Cross Guild, Chairman's Work Ship.
This currently unmarked vessel was actually a modified version of Gloriosa's old pirate ship.
It was only used when the three chairmen of the Cross Guild were on official business.
Now, this work ship had crossed the Rainbow Bridge and arrived at the outskirts of Elbaf's "Sun Realm."
"Wow, I never expected this! I just left Elbaf, and now we're back again because of Michael's request!"
"Gaban, can you tone down that smug look of yours? That 'hit the jackpot' expression of yours is really asking for a beating..."
"Ahahaha! Gloriosa! You're just jealous, aren't you?"
"Jealous!? Why would I be jealous of you!?"
Gloriosa gasped sharply.
Though Gaban was just teasing her, he'd unwittingly struck right at the softest spot in her heart.
Though her appearance hadn't aged, truth be told, she was already at grandmother's age!
Whenever this thought crossed her mind, she couldn't help but recall that burly man... Of course, it would be better if Bakkin constantly clinging to his back wasn't in those memories!
But nowadays, Whitebeard had almost nothing to do with the word "pirate" anymore...
Should she... find time to visit the Whitebeard Kingdom for old times' sake?
Rayleigh turned back to look at his two companions.
"Hey, we're almost at Elbaf now!"
"Oh oh! We're almost there? Gloriosa's work ship is so much faster than my little broken boat!"
Gaban stood up, gazing at distant Elbaf with undisguised excitement and pride.
"We'll be at my home soon! You two absolutely must have a meal with my wife and son! Hahahaha!"
"I think you're deliberately mocking us, but I have no proof." Rayleigh's mouth twitched. "But don't get too cocky... Shakky and I have been exchanging letters regularly!"
"Pfft!" Gaban let out an exaggerated scoff. "Playing pure love games at your age! The 'Dark King' Rayleigh, right hand of the Pirate King, reduced to this!?"
"Gaban..."
Though Rayleigh was smiling, the hand resting on his sword hilt revealed his true feelings...
Never before had he wanted to kill an old comrade as much as at this moment.
"Enough, can you two stop it?" Gloriosa, at the helm, roared at them. "If you dare start a fight on my ship, you're dead!"
As the three old-timers bickered, the work ship drew ever closer to Elbaf...
But just then, a figure leaped up from Elbaf's shoreline.
It was a slender female giant with golden hair, part of it braided into two pigtails hanging in front.
She wore a deep V-neck purple fur coat that reached her abdomen, with black-and-yellow striped thigh-highs on her left leg.
Over this was a tattered eggshell cloak and fur boots.
If Michael were present, he'd surely complain about Oda's art style!
Aside from the cloak and fur boots, where was the Viking in this outfit!?
Not that it needed changing - it was nice to look at.
But Rayleigh had no mind to critique the female giant's attire...
Because after her mighty leap, she drew the enormous axe from her back!
Clearly intending to attack them!
At this critical moment, Gaban stepped on Rayleigh's shoulder and leaped into the air.
"Ahahaha! Gerd! Don't be hasty, it's me!" Gaban's voice echoed over the sea.
Gerd focused her gaze, and the already primed "Elbaf Spear: Ikoku" instantly halted.
With a "plop," Gerd fell straight into the ocean.
However, since they had already reached the shoreline, the water only came up to her chest and abdomen.
"Ya-san! You're back so soon!?"
Gerd lowered her head, leaning close to Gloriosa's work ship.
"I thought it was an intruder! But... Elbaf has been quite lively lately!"
"Lively?" Gaban was taken aback. "Has Elbaf had many visitors recently?"
"Yes, there's the Red Hair Pirates... and this Red Hair crew actually captured that Loki and brought him back!"
"Eh, really? Even that Loki was caught?" Gaban paused, then whispered to Rayleigh, "Wait, do you think this might interfere with Michael's plans?"
"Michael never mentioned any plans. He just asked you to come to Elbaf and scout ahead for him."
"He didn't tell us, but when has Michael ever done anything without purpose? Red Hair is one thing... but that Loki is a notorious troublemaker in Elbaf." Gaban continued, "If they end up disrupting Michael's business..."
"Then let Michael handle it himself." Rayleigh shrugged with a nonchalant smile. "It's none of my concern anyway. This time, I'm just here to visit family with you and meet the kin of the 'Mountain Eater' Gaban, the Left Arm of the Pirate King!"
"Is that really okay?" Gaban mirrored his grin. "Then let's go! Time for a proper drink at my place!"
"Ya-san, it's best not to drink right now..." Gerd interjected. "We've received word that the long-lost captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, 'Blue Ogre' Dorry and 'Red Ogre' Brogy, are returning after a hundred years! We'll be holding the grandest feast then!"
"Oh? Those legendary guys are still alive? Talk about luck!"
...
With Gerd accompanying them, Gloriosa's work ship smoothly entered Elbaf.
Compared to the massive port, their vessel seemed rather small.
"So this is the Land of Giants, Elbaf." Gloriosa looked around, marveling at the sight. "Neither during the Rocks Pirates era nor the Cross Guild period did I ever set foot here."
"And rightly so. Not just anyone can step onto Elbaf's soil." Gaban laughed heartily. "It's only in recent years that Elbaf has embraced peace... Back when I first arrived, I had quite the rough time!"
Meanwhile, Rayleigh instinctively activated his Observation Haki.
For him, this was unfamiliar territory, and old habits died hard.
As his Observation Haki extended forward, Rayleigh suddenly raised his head.
He sensed... a familiar presence.
The moment he looked up, Gaban did the same.
Their eyes met, then turned toward the path ahead.
A red-haired man wearing a straw hat stood in the distance, gazing intently at them.
"Rayleigh-san, Gaban-san, it's been a long time."