The once lively and prosperous port of the Sabaody Archipelago had grown unusually quiet.
Ever since the Marines carried out a large scale purge of pirates a few days earlier, many residents had already sensed that a storm was coming. War was drawing near, and no one wanted to be caught in its path.
At the sa ti, the Marine presence on the island had noticeably weakened. Both the number and quality of stationed forces had declined, leaving public order in disarray. As night fell, looting, arson, and violence beca common occurrences.
Those with wealth or influence had already left for nearby islands to wait out the chaos.
After all, Sabaody was the gateway to the New World. While Marine forces were decreasing, the number of pirates arriving continued to rise. Most of them were betting on the Marines to win the coming war.
If the Whitebeard Pirates were defeated, the balance of power in the New World would collapse, creating opportunities that no ambitious pirate wanted to miss.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, a luxurious ship being loaded with cargo caught Aether's attention.
Turning his gaze toward it, he saw a golden vessel marked with the crest of the Celestial Dragons. The ship was filled with priceless treasures and guarded by several individuals who clearly resembled World Governnt agents.
Aether casually stopped a well dressed middle aged man nearby and pointed toward the ship.
"Hey, what's the story with that ship? It looks important."
The man imdiately frowned, slapped Aether's hand away, and snapped in anger.
"You lowborn, how dare you touch ? Do you even know who I am? I am..."
"Oh? And who might that be?"
The man turned around, ready to lash out, but the mont he saw Aether's face, his arrogance vanished.
That face had appeared repeatedly in recent headlines.
Fear took over instantly.
"Augustus D... Aether... you, why are you here..."
Aether did not answer. He simply placed a hand on the man's shoulder and applied slight pressure. The intent behind it was unmistakable.
"I'm asking the questions."
The man stiffened and hurriedly replied.
"That ship belongs to the Celestial Dragons. I heard that Saint Shalria is preparing to return to Mary Geoise. After what happened to her relatives, she's taking all the valuable assets from Sabaody with her."
As soon as Aether released him, the man fled without looking back.
Aether remained where he stood, calmly observing the treasure laden ship.
A fortune of this scale, letting it slip away would be a waste.
He took out a Den Den Mushi and contacted Sandersonia.
"Sandersonia, I have sothing worth sending to Kuja Island. Send a few warriors in disguise. There's a massive amount of wealth here."
"Alright, Aether. I'll send people imdiately."
The Kuja Pirates had planned to remain at Sabaody until their Empress returned from the war, so deploying a few warriors posed no issue.
Putting the Den Den Mushi away, Aether loosened his collar slightly. A faint smile appeared on his face as he walked toward the ship.
His presence did not go unnoticed.
"Hey, stop right there! This is property of the Celestial Dragons!"
"Wait, that's Aether! Inform the Marines imdiately!"
The next mont, the sounds of struggle echoed briefly before falling silent.
Against Aether, these guards were insignificant.
A short while later, the golden ship departed from the port.
The original guards had already been dealt with. In their place stood Kuja warriors, now in control of the vessel.
The total value of its cargo easily exceeded one billion Berries. Aether considered it a suitable gift for Boa Hancock.
He had no ti to deal with transporting wealth himself. There were more important matters ahead.
As for Saint Shalria, she would undoubtedly harbor deep hatred toward him now. After all, he had killed her relatives and stripped her of her property.
The Marines, however, would not be able to respond.
At this mont, Marineford had already gathered over forty thousand elite Marines. Nearly all of their high level forces were stationed there.
Aether glanced at his status.
Level 58, progress 1970 out of 72000.
In four days, he had only gained two levels. It seed the benefits from killing Celestial Dragons were already diminishing.
Later, at Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Inside the quiet bar, Silvers Rayleigh sat drinking while complaining, as Shakky wiped glasses behind the counter.
"These past few days have been rough. I can't even walk around openly, hiding from Marines like so petty criminal."
Shakky did not even look up.
"You brought it on yourself by helping those youngsters. Don't complain to ."
Rayleigh chuckled lightly and raised his glass.
"I'm just talking."
Still, he could not help but wonder how Luffy and the others were doing, along with that mysterious man who had left such a strong impression on him.
At that mont, the door opened.
Rayleigh's relaxed expression vanished instantly.
Aether stepped inside.
Both Rayleigh and Shakky were visibly surprised. Shakky, in particular, felt a sense of unease. Her instincts warned her that Aether's presence would bring trouble.
Under their watchful gazes, Aether walked over and sat down.
"Am I not welco here? Should I leave?"
Rayleigh rolled his eyes.
"You've already sat down. Would you really leave if I said yes?"
Then his expression sharpened.
"Why are you back, Aether? I thought you were chasing your ambitions. Or is there more trouble this ti?"
Aether picked up a drink and took a small sip.
"As expected of you, Rayleigh. I need your help. I want you to co with to Marineford."
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
Rayleigh's gaze beca serious.
"Why? Is this part of your plan?"
Aether exhaled slowly.
"There's soone I want to save. That reckless kid who got himself captured, Fire Fist Ace."
Shakky frowned slightly. She could not see any connection between Aether and Ace.
Aether continued calmly.
"His na is Portgas D. Ace. He is the son of Gol D. Roger."
Clink.
Rayleigh froze.
The glass in his hand slipped and struck the table.
For years, he had believed Roger's bloodline had been completely erased. Back then, the Marines had hunted relentlessly, and many innocent lives were lost.
But Aether's expression held no trace of doubt.
mories resurfaced in Rayleigh's mind.
Ace's appearance, his age, and most importantly, his mother.
Portgas D. Rouge.
Rayleigh drained his drink in one go.
"So it's him. He doesn't resemble Roger at all, more like his mother. Maybe that's for the best."
He let out a short laugh.
"That man was never particularly handso anyway."
Aether imdiately frowned.
"That's nonsense. Roger was far more impressive than you."
Rayleigh snorted.
"You've got so nerve saying that."
Then, after a brief pause, his expression turned firm.
"I'll go with you."
A powerful aura surged from his aged body.
"No matter what, I won't let Roger's bloodline end here. It's ti for this old man to make a move again."
Aether watched him silently.
He knew exactly what kind of man Rayleigh was. Once he learned the truth, there was no chance he would refuse.
Even so, a faint sense of guilt surfaced.
He had used that knowledge to draw Rayleigh into danger.
But there was no alternative.
Even with Rayleigh's strength, the battlefield of Marineford would still be overwhelmingly dangerous. With Sengoku and the three Admirals present, even Edward Newgate at his peak would struggle, let alone now.
Rayleigh stood up and began preparing his belongings, including the sword that had accompanied him for decades.
"We should leave soon. If we're too late, that kid might not last until we arrive."
Soon, only Aether and Shakky remained.
Silence filled the bar before Shakky finally spoke.
"If anything happens to Rayleigh, I won't forgive you."
Aether t her gaze calmly.
"As long as I'm alive, nothing will happen to him."
Shakky froze slightly at his tone.
Aether leaned back, continuing the conversation casually, as if nothing was at stake.
After all, dragging soone into a battlefield like Marineford, even being threatened was only natural.
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