Today, Rhett was scanning the newspaper while eating when he saw the headline: "Newgate, so you thought strength was your ultimate destination, huh?"
"Captain, look at this! Rocks has recruited Newgate, Shiki, and Wang Zhi into his crew!"
The newspaper read: "Shocking! The self-proclaimed King of the World, the Rocks Pirates, have absorbed powerful pirates like Newgate and destroyed Marine Base 16. Do they intend to rule these seas? For more details, stay tuned for the next issue. Attached is a photo of Rocks, Shiki, and Newgate."
"Looks like the little lion got beaten into submission, hahahaha!" Roger laughed heartily.
If no one's spreading rumors, I'll just have to start some myself. Rhett's eyes gleamed. First order of business: Shiki. Just like you, Roger. Is this what you call 'getting a reaction'? I'm living for this.
The Roger Pirates had docked at a bustling trade island for rest and resupply.
Crew members scattered in small groups — some went shopping for supplies, others headed to the tavern to unwind.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh sat at an outdoor table outside the tavern, leisurely sipping coffee, looking every bit the refined gentleman.
Just then, a tall woman with black hair and slightly curled sideburns approached. She wore a wide-brimmed hat, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
"Hey there, handsome. Drinking coffee alone is boring, don't you think?" She pulled out a chair and sat across from Rayleigh without hesitation.
Rayleigh glanced up, a flicker of surprise flashing behind his glasses before his expression smoothed over. "Do we know each other, miss?"
"We do now." The woman propped her chin on her hand, her smile deepening. "Name's Shakky. I'm an information broker."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow. "Information broker? So, are you here to sell information… or buy it?"
Shakky blinked. "More like… exchange it." She deliberately drew out the word, her fingers lightly tapping the table. "For example, I'm very interested in the 'Dark King' Rayleigh."
Cut to the rooftop where Rayleigh was drinking his coffee.
If you looked closely, you'd notice one particular rooftop looked slightly different from the rest — thanks to Rhett's high-powered mist coating. Beneath the mist, two figures lay flat: Rhett and Gaban. At this mist density, Rhett could confidently say that unless Rayleigh deliberately scanned the area, there was no way he'd spot them.
Rhett nudged Gaban. "See, Gaban? I told you there was a story here."
Gaban nodded vigorously. "After tailing him across 16 islands, we finally caught him in the act."
Rhett quickly clamped a hand over Gaban's mouth. "Shh! Keep it down or we'll get caught!"
Rayleigh cleared his throat, lifting his coffee cup to hide his discomfort. "Oh? What about me could possibly interest you?"
"Lots of things." Shakky leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "For instance, why does a pirate like you always wear glasses? Trying to look sophisticated?"
Rayleigh nearly choked on his coffee. "...It's just a habit."
"Oh~" Shakky drew out the syllable, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Then how about this — is it true your captain, Roger, really laughs three times before a fight, like the rumors say?"
Rayleigh sighed, rubbing his temples. "Are you here to gather intel or gossip?"
"Both." Shakky cheerfully pulled out a small notebook and began scribbling. "'Rayleigh looks exasperated when asked about Roger, possibly harboring resentment toward his captain… Further speculation: may be eyeing the captain's position…'"
Rayleigh: "...Hey, this isn't intel. This is straight-up slander."
Nearby, Rhett whispered, "Gaban, did you see that? Rayleigh's blushing!"
Gaban stifled a laugh. "Rare sight. Never thought I'd see the day Rayleigh gets flustered. Who is this woman?"
Shakky seemed to sense their gaze and turned to wink at them, sending the two scrambling back into hiding.
Rhett yanked Gaban's head back into the mist. "Keep your head down, Gaban! You wanna get us killed?"
To avoid drawing attention, Rhett had only layered a thin but highly concentrated mist over the two of them. The coverage wasn't wide — one wrong move and they'd be exposed.
Rhett couldn't help but admire young Shakky's sharp instincts.
"Well, that's enough intel for today." Shakky snapped her notebook shut and stood, looking down at Rayleigh with an amused smirk. "Next time we meet, I hope you'll buy me a drink instead of coffee."
Rayleigh opened his mouth to respond, but Shakky was already walking away, leaving only a faint trace of perfume behind.
"You two, come out already. How long are you gonna keep watching?"
Rhett and Gaban, shameless as ever, immediately scurried over, grinning like idiots. "Rayleigh, who was that?"
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, feigning composure. "A troublesome woman."
Rhett smirked. "She seemed really interested in you though~ Pfft, something's going on there."
Rayleigh: "...Kid, do you need more training?"
Rhett: "I'll shut up!"
A few days later, the Roger Pirates prepared to set sail.
Rhett was squatting on deck, tallying supplies, when Gaban suddenly grabbed him and hissed, "Hey, brat, look over there!"
Rhett followed his gaze — at the tavern entrance by the docks, Rayleigh was being cornered against a wall by Shakky.
Rhett nearly lost it. Why don't I have a camera right now?! Quick, someone get a camera! This needs to be documented!
"Not being able to immortalize this ship-worthy moment is killing me," Rhett lamented.
Shakky had one hand braced against the wall, the other holding a small note as she leaned in with a playful smile. "Rayleigh, I've got some top-secret intel here. Wanna hear it?"
Rayleigh pushed up his glasses, struggling to stay calm. "...What intel?"
Shakky's red lips curled. "Word is there's a little gossipmonger named Rhett on your ship?"
Rhett, hiding behind a crate: "???"
Gaban shook with suppressed laughter. "Hahaha, you got sold out!"
Rhett gritted his teeth. "How the hell does she even know that?!"
Shakky, as if sensing their presence, deliberately raised her voice. "Especially when it comes to… certain people's romantic rumors."
A vein throbbed in Rayleigh's temple. "...What exactly are you getting at?"
Shakky blinked, then rose onto her tiptoes to whisper something in his ear.
—Rayleigh's ears turned bright red.
Rhett and Gaban: "Oooooooh—!!!"
Shakky stepped back, satisfied, waving the note. "If you want the full scoop, remember to buy me a drink next time~" With that, she turned and sauntered off.
Rayleigh stood frozen for a long moment before finally sighing and rubbing his forehead. "...What is that woman's deal…"
Rhett and Gaban sidled up like a pair of nosy raccoons. "Rayleigh! What'd she say?!"
Rayleigh deadpanned: "Double training today."
Rhett/Gaban: "??? What's that got to do with us?!"
—In the distance, Shakky leaned against an alleyway, watching the chaotic Roger Pirates with a quiet chuckle.