
Shakky was momentarily stunned by the way Ryu seemed to summon the money from thin air, though Lena, familiar with Ryu's ability, wasn't surprised at all.
"It's just a little trick; no need to be so amazed, Shakky," Ryu said with a bow, preparing to leave.
Suddenly, a cheerful voice called out from outside the door. "Hoho, leaving without seeing who you came to meet?"
The wooden door swung open, and both Ryu and Lena turned to see a middle-aged man with long, curly hair, a beard, silver hair and mustache, glasses, and a prominent scar running vertically across his right eye.
"The Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh?" Ryu murmured softly.
"Hahaha, didn't you come looking for me?" Rayleigh laughed heartily as he settled himself on a stool, taking a long swig from his drink.
"Yes, my teacher has spoken of you as a legendary figure, someone he greatly respects. You're skilled in all three forms of Haki, and your strength is immense. So, if I may, I'd be honored if you could teach me a thing or two," Ryu said seriously, bowing respectfully.
"Pfft, hahahaha! That old guy Garp wouldn't put it so nicely. Back in the day, we were chased all over the place, from the sky to the sea, looking like complete fools!" Rayleigh laughed loudly. "So, as a Marine, aren't you worried that if I teach you, the things you learn from me might have an impact on your reputation once they get out?"
Ryu nodded and replied, "Yes, I am worried. I have my own ambitions. Once I reach the top of the Marines, I'll have a much easier time achieving my goals. But that's not the only path. As long as I defeat all my opponents, I can still make them follow my plans."
Rayleigh shook his head and said, "Kid, don't get ahead of yourself. Even I can't claim to be invincible, so I'm afraid I can't teach you much."
"In that case, would I have the honor of sparring with you, Mr. Rayleigh?" Ryu's eyes burned with the fire of battle as he asked.
"Alright, alright, I can't let you leave empty-handed. Otherwise, that old guy Garp might come after me again next time" Rayleigh said with a helpless smile as he stood up and nodded.
Soon, the two of them arrived at an open area.
"Mr. Rayleigh, I'll attack first" Ryu's words barely left his mouth before he appeared right in front of Rayleigh and aimed a kick at his head.
"Not bad, speed's good" Rayleigh easily dodged the kick.
Ryu didn't speak, focusing entirely on his attacks, while Rayleigh simply dodged without retaliating.
"Ha~" After a series of missed attacks, Ryu stopped for a moment, exhaled, then narrowed his eyes. His movements suddenly changed, as though he had switched gears entirely. The rhythm of his attacks had shifted.
If one looked closely at Ryu's steps, they would see that they were no longer the direct, speed-focused assaults from before.
"Interesting" Rayleigh, though still at ease, was no longer able to completely avoid Ryu's strikes. Occasionally, he had to use his body to block Ryu's attacks, though his hand never strayed far from the hilt of his sword.
"Mr. Rayleigh, be careful, I'm about to use my ultimate move!" Ryu, after having his leg sweep blocked by Rayleigh, used the momentum to jump into the air. His hands began to make a certain gesture, and his internal energy began to churn.
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed as he watched Ryu in mid-air, giving a small smile without speaking.
"Dragon Subduing : Ascending Dragon!"