Rayleigh stood at the doorway.
He saw Shakky smiling as she casually ran her hand over another man's chest—
Even commenting, "Nice build."
His expression froze.
He wanted to step in—
But Shakky looked genuinely happy.
Maybe he was overthinking it.
But any normal person hearing that—
Wouldn't look too pleased.
After all—
The man in front of him wasn't some old geezer.
Nor was he some child.
He was right in that awkward middle ground—
A young, handsome man.
If it had been anyone else—
Rayleigh wouldn't have thought much of it.
But this?
Shakky turned when she heard the noise.
The moment she saw Rayleigh—
A flash of joy appeared in her eyes.
Her lips parted slightly.
She was genuinely happy to see him.
At the same time—
A trace of grievance surfaced, her eyes turning faintly red.
"Rayleigh!"
But in Rayleigh's eyes—
That expression looked like guilt.
Like she was afraid after being caught.
He felt like a complete fool.
Crack.
Something in his heart broke.
Young and impulsive as he was—
Rayleigh couldn't calmly face a scene like this.
But due to his naturally steady personality—
He said nothing.
He simply looked at Shakky deeply—
Then turned and walked away.
Shakky stared at his departing back.
The joy and grievance on her face faded—
Replaced by disappointment and confusion.
"Rayleigh!"
She called out again.
But he didn't look back.
Only after seeing Leno beside her—
Did she realize something.
Her expression sank instantly.
She hadn't expected Rayleigh to trust her so little.
They were just one step away—
Just one thin layer of paper between them.
Did he really think she was that kind of woman?!
She had even left him a note!
And he couldn't give her even that bit of trust?
Now—
That thin layer hadn't been pierced.
It had only grown thicker.
She didn't chase after him.
She just stood there—
Disappointed.
Leno watched the scene, slightly surprised.
He swore—
He hadn't even started stirring trouble yet.
And there was already a crack between them.
Still—
A pleasant surprise was a pleasant surprise.
"What happened?" Leno asked, feigning ignorance.
Even though he knew exactly why—
It really wasn't his fault.
Shakky had placed her hand on him herself.
Shakky glanced at him, wiped the corner of her eye,
Then quickly composed herself with a smile.
"It's nothing. It has nothing to do with you."
She paused, suppressing the matter.
Not wanting to dwell on it—
She changed the topic.
"You really are from the future?"
Leno shook his head.
"Not exactly. We're from the future of another world."
The phrasing was a bit awkward—
But Shakky understood quickly.
As for how they got here—
She didn't ask.
She had already guessed.
It had to be some kind of Devil Fruit ability.
There was no other explanation.
She was about to ask more—
But Leno interrupted first.
"I'll explain later. Now's not the time."
He was thinking about the Devil Fruits being used as prizes.
No way he was letting those slip away.
Shakky nodded in understanding.
"The prizes, right? I get it."
"I'll take you there. I know where the grand prizes are kept."
Leno gave her a strange look.
He almost said:
"Aren't you the grand prize?"
But he held it in.
Meanwhile
Somaz, who had fled earlier, was venting his fury.
"Out of my way!"
He smashed a civilian blocking his path to death.
Then he grabbed a Marine soldier and snarled:
"Where are Saint Garling and the others?!"
The Marine trembled and pointed in a direction.
Somaz crushed him without hesitation—
And rushed toward the northwest.
He wanted Garling to deal with that brat—
The one who dared attack Celestial Dragons and humiliate the God's Knights.
But more than that—
He wanted to see Garling's face—
When he heard that his "reserved woman" had been taken.
He couldn't wait.
Meanwhile
Rayleigh, who had left shortly after—
Walked out of the building, lost in thought.
Roger, fighting on the outskirts, spotted him immediately.
His heart sank.
Something felt very wrong.
"What's going on? Shouldn't Rayleigh be coming out with Shakky, all happy and sweet?!"
He forced back Newgate with a heavy strike—
And rushed over.
"Rayleigh! What happened? Where's Shakky?! Why isn't she with you?!"
Rayleigh looked up.
His face was filled with frustration and loss.
Roger froze.
This was the first time he'd ever seen his calm, composed vice-captain like this.
"Shakky's already been rescued," Rayleigh said hoarsely.
"I was too late."
Roger couldn't believe it.
He thought they had moved fast enough—
Even keeping the main forces of the Rocks Pirates occupied.
No minor crew should have been faster than Rayleigh.
"Which pirate crew did it?! How dare they ruin your moment?!"
"I'll take you to kill them!"
Rayleigh shook his head.
"I don't know them."
"But one of them—a woman—was dressed like a Kuja ruler."
Roger grew even more confused.
"Then it's just people from Amazon Lily saving her!"
"So why did you leave?! Didn't you ask?!"
"I didn't…"
Rayleigh's voice grew quieter.
"There was also a man. Not from Kuja."
"In that situation… I just left."
Roger stomped in frustration.
"How could you just leave?! You should've asked clearly!"
Their conversation wasn't quiet.
Soon—
Everyone nearby heard it.
"What?! We've been fighting out here this whole time, and someone else already took the prize?!"
A pirate roared.
"Damn it! That's infuriating!"
"Shakky is mine! I'll kill him!"
Chaos erupted.
The pirates had been fighting desperately for a chance—
Only to find out someone had already gotten there first.
Roger immediately led his entire crew toward Shakky's holding area.
The Rocks Pirates also realized something was wrong—
And followed.
They couldn't accept risking their lives—
Only for some unknown bastard to reap the rewards.
But when they burst into the room—
It was empty.
Leno and his group had already left—
Guided by Shakky—
Heading toward the prize storage.
All eyes turned to Rayleigh.
He was the only one who had been inside.
Rayleigh gave a bitter smile.
This time—
He didn't hide anything.
If he was miserable—
Why should others feel good?
He recounted everything he saw.
The room fell silent.
Then—
An even greater wave of anger erupted.
"That unknown brat dared take Shakky?!"
"Find him!"
"He must pay!"
"Kill him and take Shakky back!!"
"OOOHHHH!!!"
Whitebeard listened quietly.
Leno's figure briefly flashed in his mind—
But he quickly dismissed it.
"That brat is strong… but not that strong."
"No way he could've gotten there before us."
So he remained silent.
Meanwhile—
Leno had no idea—
He had just become everyone's target.
At that very moment—
He was following Shakky—
Heading straight toward Warehouse No. 1.
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