"Phantom World."
The blood mist surged, enveloping the entire town.
It trapped Major Mari and Rhett together inside the "Phantom World." The scenery around them warped and shifted. The line between reality and illusion blurred.
Major Mari's face was pale, but he still stood straight, gripping his saber tightly. "Mist Lord! Kill me if you want! But don't think you'll get any information out of me!"
Rhett stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly sighed. "...You're a Revolutionary Army spy?"
Mari's pupils contracted. His fingers trembled almost imperceptibly. "Wh-What are you talking about? I don't know what you're saying!"
Rhett put a hand to his forehead. "Isn't your reaction a little too obvious?"
Mari: "..."
People in the world of One Piece were, in a certain sense, endearingly simple. They were so easy to read. Extreme villains and fools who would die for justice — T-Bone was one of those.
Rhett rubbed his temples in exasperation. "So, you Revolutionary Army types have now taken to pretending to be Marine branch chiefs and riling up Marines to get themselves killed?"
"We're not getting ourselves killed. We're the last line of defense for the villagers," Major Mari finally snapped, unable to hold back any longer. Then he caught himself. "Wait... you... you're a 'comrade' too?!"
Rhett: "???"
Mari stepped forward excitedly. "I knew it! You've heard the lectures of our spiritual leader too, haven't you? Every time Dragon gives a speech, he talks about having a great teacher." He lowered his voice, his eyes burning with fervor. "I have a copy of 'Selected Quotations of the Great Teacher' here. Please take it as a welcome gift!!!"
Rhett: "..."
The expression on Rhett's face froze. A few years ago, Dragon had asked Rhett to come up with a title for his notes. Rhett hadn't even thought about it. "Selected Quotations of the Great Teacher" was the first thing that came out of his mouth.
Rhett: Oh no — I've become the spiritual leader?
Seeing that Rhett wasn't saying anything, Mari became even more convinced of his assumption. He said excitedly, "Of course! Dragon said that true revolutionaries don't necessarily reveal their identities publicly! You must be an important comrade in deep cover within the Marines!"
Rhett: "...No. I'm just passing through."
But Mari wasn't listening at all. He clenched his fist and continued on his own. "No wonder you're traveling with three children! You're training the next generation of the Revolutionary Army, aren't you? As expected of the Mist Lord. Truly far-sighted!"
Rhett: "..."
How is this misunderstanding getting worse and worse?!
Outside the blood mist, the Marines and villagers remained on high alert. The three little ones were huddled together, whispering among themselves.
Ace: "Why hasn't Uncle come out yet? Did they start fighting?"
Sabo adjusted his top hat, looking thoughtful. "No. With Uncle Rhett's personality, if he wanted to fight, he wouldn't waste time talking alone."
Ann silently raised her heavy sword. "I'll cut through the mist. I'll save Uncle. I am the greatsword that cleaves through the darkness. Mm!"
Ace looked at Sabo. "Maybe buying her that video Den Den Mushi from the World News Company — the one that shows movies — wasn't such a good idea."
Just then, the blood mist suddenly dispersed.
Rhett and Major Mari walked out one after the other. The atmosphere was eerily quiet.
Major Mari took a deep breath, then turned and shouted to the Marines, "All troops, stand down! This was... a misunderstanding!"
Marines: "???"
Villagers: "???"
The three little ones: "???"
Major Mari wiped the sweat from his forehead and explained reluctantly, "This... uh... 'Mist Lord' is actually here to... to turn in wanted criminals!"
The Marines were silent. Their eyes all said the same thing: "Major, have you been threatened?"
Mari let out a stiff laugh. Then he spotted the slave traders that Ann was dragging behind her. He suddenly had an idea. "Look! These are the infamous slave traders of the 'Iron Hook' gang! The Mist Lord came here to help us capture them!"
The Marines looked skeptical, but the slave traders' wanted posters were real.
Rhett sighed and patted Mari on the shoulder. "Major, you've got a bright future ahead of you."
Mari looked at him with newfound respect. "For the revolution! I will dedicate my entire life to the cause!"
Rhett: "..."
Fine. Let him believe whatever he wanted.
The blood mist completely dissipated. Major Mari wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, forced himself to cough twice to steady his voice, and shouted to the Marines:
"What are you all standing around for?! Take the captives! And prepare the payment according to their bounties!"
The Marines looked at each other in confusion, but an order was an order. They reluctantly stepped forward and took the sacks containing the slave traders. One soldier muttered under his breath, "Are we sure the major hasn't been brainwashed by the Mist Lord?"
Mari's ear twitched. He immediately glared at the soldier. "Nonsense! How can a Marine who stands for justice doubt his own commanding officer?"
The soldier shrank back and didn't dare say another word.
Rhett couldn't be bothered to explain. He simply pulled out a stack of bounty posters and tossed them to Mari. "Here. Proof of their bounties. Total is three million berries. Please hurry up. We're in a rush."
Mari took the bounty posters and pretended to flip through them. But really, he was sneaking glances at Rhett. He lowered his voice. "Don't worry, comrade. I'll arrange everything as quickly as possible. I won't hold up the revolutionary cause."
Rhett: "..."
The three little ones stood to the side, watching this bizarre conversation unfold.
Ace nudged Sabo's arm. "Hey, Sabo. Since when did Uncle become a 'revolutionary comrade'?"
Sabo adjusted his top hat, thinking it over. "Maybe... Uncle's reputation as the Mist Lord is so terrifying that the Marines had to come up with their own story to make themselves feel better?"
Ann nodded quietly. "Mm. That makes sense."
Soon, the Marines brought over a heavy bag filled with berries. Major Mari personally handed the bag to Rhett and even gave his hand a firm shake. "Thank you for your contribution to the cause of justice!"
Rhett's mouth twitched. "...You're welcome."
Rhett took the bag of berries, weighed it in his hand to make sure the amount was right, and then waved to the three little ones. "Let's go, kids."
Ace looked back at the Marine branch, a little disappointed. "Uncle, can't we beat up old Garp before we go?"
Sabo put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't start trouble. If Vice Admiral Garp actually catches up to us, we won't get dinner tonight."
Rhett smiled slightly. Blood mist seeped out from under his feet and silently wrapped around the entire ship.
"Hold on tight. We're leaving."
— Whoosh!
The blood mist spread. The luxurious ship seemed to vanish from existence as it quietly slipped away from the harbor.
The very next moment, a massive wave exploded from the sea behind them.
"RHETT!!! GET BACK HERE!!!"
Garp's roar shook the seagulls out of the sky. He descended from the clouds using Moonwalk and slammed onto the dock. The ground cracked like a spiderweb beneath his feet.
Major Mari was knocked to the ground. He stammered, "V-Vice Admiral Garp! What are you—"
Garp grabbed him by the collar and shouted, "Where is that bastard?!"
Mari swallowed hard and pointed at the sea. "H-He just left..."
Garp turned to look. The sea was covered in mist. There was no sign of Rhett or his ship.
"Damn it! Give me back my grandchildren, you bastard!"
He stomped his foot in rage. The wooden planks of the dock snapped and a hole caved in beneath him.
And at that very moment —
— Shoom!
The blood mist shrouded the small boat as it passed right by Garp's warship.
Rhett: Oh dear. Looks like I win again, Garp.