Duval laughed cheerily and then tried to wink in goodbye at the Strawhats.... But well... his winks looked more like he had a face seizure than anything else. "Well, see ya! Fell free to call us again anytime! We'll have your back until you can safely set sail to Fish-Man Island!" He told them cheerily, before winking again...
"Okay, thanks you guys!" Luffy thanked them cheerily.
"No problem at all!" Duval answered him, still trying to wink.
"Just stop winking already." Sanji deadpanned at him.
"Oh, and one other thing... Don't forget this Miss Mermaid." Duval lifted Caimie's bag pack into the air before giving it to her.
"Thank you!" Caimie thanked him cheerily and gratefully. Juli smiled at that softly.
"Alright! Let's go, Life is Rosy Riders!" Duval shouted towards his subordinates and posed as they drove away on their flying fishes.
"Yes, Hand-Rose!"
"Their shouts sure change a lot." Luffy noticed.
"They're probably trying to find one that clicks." Sanji said with a sweat drop.
Juli just giggled amused. "I like their cheerful mood."
Rayleigh shook his head in fondness at that before he pointed at Shakky's rip-off bar at the top of the hill. "Let's hurry and get inside."
"We need to get Hachi into a bed!" Chopper agreed.
And so, the Strawhats, Caimie, Pappag as well as Rayleigh with Hachi quickly made their way up the hill.
"Oi, Shakky! I'm back!" Rayleigh shouted towards her.
"Oh, Welcome back, Ray-san. That was sooner than I expected." Shakky greeted him as she opened the door. "I'm impressed you guys managed to find him."
"Ol' Hachi's been seriously injured. We need to get him into a bed." Rayleigh didn't beat around the bush and told Shakky right away what was up.
"What happened?" Shakky asked in worry before hurrying inside. "This is bad! I'll get a bed ready right away!"
"Oh, you said you had something to tell me afterwards, old guy..." Luffy asked as he looked back to the old man.
"Lu..." Juli suddenly was next to him with a too sweet smile and grabbed onto his hand a bit too tightly. "First let us go inside, alright? You don't need to be impatient...understood?!"
"Yes, ma'am! I'm sorry, ma'am!" Luffy shouted out nervously and a fondly smiling Juli dragged him inside.
Rayleigh just chuckled softly as he looked with nostalgia after Luffy, who reminded him so much of Roger, as well as Juli, whose manners and personality almost was the same as Rose's.
The other Strawhats just sweat dropped at that and smiled before going inside as well.
A few moments later, after everyone had settled down in Shakky's bar, Rayleigh told them exactly who he is...
"WHAAAAT?! On the Pirate King's ship?!" Luffy shouted as he gaped at Rayleigh utterly shocked, who just casually poured himself a glass of alcohol.
Juli couldn't help but giggle at that. 'Of course, Lu had no idea...'
"Yeah. I'm Silvers Rayleigh, the ship's vice-captain. Nice to meet you." He smiled at them.
"Vice-Captain?!" The Strawhats shouted in utter shock and stunned.
"Oh? You didn't tell them Hachi?" Shakky asked him in surprise and amusement.
"We only need his help with coating so..." Hachi answered her weakly, still not feeling really good because of his injury.
Juli just smiled utterly amused as Luffy literally fell over in shock right in front of the fridge.
"You knew all along, didn't you, Juli?!~" Nami whined at her.
"Yes, sorry, minna~" Juli apologized to them with a warm, amused smile.
Nami slumped forward at that. "Of course..."
Robin blinked at that. "Oh, you didn't know?" She asked, of course having known it as well.
"I know his name so well~" Usopp cried out in shock.
"Yes... It's in so many books..." Nami cried out as well.
Juli smiled fondly as she saw how her nakama interacted with Rayleigh. She sipped on the green tea, Shakky had made her, but started to fall deep into her thoughts, so missing some of the conversation Rayleigh had with the Strawhats. She just had this weird feeling... Not just the feeling of nearing danger but also...something else. It was hard to make out for her, because she can't recall ever having felt something like this... But it was still a familiar feeling, how weird that may be. Juli shook her head and turned her concentration back on what was going on around her. If Rayleigh talks about Roger, she didn't want to miss it after all.
"So, what happened after Roger conquered the sea?" Sanji asked Rayleigh seriously and intrigued.
Rayleigh smiled at that in nostalgia. "That's when it all began. The world started calling Roger 'the King of the Pirates'. He hadn't been the Pirate King the entire time before or anything. Titles hold no meaning for a man about to die. But...Roger was overjoyed. He loved doing anything in a flashy way..."
Juli smiled sadly at that, feeling all of Rayleigh's emotions that were tied to these memories.
"Whether it was celebrating or fighting... He even seemed to enjoy thinking out a plan for the future, even though he wouldn't be part of it. Eventually, as per Captain's order, the Roger Pirates were secretly disbanded. One by one, everyone discretely left. As comrades, we all risked our lives together, but I know almost nothing about where they are or what they are doing now. Then, about a year after we disbanded, Roger turned himself in and was arrested. It was then announced that he would be publicly executed in Loguetown, the East Blue town he was born in. I hear that many of the young faces in the town square that day went on to make names for themselves on the high seas today. The world focused its attention on the Pirate King's execution." Rayleigh paused his story telling at that for a moment and smiled sadly.
Juli bit on her lip at that. '....Rayleigh-jiji...'
"I didn't attend it. The final words he said to me went like this: 'I'm not going to die, partner.'"
The Strawhats looked at him in surprise at that. Juli's eyes widened at that, as she felt like there was a specific special meaning in those words. 'D-Did Roger-san maybe mean...' She felt how chills started to cover her arms as she could make out two- no three special meanings in those last words Roger said to Rayleigh. Juli looked at Rayleigh at that in utter surprise and she saw how the old man smirked after seeing her look, apparently already knowing it himself. She shook her head stunned at that and smiled softly. 'Roger-san truly was someone really special. It's a pity I couldn't met someone as wise as him.'
Rayleigh continued telling his story. "The Government and navy must have been shocked. With only one last remark from Roger, the public execution meant to serve as an example to other pirates instead became the opening ceremony of the Great Pirate Age! In his last few seconds, he changed the dim flame of his life into a hellfire that spread across the world! ...I have never laughed as much as I did on that night. Nor have I ever cried as much...or drank as much alcohol as I did on that night. Our captain lived one hell of a life!" He smiled softly at that.
Juli's eyes softened at that and she couldn't help but crash the old man into a hug. "Roger-san sure did. He was really far ahead of his generation. A truly admirable man that lived his life to the fullest."
Rayleigh smiled down to her and chuckled softly as he petted her head and let Juli cling to him. Geez, the charms this girl had at her age as well as her wisdom was truly something incredible.
And as if Juli was so able to break through the stunned silence around the Strawhats, everyone started to talk about what they just had heard. Luffy meanwhile just was in awe to what he had gotten to know, so much that he had even stopped stuffing himself with food.
"...It's just like we heard something incredible right now..." Nami got out in awe.
Usopp nodded in agreement. "But then it's almost as if Roger created this Great Pirate Age on purpose!"
"That...we still can't say." Rayleigh answered him seriously, but was still smiling widely.
Juli let go of Rayleigh at that and looked at the old man with a puzzled expression. She knew there was a lot of things, he didn't tell them, but she also felt like he was throwing hidden hints at them here and there. Just that she can't figure out where and what these hints were because the old man gives them to them wrapped up in mysterious phrases and riddles.
"Roger is dead. Only the people living now can create this era." Rayleigh told them before taking a sip from his alcohol bottle, only smirking more as he saw Juli's puzzled expression. 'She really is far too wise and smart for her age.' He then shot a look at Luffy. "I'm certain there are people who inherited something from Roger on that day in the town square." Rayleigh then looked back to Juli with a fond smile. "Your father Shanks is probably one of them."
Juli's eyes widened at that and she looked at him in surprise. "You really think so?!" She asked him in excitement before looking at her tea cup thoughtfully. "It definitely could be possible..." She then smiled warmly. "I really want to see Dad again... It's been so long."
"You definitely will, Juli-nee!" Luffy declared loudly at that before he looked intrigued at Rayleigh. "But what'cha mean with Shanks inheriting something, old man?"
Rayleigh smiled at that. "Have you also heard of the East Blue Pirate known as Buggy?"
Nami and Zoro frowned at that. "Buggy...." They grumbled as they recalled their encounter with him.
Juli blinked at that. "You mean Dad's best friend? He talked about him all the time. I wonder what kind of pirate he is."
"The two of them were apprentice on our ship." Rayleigh told them fondly.
"EEH?! Shanks was on the Pirate King's ship?!" Luffy shouted utterly surprised before choking on the food he was just chewing on.
Juli smiled fondly at that and softly hit her brother's back as he coughed.
"What? He didn't tell you?" Rayleigh seemed actually surprised at that.
"It seems Dad kept some secrets from you, Lu." Juli told him in amusement while Luffy pouted.
"He should have just told me! That is so awesome!" Luffy protested and pouted as Juli just giggled and petted his head.
Rayleigh chuckled amused as he recalled Shanks visiting and telling him about his daughter as well as Luffy, while his trademark strawhat was gone along with his left arm. "Well, I'm afraid I can't babble on about things Shanks hasn't told you." He shook his head fondly. "In any case, you done good to come this far. I'm sure he's eagerly waiting for you in the New World."
"I can't wait to meet him too!" Luffy shouted cheerily and Juli smiled, before her smile changed into a more sadly one.
"I just hope dad is doing alright..." She muttered in concern.
Luffy's cheerful mood sobered at that and Rayleigh narrowed his eyes seriously and sighed. "That I can't say for sure. He truly and dearly loves you, his daughter, so it must have hit him pretty harshly as the message of your death sounded through the world."
Juli bit on her lip at that, feeling guilty that she hadn't found him earlier... but she just has no idea where he was at the moment.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he's doing alright." Luffy assured her determined.
"Thanks, Lu..."
Rayleigh nodded at that before he turned around. "Let's get down to business. You wanted your ship coated, is that right? I should get back to my real work, anyway."
"Nyuu... That reminds me, coating costs a lot of money..." Hachi mumbled out nervously.
"No, that's alright, Hachi. I can't take money from your friends. As well as... If Shanks would ever find out I tried to charge the crew his daughter is in, he would go nuts on me." He chuckled amused at that to especially ease Juli's mood.
"That's a relief. Thank you, Rayleigh." Hachi thanked him.
Juli smiled softly. "Yes, that's really generous of you, Ray-jiji." She then blinked and looked in Robin's direction, who stared seriously down to the ground while Nami and Usopp cheered. '...Robin....'
Robin clenched her fist before she suddenly stood up. "Rayleigh-san. I have a question! What exactly is the 'Will of D.'?"
Rayleigh looked at her seriously at that before closing his eyes.
"Roger's name was engraved in ancient writing on the Poneglyph I saw on Skypiea. How was he able to use that writing?! Do you people know what happened to the world during the Blank Century that began 900 years ago?!" She shouted at him seriously.
Juli narrowed her eyes seriously at that and looked at Rayleigh, whose face was shadowed over.
"Yes. We know." Rayleigh answered her seriously and Robin's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "We learned the entirety of history." He shot a short look at Juli at that before looking back to Robin, who was so desperately looking for answers. "But miss, you must not be hasty. Continue to move forward one step at a time on your own ship. We-and Ohara- might have hurried a bit too much. Even if I told you everything about history right here, you still wouldn't be able to do anything as you are now. Once you've taken the time to see the world, it's possible that you will be led to a different answer than we were. But, if you still insist on hearing it, I can tell you everything about this world right now."
Robin closed her eyes at that and a picture of her nakama shot through her head, before she decided and smiled as well as relaxed a bit. "No, I'll pass. I'll continue my journey."
"It will all come into sight someday. I'm sorry for what happened to your homeland of Ohara. However, Roger didn't decipher that writing! We're pirates. We can't possible match the intellect of geniuses like Clover and the other scholars of Ohara. He heard the voice of the universe, that's all."
Robin just looked at him utterly surprised at that as her thoughts raced. Juli narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. 'The... Voice of the Universe?' This term...sounded familiar to her... If she recalls it right, her mother mentioned it briefly before...but in what context?
"Woah! Are you sure you didn't just pass up on an incredible chance?!" Usopp shouted at her. "Ummm, old guy! There's one more thing I want to ask! The legendary great treasure, the One Piece! Is it really-"
"USSSSOOOOPPP!" Luffy interrupted him with a loud scream as he jumped up on the bar, his scream actually made Juli flinch and ripped her out of her thoughts.
"I don't wanna know where the treasure is! I don't wanna know if the treasure exists or not! We've put our lives on the line and set out to sea, even though we don't know anything!" He shouted at him. "I'd rather give up being a pirate than have the old guy tell us stuff now! I won't go on a boring adventure!"
Juli smiled at that warmly. 'Of course, you would think like that Lu...'
"S-S-Sorry! I knew that, but it just slipped out of my mouth! I-I don't wanna know either!" Usopp shouted while waving with his arms frantically.
Shakky laughed softly as she looked at Luffy.
"Do you think you can do it?" Rayleigh asked him utterly serious, as his glasses reflected the light. "The Grandline still surpasses anything you could ever imagine! Your foes will be powerful, too. Can you rule this mighty sea?!"
The two just stared at each other until Luffy smiled brightly. "I'm not gonna rule anything! It's the freest person in this sea who's the King of the Pirates!"
Rayleigh's eyes widened as for a split moment Luffy resembled Roger, as well as saying the same words his deceased captain said. "I see..." He smiled.
"I'm really a fan of yours, Monkey-chan." Shakky told him with a cheerful smile.
"As great as your words were just now Lu.... Can you please get down from the counter of the bar?" Juli looked at him scolding.
Luffy started to sweat nervously at that and hurried to get down, almost stumbling and falling down. "O-Of course! Of course!"
Rayleigh chuckled at that before he slowly stepped towards the door. "Your ship was in Grove 42, was it? I think I will head over there..." He then opened the door and looked back to Luffy and Juli. "What will you do now? Especially you, Juli-chan. It wouldn't be good if the admiral sees you that will arrive here shortly."
Juli narrowed her eyes seriously at that and bit on her lip while staring down to the ground, torn with what to do. Because if she's stays with her nakama and they encounter an admiral... That would be really bad.
"We'll only be a nuisance if we stay here, so maybe we should go shopping somewhere?" Nami suggested innocently.
"What is this 'Laid-Back Life'?!" Usopp snapped at her flabbergasted. "We're being chased! We gotta hide, you idiot!"
"Yeah. The people chasing might show up if we all stay together." Franky said seriously. "It'll help him finish the work more smoothly if we lay low in town."
"Then, let's split up and meet back there when he's all done." Zoro said casually.
Sanji looked at him with a deadpan expression. "Who're you to talk strategically about meeting up and stuff like that?!"
"Shakky, do we have any?" Rayleigh asked her seriously.
"Yes, we have one left." Shakky answered him and with that, she made Vivre Cards and gave one to every Strawhat as they all gathered outside of Shakky's bar.
"That's a Vivre Card." Nami said in surprise as she looked at the Vivre Card that was given to her.
"If you know what it is, that simplifies things. Since I'm quite notorious myself, I will move the ship from Grove 41 to somewhere else before starting on it. I need three days to complete the coating." Rayleigh informed them.
"It takes three whole days?!" Luffy shouted in shock.
"Your life depends on this work. It's the fastest I can go. So, sundown in three days, let's say. I don't know what grove I will be on, so wherever the Vivre Cards lead you, I'll be there to finish the coating and waiting for you."
Juli bit on her lip, still not knowing what to do. Her eyes were shadowed over as she thought about it. 'I don't want to be separated from my nakama for these three days... but even when we go into hiding, there's still the high possibility that we will be found by the marines... And if the admiral finds us... If it's Kizaru, or even worse Akainu, who sees me with Lu and everyone, they will not hesitate to go to drastic measures.... And I can't let this happen because of being selfish.' "...Lu."
"Huh? Juli-nee?" Luffy looked at her in confusion as he saw her clenched fists.
"If it makes Shakky-san no trouble... I would like to stay here. It's too dangerous for you guys if I go into hiding with you. I'm sorry...but I don't want to risk your lives..." Juli told them seriously while sadly looking to the ground.
Luffy looked at her seriously at that before he smiled at her calmly. "Sure, that's totally alright, Juli-nee! Just don't forget to meet us in three days, kay?" He grinned cheerily before crashing her into a hug. "And watch out for the marines..."
Juli smiled at that warmly. "Yes, you too, Lu, minna." She told them worried as she hugged Luffy back in goodbye. She then let go of her brother and looked at her nakama seriously. "Especially for the admiral. You need to be really careful."
Everyone nodded back to her seriously at that.
"Don't worry, Juli. We're going to be alright." Nami assured her with a small smile.
Rayleigh nodded at that. "That's really for the better as far as I can tell."
"No worries, Juli-chan. You can gladly stay here and every marine that dares to come in here will get kicked out." Shakky assured her with a small smile and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Luffy-chin! Everyone! Thank you so much!" Caimie thanked them as well as Pappag.
"I'm sorry that I caused you so much trouble!" Hachi apologized to them. "I can't thank you enough! We'll show you the way to Fishman Island, so don't worry about a thing!"
"Hachi, get plenty of bedrest." Chopper told him seriously.
"Let's meet again in three days. We will see you off!" Shakky told them.
"See you later, lady, Juli-nee!" Luffy laughed cheerily and enthusiastically. "We're up against an admiral, so let's make sure none of us gets killed!"
"Don't say unlucky things like that!" Usopp snapped at him.
Luffy just smiled more brightly. "Let's go, minna! To the amusement park!" He cheered while everyone snapped at him angrily, the amusement park being the last place where they should go to.
A few seconds later, Juli, Caimie, Pappag and Shakky were standing at the top of the stairs while the Strawhats and Rayleigh had started to walk away...
"Take care!" Caimie shouted cheerily after them while waving in goodbye.
"Don't do anything crazy!" Pappag shouted after them. Shakky just raised her hand in goodbye and smiled.
Juli smiled as well. "Minna, make sure Lu doesn't go to the amusement park! And be careful!" She shouted after them in goodbye.
"Oi!" Luffy protested loudly while everyone else shouted 'Sure!'
"Take care, Juli, Caimie!" Nami waved towards the two before sighing. "How over the top.... We are going to see them again in three days."
"Juli-nee! Make sure you don't forget to come to the ship in three days! It's very important!" Luffy shouted towards his sister seriously.
Juli giggled fondly at that. "I will! See you!" She and Caimie continued waiving even as the Strawhats turned around and walked away. When she couldn't see them anymore, she sighed worried.
"Hey, it's going to be alright, Juli-chin." Caimie assured her with a cheerful smile.
"Yes..." Juli forced herself to smile back at Caimie, who didn't notice how forced her smile looked as the mermaid rushed back inside to Hachi.
Shakky looked at her softly. "Don't worry too much, Juli-chan. That's not helping anyone. Now, let's go back inside, I should have some strawberry cheesecake left. Red-chan told me it's your favorite."
Juli smiled at that. "You're probably right, Shakky-san." She took a deep breath before smiling cheerily and walking back inside the bar with her. "Let's eat some cake then~"
Shakky chuckled at that amused and Juli smiled as she ate her strawberry cheesecake a few moments later, as well as chatted with Caimie and Shakky. But the whole time, she just couldn't shake off this really, really bad feeling she was getting.
After some time passed, Juli was drinking a green tea, while Caimie had fallen asleep and was now napping together with Pappag. She smiled softly as she watched them sleep peacefully before looking back to Shakky, who was polishing the glasses. Suddenly, a really dreading feeling rushed through her and she bit on her lip. 'That's not good... Something's happening...' Juli clenched her fist unnoticeable around her tea cup and narrowed her eyes in utter worry and concern. She sighed before smiling apologetical at Shakky. "I need to go get some fresh air, Shakky-san." And with that, she stood up and rushed outside.
Shakky sighed as she looked after her, of course having noticed how Juli tensed and looked more worried all of the sudden.
Outside, Juli took a deep breath and walked to the edge of the little hill. She looked down over their peaceful surroundings and tried to calm down, but couldn't. Not when she had the serious, sickening feeling her nakama were in trouble. She bit on her lip uncertainly before closing her eyes and trying to sense them. Her eyes shot open in alarm and she gasped in surprise when she felt a familiar presence appearing near them.... "Oh no! That's not good! They are in serious trouble!" Juli gritted her teeth as panic rushed over her... What should she do?! Kizaru had found them! And as much as she believes in the strength of her friends, there's no way they can beat Kizaru. Juli clenched her fists and her eyes were shadowed over... She just can't stand here and do nothing while her brother and friends get attacked and seriously injured by an opponent far too powerful for them too beat. Juli closed her eyes in distress before deciding. "I'm sorry, Shakky-san...." She mumbled before rushing down the hill in determination and as fast as possible... Maybe she will be able to make it there in time... And when Kizaru sees her, she might be able to get him away from her nakama when she promises him that she will go back to the marines with him. It should work with Kizaru, as far as she can remember from his personality. And even if she doesn't want to go back to the marines after everything she saw at Enies Lobby and here on the Archipelago, if it saves her nakama's life, she wouldn't think about it twice.
And so, Juli raced towards where she could feel their presences as quickly as she can, highly concentrating on sensing them and not losing their presences. But it was at times like this, that she's not able to concentrate on her surroundings... And so, what happens so often when she's like this, of course had to happen... she crashed hardly into someone and was ripped out of her concentration.
"Kyaa!" Juli shouted in surprise as she fell back and then blinked in confusion for a few seconds, trying to make sense of what just happened. Her eyes widened and she quickly looked up to the shadowed over form of the man, she had just bumped into. "Oh, I'm so, sincerely sorry for that, mister. I wasn't watching where I was going because I'm in a hurry. Please forgive me." She apologized quickly and bowed to him.
The man blinked at her in surprise before smiling. 'Oh! I finally found her~'
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Hey guys! So, that was Chapter 82. How did you like it? :) Uff, I'm sorry for the cliffhanger but this chapter is already really long and I mean... I can't help it sometimes. XD But looks like things escalate fairly quickly at the end of this chapter. And looks like the mysterious man from the last chapter now found Juli. Uh oh, who knows if that is a good thing or not... And what could he possibly want from Juli as well as who exactly is he? I guess, those questions will have to wait until next chapter to be answered.
Anyway, I'm so excited for what will come up next, I hope you guys can't wait for some interesting things to be revealed as well! :D Let me know how you liked this chapter and have a great rest of your week!
P.S.: Oh, and for all of you who like the anime Fairy Tail, I just published a new, interesting fanfic about my Fairy Tail OC Celeste, named: 'Ankhseram's favorite- Gray's little sister.' It would be cool if you could check it out and leave some feedback! It's just a short prologue for now, but before I make effort in writing more, I want to know if you guys would be interested in reading more. :3