"Hahahaha!"
Seeing Luffy so energized and excited, Hancock felt a swirl of conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted him to stay happy like this forever, while the other part dreaded how quickly the moment of his departure was approaching.
Luffy, meanwhile, was already imagining reuniting with Zoro and the others. A new adventure was about to begin.
"Eh?" As Luffy turned his head, he spotted a solitary figure standing on the shore.
"Rayleigh! What are you doing here!?"
Luffy waved his arms frantically, laughing. "Hahahaha!"
"Hmph..." A smile touched Rayleigh's face as he watched the Kuja ship slowly dock.
"Rayleigh? Is that really you?" Hancock recognized him now. "It's been a long time."
"Rayleigh-san." Sandersonia bowed slightly. To the three Gorgon sisters, Rayleigh was nothing short of a lifesaver.
"Dark King Rayleigh!" The rest of the Kuja pirates were stunned.
"The legendary First Mate of the Pirate King?"
"It has to be him. Who else would Sandersonia-sama bow to like that?"
"Sandersonia, it seems you sisters have grown up well," Rayleigh said, wiping his glasses before sliding them back onto his face.
"It really has been a while, Rayleigh-san. But why are you here?"
The women looked at him curiously. Men were strictly forbidden from entering Amazon Lily, yet here was this legendary figure standing on their shores.
Hancock and Sandersonia weren't worried, though; Rayleigh was their benefactor. Rayleigh didn't answer immediately. Instead, his eyes settled on Luffy, who was eager to set sail again.
"You're planning to go to the Sabaody Archipelago right now, aren't you?"
Luffy blinked, then suddenly remembered something. "Rayleigh! If you're here, then—"
"I left my Vivre Card with Shakky, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to move," Rayleigh chuckled.
"Is everyone there?"
"Likely not yet." Rayleigh shook his head, his gaze suddenly turning sharp and serious. "Are you sure you want to gather your crew again just like this?"
"Have you already forgotten what you experienced on that island?"
"Ugh..." Luffy's pupils constricted. The memory of his crew being pushed to the brink of extinction was still fresh. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He lowered his head, the joyful energy vanishing. How could he ever forget?
Every single one of his friends, blasted away one by one. If the enemy hadn't held back, if Rayleigh hadn't intervened in time... none of them would have survived.
He... hadn't been able to protect a single comrade.
Rayleigh's words had pierced the most painful part of Luffy's heart.
"Rayleigh!" Hancock lunged forward and pinched Rayleigh's nose, her eyes blazing with fury. "How can you say something so cruel!? Think about how Luffy feels!"
"Sister... don't pull his nose!" Sandersonia cried out, terrified. Rayleigh was their savior; this was a bit much even for Hancock!
"I haven't forgotten," Luffy said, looking up. "But..."
Hancock let go, watching Luffy with deep concern.
"In that case, I have a proposal. Whether you agree or not is up to you," Rayleigh said, watching the boy.
Luffy stared back, waiting...
Meanwhile, news of the war had reached every corner of the globe. The Straw Hats, scattered across different islands, each received the report of the conflict at Marineford—now known as The Paramount War.
The Final Winner: The Whitebeard Pirates.
The world-shaking war, ignited by the lineage of the Pirate King's son, Fire Fist Ace, ended with Ace's rescue and the near-destruction of Marine Headquarters! While the reports were slightly exaggerated—Marineford was heavily damaged but not leveled—Big News Morgans didn't care for nuances. He wanted a story that screamed.
Usopp, trapped on the Boin Archipelago; Nami, studying weather science on a sky island; Franky, Chopper, Brook, Robin, Zoro, and Sanji—every member of the crew received the news at the same time.
After the initial shock of the war itself, they discovered the major hook: the catalyst was Luffy's brother, Fire Fist Ace!
But the most devastating part of the report featured a photograph of Straw Hat Luffy collapsing unconscious on the deck of the Moby Dick.
"LUFFY!!" In that moment, across the world, every Straw Hat cried out in horror.
The report read: Rookie Pirate, son of Revolutionary Dragon and brother of Fire Fist Ace, "Straw Hat" Monkey D. Luffy, presumed dead.
The article also mentioned the brotherhood shared with Sabo and Dragon Soul, which would normally have fascinated them. But now, only one line occupied their minds:
Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy, Presumed Dead.
Their minds went blank.
"Luffy... dead...?"
"NO! I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" On the Boin Archipelago, a bloated, overweight Usopp scrambled to his feet, tears streaming down his face. "I have to get out... I don't believe it!!"
He began to run.
Pain, despair, and a stubborn refusal to believe the lie fueled them all. Every member of the crew was losing their mind. They had to go back. Back to the promised place. Their captain had to be waiting for them!
In that instant, every Straw Hat was pushed to their breaking point.
You won't let me out? I'll fight my way out.No ship? I'll swim back if I have to!Sky island's too high? I'll steal a way down!Ice everywhere? I'll build an icebreaker!Can't swim because of my Fruit? Then I'll fly!Don't know the way? I'll ask every soul I see!
Every single one of them had a single conviction: they would return, or die trying.
And while his crew was ready to move heaven and earth to reach him, a clueless Luffy was contemplating Rayleigh's proposal.
Finally, Luffy adjusted his straw hat and said softly, "I accept your proposal."
"But before that... there is one more thing I need to do."
One Piece: The Fourth BrotherShattering fate and rising to the top.
How will the world react when the Four Brothers officially join forces? And what is the "one thing" Luffy needs to do before starting his training? Stay tuned!