One Piece: Surrounded at Marineford? Just kidding!

Chapter 44 Landing in Sabaody Archipelago, Rayleigh, the King of the Underworld!

The boundary between the first and second halves of the Grand Line.

An archipelago composed of the world's largest mangrove tree, the Yarchiman mangrove, floats quietly on the sea.

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the massive tree canopy, casting dappled patterns that mingle with the colorful soap bubbles rising from the ground, creating a dreamlike spectacle.

This is the Sabaody Archipelago.

It is a transit point that all pirates who dream of entering the New World must pass through.

It is also a lawless area where the Celestial Dragons, the world's nobles, roam.

Chaos, evil, dreams, and hope coexist here in a twisted yet harmonious way.

call out--!

A streak of azure flame tore through the clouds, disappearing from the horizon at a speed too fast for the naked eye to perceive.

The next second, the streak of light landed precisely in a deserted mangrove forest area far from the town.

The flames subsided, revealing Chen Ye and Marco's figures.

"call……"

Chen Ye let out a long breath, and only when his feet were firmly planted on the solid mangrove roots did he finally feel a sense of reality.

He looked up at the azure sky, his heart filled with utter awe.

Is this the real Sabaody Archipelago?

From the latter half of the sea where the Moby Dick was located to the Sabaody Archipelago, the midpoint of the Grand Line, a distance that would take an ordinary pirate ship several months to traverse, was covered in less than three days under the wings of the Phoenix.

This speed is practically comparable to the speed of light.

"Alright, kid, stop with that naive look on your face."

Marco patted Chenye on the shoulder, his tone slightly teasing.

"From now on, we need to keep a low profile."

Chen Ye nodded, indicating that he understood.

This isn't the New World. The title of the Whitebeard Pirates' First Division Captain is far too prestigious here. If exposed, it would inevitably attract trouble from a Marine Admiral.

The two quickly changed into the casual clothes that had been prepared beforehand.

Marco and Chenye disguised themselves a little!

After a brief disguise, the two exchanged a glance and then blended into the bustling crowds of the Sabaody Archipelago.

The streets were bustling with pirates, bounty hunters, merchants, and tourists from all over the world.

Giant soap bubbles carry people slowly into the air, forming a unique "bubble car" transportation system.

In the distance, the cries of auctioneers and the dull thuds of slave collars being detonated could be heard from time to time, but the people around them had long been used to it, and their faces did not even show a trace of extra emotion.

Chen Ye silently observed all of this, a strange emotion welling up in his heart.

This is Chambord, a place where light and darkness are laid bare on the table.

"Stay close to me."

Marco's voice came from ahead.

He was clearly very familiar with the area, skillfully leading Chen Ye through several chaotic streets, avoiding those pirate gangs that looked like they were not to be trifled with, and finally stopping in front of an inconspicuous bar.

The bar's sign bore a slightly playful line of English text: "Shakky's Bar".

Marco, without the slightest hesitation, straightened his collar and pushed open the creaking wooden door.

jingle--

The wind chimes on the door made a crisp sound.

The bar was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of alcohol and women's cigarettes.

Behind the bar, a still-attractive woman with short hair was elegantly wiping the glasses. When she saw the newcomer, she merely raised her eyelids, a playful smile playing on her lips, without saying a word.

She is Shakky, a former member of the Rocks Pirates.

Chen Ye and Marco's attention was immediately drawn to the man drinking and reading a newspaper alone in the corner of the bar.

The man wore a simple floral shirt, had a full head of silver hair, wore round-framed glasses, and had a meticulously groomed beard.

He looked like any other elderly person enjoying their retirement.

It was peaceful and serene, without the slightest sense of threat.

But both Chen Ye and Marco could clearly sense that beneath that seemingly harmless, aged body lay a terrifying, unfathomable power.

It is a kind of power that has settled down and returned to its original simplicity after experiencing countless life-and-death battles and witnessing the beginning and end of an era.

"Pluto", Silvers Rayleigh!

The right hand of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, and the legendary first mate!

Seemingly noticing their gaze, Rayleigh slowly put down the newspaper in his hand, his deep eyes looking calmly over through his glasses.

"Oh my, isn't this Marco?"

His voice was gentle and calm, as if he were simply greeting an old neighbor he hadn't seen in a long time.

What wind blew you here?

"What a rare guest!"

Marco took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed slightly to Rayleigh as a sign of respect.

"It's been a long time, Mr. Rayleigh."

"Please sit down."

Rayleigh pointed to the seat opposite him and poured himself another glass of wine.

"Tell me, what trouble have you run into by coming all this way to see this old geezer?"

He had already seen through everything.

Marco stopped beating around the bush, sat up straight, and his expression became extremely serious.

"Mr. Raleigh, I've come to ask for your help."

"Oh?"

Rayleigh took a sip of his drink, his face remaining calm and composed.

"The Whitebeard Pirates need to ask others for help? That's huge news!"

"Ace... our Second Division Captain has been captured by the Navy."

Marco's voice turned low.

"The Navy has decided to publicly execute him in Marineford."

Rayleigh's hand, holding the wine glass, paused for a moment in mid-air.

The air inside the bar seemed to freeze at that moment.

He slowly put down his wine glass, making a soft clinking sound.

He clearly already knew that Ace was going to be publicly executed!

"It's Roger's child..."

Oh? Mr. Rayleigh, do you know Ace's identity?

Of course, that's my captain's child!

A long sigh escaped from the mouth of this legendary pirate, carrying endless complexity and emotion.

"So, you're preparing for war with Marine Headquarters?"

"Yes."

Marco answered decisively.

"No matter the cost, we must bring Ace back!"

"I hope you can lend us a hand."

Marco's eyes were full of earnestness.

"For the sake of your old friendship with our father, and also for the fact that Ace is Captain Roger's only bloodline!"

He adopted a very humble attitude.

Because he knew perfectly well that the power of the man before him was enough to change the course of a war in an instant.

However, after hearing his request, Rayleigh remained silent for a moment.

He picked up the bottle, refilled his glass, and slowly shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Marco."

Although he is Roger's son, but!

"I'm a retired old man now, and I don't want to get involved in the conflicts of this era anymore."

His voice was calm, but the refusal was crystal clear.

"and……"

Rayleigh turned his head and glanced at the soap bubbles rising and bursting outside the window; his gaze softened considerably.

"Now, I also have something I must protect."

"I can no longer act as recklessly as I did when I was young."

I'm sorry, I can't help you!

Marco's expectation instantly turned into disappointment.

He had considered many possibilities, but he never expected Rayleigh to refuse so decisively.

Just as he opened his mouth, wanting to say something more to try and persuade them...

Chen Ye, who had been standing silently behind him, suddenly stepped forward and walked to the table.

"Mr. Raleigh."

Chen Ye's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Rayleigh's ears.

Rayleigh's gaze fell on the unfamiliar young man, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

When Chen Ye met Rayleigh's gaze, his face showed no tension whatsoever. Instead, he grinned and revealed a bright and provocative smile.

"Since you don't want to get involved, that's fine too."

After all, as you yourself said, you're already old!

Is there something else we want to talk to you about today?