Just as Lin Xuan was about to purchase Roger's DNA from the system's prestige shop, he was shocked to find that the shop didn't sell DNA for characters from the One Piece world.
This was awkward.
Was he really going to give up on the idea of resurrecting Roger with Edo Tensei to scare people and boost his prestige? Lin Xuan wasn't ready to let it go that easily.
At that moment, he suddenly looked up toward the sea ahead. He sensed two familiar auras approaching. A faint smirk curled his lips. "This old guy picking now of all times to show up? How interesting."
Meanwhile, Frecks and the others steering the ship also noticed a small boat in the distance. Just as they were about to report it to Lin Xuan, he emerged from the cabin on his own. His gaze locked onto the figure on the small boat, and he called out with a teasing tone, "Hey, old man Rayleigh! Didn't you run off? What brings you back to the Sabaody Archipelago?"
The old man on the boat was none other than Rayleigh, the Dark King—the first named "NPC" Lin Xuan had met in this world. He was a bit of a tough nut to crack. But before the war broke out in Sabaody, Rayleigh had slipped away with Shakky like the other civilians. Yet here he was, standing before Lin Xuan again.
Rayleigh gave a wry smile at Lin Xuan's words and leaped onto their ship's deck. Shaking his head, he said, "I really didn't want to get involved with you again, but I had no choice. Here I am."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "For Ace?"
Rayleigh nodded candidly.
"So, you want to head to Marineford with me?" Lin Xuan asked.
To his surprise, Rayleigh shook his head. "When Roger turned himself in, he made a deal with the World Government. We agreed to stay out of major events, and in return, they lifted our bounties. If we break that deal, we'll never know peace again."
Lin Xuan's eyes lit up as a puzzle piece clicked into place. This explained why, in the original story, Shanks had met with Whitebeard before the Summit War, but Rayleigh hadn't made a move or tried to save Roger's son.
Still, Lin Xuan pressed, "Then why are you here now?"
Rayleigh took a deep breath. "I want to ask your Ninja Guild to rescue Ace."
Lin Xuan glanced at him. "You didn't need to come. Whitebeard already reached out to us for a partnership."
"Really?" Rayleigh let out a sigh of relief, his whole demeanor relaxing.
But Lin Xuan's mind was already racing. He leaned in slightly. "If you really want to do something for your old captain, there's one thing you can do."
Rayleigh's curiosity piqued. "What's that?"
Lin Xuan's lips curved into a sly grin. "Take me to Roger's grave."
Rayleigh froze, bewildered. "Why do you suddenly want to visit Roger's grave?"
Lin Xuan's grin widened. He knew from Rayleigh's reaction that the old man likely knew where it was. "Oh, nothing much. I just want to pay my respects to the former Pirate King."
Rayleigh's face screamed, I don't believe a word you're saying, you scheming punk. But after a moment, he relented. "I don't know where the Navy buried Roger, but I built a cenotaph for him myself. It holds some of his belongings. If you're interested, I can take you there."
A cenotaph? Lin Xuan wasn't thrilled, but he asked anyway, "Where is it?" If it was too far, he wasn't about to waste his time.
Rayleigh replied, "Right here in the Sabaody Archipelago."
Lin Xuan chuckled. "That's worth a look."
Even if it was just a cenotaph, there was a chance he could find Roger's DNA. Besides, a quick trip back to Sabaody wouldn't take much time.
Soon, Lin Xuan followed Rayleigh back to the archipelago. In a secluded corner of the island, they found an unmarked grave. But Rayleigh was stunned when Lin Xuan, far from showing any intention of paying respects, summoned Orochimaru to the site.
Lin Xuan turned to Orochimaru. "Check this cenotaph for anything with DNA."
Rayleigh blinked, his expression shifting to shock. "Wait, what? Are you planning to dig up the grave?!"
He couldn't believe Lin Xuan had come to Roger's resting place to desecrate it. Furious, he was ready to throw hands.
Before he could act, Orochimaru spoke up. "If the boss is planning to use Edo Tensei on whoever's buried here, there's no need to dig anything up."
"Oh?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "How do you confirm the DNA without digging?"
Rayleigh, relieved that the grave wouldn't be disturbed, couldn't help but ask, "Edo Tensei? DNA? What are you talking about?"
Orochimaru ignored him, addressing only Lin Xuan. "We just set up the Edo Tensei ritual and attempt it. If it works, you've got what you need. If it fails, there's no DNA here."
"Makes sense," Lin Xuan nodded. "Go ahead and start the ritual. Let's see if you can pull off Edo Tensei in this Pirate King's world."
"Got it!" Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement, his long tongue flicking across his lips as he began preparing the ritual.
Lin Xuan also had Kaguya Otsutsuki fetch a White Zetsu to use as a sacrifice.
Rayleigh watched, growing more uneasy by the second. His voice was low and tense. "What the hell are you people doing?"
Lin Xuan glanced at Rayleigh, who looked like he was about to lose it. "You want to save Ace, right? Wouldn't it be better if Roger himself stepped in?"
Rayleigh's eyes widened in disbelief. "What nonsense are you spouting? Roger's been dead for years!"
Lin Xuan just smiled calmly. "What if I could bring him back?"
Rayleigh's jaw dropped, his mind reeling. Bring Roger back after all these years? Have I gone deaf, or has this guy lost his mind?
----------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 40 chapters in advance on my Patreon: [email protected]//allbluestories