"What a spectacle—would be a shame not to join," Rosen said, handing Rayleigh a fine bottle of liquor. Judging by how Rayleigh had approached them silently, Rosen knew his own strength was still below Rayleigh's, though by how much was impossible to determine.
"You're still keeping an eye on Whitebeard, huh? Understandable, considering the loss you took back then, and how frequently your name has come up this year. Are you plotting something?" Rayleigh accepted the bottle and settled at the balcony's edge, watching the giant screen in quiet reflection. Having someone to share a drink with was a rare comfort—not quite a friend, but familiar enough.
"That's not it. I have other business here," Rosen replied. It seemed everyone assumed he was after Whitebeard. Perhaps his failed challenge long ago was well-known, maybe even the reason he qualified to become a Shichibukai.
"Oh?" Rayleigh looked surprised. He sensed something different about this Crocodile compared to the one he remembered—but that was natural. Crocodile had dueled Barret many times years ago. He had grown from a green youth into one of the New World's rare pirates.
"You trust your captain's son?"
"Everyone has their own life and choices. I followed Roger, not his son. Whitebeard protected him well—but the future is uncertain." Rayleigh spoke evenly, without emotion.
"That's true. Sometimes I think Roger was setting up a massive game. You living quietly on this island… maybe you're an important piece in that game."
Rayleigh paused, surprised by the suggestion, but it wasn't entirely impossible. "Just keeping an eye on the new generation. It would be a shame to see potential wiped out."
"What did you see on Laugh Tale? What's there?" Rosen's tone shifted, the question sensitive.
Law and Uruki broke into cold sweat—was it safe to ask such a direct question? This was Dark King Rayleigh, Roger's right-hand; surely he knew everything his captain knew.
Rayleigh froze briefly, then smiled knowingly, as if recalling something amusing. "Are you sure you want to know?"
"To be honest, yes, but I'm probably not who you expect. Many are powerful in this world—some can see the future, some can shape it, some believe in fate. I'm different; I trust only what I see and the strength before me," Rosen thought.
Perhaps some events had been manipulated for centuries, and Roger was merely a rising piece that disrupted the board. His time was short, and some plans remained unfinished. At the end of his life, he ignited the Great Pirate Era, letting others find qualified successors to complete what he could not.
"Interesting. You seem to understand the world well. But sorry, seeing for yourself is different from being told, and the time isn't right," Rayleigh said, refusing as expected.
"That's fine. My goal isn't necessarily the Pirate King's throne. If I can surpass the Four Emperors, even without being King, I can shake the world's foundation."
"You don't want to be Pirate King?" Rayleigh was surprised—why would a pirate of this caliber not aim for the throne?
"Not particularly. But if needed, I'll fight for it. What matters more is correcting this world. Roger started an era, good or bad, that's for later. This world is too dark. Seeing so much injustice makes me restless—I want to do something about it," Rosen admitted.
Rayleigh's expression darkened. What had changed the once hot-tempered, arrogant Sand Crocodile?
"This is a special era. Many truths surface, and even if the World Government hides them, how long can they last? Things are born and grow in this era—who can remain untouched…"
"You have a girl capable of interpreting historical texts, and this man beside you seems from Skypiea. You must also know about the ancient weapons… I didn't expect you'd have gained so much in your years of hiding." Crocodile knew more than Rayleigh had anticipated—was this the person Roger waited for, one capable of changing the world?
Just a few casual words with a former acquaintance revealed so much—the era had truly changed.
"Whitebeard has appeared! From the ocean depths directly into Marineford Bay!" Sabaody Archipelago erupted. War had begun.
"We should be going. We'll visit again when we have time," Rosen said.
"Don't hurry off. A few young ones caused trouble recently, and the World Government's blade is on this island. I wanted a peaceful few days. But I hope you succeed! We once wanted to change much, but the time wasn't right, and Roger left. Now it's up to your generation."
"I heard your family's coating techniques are the best on the island."
"That's true."
"Then farewell."
"When free, visit the Andia Kingdom. Offer advice—they say you're very experienced," Rosen said thoughtfully.
"Uncle, what scheme are you plotting now?" Natalee wondered.
"Oh?" Rayleigh was surprised. Rosen's implication was clear: Andia Kingdom is under his control, but why inform Rayleigh? Perhaps he sought guidance. Rayleigh saw a rare resolve in Crocodile—it seemed his thoughts were already turning to action.
"Hahaha! Found you! I just wanted to spar with the legendary pirates, but instead found you here, Dawn Pirates! Double luck!" A delighted, fanatic voice suddenly rang out.
"Trouble. I'll leave first—the World Government's blade is persistent. This old body can't handle it," Rayleigh rose calmly.
"Since you're all here, don't think you can leave. You're surrounded!" Ramirez wielded a massive cleaver, crouched in the distance, then leaped like a rocket.
"Trouble, and at such a critical moment," Rosen frowned. Who was this? Rayleigh had warned—this was World Government personnel, likely tracking them over the Celestial Dragons. Bad timing indeed.
(End of Chapter)
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