The Marines' prediction had been wrong. Not only had the escaped Golden Lion failed to return with his old crew, he had vanished without a trace.
Although many within the Marines believed Golden Lion was plotting something major, they ultimately chose to ignore him for the time being.
For the World Government and the Marines, that was also a good thing.
Golden Lion's escape had sparked a new wave of piracy, something that could no longer be undone. At the very least, his disappearance would help limit the damage.
Since Golden Lion had made that choice, the Marines and the World Government no longer pursued him with great fanfare.
Over time, Golden Lion gradually faded from people's memories. Even those who had known him well did not pay much attention to the matter.
Compared to someone plotting for the future, they were more concerned with the changes happening now.
At the Sabaody Archipelago, outside Shakky's Rip-off Bar, an octopus fish-man climbed out of the water.
A woman with short black hair was smoking by the shore. She was Shakky, the current owner of the bar, as well as the former empress of Amazon Lily and the previous captain of the Nine Snake Pirates.
"Nyuh, Shakky, I came to play with Rayleigh! Is Rayleigh here?"
"Hachi, come on in. Rayleigh's inside. Want some juice?"
"Yes."
Hachi looked like a child at the moment, but he was already sixteen. This was also a peculiar genetic trait of the sea: some people experienced abrupt leaps in development as they grew.
They might still look like children one year, only to undergo a dramatic transformation within the next year or two and suddenly possess an adult's physique.
"Rayleigh, I'm here!"
"Hachi, long time no see. How have you been lately?"
"Pretty good. Merfolk Island