"Everyone!!!"
The sudden shout jolted the few who had been sprawled out like corpses. They sprang to their feet one after another, curious about what had Chopper so excited.
By the time they reached the railing, the small boat was already very close, its situation clear at a glance.
When they made out the two figures aboard, surprise immediately lit up their faces.
"Mr. Rayleigh, Doctor Crocus!"
Seeing Leno and the others, Rayleigh on the opposite boat was just as delighted, raising his hand and waving at everyone.
A moment later, the small boat was secured behind the Gale, and the two of them boarded Leno's ship one after the other.
After everyone took their seats on chairs across the deck, Leno was the first to speak.
"Are you two headed for the Florian Triangle?"
"Yeah. It hasn't even been that long—who would've thought we'd run into you here."
Crocus lifted his teacup, gave it a sniff, and spoke with a sigh.
After making such a huge detour, he'd somehow ended up traveling the same route as Leno.
Back when Leno told him the news, he'd imagined many possibilities—but never once did he expect the old man himself to come in person.
And to even drag Rayleigh along… that was completely outrageous.
He glanced toward Rayleigh and asked cautiously.
"Old man, you've been away this long—did Sister Shakky really let you?"
"Hahahaha! I talked it over with her before leaving! She's fine with it."
Rayleigh took the wine bottle Mikita handed him and laughed heartily, his tone casual.
He was very satisfied with Leno's arrangements—knowing he liked to drink, the kid had even prepared top-quality stuff.
After gulping down several mouthfuls, his whole body relaxed.
"Ah, I didn't bring enough booze when I left. These past few days nearly drove this old man crazy!"
"You old bastard. At your age, still drinking like that—are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Crocus rolled his eyes at the drunken sot, clearly annoyed.
He really couldn't understand what was so good about alcohol. His ears had nearly grown calluses from all the nagging along the way.
Why hadn't he noticed before that this old guy was so hopelessly addicted to booze?
He should learn from him—focus on staying healthy, drink tea, soak up the sun, read the paper. Now that was a comfortable life.
"You don't understand. To me, alcohol is life-saving medicine!"
Ignoring Crocus's murderous glare, Rayleigh took a few more drinks before turning his gaze to Leno.
"I'll be counting on you for booze along the way, kid!"
"Hahaha, don't worry, old man. The drinks are on me!"
There wasn't much else in Leno's backpack, but food and drink? Absolutely plenty.
Let alone one Rayleigh—even ten of him wouldn't be a problem.
"Hahahaha, then I'll leave it to you, kid."
Laughing, Rayleigh's eyes drifted to Hancock sitting nearby, as if something had just occurred to him.
"Oh right, kid, there's something I wanted to ask you. Did you move Amazon Lily?"
"That's right. I moved it to Skypiea."
Leno also glanced at Hancock before answering Rayleigh.
There hadn't really been any choice at the time. If he'd left them alone, trouble would've followed sooner or later.
"Just as I thought."
Realization dawned in Rayleigh's eyes, and his expression turned nostalgic as he murmured, "Skypiea, huh? That really is a nice place."
When Shakky mentioned that Amazon Lily had vanished, he'd already suspected Leno was behind it.
After all, this was the same guy who'd once thrown an island at Marine Headquarters. Combine that with his relationship with Hancock, and the reason wasn't hard to guess.
But suspicion was just suspicion—there was no proof. Shakky had even spent a long time trying to track down Amazon Lily's whereabouts.
Naturally, she found nothing. Who would've imagined Leno had simply placed it up in the sky?
After a while, Rayleigh snapped back to reality. Looking at Hancock, then at the group of young women around them, his mood suddenly became complicated.
He seriously began to question Leno's reason for setting sail. Other people went to sea for freedom, wealth, or fame—was this kid actually out here chasing women?
"Kid, you really know how to live."
"…"
That completely random remark left Leno utterly confused. Old man, did you switch channels or something?
No—weren't you so concerned about Amazon Lily? Shouldn't you be asking how they're doing now?
Why are you catching me off guard with these sighs?
While Leno stood there baffled, the women beside him clearly understood Rayleigh's implication. Their faces flushed red as they glared at Leno.
Before long, the women all left, leaving Leno alone at the table with the two old men.
At that moment, Leno turned to Crocus, who was calmly sipping tea.
"Old man, you're really just barging in to find someone like this. What if, after you find him, he doesn't want to go back?"
"…"
Crocus froze on the spot, teacup still in hand. He hadn't considered that possibility at all!
All he'd thought about was finding Brook and immediately bringing him back to reunite with Laboon.
As for whether Brook wanted to return—he'd never even thought about it!
How could he not want to go back? Laboon had waited for them for so many years!
Seeing the old man's completely lost expression, Leno shook his head inwardly.
He clearly remembered that in the original story, Brook had explicitly said he wouldn't turn back—he intended to sail around the entire world before returning to see that whale.
Shaking the wine bottle in his hand, Rayleigh spoke up with a suggestion, then looked at Leno and continued.
"What's there to worry about? If you make a move, old man, even ten Morias would get flattened~"
Leno wasn't worried about that dead fat otaku at all. What he was worried about was whether that being would still appear in that place.
If they ran into it now, things would be fine if no conflict broke out. But if a fight really did happen… he honestly wasn't confident he could win.
He glanced at Rayleigh. Mm, with this old man added in, at least they'd be able to leave safely.
"After all, Moria still carries the title of one of the Seven Warlords. My identity is rather sensitive—I'm not suitable for appearing in the public eye."
As Rayleigh spoke, he turned his gaze toward Leno, his smile carrying a deeper meaning.
"So I'm hoping we can resolve this as peacefully as possible. Best not to cause too big a stir."
"Hey, old man, why are you looking at me like that?"
Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Leno snapped back irritably.
"As long as he doesn't provoke me, I can't be bothered to touch him."
"Kid, maybe you should think about what you're saying. Crocodile's corpse isn't even cold yet."
"…"