In Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, Rayleigh and Shanks sat across from each other while Yasopp and the athered around Shakky, peppering her with questions about Rayleigh's life over the years. After all, Rayleigh was a living legend!

  Although their initial reunion had been awkward and embarrassing, it didn't diminish Rayleigh's legendary status. Shanks had always talked him up, stantly bragging about how incredible Rayleigh was and paring everyoo him. Now, with the opportunity to meet the man himself, how could they not seize the ce to ask all their burning questions?

  Rayleigh had been worried at first that Shakky might spill all his embarrassis. However, since Shakky hadn't initially realized that Shanks and Rayleigh knew each other, she hadn't said anything incriminating. Now that she uood their e, she naturally protected his dignity, much to Rayleigh's relief.

  Shanks, meanwhile, pulled out his wallet, pced it oable, and slid it over to Rayleigh. Looking a bit embarrassed, he said, "Deputy Captain, this is my pensation."

  Rayleigh's expression darkened as he replied, "Shanks, who do you take me for? That was just me fooling around, having some fun. Do you really think I did it for the money?"

  Shanks watched as Rayleigh casually pocketed the wallet a helpless. "When you say it like that, you're not ving at all…"

  Rayleigh cleared his throat, clearly trying to mask his slight embarrassment. "Ahem. Anyway, it's been years since we st saw each other. Where's Buggy? He's not with you?"

  Before the crew reached Laugh Tale, Buggy had fallen seriously ill and couldn't hahe rough journey any longer. For his safety, he stayed behind on an isnd, and Shanks, as Buggy's good friend, had stayed with him to take care of him.

  That was the st time either of them had seen Rayleigh and the others. Later, both Shanks and Buggy were present fer's execution in Loguetown.

  Because of Buggy's illness, her he nor Shanks had reached Laugh Tale. Even so, they'd learned enough about the final isnd that finding it again someday didn't seem impossible.

  At Rayleigh's question, Shanks shook his head nostalgically. "We were in Loguetown, giving Captain Roger his sendoff. Afterward, I invited Buggy to join me in f a pirate crew, but he refused. Said he wao go his own way."

  "Really? When I see you, I always think of him. I miss him," Rayleigh said with a smile.

  "I heard he started a pirate crew i Blue," Shanks said. "I spent a long time wandering arou Blue but never ran into him. I don't know if he was avoiding me or what. Holy, I feel like Buggy has some kind e against me. Do you think I'm imagining things?"

  Rayleigh rolled his eyes. "An illusion? You're seriously asking that?"

  They didn't dwell too mu Buggy, and the versation shifted. Curious, Rayleigh asked, "So why are you here in the Sabaody Archipego? I heard you were causing a lot of trouble in the New World not long ago. What did you do to make Garp chase you?"

  Rayleigh assumed Shanks had been stirring up trouble for the Marines or the Wover. Shanks grinned and said, "It's a big misuanding. Here's what happened…"

  After expining everything, Rayleigh was stunned. Shanks had really stepped in it this time. ving Garp's grandson to bee a pirate? No warp was after him—it was enough to drive anyone crazy!

  Seeing Rayleigh's surprised expression, Shanks ughed awkwardly and said, "It was holy a misuanding. I didn't know Luffy was Garp's son at the time…"

  "It's his grandson," Be corrected suddenly.

  Rayleigh chuckled, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all.

  The world truly worked in strange ways.

  Roger's son, Ace, had been taken in by Cudius and would likely grow up to serve the Wover. Meanwhile, Garp's grandson, Luffy, was dead set on being a pirate. The children of these two old rivals had essentially sed allegiances, it oetic twist of fate.

  "So you're here on Sabaody to y low for a while?" Rayleigh asked.

  Shanks nodded. "Yeah. Garp probably thinks I fled deeper into the New World, but I did the opposite and came here instead. Ohings cool down, I'll head back."

  Rayleigh nodded in agreement, and Shanks took a sip of his drink before speaking again.

  "I've been through Sabaody plenty of times, but I never imagined you'd be living here, Deputy Captain. It's surprising, holy. You're living so close to the Wover's base aren't you worried? This is Mariejois's backyard, after all. You've got guts, I'll give you that," Shanks said with admiration.

  Rayleigh looked a bit embarrassed but expined, "Well, I havely been hiding from the Wover. I've helped them out a bit here and there, so I've got some cover. As long as I don't stir up trouble, they leave me alone."

  Shanks froze. "Wait a sed. You actually helped the Wover? What the hell?"

  Rayleigh quickly crified, "Don't get the wrong idea. I don't work for them or anything. I just have a personal e with someone high up."

  "Someone high up?" Shanks asked, intrigued.

  Rayleigh smiled and said, "Yeah. It's someone we crossed paths with a long time ago, a Celestial Drager nearly io join our crew."

  "Donquixote Cudius?" Shanks asked in surprise.

  "Exactly. That's him," Rayleigh firmed.

  "That guy's no joke. He's captured some of the biggest pirates out there. I'm surprised you're friends with someone like him, Deputy Captain," Shanks said, clearly surprised.

  "Well, when I first saw him here, I thought he'd e to capture me. But it turned out he wasn't here for that. He's actually a pretty iing person," Rayleigh said with a chuckle.

  He sidered mentioning Ace but decided it wasn't necessary t it up.

  Having a friend like Rayleigh on the Sabaody Archipego made it feel like a safe haven for Shanks and his crew. They weren't in any rush to leave.

  The Red Hair Pirates weren't known for strict schedules or eborate pns they thrived on freedom and spoy. For now, they were happy to rex and enjoy their time with Rayleigh.

  ---

  Meanwhile, aboard the Prometheus, Cudius received a call from Spandine.

  Holding the Den Den Mushi in his hand, Cudius looked surprised, though anger simmered just beh the surface.

  "The news hasn't leaked, has it?" Cudius asked in a low voice.

  Spandine, sensing Cudius's displeasure, quickly replied, "We've already detained all the reporters from the World Ey Neer. Nothing has leaked, Yhness. You rest assured."

  "Good," Cudius said, his tone softening slightly. "How is Zephyr?"

  Spandiated before answering. "The situation isn't good. It looks like he's lost an arm…"

  Cudius frowned deeply. Zephyr, a former Admiral, had been attacked by pirates while proteg Marine recruits during a training exercise. Losing to pirates, even while proteg others, was a serious blow to his reputation. Cudius valued Zephyr and was determio safeguard his honor.

  "What about the recruits?" Cudius asked.

  "Garp arrived in time to rescue them. Zephyr… Zephyr put his life on the lio protect the recruits. Thanks to his efforts, the casualties were minimal. They were incredibly lucky," Spandied.

  "I see. Track down any information you on Whitebeard Jr. That b*****d must pay for this…" Cudius said, his voice cold and full of fury.