Sabaody Landing, Pluton Rayleigh!

The boundary between the first and second halves of the Grand Line.

An archipelago formed from the world's largest mangrove, the Yarukiman Mangrove, floated quietly upon the sea.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the Giant Tree Canopy, scattering dappled spots of light that reflected against the colorful soap bubbles constantly rising from the ground, creating a dreamlike spectacle.

This was the Sabaody Archipelago.

A necessary transit point for all pirates dreaming of entering the New World.

It was also a lawless land where the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons, came to tour.

Chaos, crime, dreams, and hope coexisted here in a twisted yet harmonious fashion.

Whoosh—!

A streak of Azure Flames tore through the clouds, flashing past from the end of the horizon at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow.

The next second, it landed precisely in an uninhabited stretch of Mangrove Forest far from the town.

The flames dispersed, revealing Chen Ye and Marco.

"Phew..."

Chen Ye let out a long breath. Only when his feet touched the solid mangrove roots did he finally feel a trace of reality.

He looked up at the blue sky, his heart filled with Extreme Shock.

So this was the real Sabaody?

From the waters of the second half of the Grand Line, where the Moby Dick was located, to the Sabaody Archipelago at the midpoint of the Grand Line—a distance that would take an ordinary pirate ship months to cross—had taken less than three days beneath the wings of the Phoenix.

That speed was practically comparable to the speed of light.

"Alright, kid, wipe that country-bumpkin look off your face."

Marco patted Chen Ye on the shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"We need to keep a low profile from here on out."

Chen Ye nodded in understanding.

This was not the New World. The name of the Whitebeard Pirates First Division Commander was far too well-known here. Once exposed, they would inevitably draw trouble on the level of a Marine Admiral.

The two quickly changed into the casual clothes they had prepared beforehand.

Marco and Chen Ye made a few minor disguises.

Once the simple disguises were complete, they exchanged a glance before blending into the bustling crowds of the Sabaody Archipelago.

Pirates, Bounty Hunters, merchants, and tourists from all over the world brushed shoulders in the streets.

Massive soap bubbles carried people slowly into the air, forming the unique Bubble Car transportation system.

From afar came the cries of Auction House sellers and the dull explosions of Slave Collars being detonated. Yet the people around them were already accustomed to it, with not even a flicker of extra emotion on their faces.

Chen Ye silently observed it all, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

This was Sabaody, a place that laid light and darkness bare in the open.

"Stay close."

Marco's voice came from ahead.

He was clearly very familiar with this place. He led Chen Ye expertly through several chaotic streets, avoiding pirate groups that looked like bad news, before finally stopping in front of an inconspicuous bar.

A somewhat playful line of English was written on the bar's sign—"Shakky's Rip-off Bar."

Without the slightest hesitation, Marco led Chen Ye forward, adjusted his collar, and pushed open the creaking wooden door.

Jingle—

The wind chime on the door rang crisply.

The bar was somewhat dim, and the air carried the faint scent of alcohol and ladies' cigarettes.

Behind the counter, a short-haired woman who still possessed considerable charm was elegantly polishing a glass. Seeing the newcomers, she merely raised her eyelids, a playful smile curling at her lips, without saying a word.

She was Shakky, formerly one of the members of the Rocks Pirates.

Meanwhile, Chen Ye and Marco's gazes were immediately drawn to the man in the corner of the bar, drinking alone while reading a newspaper.

The man wore a simple floral shirt. He had a head full of silver hair, round-framed glasses, and a neatly groomed beard on his chin.

He looked like an ordinary old man enjoying his retirement, the kind one could find anywhere.

Calm, peaceful, without the slightest hint of threat.

Yet both Chen Ye and Marco could clearly sense the Terrifying Power hidden beneath that seemingly harmless aged body.

It was a strength that had settled into something pure and unadorned after countless life-and-death battles, after witnessing the rise and fall of an era.

"Dark King," Silvers Rayleigh!

The right-hand man of Pirate King Gol D. Roger, the legendary First Mate!

As if sensing their stares, Rayleigh slowly lowered his newspaper. His deep eyes looked calmly at them through his lenses.

"Oh my, isn't this Marco?"

His voice was gentle and calm, as though he were merely greeting an old neighbor he had not seen in a long time.

"What wind blew you here?"

"What a rare guest."

Marco took a Deep Breath, stepped forward, and gave Rayleigh a slight bow as a sign of respect.

"It has been a long time, Mr. Rayleigh."

"Have a seat."

Rayleigh pointed to the seat across from him and poured himself another drink.

"Go on. Did you come all the way to see this old man because you ran into some trouble?"

He had already seen through everything.

Marco no longer beat around the bush. He sat up straight, his expression turning incomparably grave.

"Mr. Rayleigh, I came this time to ask for your help."

"Oh?"

Rayleigh took a sip of his drink, his face still as unruffled as ever.

"The Whitebeard Pirates need to ask someone else for help? That would be huge news."

"Ace... our Second Division Captain, has been captured by the Marines."

Marco's voice sank.

"The Marines have decided to hold a Public Execution for him at Marineford."

Rayleigh's hand holding the glass paused in midair for an instant.

The air inside the bar seemed to freeze at that moment.

He slowly set down his glass, producing a faint clink.

Apparently, he had long known that Ace was going to be publicly executed!

"Roger's child..."

"Oh? Mr. Rayleigh, you know Ace's identity?"

"Of course. He is my captain's child."

A long sigh escaped the legendary pirate, carrying endless complexity and emotion.

"So, you're preparing to go to war with Marine Headquarters?"

"Yes."

Marco answered without hesitation.

"No matter the cost, we must bring Ace back!"

"I hope you can lend us a hand."

Marco's eyes were filled with earnestness.

"For the sake of your friendship with Pops from the Old Era, and for the sake of Ace being Captain Roger's only bloodline!"

He lowered himself greatly.

Because he knew full well that the power of the man before him was enough to change the course of a war in an instant.

However, after hearing his request, Rayleigh merely fell silent for a moment.

He picked up the bottle, filled the glass before him again, then slowly shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Marco."

"Even though he is Roger's son..."

"I'm already a retired old man. I don't want to get involved in the conflicts of this era anymore."

His voice was calm, but his refusal could not have been clearer.

"Besides..."

Rayleigh turned his head and looked at the soap bubbles outside the window, constantly rising and bursting. His gaze softened considerably.

"Now, I have things I must protect as well."

"I can no longer act recklessly as I did when I was young."

"I'm afraid I can't help you."

The expectation on Marco's face instantly turned to disappointment.

He had imagined many possibilities, but he had not expected Rayleigh to refuse so decisively.

Just as he opened his mouth, wanting to say something more and make one last attempt—

Chen Ye, who had been silently standing behind him all this time, suddenly stepped forward and walked to the table.

"Mr. Rayleigh."

Chen Ye's voice was not loud, but it reached Rayleigh's ears clearly.

Rayleigh's gaze settled on the unfamiliar young man, and a trace of barely perceptible surprise flashed through his eyes.

Meeting Rayleigh's gaze, Chen Ye showed no sign of nervousness. Instead, he grinned, revealing a bright smile filled with provocation.

"If you don't want to get involved, that's fine."

"After all, as you said yourself, you're already old."

"We came to find you today for another matter."