Do you remember? Many years ago, Rhett came to Marineford and fought the three young Admirals to a draw. That was the last time — the only time — the three of them worked together to give Rhett trouble.
Rhett nearly destroyed half of Marineford that day.
Oh, you say Shiki was there too? Who's Shiki? Don't know him. Isn't Shiki still rotting in a prison cell right now? Actually, no. He didn't even get the chance to be a prisoner. Eating might even be a problem for him.
We came together, but I was the one who left alone. So, rounding up, it's reasonable to say Rhett alone caused all that chaos in Marineford.
Just as Sengoku was about to deploy troops to capture Rhett — since the three Admirals happened to be back at Headquarters to report, and Garp was the only one still wandering around the East Blue — his forces were at their peak right now.
The golden Den Den Mushi beside him rang. Who could it be? Easy guess. "Emergency transmission from the Five Elders!"
Sengoku grabbed the Den Den Mushi. Before he could even speak, the cold voice of the Five Elders came through. "Sengoku. Do not act rashly."
"What?!" Veins bulged on Sengoku's forehead. "Are we just supposed to let him run wild in Sabaody—"
"This is an order," the voice on the other end said, leaving no room for argument. "Ignore the blood mist. Do not engage the Mist Lord."
Akainu shot to his feet. "This is ridiculous! This is clearly—"
"Sakazuki!" Sengoku shouted him down. His hand, holding the Den Den Mushi, trembled slightly. "...Understood."
As soon as the Den Den Mushi hung up, Akainu shouted, "How can justice compromise with pirates?!"
Kizaru gazed thoughtfully out the window. "Looks like they really value this meeting, ooh~"
Sengoku took off his glasses wearily. "Send word to all ships. No warships are to approach Sabaody. Monitor the blood mist's movement... but take no action."
Akainu's fists crackled. He turned and stormed out. "Fleet Admiral, the New World pirates have been restless lately. I'm going to the New World."
---
Mary Geoise. Red Port.
When the warship shrouded in blood mist docked, two squads of Cipher Pol 9 agents stood in neat formation. One squad wore ornate uniforms, all elite agents with golden patterned masks. Their posture was so respectful it was almost servile.
The lead agent was a woman in a golden mask. She bowed gracefully. "Welcome, honored guests, to Mary Geoise."
Rhett raised an eyebrow. Blood mist churned at his feet. "Oh? No one's chasing me away this time?"
"The Mist Lord jests. Mary Geoise welcomes the Mist Lord and Red Hair." The lead agent bowed deeply. Rhett nodded.
But Shanks didn't react.
The woman immediately changed her tone. Her voice now carried just the right amount of flattery. "Lord Mist Lord, Lord Shanks, you must be tired from your journey."
Rhett glanced at Shanks. This kid probably just didn't realize he was being addressed.
"Some of our subordinates were foolish enough to offend you. We deeply apologize."
She clapped her hands. Dozens of golden figures flashed onto the warship like lightning. The welcoming agents from earlier didn't even have time to react before their own comrades' blades pierced their hearts.
Shanks frowned but said nothing.
Rhett watched the execution coldly.
But the agents who had just done the killing didn't step off the ship either. The blood mist surged. In one moment they were hunters. The next, they were prey. The mist dissolved them into blood and water. Their screams echoed across the deck.
Rhett's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"The World Government's hospitality is truly unique. But I don't like it when people board my ship without my permission."
"You are right, my lord. That was presumptuous of us." The female agent smiled faintly. There was no anger in her voice at all. She stepped aside gracefully and made a "please" gesture. "The Five Elders have specifically instructed us to first welcome you with a feast and to apologize for any previous unpleasantness."
Rhett scoffed. Blood mist coiled at his feet. "What? Those old bastards are too afraid to see us?"
The agent paused for a split second, then immediately recovered. "The Five Elders believe that after such a long journey, you should first rest and relax."
She clapped her hands. A team of servants in fine clothes pushed food carts toward them. "This is deep-sea king salmon, airlifted here. It was caught just this morning."
On the carts, translucent slices of fish were arranged like blooming flowers. Exotic fruits from the New World sat beside them. Rhett picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. The delicate flavor bloomed on his tongue.
"Not bad," he nodded. "Lead the way."
Say what you will, the service in Mary Geoise was top-notch.
The golden-masked woman led them gracefully through a crystal-lined corridor. Rhett had his hands in his pockets, blood mist following at his feet. Shanks looked around curiously, his red hair swaying beneath his straw hat as he walked. He was the one this whole trip was about, but he looked more like a tourist.
"This is the Sanctuary Hot Spring," the woman said, pointing to a pool shrouded in steam. "It's a mineral spring from the deepest part of the Red Line. It can heal any ailment."
Rhett snorted. "How does it compare to my blood mist?"
"Not nearly as miraculous as the Mist Lord's divine power," the woman answered smoothly. "The Mist Lord is an unparalleled existence in the entire world."
Shanks had already taken off his coat and jumped into the pool. "Wow! Big Brother, the temperature is perfect!"
Rhett shook his head. The mist floated on the surface of the hot spring. After confirming it wasn't seawater, he stepped in too. The warm water enveloped his body. It really was relaxing. He leaned against the edge of the pool and watched the servants bustle about, bringing chilled juice and delicate snacks to his side.
"Lord Shanks," a blond servant knelt by the pool, "these are cloudberries from Cloudberry Island. Please try them."
Shanks reached for them, but the berry was already being brought to his lips. He smiled awkwardly and took it himself. "Thanks, but I can do it myself."
Rhett watched this scene with narrowed eyes. He suddenly spoke. "Do you always serve the Celestial Dragons like this?"
The blond servant visibly trembled. He hadn't expected Rhett to have no regard for the "gods" at all. Rhett's words were always so shocking. "N-No, not at all... Today was specially prepared for you..."
"Hmph," Rhett laughed coldly. "So that means your usual service is even more attentive?"
The servant's face went pale. He didn't dare answer.
Shanks patted his big brother's shoulder. "Don't scare him." He turned to the servant. "Bring some alcohol. The best you have."
"Yes! Right away!"
Rhett noticed that there wasn't a single Celestial Dragon anywhere in the places they were taken. There was no bloody entertainment like slave fights either. Even the attendants and beauties serving them were well-mannered and kept an appropriate distance.
There was no sign of slave service anywhere. All the servants were well-dressed and composed. One sommelier even proudly mentioned that he had once worked in a kingdom in the West Blue.