The Bruma Jackson slowly docked at the port of Mary Geoise. Rhett stood at the bow. His blood mist cloak fluttered lightly in the wind. From a distance, he saw a familiar tall figure.
King Neptune of Fish-Man Island was laughing heartily, his trident standing beside him. Several fish-man guards followed behind him.
"Neptune!" Rhett appeared at the port in an instant. He spread his arms and laughed as he walked up to him. "Long time no see, old friend!"
Neptune was very happy to see Rhett. "Rhett!" He bent his massive body and gave Rhett a firm hug. "Long time no see, old friend!"
"Ah, you know, I've been busy being a 'law-abiding' member nation king~" Rhett grinned and patted Neptune's armor. He turned to the Navy officers behind him and waved. "You can leave now. I'm going to catch up with an old friend."
Kizaru looked relieved. "Yeah finally free I'll wait here and escort you back safely."
A beach umbrella, juice, and a table appeared on the ship in an instant. Aokiji rubbed his dark circles. "...Can I go back to sleep now?"
Neptune watched this scene and couldn't help lowering his voice. "You still enjoy bothering the Navy so much."
"Life needs some fun. Besides, if I don't bother them, will they stop coming?" Rhett winked. The blood mist turned into two cups of wine. "Let's go. Walk and talk."
At the mention of his wife, Neptune's expression softened. "She's been working hard on exchange programs between Fish-Man Island and humans. This time, we chose a more impactful exchange. Like you said, to achieve equality between people, you need certain means..."
Rhett's lips curled up. "Neptune, why didn't you bring Shirahoshi this time?"
Neptune laughed heartily. "That girl is now Fish-Man Island's treasure. I can't just bring her out." He patted Rhett's shoulder and lowered his voice. "But she's always saying she wants to see you."
Rhett winked. "Next time, I'll take her to Skypiea."
Tesoro pushed up his glasses and cut in at the right moment. "Captain, the conference starts in two hours. Should we go to the rest area first?"
Witte laughed softly. "It seems this adventure will be very interesting~"
Just as they were about to leave, a commotion came from the other side of the port.
Neptune was about to say something when a sound of orderly footsteps came from the port. A squad of Cipher Pol 9 agents in white uniforms marched in. At the front was the ever-smiling Florge Tisan.
"Your Majesty Rhett! Your Majesty Neptune!" Tisan gave an exaggerated bow, his forehead almost touching his knees. "The Five Elders specifically sent me to welcome you both!"
The Cipher Pol 9 agents behind him all knelt on one knee. Their movements were as coordinated as if they had practiced them a thousand times. Their voices behind their masks were a little stiff. "Welcome, Your Majesties."
Rhett raised an eyebrow. The blood mist swirled around his fingertips. "Oh~ isn't this Tisan? Finished scolding the Navy at Marineford, now you're serving the Five Elders at Mary Geoise?"
Tisan's smile didn't waver. "It is my honor to serve the lords!"
Neptune lowered his voice. "This guy..."
"Your Majesties, please follow me" Tisan led the way eagerly. "The Five Elders have prepared tea and snacks. The Celestial Dragon representatives are also very excited to meet you"
Enel suddenly floated in front of Tisan. Lightning crackled around him. "Hey, ant. You're blocking this god's way."
Tisan immediately broke out in a sweat. But his professionalism kept his smile perfect. "O-Of course! This... this divine lord, please go first!"
Moria laughed, "Kishishishi." His shadow quietly wrapped around Tisan's ankle. "Would you like to visit my Thriller Bark? We could use a host~"
Tisan's legs trembled. "Th-This..."
It was worth noting that Rhett only brought Tesoro, Moria, Enel, and Witte.
"Alright, alright~" Rhett cut in with a smile. "Don't scare our little tour guide." He spread his blood mist, forming a red carpet leading forward. "Let's go. Let's see what those old guys are up to this time."
A news bird wearing a top hat was being held by its wings by two Cipher Pol 9 agents. Its short legs kicked uselessly in the air. On top of its head was a tiny news bird. Both birds flapped their wings angrily.
"Caw! I am the reporter personally appointed by Lord Mist Lord!" The big news bird shouted at the top of its lungs. "I have the right to report this World Conference! If you don't let me in, I'll report to Lord Mist Lord!"
"Nonsense!" The voice behind the agent's mask was cold. "This is a port directly under Mary Geoise. Without a warrant from the Five Elders, no one enters!"
The little news bird pecked at the agent's finger. "Caw! Lord Mist Lord said press freedom is a basic human right! Morgans' people can get in. Why can't we?"
"Shut up!" Another agent waved his hand impatiently. "Keep this up and we'll roast you!"
Just then—
"Oh~ isn't this our big reporter?"
Rhett's voice came from behind. The two agents froze. They slowly turned around. Rhett was standing behind them with a smile, along with a sweating Tisan.
"L-Lord Rhett..." The agent's voice dropped an octave.
Morgans' news bird's eyes lit up. It flapped its wings, broke free, and slid on its knees to Rhett's feet.
"Lord Mist Lord! You must help me!" It complained tearfully. "These bastards from Cipher Pol 9 tried to stop me from reporting on your brave and brilliant battles! This is an assault on press freedom!"
Rhett crouched down. The blood mist formed a little hand that patted the news bird's head. "So dedicated? You even have a backup on your head?"
The little news bird puffed out its chest proudly. "Caw! My name is Moto!"
The older bird put the little one down and slapped it with its wing.
"Cousin, what was that for?" Moto touched its head.
"This is our company's major shareholder. One word from him and our bird feed is gone." The older bird whispered.
Moto was stunned for a moment. Then it started brewing its emotions. "WAAAH—" It burst into tears.
"Lord Mist Lord! I finally get to see you in person! Did you know—"
Witte grinned and poked Moto's wing.
Moto ignored her at first.
"Every day, I hear my cousin tell me about your heroic deeds. My room is covered in your wanted posters!"
Witte poked its wing again.
Moto brushed her away with its wing, but its crying didn't stop.
"Waaah... Huh?" Poke. Moto glanced back at her, then kept crying.
"Lord Mist Lo— Waaah?" Witte grinned and pulled her finger back.
"Ugh. Humans with no sense of boundaries." Moto was annoyed. Its crying was interrupted.
Rhett stood up and looked at the two agents. "Gentlemen, do me a favor?"
His tone was casual.
The two agents looked at each other. Then they bowed decisively. "Since they are Lord Rhett's guests, of course they may enter!" With that, they hurried away.
Morgans' news bird excitedly pulled out a camera. "Lord Mist Lord! Please allow me to follow you and report on this conference! I promise to make you look even cooler than the Celestial Dragons!"
Rhett laughed. "Sure. But—" The blood mist suddenly formed a pair of sunglasses and put them on the news bird's face. "Remember to document everything well."
The little news bird immediately stood at attention and saluted. "Caw! Mission accepted!"