Werther hurried onward for a while and arrived at the pier in Area 42.
The Marines and the Kuja Pirates' ship faced each other across the water. The sea between them was empty; the Straw Hat Pirates had already descended beneath the waves, bound for the New World.
"Tch. Lucky you."
Werther felt helpless. Even at full speed, he had arrived a little too late.
Farther down the shore, Rayleigh sat on the slope overlooking the sea, with Shakky standing behind him.
Watching Luffy and the others set sail brought back memories for Rayleigh.
When Rayleigh was young, someone had burned down his home, leaving him to live aboard a boat by the shore. That was where he had met Roger.
Rayleigh could still remember every word of their first conversation.
He had been lying in the cabin when he suddenly heard someone making a racket outside.
Roger: "Oh! Hey, what a great boat!"
Rayleigh: "I stole it. Someone burned down my house, so now I live on this boat."
Roger: "I see. What's your name?"
Rayleigh: "Rayleigh."
Roger: "I'm Roger. Us meeting like this must be fate, Rayleigh."
Rayleigh: "Fate?"
Roger: "Want to come with me and turn the world upside down?"
Rayleigh: "Huh? Turn the world upside down? Hahaha! Whose kid are you? Go play somewhere else."
After that conversation, Rayleigh and Roger had set sail together. In time, they really did turn the world upside down and usher in a new era.
But one thing still puzzled Rayleigh.
Roger had only just met him back then. He knew nothing about Rayleigh. There was a good chance the bastard had invited him along because he wanted his boat...
Tears gathered at the corners of Rayleigh's eyes, and he instinctively reached up to wipe them away.
"Hey, Rayleigh.