Chapter 118 The Whitebeard Arrives, Merry AppearsHe never dreamed that Luffy, that bastard, would deliver him to the hands of the legendary Dark King, Rayleigh.
That red-nosed clown had said something to Rayleigh, and the old man, as if possessed, refused to let him leave.
Despite looking like a wretched old man, his strength was ridiculously powerful; no wonder he was the Pirate King's right-hand man.
But now was not the time for sentimentality. He had to get back to his father's side no matter what! Even if he died, he would die on the charge!
"Damn it! Divine Fire - Shiranui!"
Two flaming spears instantly materialized, shooting towards Rayleigh with a piercing whoosh.
Ace, enveloped in Haki, charged forward like a cannonball.
Rayleigh laughed heartily, wielding his sword with one hand, his movements as effortless as weeding his own backyard.
Even after years of retirement and a decline in strength, he remained a legend who could chat and laugh with an admiral.
Facing Ace, who was still only a junior officer, Rayleigh was suppressing him with absolute ease.
After only a few moves, Ace was slammed to the ground with a skillful over-the-shoulder throw by Rayleigh.
Rayleigh chuckled and took a swig of sake: "You'll just stay here and retire with this old man."
Suddenly, Rayleigh's movements froze, his brows furrowing sharply, his gaze shooting like lightning towards the distant sea.
The sea surged violently, and a massive, whale-headed pirate ship, as huge as a mountain, emerged from the waves.
"Kurarara! Rayleigh! My stupid son is under your care!"
The hearty laughter seemed to shatter the heavens.
Rayleigh's expression instantly changed:
"Whitebeard?! Why did he come in person?!"
...
"Hey! Everyone, look! There's something strange floating on the sea!"
Zoro's slightly puzzled voice came through the loudspeaker in the watchtower.
"Eh? What?"
Everyone pressed their faces against the railing, peering out.
On the surging sea, a dilapidated wine barrel bobbed with the waves.
A strange little flag was stuck in the barrel, with the words "Before the Sea God's Treasure" scrawled crookedly on it.
Usopp and Chopper's eyes lit up instantly, rubbing their hands excitedly. "Is this treasure? Is it full of gold coins?"
"Idiots, this is just a drifting barrel used to store fresh water or cheap wine."
Nami saw through it immediately and poured cold water on their enthusiasm.
"Huh? What a disappointment! What a letdown."
The two instantly deflated, heads drooping.
"This thing is called a drifting barrel. It's an offering sailors make to the sea god to pray for a safe voyage. It's common knowledge! Can't you guys read a little more books?!" Nami, hands on her hips, began to educate this group of illiterate people.
Upon hearing it was an offering, everyone immediately lost interest.
Zoro's eyes lit up, and he chuckled, "Since we've already fished it out, it's unclaimed. Perfect, I'm thinking of having a drink."
Usopp, trembling with fear, cried out, "Hey! Are you a devil? Stealing divine offerings will bring divine retribution!"
Nami, however, smiled slyly, "As long as we pray sincerely, the gods will forgive us. After all, we can't waste food."
Robin, with a mischievous grin, added, "That's right. Just fill it with some other liquid after you've finished drinking it."
Zoro curled his lip, looking disdainful: "Tch, what god? I only believe in myself!"
"Idiot, we have a living god sitting on our ship."
Nami gave Zoro a disdainful look and pointed at Luffy.
Usopp suddenly realized, immediately pulling Chopper and Nami along, kneeling down devoutly before Luffy, hands clasped together:
"Ah! Great Luffy, we want to drink your sake, please bless us so we don't get diarrhea!"
Luffy: "..."
Zoro: "...You bunch of drama queens."
After praying, Nami excitedly ran to the sake barrel: "I heard sake washed by the sea tastes especially mellow."
"Oh? Then I'll try some too!" Franky volunteered, his right arm instantly transforming into a sharp chainsaw, slicing towards the sake barrel lid.
The instant the saw blade touched the barrel—
"Bang!"
A deafening roar erupted as a red signal flare burst through the barrel lid, shooting straight into the sky.
"Crack!"
Fireworks exploded high in the air, instantly staining half the sky crimson, the eerie red light reflecting off the sea like a sea of blood.
Everyone was startled by this sudden turn of events.
"What happened? Wasn't it supposed to be wine?"
At that moment, Kalifa strode over in her high heels, adjusting her glasses with a serious expression:
"According to the intelligence files previously established by CP9, this is likely a common hunting tactic used by Thriller Bark. That signal flare is specifically used to mark the location of prey."
"Eh? Is that the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
Everyone looked at Kalifa in surprise.
Kalifa nodded, quickly explaining the terrifying legends of the Bermuda Triangle and Moria's abilities.
Luffy nodded in satisfaction.
Indeed, recruiting Kalifa was one of the best decisions I'd ever made.
A talent from the World Government's top intelligence agency like her has a walking encyclopedia of information.
"However… intelligence indicates that supernatural phenomena frequently occur in this area."
Kalifa adjusted her glasses, adding in a low, eerie tone.
"Haunted…?!"
Usopp and Nami, those two cowards, instantly huddled together, trembling.
Chopper, on the other hand, practically became a doormat, clinging tightly to Zoro's leg.
"Hey! Don't be afraid! We have divine protection on our ship!"
Usopp shouted to bolster his courage, then pulled Nami and Chopper to kneel before Luffy in unison again:
"Ah! Amen! God bless! Luffy bless!"
Luffy: "…"
Just then, the previously clear sky seemed to be covered by an invisible hand, instantly turning gloomy.
Thick white fog, seemingly alive, surged in from all directions, completely engulfing the Going Merry.
Sanji struck a match, deliberately placing it under his chin, and said in a sinister tone:
"Listen, Usopp. It's said that over 100 ships mysteriously disappear here every year, and... there are also ghost ships laden with the dead wandering through this fog!"
In the dim light of the match, Sanji's usually handsome face appeared exceptionally grotesque and terrifying.
Usopp covered his ears and screamed, "Stop it! I don't want to hear it! Aaaaaah!"
Just then, a semi-transparent figure in a yellow raincoat, holding a small wooden mallet, flashed past Sanji from behind, shrouded in the thick fog.
"Hehe~"
A clear, melodious laugh, as ethereal as a ghost, drifted into everyone's ears.
Sanji froze: "..."
"Aaaaaah! There really is a ghost!"
Sanji, who had just been acting like a ghost, instantly lost his composure, staggering back three feet, almost falling into the sea.
Nami and Vivi screamed even louder, throwing themselves into Luffy's arms for security.
Luffy, feeling the warm, soft body in his arms, laughed heartily:
"That's not some evil spirit, that's our partner. Right? Merry."
"Merry?"
Everyone stared blankly at the little yellow ghost running merrily on the deck.
Franky stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I knew it looked familiar. Ah, a ship spirit!"
"A ship spirit?!"
Everyone turned to look at the small yellow figure.
"Legend says that only ships deeply loved by their crew will give birth to spirits. They usually appear on foggy days, wearing raincoats and carrying wooden mallets, alerting everyone when the ship is in danger."
Franky's voice held an undisguised envy. "I never thought I'd actually see one in my lifetime."
Upon hearing this, Usopp's tears instantly welled up. "It really was you? Merry!"
With that, he rushed forward, wanting to hug the small figure, but instead passed straight through her, falling flat on his face.
"Idiot, ship spirits don't usually have a physical form. They only manifest in emergencies; running around like that consumes a lot of soul energy."
Luffy rolled his eyes at Usopp. "Don't bother her."
"Suga uga... Well, I'd better not show myself then. I need to rest properly."
Usopp got up and carefully circled the ship spirit, afraid of scattering the wisp of air.