After more than ten long days at sea, Eli Winters and his companions finally reached their destination: the Sabaody Archipelago.
From a distance, the sight before them was nothing short of breathtaking. Sabaody was not a conventional group of islands, but a unique landscape formed by seventy-nine colossal Yarukiman mangrove trees. These towering giants pierced the sky, their massive roots stretching out of the sea like enormous tentacles, exposed to the air and weaving together into a one-of-a-kind archipelago.
What made these mangroves even more extraordinary was the natural resin secreted by their roots as part of their breathing process. Once exposed to the air, the resin rapidly expanded into countless bubbles of varying sizes. Light and buoyant, they drifted gently through the air, lending Sabaody its dreamlike atmosphere and becoming its most iconic feature.
"It's been a long time since I was here. I really missed this place," Tom said, standing at the bow of the ship. He faced the sea breeze, took a deep breath, and spoke with emotion.
Kri, standing nearby, turned to him with curiosity. "Uncle Tom, you've been here before?"
Tom nodded with a smile. "Yes. When I was young, I studied some techniques here."
Kri's eyes widened slightly. "Then you must know this place pretty well, right?"
Tom waved his hand and laughed. "That was many years ago. Sabaody has changed a lot since then. I don't really know what it's like now."
"Brother Eli, where are we docking?" Philina asked, looking out at the vast archipelago.
Eli smiled faintly. "Let's head to Area Thirteen."
"Oh?" Philina tilted her head. "Is there a reason?"
Eli chuckled. "I have a friend who lives there." As he thought of that person, a warm feeling rose in his chest, and he could not help but laugh.
Seeing how genuinely happy he looked, everyone grew curious. "Who is it?" they asked in unison.
Still smiling, Eli briefly told them about rescuing slaves in Mary Geoise with Fisher Tiger, focusing especially on how Rayleigh had been tricked in the process. By the time he finished, everyone was laughing out loud.
Under Dotai's steady control, the Angel's Judgment soon docked smoothly at Area Thirteen of the Sabaody Archipelago.
However, the moment the ship came to a stop, they found themselves surrounded by a group of fierce-looking pirates.
"Hahaha! Looks like today's my lucky day. I strike it rich the moment I arrive. Such a fat lamb," shouted a burly man wearing a pirate hat and wielding a long blade.
"Boss, I see a few top-quality women on that ship," a leering man yelled. "Let us have some fun later too."
"Idiot," another scar-faced man snapped. "With women that good, of course we sell them. Once we have money, we can get all the women we want."
"Enough, both of you," the leader growled, glaring at them. "Do you know where we are? Move fast. We loot and leave."
The two immediately shut up.
On board, Eli and the others understood exactly what was happening. Before Eli could say anything, Philina and the other women, furious after hearing the pirates' filthy remarks, had already leapt off the ship and charged into battle.
In just a few minutes, the dozens of pirates were completely wiped out. Blood dyed the seawater red, and the entire area reeked of iron and death.
The brutal scene made many onlookers gasp in shock. "That's terrifying," they muttered to themselves.
From the shadows, a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes quietly instructed his subordinate, "Go tell the people below to keep their eyes open. Do not provoke that group."
"Yes, Sixth Master," came the reply, and the man hurried off.
Once his subordinate had left, the man known as Sixth Master stared at the scene and murmured, "Eli Winters, the Sky Sovereign. His reputation is well deserved. Truly frightening."
After Philina and the others finished dealing with the pirates, Eli walked over. Seeing that they were still seething with anger, he smiled and said, "They're all dead already. Let it go."
"Hmph. Just seeing pirates like that makes me sick," Philina spat. "Trash."
"Exactly," Chiyo added angrily. "If they dared to act so openly, they must be repeat offenders. Who knows how many people suffered because of them."
"Alright, alright," Eli said with a laugh. "Don't let those disgusting people ruin our mood. Come on, I'll treat you to a meal."
After venting a bit more, the women followed Eli away. As usual, Simon stayed behind to guard the ship. Tom, feeling his age and disliking crowded places, chose not to join them. As for Baize, Big Pan took him along when they disembarked.
They found a restaurant with a relatively decent atmosphere and enjoyed a satisfying lunch. Afterward, Eli used his perception to locate Rayleigh.
Standing outside the bar called Shakky's Rip-off BAR, Big Pan and the others exchanged looks.
"That name is something else," someone muttered.
Eli pushed open the door, and the noisy chatter inside immediately flooded out.
"Doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's pretty lively in here," Eli said with a smile.
He walked straight up to the bar and placed a hand on the back of a curly-haired man sitting there.
"Damn it, who was that?" the man jumped up, clearly startled.
"What, Rayleigh? You don't recognize me anymore?" Eli asked with a grin.
"What the hell? It's you?" Rayleigh exclaimed, staring in shock. "When did you get here?"
With his strength, the fact that Eli could approach him silently and pat him on the back was downright terrifying. If that had been an enemy, the thought alone made his scalp tingle.
"I've been here for a while," Eli laughed. "You're slipping, old man. Your guard's down."
"Nonsense," Rayleigh snapped, his face red. "I'm still in my prime. You're the one who's up to something."
A man could never admit he was past his prime.
"Haha. Long time no see, Rayleigh," Eli said warmly, giving the handsome old man a brief hug.
"Long time indeed," Rayleigh replied with a smile. "I've been following your news, though. Six billion Beli. That's impressive."
"Haha, just an empty reputation," Eli said modestly, though the smile in his eyes made it very tempting to punch him.
"Forget that," Rayleigh said, grabbing Eli by the arm. "Do you still have that liquor of yours? Ever since I drank it, other alcohol tastes bland. You owe me."
Before Eli could answer, a short-haired middle-aged woman slammed her glass down on the bar.
"Oh?" she said with a sweet smile. "Rayleigh, are you saying my alcohol has no taste?"
Rayleigh swallowed hard. He had almost forgotten she was there.
"No, no," he hurriedly explained. "I meant other people's alcohol. Not yours. If your drinks were tasteless, would I come here every day?"
"Hmph. At least you know better," the woman said, rolling her eyes. Then she turned to Eli with a smile. "Hello, kid. I'm Shakky, Rayleigh's friend."
"Nice to meet you, Sister Shakky," Eli replied politely. "My name is Eli Winters. You could say I'm an old friend of Rayleigh's."
Eli then introduced his companions to Rayleigh and Shakky.
Once everyone was acquainted, Eli pulled Rayleigh aside. "Rayleigh, I came this time not just to see you. I need your help with something."
"Oh?" Rayleigh raised an eyebrow. "What could you possibly need an old man like me for?"
"The slave traders operating behind the scenes in the Sabaody Archipelago."