Sabaody Archipelago – Grove 13, Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
The humid air of Sabaody clung to the wooden beams of Grove 13, resin bubbles drifting lazily past the bar's grimy windows. Inside Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, smoke curled toward the ceiling in slow spirals, heavy with tobacco and quiet conspiracies.
Shakky leaned back in her chair, one leg crossed over the other, reading the latest intelligence report with half-lidded eyes that missed nothing.
The door creaked open without ceremony.
Silvers Rayleigh stepped in like he owned the place, which in many ways he did, coat slung loosely over his shoulders and a bottle already in hand before he reached the counter. He took an empty seat, poured himself a drink, and sipped without asking.
Shakky took a slow drag of her cigarette and slid the stack of papers toward him.
"Little Ren and Kaido have engaged in fight."
Rayleigh paused mid-sip. The liquid hovered at his lips as his sharp eyes dropped to the photographs attached to the report.
The images were blurred and grainy, but unmistakable—two colossal mythical beings clashing above Wano's skyline, clouds splitting like torn silk.
He leaned forward, studying the picture of the thousand-meter-long dragon coiling through the sky, lightning crackling from its maw. Opposite it soared a golden, flame-maned ape standing atop radiant orange clouds, its roar shaking the heavens.
After reading the full report, Rayleigh's lips curved into a slow grin.
"Looks like it won't be Shanks who becomes the fourth Emperor of the Sea."
Shakky laughed softly, smoke slipping from her mouth in a lazy stream.
"Well, his expression would be worth watching when he gets the news. He's been building his influence carefully."
Rayleigh chuckled, tilting the bottle toward her.
"The sea doesn't care about careful. It favors monsters."
Just then, the Den Den Mushi on the counter rang, its tiny face contorting urgently. The relaxed atmosphere in the bar shifted almost imperceptibly as Shakky picked it up.
She listened for a moment, and her smile faded instinctively.
Her eyes hardened as she slowly turned toward Rayleigh.
"Sakazuki is going after Hancock. It seems they wanna take her as hostage to bring Ren into a trap."
Rayleigh did not tense. He did not frown. He simply took another sip and set the bottle down with a quiet click.
"Is Sakazuki going alone?"
Shakky nodded once.
"Yes. Only Sakazuki. No Vice Admiral."
Rayleigh shook his head and laughed under his breath.
"Sakazuki is really in for it now. That girl is no longer the girl she used to be. Even I had to take her seriously."
Shakky blinked, genuinely surprised.
"You? Taking her seriously?"
Rayleigh's eyes glinted faintly.
"Her Conqueror's Haki has matured. And her control… refined. The Marines think they're walking into Amazon Lily. They're walking into a kingdom."
Shakky stared at him for a moment, then smirked.
"Then perhaps we should give the Snake Princess a little… motivation."
Rayleigh tapped another photograph on the table—the one showing Yamato mid-battle against King, Jack, and Who's Who.
"Send her this photo."
Shakky's lips curled mischievously. She picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed Amazon Lily.
After a few rings, Hancock's voice came through, cold and regal.
"Speak."
Shakky leaned back casually, already imagining the reaction.
"Hancock, Sakazuki is coming for you."
There was a pause. Then Hancock replied in a dismissive tone.
"And?"
Shakky had to physically stop herself from smiling too broadly.
"And I have sent a photo you might wanna see. It's Ren vs Kaido."
There was the faint sound of fabric shifting, then Hancock's voice sharpened.
"Sisters. Where is it?"
A muffled exchange followed, then a sharp intake of breath.
"It was Ren vs Kaido?" Hancock exclaimed, pride blooming audibly in her tone. "As expected of Ren."
There was silence again. Then a second intake, softer this time.
Shakky leaned closer to the Den Den Mushi, eager.
She could practically feel the reaction forming.
"Hm."
Hancock's voice had shifted—measured, contemplative.
"Is this girl's name Yamato?"
Shakky and Rayleigh exchanged a look. That was not what either of them expected.
"Yeah," Shakky replied slowly. "She is Yamato. Kaido's daughter."
Hancock chuckled, and there was no anger in it. Only amusement.
"Well, she is quite the beauty. No wonder that shameless guy compared her to me."
Rayleigh nearly choked on his drink.
Shakky's eyes widened.
"You're not… upset?"
Hancock's voice turned imperious, yet strangely pleased.
"Do you think I, Boa Hancock, would be threatened by mere comparisons? If Ren admires beauty, it is only natural. After all, he has stood before the greatest beauty in the world."
Rayleigh burst into laughter this time.
Hancock continued calmly.
"As for Sakazuki… let him come. The Marines should learn that Amazon Lily is not their hunting ground."
Her tone sharpened, steel beneath silk.
"If they attempt to use me as bait, they will discover which serpent truly holds venom."
Then, just before ending the call, she added softly, almost to herself,
"Ren will not be trapped."
The line clicked dead.
Shakky lowered the Den Den Mushi slowly.
"Well… that went differently than expected."
Rayleigh leaned back, eyes half-closed.
"She trusts him."
Shakky raised an eyebrow.
"Or she trusts herself?"
Rayleigh's smile widened.
"Both."
---
The Moby Dick – New World Waters
Far from Sabaody, the massive silhouette of the Moby Dick cut through the ocean like a floating fortress. The Whitebeard Pirates had already received the news.
Marco stood near the main deck, holding the intelligence report, the wind tugging at his blond hair as he finished reading aloud.
Whitebeard tilted his head back and laughed, the sound booming like cannon fire.
"Gurarararararara! That brat finally entered the New World and directly challenges Kaido. Kid's got guts!"
Vista stroked his mustache thoughtfully.
"Guts, sure. But challenging Kaido head-on? That's madness."
Jozu crossed his arms, diamond shoulders gleaming.
"Or confidence."
Marco tapped the photograph of the dragon and golden ape clashing.
"From the looks of it, Pops, he's not just surviving. He's matching him."
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the image.
"That ain't the stance of a man fighting to escape."
"No," Marco agreed quietly. "That's the stance of someone declaring something."
Thatch leaned against the railing, grinning.
"So what, he wants the title?"
Whitebeard's laughter rumbled again, deeper this time.
"The sea decides titles. Not men."
A younger pirate frowned.
"Should we intervene? Fish-Man Island is under our protection."
Marco shook his head.
"The report says Ren slaughtered slave traders there. Didn't touch civilians."
Whitebeard's gaze grew sharp.
"If he spilled slavers' blood, I ain't losing sleep over it."
There was a murmur of agreement among the crew.
Vista added thoughtfully,
"But if he defeats Kaido… the balance shifts."
Whitebeard looked toward the horizon, eyes distant.
"Let it shift. The era's been stagnant too long."
Marco folded the report.
"Shanks won't like this."
Whitebeard smirked.
"Red Hair will laugh."
---
Back in Sabaody, Rayleigh stood and walked toward the door, coat fluttering slightly.
"Going somewhere?" Shakky asked.
Rayleigh paused, adjusting his glasses.
"Just stretching my legs. The sea's getting interesting again."
Shakky exhaled smoke slowly.
"You think Ren wins?"
Rayleigh's eyes gleamed faintly in the dim light.
"He doesn't need to win."
Shakky tilted her head.
"What does he need?"
Rayleigh stepped outside, resin bubbles drifting around him like drifting stars.
"To survive… and to be remembered."
The door closed behind him.
Inside, Shakky looked down at the photograph of the golden ape roaring at the dragon in the sky.
For the first time in years, the New World felt like it was holding its breath.