Chapter 494: Rayleigh Meets the Pirate Empress
This particular night felt exceptionally long, primarily because the world of pirates was proving to be far too chaotic. People just kept arriving, one after another, each more outrageous than the last.
Nami, having already grown comfortable with Lucifer and the others, found the idle waiting had become rather dull. Deciding to pass the time, she joined their table, sometimes listening to Aoandon spin one of her ghostly tales, other times watching movies with the group. All in all, it was a far more interesting way to spend the evening than worrying about Ace.
Lucifer glanced at Nami, who was now seated beside her, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "So, Nami," she began, her tone laced with genuine curiosity, "your personal strength doesn't really change after your crew gathers, does it? Venturing into the New World like that… wouldn't it be incredibly dangerous?"
Nami paused mid-bite, a chocolate crepe held delicately in her hand. She chewed thoughtfully for a long moment before letting out a soft sigh. "What can I do about it? But… it was only today—no, these past few days—that I even realized how formidable people like the Admirals and the Shichibukai truly are. I only just learned about Haki during this time, too."
"So when a group of passionate young people get together," Lucifer said with a helpless shake of her head, "you really do need a few rational, level-headed individuals like you, Nami."
Nami blinked, looking at the demon queen in confusion. "Miss Lucifer, you look very young, too. Could it be that…"
A faint cough escaped Lucifer's lips. "That's right," she declared, lifting her chin slightly. "I am still very young."
Hearing this, Pandemonica and the others shot Lucifer a collective, peculiar look. A blush crept up Lucifer's neck, and she suddenly shouted, "That's too much! I really am very young!"
Yakumo Yukari nodded sagely. "I can tell," she said, her expression perfectly serious. "Just like me. I'm only seventeen."
A muscle in Yuuka Kazami's cheek twitched. Beside her master, Yakumo Ran looked as if she wanted to say something, but her timid nature won out, and she held her tongue. Lucifer eyed Yakumo Yukari for a long, silent moment before finally nodding in agreement. "Hmm, we're about the same then."
"Oh! What a coincidence!" Yukari chirped.
Pandemonica and the rest of the group looked like they were about to burst from the sheer effort of holding back their commentary. Ren, watching from a distance, could only sigh. On a topic like this, anyone who dared to sing a different tune was practically begging for death.
Though Yakumo Yukari desperately wanted to point out, 'Lucifer, you're older than me,' she wisely restrained herself. After all, this wasn't her territory; it was better to be on her best behavior.
Nami, completely oblivious to the undercurrents of the conversation, simply nodded in earnest. "Oh! In that case, Miss Lucifer and Miss Yakumo, you're both truly amazing! To be so young and yet so powerful!"
In that instant, the favorability meters both Yakumo Yukari and Lucifer held for Nami skyrocketed. This child was truly sensible.
A genuine, warm smile spread across Lucifer's face. "As expected of Nami," she purred. "She's truly a well-behaved girl."
"Eh? Oh…"
Meanwhile, the Marines who had searched high and low for any trace of the escaped prisoner returned to report their failure. As they stood with downcast faces, Fleet Admiral Sengoku let out a heavy sigh. "It seems he really has escaped. Otherwise, he would have been found at Enies Lobby, Marine Headquarters, or Impel Down by now."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded, her voice a low, steady murmur. "Hmm. Sengoku, we need to devise a countermeasure now."
"So what should we do?" Sengoku grumbled, running a hand through his hair. "Tsuru, there are many possible solutions, but how should I put it…?"
Tsuru considered this for a moment before speaking softly. "To minimize the damage to the Marines' reputation, we can only frame our objective as something grander. In that case… I have an idea. Whitebeard and his crew are also extremely displeased with Blackbeard."
"You want to frame Marshall D. Teach?" Sengoku countered, his brow furrowed. "How can we make that believable? We can't just claim we conspired with him to lure out the Whitebeard Pirates. If Ace really returns to his crew, the entire narrative will fall apart!"
A thin, sharp smile touched Tsuru's lips. "Ace can go back, but Blackbeard cannot. We only need to say that Ace did indeed fight Blackbeard and was subsequently captured. The goal was always to lure out the Whitebeard Pirates. He was rescued midway by a mysterious Devil Fruit user with spatial abilities—that was an unforeseen complication. The plan, however, continued. But we definitely can't state it so plainly; that's where your literary talent comes in, Sengoku."
Sengoku mulled it over, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He sighed again, the sound heavy with resignation. "That's the only way. But let's continue the search for a while longer. Expand the search area and send out all available warships. As long as Ace hasn't officially returned to his pirate crew, there's still a chance!"
Tsuru nodded in agreement. "Hmm! That's the only way forward. So, Sengoku, the reputation of the Marines will depend on your literary talent. I'll go handle the intelligence reports."
"Understood."
On the other side of the world, on the island of Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock was in the middle of muttering Ren's name when Luffy arrived yet again. For once, Hancock actually paused to think. Just as she was about to speak, Elder Nyon came running over, breathless. "Snake… Snake Princess! Rayleigh is here!"
Hancock tilted her head, her train of thought broken. Just as she was about to voice her annoyance, she turned and asked with genuine confusion, "Rayleigh? What is he doing here?"
"He said he came to find Luffy, and also to tell him some news."
Luffy, who had been standing nearby, was stunned. "Rayleigh?!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening. "Could it be because of… Ace! Granny! Where is Rayleigh?"
"The beach."
Without another word, Luffy bolted, running as he spoke. Hancock frowned, turning back to the elder. "Granny, do you know what happened?"
"I do not know, but it must be related to Ace. This is the Calm Belt; news travels very slowly here. For Rayleigh to arrive now, he must have some information from the outside world."
Hancock nodded slowly. "That's true. In that case, I shall go take a look. Sandersonia, Marigold, you two will accompany me."
"Yes, Elder Sister!" her two sisters replied in unison.
Both Sandersonia and Marigold breathed an internal sigh of relief. If they had to listen to Hancock's lovesick muttering for any longer, their heads were going to ache. Sandersonia, in particular, was worried; her head was already quite large, and if it got any bigger from the stress, she wouldn't be able to face anyone.
At that moment, Silvers Rayleigh stood on the pristine beach, his gaze fixed on the calm sea. He let out a soft sigh. "I didn't expect to receive such news in the middle of all this… He really put in a lot of effort… It's much faster than I anticipated. It seems I'm still quite young! Hahahaha!"
"Hey! Rayleigh!" a familiar voice called out.
"Oh! Luffy!"
Behind Luffy, Hancock and her sisters walked over at a more regal pace. When Rayleigh saw the Pirate Empress, a warm smile spread across his face. "Hancock, long time no see. You've certainly grown. But I must say, I'm surprised you didn't kick Luffy out."
Hancock sniffed delicately. "This concubine is only doing it for Nami's sake."
"Hmm? Nami is here as well? Isn't she supposed to be in another place?"
"This concubine went to Shopkeeper Ren's establishment and saw Nami there. Shopkeeper Ren is truly an amazing man!"
Rayleigh paused, his expression turning puzzled. "So it really is that shop… Hancock, tell me more about it later. Luffy, I have news for you: Ace is temporarily safe."
The tension drained from Luffy's body in an instant, and a massive grin split his face. "Really?!"
"Really," Rayleigh confirmed. "The Marines have decided to postpone the execution. But anyone with a brain knows that Ace must have gone somewhere else. Right now, both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines are probably looking for him."
Luffy's smile only grew wider. "That's great! Ace will definitely be fine!"
"Mm!" Rayleigh nodded, then turned back to Hancock. "Hancock, I've rowed all the way here. Could you give an old man something to eat? I'd also like to talk to you about that shop."
"No problem!" Hancock declared immediately. "Sandersonia! Marigold! Go make the arrangements!"
"Yes, Big Sister!"
Rayleigh chuckled. "Hancock, you're quite agreeable when that shop is mentioned."
The Pirate Empress's cheeks flushed slightly, and she shot him a glare. "Hmph! Rayleigh! Is there something wrong with Shopkeeper Ren's establishment?!"
"Eh? Hahaha!"
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