Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 541 On the Eve of a Major Event: Rayleigh's Reaction

Portgas D. Ace has been arrested!

The latest headline published by the World Government was like a bomb, causing a huge explosion across the ocean as soon as the newspaper was sent to all parts of the world!

Everyone who got a newspaper and saw the headline realized that this was very likely a major event that could change the course of the world!

Portgas D. Ace…

No one can ignore the impact of this man's arrest!

The World Government went to great lengths to explain Portgas D. Ace's origins, telling the whole world the detailed story of his birth, as if they didn't care at all about how much influence the bloodline of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger would have if he were still alive!

but…

This is absolutely astonishing!

In particular, the World Government's news was full of praise for Ace, implying that Portgas D. Ace was truly the chosen one and would have been the next Pirate King if he hadn't been captured!

From the Spade Pirates to the Whitebeard Pirates…

Portgas D. Ace may seem to have become Whitebeard's subordinate, but he didn't actually lose anything, because Ace will surely carry the bloodline of Gol D. Roger and the will of Edward Newgate, and be crowned the new Pirate King!

The World Government did not hold back in its description, even exaggerating a bit, claiming that Portgas D. Ace, who carries the destiny of the Great Pirate Era, will surely become the new Pirate King with Whitebeard's support, just like his real father!

They're practically praising Ace to the skies...

However, a single sentence could turn the news around: Ace, who was destined to become the new Pirate King, was arrested by the World Government, and the danger was nipped in the bud.

This is a classic case of praising first and then criticizing!

No, it should be said that this is like cooking oil over a raging fire!

Clearly, the person who wrote this article is no ordinary person.

At the end of the news…

The name of World Government official Kabuto Yakushi was displayed on it.

Kabuto Yakushi, the man who made even the sea tremble with fear, casually left behind his final words.

[One month from now, Portgas D. Ace, a remnant of Gol D. Roger, and Crocus, the ship's doctor of the Roger Pirates, will be publicly executed simultaneously at a later date. Their executions will mark the beginning of the World Government's move to end the Great Pirate Era.]

Sabaody Archipelago.

Area 13, Shaki's Bamboo Bar Bar.

An elderly man wearing glasses sat at the bar in the pub, intently reading a newspaper, occasionally taking a sip of rum.

Even though the old man's hair was white, he still looked strong and energetic.

It was none other than Rayleigh, the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates.

As the vice-captain of the Pirate King's ship, Rayleigh witnessed the truth of the One Piece. He had long since become indifferent to the world's affairs and retired to live in seclusion, no longer concerning himself with anything on the high seas.

Today, his expression was noticeably off.

"What's wrong?"

The tavern owner, Shakky, leaned over the bar, a cigarette dangling from her lips as she exhaled a puff of smoke. She asked softly, "Seeing Roger's son about to be executed, you finally couldn't sit still anymore?"

"No."

Rayleigh shook his head, his gaze falling on the last line. His voice was somewhat loud: "Little Ace is a member of the Whitebeard Pirates. We can't interfere in what Newgate's ship does. That's an ironclad rule on the high seas..."

In fact, Rayleigh had long since stopped paying attention to Ace.

Since Portgas D. Ace set sail, Rayleigh had been watching Ace's growth closely and had even considered helping him in the Sabaody Archipelago. However, when Rayleigh witnessed Sasuke Uchiha being invited to join the Spade Pirates, he completely reassured Ace about his departure.

Rayleigh was once shocked by Sasuke Uchiha's power. At that moment, he even thought that history never follows the rules and that history might repeat itself in the lives of their descendants!

Even Rayleigh, who had witnessed the One Piece and many prophecies, couldn't help but believe at that time that Portgas D. Ace would, like Gol D. Roger, find more and more companions until he defeated all the strongest beings on the sea...

Climb to the top of Laugh Tale and become the new Pirate King!

Especially after Sasuke Uchiha, the vice-captain of the Spade Pirates, defeated Beckman, even Shanks, the Red-Haired Pirates, was helpless against them. Rayleigh once thought that history might repeat itself!

Rayleigh was actually quite happy in private.

The old man no longer believed in any so-called prophecies.

Rayleigh even went so far as to calculate that Portgas D. Ace might end up like them, taking more than a year to reach Laugh Tale, which would happen to be twenty years after the start of the Great Pirate Era.

At that time, Rayleigh's expectations for Ace were simply immeasurable...

Back then, Gol D. Roger became the Pirate King and ushered in the Great Pirate Era. Twenty years after Roger's death, his eighteen-year-old son, Portgas D. Ace, once again became the Pirate King, and a new era began!

Something just feels off...

Unfortunately…

Everything in the Spade Pirates has changed.

Portgas D. Ace did not break the prophecy and history to become the new Pirate King as Rayleigh had hoped. Instead, he was influenced by Edward Newgate and joined the warm family of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Since then…

Rayleigh has completely given up on Portgas D. Ace.

Portgas D. Ace was incredibly young, and had a formidable vice-captain like Sasuke Uchiha by his side. His start was far superior to that of the Roger Pirates, yet he ended up falling into a trap of intimacy.

perhaps…

Is this a tragic fate?

Back then, Gol D. Roger borrowed Kozuki Oden, the 2nd Division Commander, from the Whitebeard Pirates. Because Kozuki Oden didn't keep his promise, fate ironically sent Roger's son back to the Whitebeard Pirates to pay off the debt...

According to the rules of the sea, if Ace joins the Whitebeard Pirates, Portgas D. Ace will henceforth obey Whitebeard's orders.

Even if Rayleigh, the Dark King, is no ordinary person, he would never interfere in the Whitebeard Pirates' internal affairs, especially since he has already retired.

"You really don't want to interfere?"

Shakky looked at Rayleigh, the King of the Underworld, and curiously stroked her cheek, saying, "But it seems like you really want to get involved!"

"That's not because of Ace."

Rayleigh slowly shook his head, adjusted his glasses, and sighed, "I'm just more concerned about Crocus... Our ship's doctor is innocent!"

Yes.

Rayleigh really shouldn't have interfered in Ace's affairs.

However, Crocus, the former doctor of the Roger Pirates, was truly innocent. As the former vice-captain, it's hard to say that Rayleigh would turn a blind eye to Crocus.

"yes…"

Shakky nodded slowly and continued softly, "Even Crocus, the retired ship's doctor, has been arrested. The World Government probably won't let the Pirate King's first mate off the hook either, right?"

"That's right."

Rayleigh nodded and said in a deep voice, "The World Government's actions have become increasingly large in recent years, making it impossible to understand what they're trying to do. Perhaps they're also trying to use Crocus to lure this old man into their trap!"

This is not unfounded speculation.

Rather, it was Rayleigh who deduced this from the World Government's recent actions. He had a feeling that the World Government wanted to wipe out all the enemies on the seas in one fell swoop!

No, or rather, it's the strongest part of it!

At least for now, the Whitebeard Pirates certainly won't let the opportunity to rescue Portgas D. Ace slip by; even if these old guys want a peaceful retirement, they're unlikely to miss out on this major event…

The Revolutionary Army, who were initially hesitant about whether to rescue the officers, will likely have a much higher chance of ending up in the same situation after witnessing the conflict between the Whitebeard Pirates and the World Government!

"This is really interesting..."

Rayleigh put down his newspaper, a relieved smile spreading across his face: "A world-changing event, one that may even overturn the world's order..."

"The Great Pirate Era, started by Roger, will either end in this war, or it will reach even greater heights!"

"Does it interest you?"

Shakky took a slow drag of her cigarette and said softly, "Looks like you didn't miss it. It's a pity I haven't found out Ace's whereabouts yet..."

"Others are probably investigating as well."

Rayleigh waved his hand dismissively, tilting his head back to take a swig of his drink: "Besides, with the World Government making such a big move lately, if they want to publicly execute Ace and Crocus, they'll definitely publicize it extensively..."

At this point, Rayleigh picked up the wine from the table and prepared to leave. Just as he was about to push open the door, he suddenly turned back and said, "There's one more thing, Shakky. If anyone tries to gather information from you, tell them my stance!"

"I've already told them."

Shakky took a drag of her cigarette, blew out a smoke ring, and slowly continued, "The Revolutionary Army received news of Ace's arrest earlier. Garp's restless son has been searching for allies he can find."

The revolutionary army has been quite quiet lately.

However, in private, Monkey D. Dragon was constantly making connections and using his intelligence advantage to find potential candidates to be recruited as outside help.

This time…

This could very well be a golden opportunity to overthrow the world government!

Shakky exhaled another smoke ring and continued softly, "Yesterday, before Ace's news headlines were even published, the Revolutionary Army had already sold me this information, inquiring about your whereabouts and attitude. I gave them a definite answer: as long as Crocus is in trouble, you old man won't stand idly by."

As she finished speaking, Shakky gave Rayleigh a deep look.

They knew each other very well, and Shakky was aware of Rayleigh's choice, so she responded to him early on.

"Hahahaha..."

Rayleigh couldn't help but burst into laughter. He shook the bottle in his hand and called out loudly, "Thank you so much, Shakky! I'm off!"

"Are there any coating jobs available today?"

"It's not a coating."

Rayleigh smiled and shook his head, then laughed loudly and continued, "I sold myself for 100,000 Berries yesterday, let's see if I can sell myself for 200,000 Berries today..."

"whispering sound…"

Shakky waved her hand dismissively at Rayleigh, and couldn't help but say, "You old man, you'd better be careful. The Sabaody Archipelago isn't as peaceful as it seems. You might just find yourself stranded in a ditch one day..."

First update!

(End of this chapter)