The sea breeze carried a briny scent as it swept across the ship's railing. Tiger leaned against the rail, his scabbed wounds mingling with seawater to form crusts on his skin.
In the distance, the bubble clusters of Sabaody Archipelago were faintly visible.
"Hey, big hero." Still wearing that mask of his, the three little ones seemed particularly curious about his appearance.
Teasing them is a good way to relieve the boredom, Rhett mused as his voice drifted through the mist. "How about a change of appearance? A hero entering Sabaody would make things difficult for me."
Tiger grinned. "What, a facelift?"
"Hahaha, leave it to me." Rhett snapped his fingers, and a crimson mist surged from his fingertips, coiling around Tiger's body. "Let's make it more exciting—"
The mist condensed over the red skin, the distinctive patterns of a Fish-Man fading like a receding tide. When the last wisp vanished, what stood there was now a stranger—a Fish-Man with red hair, blue skin, and a scar over his left eye eerily similar to Rayleigh's.
The Hancock sisters peeked from the cabin door, with Marigold whispering in awe, "Big Brother Tiger turned into a sunfish!"
"It's a sea bream!" Sandersonia corrected.
Rhett conjured a mirror and tossed it to Tiger. "Sea Bream Tribe, bounty hunter 'Red Scales'—got killed by me a few days ago. Shakky will handle the ID. Shouldn't be a problem for now."
Tiger touched his unfamiliar face and laughed heartily. "Now even Jinbe wouldn't recognize me!"
Rayleigh swung down upside-down from the mast, a bottle of rum swaying in his hand. "Might wanna tone down that signature laugh. Less conspicuous when you return to Fish-Man Island. Thought about the future yet?"
Tiger nodded. "I had it all planned before I came. Jinbe, Arlong, and the others are already waiting. We're leaving Fish-Man Island to form the Sun Pirates—draw the World Government's attention as much as possible. We want to sail these seas freely too."
With a powerful leap, he plunged into the sea.
What a madman, Rhett thought, watching him dive. Taking the boat wouldn't have delayed you that much. But he understood—Tiger had been itching to act ever since they left Mary Geoise.
"Big Brother Rhett, what do you really look like? I bet he's super handsome," Marigold whispered to Hancock.
Little Hancock clutched her flushed cheeks, lost in fantasy.
Alright, you three. Time for a challenge. Rhett smirked behind his mask. I've only got one mask. Try to take it. The other two fail graduation.
The three girls chattered about him the entire journey, with Rhett shamelessly eavesdropping.
"Why can't I listen if you're talking about me?" he teased when they docked.
At Shakky's bar, Ginny slept upstairs while Rayleigh nursed a bottle of rum. Rhett sipped his drink alone, senses sharp. Come at me.
Sandersonia and Marigold lurked behind the counter.
"Big Sis has been 'burning up'—let's go together!" Sandersonia hissed. "On three!"
"THREE!!"
They burst from either side like cannonballs—
Poof.
The "Rhett" before them dissolved into mist.
Thud!
Shakky caught them mid-collision, amused. "Throwing yourselves at me? So passionate today~"
"Pop quiz—" Rhett's voice rang from above.
"AH—!"
Two sour lemon slices jammed into their mouths. Sandersonia's face scrunched like a dumpling; Marigold's snake-hair stood on end.
"Vitamin C for growth~" Rhett smirked, tossing limes. "Want seconds?"
Shakky rewarded their pained bravery with honey milk.
"Next time," Rhett dripped lemon into his tea, "make sure they're actually there first."
Hancock watched from the stairs, cheeks burning.
That effortless trick...
Shakky materialized behind her. "What's got you staring, little Hancock?"
"Eek! T-this concubine was merely admiring the scenery!"
"Oh~" Shakky blew a smoke ring toward Rhett. "Quite the handsome one, isn't he?"
"Y-yes! Not that I care!" Hancock's crimson ears betrayed her.
With a chuckle, Shakky whispered, "Want to know what he looks like?"
Hancock's eyes shone.
"First," Shakky tapped her forehead, "people react slower when approached without malice." Her gaze flicked to the steaming teapot.
Hancock tossed her hair and marched downstairs with regal—if wobbly—steps. "This concubine... is avenging her sisters!"
Shakky lit another cigarette, grinning. "Go get him, Your Highness~"