The blood mist had dissipated. Inside the Power Chamber of Mary Geoise, the atmosphere between the Five Elders, Rhett, and Shanks had mysteriously calmed down. Servants tremblingly set out new tea and snacks, as if the earlier violence had been nothing but an illusion.
"Pleasure doing business with you," the Legal God of Knowledge said, raising his teacup with a politician's smile plastered on his face.
Rhett grinned. His crimson eyes sparkled with amusement. "Pleasure doing business with you too, you old bastards." He tossed back his tea in one gulp and slammed the cup down on the table. "Now. Release them."
Saturn gave a slight nod. He tapped his scepter lightly against the floor.
Rhett and Shanks walked side by side. The Five Elders' servants led the way, their footsteps hurried, as if they were afraid the two monsters behind them might change their minds. It couldn't be helped. Anyone whose friends had been taken hostage wouldn't be in a good mood. On the negotiation table, they smiled and laughed. Off the table, they would scheme against each other however they could.
"Big Brother," Shanks lowered his voice, "they agreed way too easily."
"Of course they did." Rhett scoffed. "A bunch of old foxes. They pretend to back down, but behind the scenes, they're already thinking about how to slowly put a leash on me with this 'member nation' nonsense." He patted Shanks on the shoulder. "But it doesn't matter. Let them play their open game. I've got my own tricks. Free benefits are free benefits. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Don't worry. I've got this."
Shanks nodded.
---
The door to the white room slowly opened.
The former Roger Pirates, who had been making noise just moments ago, fell silent instantly. Ganryu, Max Marx, Jacksonbana — the men who had once conquered the Grand Line with Roger — were now all silent. Ganryu stared at the ground, his fists clenched white. Marx even took half a step back, as if he couldn't bear to face the people walking in.
"What?" Rhett raised an eyebrow. "A few years apart and you've forgotten how to drink?"
Ganryu looked up sharply. His eyes were red. "Rhett... we should have killed ourselves. Those bastards used us as leverage against you and Shanks—"
"Shut up." Rhett cut him off. The blood mist suddenly formed a hand and smacked Ganryu on the back of the head. "I risked everything to get you out of there, and this is what I get? You moping around?"
Ganryu smiled bitterly and stepped forward. "But we held you back. If we had known the World Government would use us against you, after Roger died, we should have—"
"Should have what?" Rhett grabbed Ganryu by the collar. "Listen up, you old bastards. You were Roger's crew. You're my comrades. If any of you were standing here in my shoes, you would have done the exact same thing." He let go and grinned. "Besides, killing a few Celestial Dragons isn't exactly new to me."
Shanks, seizing the moment, held up a bottle of sake he had pulled from nowhere. "How about a drink?"
The atmosphere in the room suddenly loosened. Max Marx burst out laughing and snatched the bottle, taking a long gulp. "Damn, getting lectured by the younger generation!"
Ganryu wiped his face, then punched Rhett in the shoulder. "Let's go! Let's drink! I want to hear how you made the Five Elders lose their minds!"
"This isn't the place to talk. Come on, let's go to my place." Rhett turned to the servants. "Tell the Five Elders to contact Tesoro. I'm very busy."
Whoosh!! Splash!!
They skipped unnecessary travel and went straight back to Sky Island. Why not go to Shimotsuki Village? Because Rhett was a giant lightbulb right now. Everyone's eyes were on him.
So! Whoosh!! Splash!!
The coated ship passed through the White Sea and slowly descended onto the cloud port of Sky Island. When the former Roger Pirates set foot on this land among the clouds, everyone was stunned by the sight before them.
The towering Golden Bell gleamed in the sunlight. Buildings made of cloud shells were arranged in perfect harmony. In the distance, massive vines coiled upward, connecting to even higher Sky Islands.
"Holy cow!" Ganryu's eyes went wide. "Rhett, kid, you've really made it big!"
Rhett grinned. Blood mist in his palm condensed into a miniature cloud shark that swam around the group. "Not bad, I suppose. I am the 'Mist Lord' now. Can't lose face. It's decent."
Shanks added with a laugh, "Big Brother's Sky Island is so amazing, even the Five Elders are jealous of it."
Just then, cheers rang out from the distance.
"Lord Rhett is back!!!"
Olga, Perona, and Laboon came running like a gust of wind and threw themselves at Rhett.
Rhett smiled warmly. Little ones were just so adorable.
Wait.
Laboon?
Rhett panicked. "Laboon, Laboon, take it easy!"
Laboon: Too late. I thought you were a speed bump.
Laboon: Fly, Rhett!!!
Rhett could have dodged. But he saw the visible joy in Laboon's eyes. If he dodged, Laboon would definitely fall flat on his face. His kids wanted to be spoiled. So he spoiled them.
"THUD!!!"
Rhett caught all three of them. Laboon seemed to realize what he had done.
"Woo..."
"It's okay, Laboon. It didn't hurt at all. Just be more careful next time."
Laboon nodded. He pulled a small dried fish from his little bag and stuffed it into Rhett's mouth.
Rhett laughed and patted the three little ones on their heads. Hahahaha.
Behind the three little ones, Tesoro, Enel, Moria, and the others appeared one by one, relaxed smiles on their faces.
"Welcome home, Captain." Tesoro snapped his fingers. Gold rose from the ground and formed an ornate banquet table. "Just in time. We just got a shipment of Sky Island special brew."
"Whoa!" Max Marx whistled. "Isn't this that reliable kid from Roger's ship? Now you're a big shot?"
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Takes one to know one. You haven't changed a bit. Still so... boisterous."
Everyone burst out laughing.
The banquet began quickly. Cloud-shell roasted sky fish, exotic fruits served on gold plates, special bubble sake... Sky Island's delicacies were an eye-opener for the former Roger Pirates. Ganryu, chewing on grilled fish, asked with his mouth full, "Rhett, how much territory do you actually have?"
Rhett lounged lazily on a gold throne. Blood mist curled around his fingertips. "Enough. Just enough."
Enel snorted coldly. "Mortal, this is but a fraction of the kingdom of a god."
"God?" Jacksonbana burst out laughing. "Kid, you're an even bigger bragger than Rayleigh back in the day!"
Moria's shadow twisted into a silly shape on the floor. "Kishishishi... You want to see my Thriller Bark? It's even bigger than this!"
Perona floated in the air, hugging a smaller Kumashi plushie. "Lord Moria, your ship is practically growing mushrooms..."
The banquet grew more and more lively.
"Hahahaha, I never thought us old-timers would get together like this again."
Suddenly, Rhett stood up. Blood mist billowed behind him, forming the shape of a throne. He raised his cup high. His crimson eyes swept over everyone.