In the New World, aboard the Blackbeard Pirates' ship, Marshall D. Teach stood at the helm as they sailed toward their next target.
Since becoming one of the Four Emperors, Blackbeard had not allowed himself a moment of rest.
His ambition was vast.
He wanted the entire New World.
Island after island had already fallen under his control, consumed by his growing influence.
At that moment, a news seagull approached from the distance.
Teach narrowed his eyes.
"That's from the World Economic Journal… new news at a time like this?"
He raised a hand, and the bird quickly descended, dropping a newspaper into his grasp. He tossed it a few coins without hesitation and unfolded it.
The moment his eyes landed on the headline, his expression changed.
"Dark King Rayleigh executed by Marine Vice Admiral Green Bull?!"
Teach's voice rose in shock.
Anyone would be shaken by that news.
That was Rayleigh. The Pirate King's right hand. The former vice captain of Roger's crew.
Even in old age, he was not someone who could be easily defeated.
And yet… the Marines had killed him?
"Hah… that Fleet Admiral really doesn't care about consequences, does he? Not worried about old debts coming due?"
Teach clicked his tongue.
Still, his attention lingered on the name.
Green Bull.
A member of the Zero Division.
Teach knew those selected for that unit were monsters, but this… this was beyond expectation.
"Zehahaha… the Marines are getting stronger by the day."
His grin stretched wide, though his eyes remained cold.
For pirates, the world had just become even harsher.
He shook his head.
For now, it did not concern him directly. His goal remained the same.
Expand. Conquer. Take everything.
Far away, on a barren island in the New World, the Red-Haired Pirates were in the middle of a celebration.
Since the war at Marineford, Red-Hair Shanks had only made one significant move, a clash with Kaido. After that, he had remained relatively quiet, occasionally protecting smaller islands under his banner.
On the ship, Benn Beckman was the first to see the newspaper.
He took a slow breath.
"…This is going to be trouble."
He already knew how his captain would react.
After a brief hesitation, Beckman made his decision and walked toward the party, newspaper in hand.
The crew was sprawled across the ground, drunk and laughing.
His eyes quickly found Shanks.
Shanks stood with a drink in hand, laughing as he clinked cups with Yasopp and the others.
"Captain… something's happened."
Beckman's voice cut through the noise.
Shanks turned, slightly unsteady.
"What is it, Beckman?"
Beckman didn't hesitate.
"Rayleigh… Rayleigh's been killed by the Marines."
Silence fell instantly.
Every sound disappeared.
All eyes turned toward Shanks.
For a moment, he didn't move.
Then his eyes widened, his body trembling faintly.
"…Who did it?"
His voice was low.
"Marine Vice Admiral Green Bull."
Boom!
A terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Shanks.
"Green Bull!"
His face darkened, veins standing out across his forehead.
"Shanks, calm down!"
Beckman's voice snapped him back.
Shanks froze, then slowly pulled his Haki back under control.
But the anger remained, burning in his chest.
Beckman watched him carefully.
"I know you're angry, but this isn't the time to start a war with the Marines."
Shanks shook his head.
"I know. I'm not looking for a war…"
His teeth clenched.
"I just want to meet that Green Bull."
Beckman's expression tightened again.
"Captain… Green Bull is part of the Zero Division."
Shanks paused.
The anger in his eyes flickered.
"…The Zero Division again?"
Beckman nodded.
Shanks understood better than most just how dangerous that unit was.
He had his own connections, his own dealings. Enough to know that even someone like him might not win against them.
Silence stretched between them.
At last, Shanks exhaled.
"…Where's Rayleigh's body?"
Beckman shook his head.
"Taken by Green Bull."
Shanks' fists clenched, then slowly loosened.
All that fury turned into a long, heavy sigh.
"…And Shakky?"
"No idea."
Meanwhile, far from them, Shakky sailed alone on a small boat.
She had followed Rayleigh's final advice, heading toward Foosha Village.
After two days at sea, she finally allowed herself a moment to rest.
As she sat on the deck under the dim night sky, a news seagull descended.
Her brows furrowed.
"At this hour…?"
Still, she bought a copy.
The headline struck her like a blade.
Rayleigh is dead.
Her body trembled.
Her hand flew to her mouth as tears poured uncontrollably from her eyes.
"…Rayleigh… this isn't real… it can't be…"
No one answered her.
But she already knew.
If the Marines had published it, then it was almost certainly true.
Her teeth pressed into her lip as memories flooded her mind.
From the moment she met Rayleigh, they had spent nearly thirty years together.
She had believed they would grow old side by side after retirement.
But fate had taken a cruel turn.
Her spirit wavered under the weight of it.
"Rayleigh…"
She whispered his name over and over.
Regret filled her heart.
Why didn't she leave sooner?
Why did she stay in the New World?
But it was too late.
Once someone is gone… they never come back.
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