"Don't worry, Buggy. As long as I show enough of a threat, unless the other side is absolutely certain, they won't dare to touch you at all."
Rain patted Buggy on the shoulder with a smile.
"Hope so…"
Looking at Rain's attempt to comfort him, Buggy could only force himself to believe. Still, deep down, he prepared for the worst. No matter what, he had to be ready for a comeback.
---
Three days later, in the Sabaody Archipelago inside Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
The atmosphere in the tavern was downright terrifying. It wasn't just heavy; it felt like the gathering place of monsters.
Even Shakky, who had weathered countless storms, felt uneasy. She immediately called for Rayleigh and quietly prepared to run at a moment's notice.
After all, the ones sitting inside were Rain, Kaido, Monkey D. Dragon, Emporio Ivankov, and the four commanders of the Revolutionary Army.
Every single person here was someone with a name that shook the seas.
It was no wonder Shakky felt nervous. Even if Rayleigh was strong, what could he do against this lineup?
"Oi, Shakky… what the hell is going on? Did we actually rip someone off?"
Rayleigh muttered in a low voice, half-joking, half-wary, as the two hid by the back door, ready to bolt at any time.
"Don't be stupid. Even if I had a death wish, I wouldn't try that on them." Shakky snapped, rolling her eyes at him.
"Then why are they all here?" Rayleigh muttered. "Don't tell me they came for me...to haul me off to the Navy for a bounty?"
Shakky folded her arms and snorted. "Please. You've already retired. Why would they bother?"
Rayleigh smirked faintly. "Well, if they did, I could always run. Can't hit what you can't catch, right?"
"Enough." Shakky narrowed her eyes, motioning for him to stay quiet.
"Don't guess. Don't talk. Just watch carefully."
---
"So, Rain… what exactly is going on here?"
Kaido, who had slipped into the meeting on Rain's word, stared at him with a flicker of doubt.
He truly couldn't understand what Rain was planning.
Could it be… he wants to raid Marineford?
That thought popped into Kaido's head without him even realizing.
Why Marineford, of all places? Simple. He was a pirate. And as a pirate, the Navy Headquarters was always the first place that came to mind when thinking about proving one's strength.
But Rain chuckled and asked instead:
"Kaido, if you really want to make a name for yourself, why not go for Mariejois—the Holy Land itself?"
"Holy Land…?"
Kaido's eyes widened slightly.
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Tch tch tch… So that's it. Rain, are you secretly with the Revolutionary Army after all?"
"Not quite." Rain shook his head, still smiling. "I just happened upon an opportunity. So I came here to prepare a little… exploration of the Holy Land."
"I see…"
Kaido's grin faded into something more thoughtful. He wasn't stupid. He could read the meaning behind Rain's words perfectly well.
At that moment, Monkey D. Dragon finally spoke up, his sharp eyes fixed on Rain.
"Mr. Rain, I want to know what preparations have you made for this attack on Mariejois?"
Though Buggy had passed word of this meeting, Dragon couldn't afford to squander the Revolutionary Army's strength on a half-baked gamble.
Rain unfolded a map and slid it across the table.
"First, take a look. It's the layout of Mariejois. Courtesy of Doflamingo. Study it well, you don't want to get lost at the wrong time."
Dragon's expression tightened as he examined the parchment.
"As for the operation…" Rain continued calmly, "there will be a signal. A brave man has already infiltrated the Holy Land."
"He's preparing to liberate the slaves from within. Once chaos breaks out, you can act however you like."
The room fell silent. Dragon and the others exchanged glances but said no more. No matter what, they only needed to wait.
When the signal came, they would see the truth of Rain's words for themselves.
"Kaido, listen. This time, whatever you want to do raid treasure, smash up the nobles, whatever... it's up to you."
"Even if things turn dangerous, you can just pull back. Don't worry about me. I've made my own arrangements."
Rain leaned over, reminding Kaido with a faint smile.
After all, Kaido was only here because Rain had dragged him into this. If something happened and Kaido died on this raid, Rain would feel it weighing on his conscience."
"And truthfully, Kaido was a man who had even tried to marry his daughter to him, he wasn't someone Rain could treat lightly.
"Who the hell do you think I am?!"
Kaido's eyes widened in irritation at Rain's words. The idea that he would abandon someone and run first left a sour taste in his mouth.
Pirate or not, he still had his own kind of pride.
And besides Rain was someone worth fighting alongside. If they survived this together, their bond would only deepen.
Maybe then, Rain would finally agree to marry Yamato off to him. Heh.
Rain chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. Just saying. Handle it your own way."
Even knowing Kaido's motives weren't pure, Rain couldn't help but feel a little warmth at the loyalty hidden beneath.
Three o'clock in the morning.
The once-bustling Holy Land Mariejois was quiet under the cover of night.
The Celestial Dragons had all retreated to their mansions, their slaves herded back into the underground cells.
The guards, lulled by the safety of this so-called "sacred ground," stood with their weapons slack in their hands. Some even closed their eyes to doze while standing watch.
That very arrogance… that very laxity… created the perfect opening.
From the sheer cliffs of the Red Line, a towering figure hauled himself over the ledge, his body still scarred from battles past.
It was Fisher Tiger.
He had braved the climb once again. And now, standing in the shadows of the Celestial Dragons' paradise, he prepared to do what few dared even whisper...
Liberate the slaves of the Holy Land.
PS: Happy New Year, readers-kun! 🎉💥💥
May this year bring you good vibes, big Ws, and even better chapters.
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