The next day, as they prepared to depart, Rhett asked Shanks, "How are we getting there? They think you're a Celestial Dragon, don't they? Shouldn't they be sending a ship to pick us up?"
Shanks scratched his head. "I think we need to go to Sabaody first. Then they'll send someone to get us."
"Little Shanks, no class. We have to go there ourselves. Fine, let's go take a look."
Sabaody Archipelago.
A pitch-black warship silently docked in the misty harbor. Dozens of Cipher Pol 9 agents stood still on the deck. Say what you will about them, but having a whole entourage of people following you everywhere? That's style.
The lead agent gave a slight bow. His posture was respectful, but there was an air of condescending arrogance beneath it. "Lord Shanks, by order of the Five Elders, we have been sent to escort you to Mary Geoise." He put extra emphasis on the words "Five Elders," as if they were the most honored title in the world.
Well, Rhett took back what he said about style. A dog who needs to rely on its master's status only lowers its own.
Shanks casually tipped his straw hat. "Let's go." He grinned, completely carefree. His big brother was right there beside him. One word — comfortable.
Just as the agent was about to speak again, his gaze landed on the figure standing next to Shanks. It was a man in a blood-red cloak, casually eating an apple. The agent, who had been bowing just moments ago, immediately straightened his back. His right hand instinctively went to the sword at his waist. His voice rose sharply.
"No unauthorized personnel are allowed on board. This is a World Government exclusive route. Please leave immediately—"
"Crunch." An apple core hit the agent's mask dead center. The man slowly looked up. Crimson eyes glowed in the shadows.
The agent's pupils contracted sharply. He recognized him now. The long hair, the red eyes. The famous Black Tide Greatsword resting quietly nearby. And that presence — the one that made the New World tremble.
But he was probably used to this. The words came out automatically, like a practiced routine. Even after he had already realized his mistake, the arrogance had already left his mouth. "How dare a lowly pirate like you—"
"Swish!"
A flash of blood-colored light. The agent's head flew into the air. Behind his mask, his eyes were still frozen in fear.
Rhett slowly lowered his sword. He narrowed his eyes. Conqueror's Haki pressed down on the dozens of agents. "Even the Five Elders don't dare raise their voices in front of me..."
His voice was dripping with menace. "Who the hell do you think you are? Giving me orders?"
The remaining agents stood frozen. Their white uniforms trembled with their bodies.
They finally saw clearly who was standing in front of them.
"M-Mist Lord!" The agent on the left nearly collapsed to his knees. "This subordinate has poor eyesight! Please... please board the ship, both of you!" His voice was full of fear. A completely different person from the arrogant fool he had been moments ago.
Shanks watched his big brother assert dominance and smiled. He stepped onto the gangplank. "Big Brother, that was a little violent, don't you think..."
"Shut up," Rhett said as he stepped onto the deck. "Set sail. If we get there early enough, maybe we can still have lunch."
As the warship slowly left the harbor, Rhett wasn't idle. A wise man once taught them —
Strategically, despise your enemy. Tactically, take your enemy seriously.
The blood mist spread outward from the ship. Soon, it covered the entire Sabaody Archipelago. The trees, the buildings, even the sunlight took on a red tint. The island's residents looked at the sky in terror.
Rhett stood at the bow. The blood mist swirled around him. Shanks walked up beside him and lowered his voice. "Big Brother, isn't this a little much?"
"Strategically, despise your enemy. Tactically, take your enemy seriously. If those old bastards really want to harm you, even this preparation would be too little."
Shanks rubbed his chin. "But they just want me to reclaim my Celestial Dragon status..."
"Reclaim?" Rhett laughed scornfully. "You think they care about your bloodline, little Shanks? They care about your talent. About your position and influence on the future seas. Why else would Doflamingo beg them and they still wouldn't let him back in? You didn't even know you were a Celestial Dragon, and they came all the way to invite you back."
He turned to look Shanks in the eye. "Remember. No matter what they say in there, don't agree to anything. If that old monster Imu shows up... hide behind me immediately."
Shanks nodded seriously. Then he suddenly grinned. "But Big Brother, isn't your blood mist range a little too big? Mary Geoise must be terrified right now."
Rhett waved his hand carelessly. "It doesn't matter. Spreading my mist doesn't cost me any energy. As long as we're in my mist, even if those old bastards come out themselves, we're still in an undefeatable position. We can fight. Or we can run. It's fine."
The mist had just completely covered Sabaody. The island's reaction was bigger than Rhett had expected. The last time Sabaody was covered in mist, a lot of Celestial Dragons died. That day, Sabaody remembered the fear of being dominated by Rhett.
"Close the doors! It's the Mist Lord's blood mist!" The auctioneer shoved people out of the way as he ran. The Celestial Dragon's bodyguards immediately grabbed their master and carried him to the underground shelter.
One Celestial Dragon was still shouting, still wearing his bubble helmet. "How dare a mere pirate— wait, did you say Rhett?! Quick, get me out of here! Take me away!" His bodyguards knocked him unconscious and carried him off.
But where there was fear, there was also welcome. Rayleigh and Shakky aside, don't forget there was a Rhett company on Sabaody too.
Mr. Tanaka had just finished escorting his noble clients out when he saw the blood mist covering the sky. He bowed deeply in the direction of the mist. "Welcome, our captain, to Sabaody. What a shame I cannot have a close conversation with you. I look forward to your next visit."
And if we're talking about Sabaody, we have to talk about Marineford.
Sabaody was very close to Marineford. Given how fast Rhett's blood mist was spreading — it wasn't thick fog, but it was spreading — there was a chance it could reach Marineford. Even if it only got close, that was still embarrassing.
This wasn't really Rhett's fault. He couldn't just make the mist move in a straight line, could he?
Rhett shrugged. Rhett felt guilty. Rhett was faking it.
Sengoku was furious. What did this mean? Was he declaring war on the Navy? This brought back old memories.
In Sengoku's office, a teacup exploded against the wall. Hot tea dripped down the characters for "Justice."
"Damn it!" Sengoku slammed his fist on his desk. Papers flew everywhere. "Rhett is insane! Does he think Navy Headquarters is just a decoration?!"
Outside the window, a faint red mist was visible on the distant horizon. Kizaru sat by the window, legs crossed, sipping his tea. "Ooh scary the blood mist is almost reaching Marineford~"
Akainu stood nearby, his face dark. His magma fists crackled. "Fleet Admiral, give the order. I'll go take care of that arrogant bastard right now—"