"Boom!"
The door of Shakky's bar swung open as Rhett strode in, the Black Tide-Blood Dragon Calamity resting on his shoulder, a swirling mist of blood trailing behind him. His grin was practically begging for attention.
"Uncle Rayleigh! Big Sis Shakky! Yo!" Rhett called out, his voice brimming with mischief. "You wanna know what's up with this Black Tide greatsword?"
Inside, Rayleigh's hand trembled slightly, nearly dropping his glass. Shakky exhaled a plume of smoke, her lips curling into a smile. "Well, if it isn't our favorite little gossipmonger, Rhett."
Rhett sauntered over to the bar and plopped down, the greatsword resting on the table, supported by the mist. "Big Sis Shakky, after all these years, how come you're still so beautiful?"
"Cut the crap," Shakky flicked ash from her cigarette. "As an information broker, I've seen countless famous swords. This one is indeed top-notch. What it lacks is just fame and the nurturing of Haki."
"Can you call that a rumor?" Rhett feigned innocence. "I call it... reasonable speculation!"
Rayleigh pushed a glass of orange juice toward him, his expression darkening. "Drink your juice, kid."
Rhett pouted, glancing around. "By the way, old man, let's have a fight. I came all the way back here for this."
The kitchen curtain rustled as Fisher Tiger emerged with a tray. "Who's talking—"
His eyes met Rhett's, and both froze.
"Rhett?" Tiger's eyes widened.
"Tiger?" Rhett raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"
Tiger set the tray down, a bitter smile forming. "I wanted to ask Uncle Rayleigh for help."
Rhett's mind raced. Tiger had climbed Mary Geoise, freed slaves, and become a hero. This must be that time. Even with Tiger's strength, a slave revolt shouldn't have been possible without help. The Celestial Dragons' stronghold is no joke.
He turned his gaze to Shakky, who exhaled a smoke ring. "It was that little girl Hancock who sent Tiger to me."
Tiger nodded. "I saw the Hancock sisters at Mary Geoise. She said their eldest sister, Shakky, would have a way to save them because in their world, the eldest sister is invincible."
"Seeing Mr. Rayleigh here, I felt the chances of success were even greater."
Rhett smirked. Of course. Rayleigh wouldn't get involved without a reason.
Rayleigh's veins bulged. "You're here just in time. Do me a favor. Tiger plans to climb the cliffs of Mary Geoise to create chaos. Shakky and I will handle the reception. You go and rescue the Hancock sisters for me. Consider it a favor owed."
"Of course, I can help Brother Rayleigh," Rhett said, leaning closer to Tiger. "But these Hancock sisters are strangers. Why start owing favors now? Hehe."
Before Tiger could respond, Shakky delivered a light chop to Rhett's head. "Alright, little Rhett. Consider it a favor owed by your big sis. Save your strength for helping your sis find her sisters."
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!" Rhett rubbed his head, grinning. "Big Sis Shakky, your hand is stronger than Garp's!"
Rayleigh sighed, pouring Rhett a drink. "Alright, what do you really want this time?"
Rhett took the glass, his expression turning serious. "One thing."
---
At the open space in front of the coating workshop in Area 13 of Sabaody Archipelago, Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, looking at Rhett with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "You brat, this old man's bones can't take your antics."
"Cut it out!" Rhett swung the Black Tide-Blood Dragon Calamity, blood mist coiling around the blade. "Brother Rayleigh, you have no idea. Since I got this, I haven't had a single good fight. I'm about to explode. Let's go!"
Rayleigh's lips curled slightly. "Looks like I can't avoid it?"
"Of course!" Rhett slammed the greatsword into the ground, blood mist spreading like a tidal wave. "Let's see if you've lost your edge over the years, Vice Captain!"
Rhett made the first move, the blood mist instantly enveloping the area. Unlike before, the mist now carried lethal intent—each wisp laced with a paralyzing toxin.
"Mist God Style: Blood Dragon Dance!"
The mist condensed into dozens of ferocious dragon shadows, lunging at Rayleigh from all directions.
Rayleigh chuckled, his ordinary sword now coated in black Armament Haki. "Tsk, kid's improved quite a bit. But—"
A flash of golden light!
Rayleigh's figure seemed to teleport between the dragon shadows, his sword precisely cleaving them apart. The struck blood dragons dissipated, reverting to mist.
Rayleigh suddenly leaped away. "Good one, kid. Now you're pulling dirty tricks inside the blood dragons."
The mist that had just dispersed left the ground pockmarked with corrosion.
"It's not over yet!" Rhett's voice echoed from the mist.
The ground beneath Rayleigh turned into a blood mist swamp, countless blood hands reaching out to drag him into the abyss. Simultaneously, a dense rain of blood-colored spears fell from the sky!
"Mist God Style: Blood Rain Kill Formation!"
Rayleigh's eyes gleamed. "Pluto: Waltz!"
A ring of golden sword energy erupted, clearing the blood hands and spears instantly. But in that moment—
"Gotcha!"
"How dare you trust what you see in my mist." Rhett's true form emerged from the mist behind Rayleigh, the Black Tide greatsword descending with the weight of a mountain!
"Clang—!!!"