I reached the Sabaody Archipelago fast and ducked straight into Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, planting myself at the counter without ceremony.
"Shakky, a rum. Where's Rayleigh? He called me here and then vanished!"
"Oh, it's Karl, huh? So you're the one he meant. He stepped out—should be back tonight." She slid me the drink with a smile.
"He didn't go gambling again, did he? Calling me over and not showing—unreliable. You gotta keep him on a leash, Shakky."
Shakky chuckled, delighted.
I lingered all afternoon, watching several pirate crews try to dine-and-dash. As expected, each got cleaned out and tossed into the street. Even my eyelid twitched at the speed of the 'service.'
"Shakky, I'm back—oh? Karl's here too?" Rayleigh strolled in, flanked by two figures. "Let me introduce you: Gloriosa, former empress of Amazon Lily, and Fisher Tiger of Fishman Island."
The pieces clicked.
"Rayleigh… this 'help' you wanted—Marie Geoise, right?"
"You guessed? Hahaha."
"Feels like a setup, but fine. I hate those swine anyway."
Gloriosa eyed me. "Rayleigh, who's the youngster? I don't recall seeing him."
"Someone I met a while back. Stronger than I am," Rayleigh said, deadpan.
"Hahaha—hardly. I've got a ways to go." (And no, I'd never told Rayleigh about Roger. The man's a lovable blabbermouth.)
"Then I'm even more confident," Tiger said, face grave. "Thanks, Karl."
"So when do we move? I should see if I have time to prep a few big sacks."
"Sacks… for what?"
"Treasure, obviously. Aren't those pigs loaded? Heh."
Rayleigh actually started thinking seriously about it on the spot. Poor guy—Shakky must be running a tight household.
"Enough clowning," Shakky cut in. "Rest up. You'll need your heads clear tonight."
Night. Foot of the Red Line.
"We just… climb?" I asked.
"We can't fly," Rayleigh said. "Once we're up: I unlock cells. Tiger sets fires when we're discovered. If an Admiral shows, that's on you, Karl. Shakky and Gloriosa will be on ships to pull people out."
"No problem. I'll go first and scout. When you arrive, act—don't worry about me. If heavies come, I'll stall them."
"Good. Let's go."
I rose on flame clouds, cutting across the dark. Marie Geoise is rumored to hoard Devil Fruits. If I could filch a few rare ones… heh.
Minutes later I crested the Red Line and slipped into the Celestial Dragon district. A sweep of Observation made my gut knot—too much misery behind too many doors. Hold a sec. Once the others are up, we move.
I prowled into a particularly opulent estate and found the vault. Child's play. These nobles truly believed no one would ever reach their nest.
"Four Devil Fruits—nice. And these two blades look decent. Bag 'em."
One lap told me the rest was just gold and baubles. Next house.
"Heavier guard… higher risk, higher reward."
Ten minutes later I was in another vault.
"Only three Fruits—but they feel… different. Not your everyday stock. We'll check the compendium later."
"Hm? Someone's nearby."
A side chamber. A dozen girls—early teens—curled up in a corner, filthy, trembling.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here to get you out."
The word save put a glimmer in their eyes, but no one moved. Slaves of Dragons know what happens if you're caught running.
"It's real. Others are here tonight too. I'll give you the keys—open the locks, then wait. I'm stepping out to check the line. When it's time, I'll lead you."
Outside, Observation told me: Rayleigh was popping shackles; Tiger was ghosting toward the noble quarter. Then—boom. The alarm lit.
CP agents barreled into the manor to guard their 'god.' No time.
A few strokes, and the roomful of CPs were down. The pig in silk screeched, "Lowly slave! How dare you slay a servant of God!" He fired a pistol.
I flashed, took his leg with one cut, ignored his howls, and dragged him to the slave cells.
"Girls, here. He's no god—just a man. If you've got a grudge, take it back."
I waited outside. The screaming grew… different. Harsher. Then silence.
They emerged, steadier. "Thank you, benefactor."
"This way. Vault's here—grab what you like, but fast. It's getting messy out there."
Some pocketed a few valuables; some took nothing.
"Move. I'll get you to Rayleigh."
Outside, firelight washed the palaces. Chaos everywhere.
"Rayleigh, status?"
"Almost there! Getting people down takes time. After this it's on you, lad."
"Got it. These ten or so girls go now."
"Rayleigh-san! Did Shakky send you to save us?" one girl cried.
"Hancock! Finally found you. Where are Sandersonia and Marigold?"
"Here!" Two sisters stepped from behind her.
"Enough reunions," I said. "Company's here. You move—I'll hold."
"Be careful," Rayleigh said, hustling the line away.
"Ohhh, how terrifying," a lazy voice drawled. "Someone came to free slaves in Marie Geoise."
Admiral Kizaru.
"Yo, Uncle Yellow. Evening. You come alone?" I waved like we were neighbors.
"Oh? Today's youngsters are frightening. You know me?" A laser lanced toward me. No hello, no nothing.
My black blade took the beam; we traded blows in a blur.
"Of course I know you. I hear the Navy pays poorly and never covers overtime. Come work for me—I'll triple it."
"Oh, we mustn't spread rumors. You sound awfully young. Won't you show me your face?"
Steel, light, and shockwaves rippled.
"Kid! Time to go!" Tiger was breaking away, CP on his heels.
"Shame you won't hop ship, Uncle Yellow. Remember: no overtime." I pivoted. Kizaru's hands blurred.
"Can't let you just leave now, can I? Yasakani no Magatama!"
"Whoa, no honor! Azure Dragon Break!"
My blade chewed through the pearl-storm. I flashed to Tiger. "Go! I'll keep them busy. I'll catch up."
"Got it. Watch your back."
CP operatives sprinted to cut him off.
"Cleave Across Eight Directions!" Conqueror's lightning crawled my sword; a single sweep sent agents tumbling like straw.
"So scary," Kizaru murmured, his playfulness fading. "A sword master, hm? Ame-no-Murakumo."
A light-blade bloomed in his hand and he came on again.
Two masked CP0 appeared from nowhere.
"Rankyaku!"
"Rokuōgan!"
"Cheap shots? Azure Dragon Break!" This time with Conqueror's coating. The black blade screamed; the two CP0 pinwheeled away in a chain of explosions.
Kizaru's eyes thinned. He stopped joking.
"Truly terrifying. Won't you join the Navy?" His answer became another searing Magatama.
"Figures." I sighed. "In that case—Dragon's Roar Slash!"
The full-power arc tore through the square. Kizaru slipped—but not enough. He went skidding, light scattering.
"Later, Uncle Yellow! See you around." Stronger auras were converging—two heavier than Kizaru. Time to vanish.
I cut away and found Rayleigh's flotilla on the open water near Sabaody.
"Back," I said, landing on a rail. "Where are the others?"
"Good work," Rayleigh said. "Tiger ferried the bulk out. Fishman ships are fast—we split to lower risk. He asked me to thank you."
"Bah, I made out like a bandit too," I chuckled.
"Where to now? Back to Amazon Lily at once?" I asked.
"Yes. I've been gone too long," Gloriosa said.
"Um, Karl-nii," the tall girl from before tugged my sleeve, "could you take off the mask? It was so dark up there, I never saw my rescuer's face."
"Oh—right. Forgot I still had this on." I glanced at her. "Hancock, wasn't it? You're a pretty one. And yes, I'm terribly handsome—but don't fall for me, okay?"
I peeled the mask off.
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