Compared to the daytime, the Sabaody Archipelago was noticeably quieter at night. That was true for the normal parts of the islands.
But in the lawless zones of Sabaody, the night was anything but quiet.
After all, darkness was the perfect place for sin to hide, especially inside bars.
And almost every conversation circled back to the same topic. The clash that had happened earlier on the shopping street, the conflict between the Sky Pirates, the Celestial Dragons, and the Marines.
Inside Shakky's Rip-off Bar, a group of unsavory types were drinking themselves silly.
"That was incredible! You should've seen it, the look of terror on that Celestial Dragon's face! A Celestial Dragon, I tell you! I've lived here for ten years, and that's the first time I've ever seen one look that scared. I'm calling it now. From today onward, the Sky Pirates are my idols!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Doru. You're a human trafficker. They'd be doing you a favor by not killing you on sight. Didn't you see? Even Hawkins Coco got taken out with a single kick."
"Still, it's hard to believe. When I first heard a Celestial Dragon had been killed, I didn't buy it. But now it's obvious it's real. Those guys actually went and killed a Celestial Dragon."
"And they even gave away such a valuable Devil Fruit just like that, to a complete stranger. That kind of generosity really makes you admire them. If only I'd met them sooner. If I could become his subordinate…"
"So this is what a pirate worth 940 million Belly looks like? He's amazing! If a man like that were my husband, I'd die happy!!"
"Snap out of it, you idiot. Stop drooling already. You're all missing the real point. The real issue is that they killed a Celestial Dragon, and yet the Marines and the World Government haven't reacted at all. That means the world is starting to fall into chaos. Our era is coming."
"To our era! Cheers!!!"
"Cheers!!!"
The laughter and shouting continued until well past midnight. Once the last of the troublemakers staggered out, the bar finally returned to its usual quiet.
After finishing the cleanup, Shakky went back behind the counter, lit a cigarette, and gazed calmly toward the door.
Not long after, the door opened again. Rayleigh stepped inside, his blond hair catching the light, a bundle of coating tools slung over his back.
"Finished?"
"Yeah. What a long day."
As he spoke, Rayleigh set the tools down in the corner, then pulled a small metal flask from his clothes and handed it to Shakky.
"Sorry to trouble you, Shakky."
Shakky shot him a helpless look but still took it. She picked out the strongest liquor from behind the bar, took a long drink, and spoke at the same time.
"Those two kids of yours arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago today."
"I know. Everyone I passed on the way back was talking about them."
"That young man named Enel stopped by here this morning. He was worried about causing you trouble, so he said he'd come visit properly in the evening. At this point, he should be almost here. Here."
Rayleigh accepted the drink she handed him, took a hearty gulp, and laughed.
"Hahaha, that was probably Yemu's idea. Enel isn't that considerate."
"You really do know them well."
"Hahaha. We've only been living together for three days, but Yemu's maturity left a strong impression on both me and the Captain."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Oh, they're here."
Shakky opened it, and the members of the Sky Pirates appeared outside, with Yemu at the front.
...
Inside Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Yemu sat on the sofa, with Enel on one side and Tiger and Erik on the other.
Flare, Baby-5, Ayala, and the Kuro Brothers were in high spirits, perched on the tall bar stools and sipping the drinks Shakky had mixed for them.
"So good! This is really delicious!"
Baby-5 cradled her juice happily, her eyes sparkling.
Seeing her reaction, Shakky smiled.
"You're such sweet kids. I'm glad you like it."
Unlike the easy chatter among the women, things were much quieter on the other side of the bar.
After five years apart, Yemu didn't quite know how to start, and Rayleigh felt the same.
The two simply looked at each other, and the bar gradually fell silent.
In the end, Yemu was the first to speak, his tone apologetic.
"I'm really sorry. I originally thought about using the Doa Doa no Mi to come in directly, but since this is my first visit, barging in without the host's permission felt disrespectful. I hope I didn't cause you any trouble, Mr. Rayleigh."
A smile appeared on Rayleigh's face, one that hadn't been seen in a long time.
"Hahaha, don't worry about it. This is a lawless area. Even the Marines and the World Government can't do anything here."
As he spoke, his expression grew serious. He looked at Yemu, then at Enel, and finally at the others.
"But you two, Yemu and Enel. Ten years apart, and you've grown to this level already. That's truly impressive."
"You're too kind, Rayleigh-san. If it weren't for your guidance in Haki, neither Enel nor I would have come this far. And the sword training manual, along with Shishimaru… I've kept them with me all this time."
"No."
Rayleigh shook his head, his voice firm.
"That's all your own talent, Yemu and Enel. I only taught you for three days, and all I left behind was a simple training manual. The fact that you could reach this level on your own from that alone isn't something ordinary people can do."
As Yemu and Rayleigh continued talking, Tiger and Erik stood to the side, staring at them in shock.
They had only just learned who it was their crew had come to visit.
The former vice-captain of the Pirate King, the Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh.
To them, it was overwhelming.
After all, it had been less than two years since Roger became the Pirate King, and only a few months since his execution.
It felt like they were speaking face to face with a living legend.
Tiger knew that Yemu had spent some time with the Pirate King in the past, but Erik had known nothing about it.
At that moment, as if noticing their reactions, Rayleigh's gaze shifted toward them.
Even someone as seasoned as Tiger felt a hint of tension, let alone Erik.
"Yemu and Enel have found some truly outstanding companions. You're Fisher Tiger, aren't you?"
Tiger froze, then asked in surprise,
"Rayleigh-san knows me?"
"There's a fish-man named Hachi who's been asking me to look for you all this time. I never expected you'd end up becoming Yemu's navigator."
"Hachi?!"
Hearing that familiar name, Tiger's face lit up.
"Rayleigh-san knows Hachi?"
"Yes. Hachi once saved my life. He's my benefactor."
"Wha—?!"
This time, Tiger was completely stunned. He had never imagined that Hachi would be the lifesaver of the Dark King himself. Hachi had never mentioned anything like that.
Rayleigh then turned his attention to Erik.
"Killmonger Eric, your teacher was Caroll Cain, wasn't he?"
Erik's eyes widened even further.
"Rayleigh-san knows my master too?"
"Hahaha, don't forget, I'm a swordsman as well. I once went to the North Blue and sparred with your teacher. The Shinto Sword Style taught me a great deal. By now, you should already be able to grasp 'Ki,' right?"
"Yes."
Erik nodded eagerly.
Seeing this, Rayleigh glanced at the two swords at Erik's waist.
"Oh? Tensetsugetsu and Sandai Kitetsu?"
"Yes. The captain gave them to me."
Erik looked at Yemu with gratitude.
Rayleigh spoke slowly, with deeper meaning behind his words.
"Both are excellent blades. Remember this. Whether it's Haki, Demonic Aura, or Oni Aura, they're all forms of Ki. If you can master them and fuse them with the sword energy of your Shinto Sword Style, it might allow you to take that crucial step forward."
In that instant, Erik felt as if enlightenment struck him, his thoughts suddenly clear.