18. Marine Shakes, Kizaru Moves

After a while, in the No. 1 mangrove area, amidst the bustling population auction within a slave prison, Rayleigh straightened up in his dark cell.

"I didn't expect to be discovered so quickly. How intriguing. Have you come to find me? Are they all retired, or have they been located?" Rayleigh mused aloud.

"What's going on, Uncle?" asked the giant cellmate next to Rayleigh, sensing the tension.

Rayleigh, known for his exceptional abilities, smiled softly. "No, I just felt like stepping out."

As he rose, a formidable aura swept through the area, silencing the commotion outside the prison. Rayleigh couldn't help but focus on this powerful presence.

"It's been a while since I've sensed a spirit this strong," he remarked.

Boom. With a mighty punch, the heavy iron gate was violently blown aside, allowing sunlight to flood the previously dim prison.

"I can't stay hidden," Rayleigh muttered, his own aura beginning to gather.

But when he saw who was approaching, he couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.

"Straw Hat, kid?" Rayleigh muttered in disbelief. Even in this vast sea, he couldn't deny the familiarity of that straw hat—the very same one Roger once wore.

"Mr. Rayleigh, back in East Blue, I heard a kid say the exact same thing Captain Roger did," Luffy explained, a determined gleam in his eye. "So, I made a bet on the New World—with my arm and this hat."

Shanks's words from twelve years ago echoed in Rayleigh's mind. "It's finally happening."

As he gazed at the man grinning in the sunlight, wearing that iconic straw hat, it felt like seeing a familiar figure once more. Rayleigh keenly sensed the passage of time and the dawn of a new era.

"The wheels of change are in motion," Rayleigh mused.

"Rayleigh, it's really you!" Hatchan's surprised voice broke the moment.

"It's been too long, Hatchan," Rayleigh replied, lifting his glasses to wipe away a tear. Age often makes one sentimental.

"This is my friend, the Straw Hat crew. They're heading to the New World, and we need your help with coating," Hatchan explained to Rayleigh, unaware of the elder's emotions. He stepped out from behind Luffy to address Rayleigh directly.

"Leave the coating to me since he's Hatchan's friend," Rayleigh declared with a bright smile. "But we'll need the tools. Go back to Shakky's and fetch them."

With no other choice, everyone agreed. Despite the imminent threat of the Admiral's arrival, Luffy's calm demeanour reassured Nami and eased her nerves.

"You're really strong, Uncle," Luffy remarked as Rayleigh passed by.

"Just an old man outpaced by time. Can't hold a candle to the courage of you young folks," Rayleigh replied with a soft smile.

Meanwhile, in the marshal's room at Naval Headquarters, tensions ran high.

"What? The Celestial Dragons attacked on Sabaody?"

"Who's responsible?"

"It's Straw Hat again."

Sengoku's voice rose in anger as he slammed the phone bug onto the table, shooting a fierce look at Garp.

"Your grandson strikes again, Garp. Another incident was caused by your family. What's going on? Are you trying to start a war?" Sengoku growled, the distance between them the only thing preventing a more heated confrontation.

Garp couldn't contain his laughter, even as a stray drop of saliva splashed onto his face.

"Haha, that's my grandson for you," he chuckled, wiping away the tears of amusement. "You're proud of this? Those Celestial Dragons deserved it. I've been itching to give them a taste of their own medicine."

Sengoku massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Exactly. I'll have to report this to the higher-ups. You need to explain yourself, Garp."

"Arrange for the Admiral to handle it," Sengoku continued, addressing the situation.

At this, Garp's expression shifted slightly, a hint of disdain flickering across his lips, though he remained silent.

"Sengoku, let me handle this," Kizaru spoke up, setting down his tea cup. "The Celestial Dragons were attacked right under Marine's watch. If we don't take action, the higher-ups won't be pleased."

As the only active Admiral present, Kizaru's words carried weight. With Akainu and Aokiji absent and Sengoku untouchable as the Marshal, Garp's status as a Vice Admiral complicated matters. Additionally, his familial ties to Luffy made it difficult for him to handle the situation impartially.

So, it fell upon Kizaru to take charge despite his reluctance to do so.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Kizaru. Use the Pacifistas to assist you and seal off Sabaody," Sengoku instructed, casting a serious glance at Garp. "We must eliminate the Straw Hats."

"Understood," Kizaru responded, rising to his feet and heading for the door.

"Are you not worried, Garp?" Sengoku asked once Kizaru had left, his tone grave.

"Worried about what, Sengoku?"

"With the Admirals dispatched, this situation is different. Given the Straw Hat boy's strength, they won't escape this time. I've told you before if you had kept a tighter rein on your grandson, we wouldn't be in this predicament."

There was an underlying meaning in Sengoku's words, hinting at not just the events unfolding on Sabaody but also the fate of Fire Fist Ace in Impel Down.

"Luffy is his own man. Every person must take responsibility for their own choices. This is his journey, and he's fully aware of the risks," Garp responded. "And I have faith in him."

After a moment of silence, Garp burst into laughter. Sengoku shook his head, choosing not to pursue the matter further.

With an Admiral personally leading the operation to capture a rookie pirate who had barely spent a year in the Grand Line, it seemed unlikely that any problems would arise.

The strength of an Admiral and that of these newcomers are on completely different levels.

Kizaru may not have Garp's leniency nor the bear's compassion from before. He won't go easy.

The fate of the Straw Hat Crew seems sealed.

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