"You who have participated in the Marine Headquarters War should know just how strong the peak powerhouses of this world are," Rayleigh said. "You should all think carefully. With your current strength, can you resist them?!"
After speaking, Rayleigh paused, then looked at Meiser, who seemed about to say something, and continued, "Can you protect your dear crewmates?"
As soon as he said this, the words that had just reached Meiser's throat got stuck.
That's right, could he protect his dear crewmates?
If it were just him fighting one of the Four Emperors, he would have no problem at all. After all... even if he couldn't kill his opponent, they couldn't kill him either!
But what about his crewmates?
Did his crewmates have what it took to fight an enemy with a bounty of over one billion?
Could they handle a second Marine Admiral?
Thinking of this, Meiser immediately fell silent.
"The New World is more dangerous than you can imagine," Rayleigh said calmly. "If you don't have sufficient strength, you won't be able to protect your crewmates."
Luffy fell silent upon hearing this. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose his crewmates again.
Seeing that the time was right, Rayleigh said, "I have a proposal..."
"Of course, whether you do it or not is up to you."
Meiser glanced at Luffy, then looked at Rayleigh and said, "Uncle Rayleigh, just say what you want to say. Don't keep us in suspense."
"Quite the impatient one, aren't you," Rayleigh chuckled, then his expression turned serious. "My proposal is that you don't regroup for now, but instead stop for two years."
"Stop... for two years?"
"Yes," Rayleigh nodded. "Use these two years to become stronger. Only then can you survive in a place like the New World."
As someone who had once ventured through the New World with his crewmates, Rayleigh knew very well how dangerous that place was.
Therefore, Luffy and the others had to become stronger!
With a master teacher like me, I can definitely make them stronger within two years! Rayleigh thought confidently.
As the vice-captain of the Pirate King, he had that much confidence.
After hearing Rayleigh's words, Luffy was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "No, we promised our crewmates. If we don't go, they'll worry."
"And I can't just let them wait at the Sabaody Archipelago for two years for nothing."
That would be too irresponsible!
So they had to go back!
Is it because he can't get a message to his crew that he feels he must go? Rayleigh, having identified the problem, muttered to himself.
It seemed he had to solve this problem first, or Luffy would never agree to stop and train.
Thinking of this, Rayleigh said, "Then listen to my second proposal!"
"A second proposal?"
A hint of confusion appeared in their eyes, wondering what this old man was going to say now.
"Mhm," Rayleigh nodded. "The only reason you're unwilling to stop is that you have no way to convey a message to your crewmates."
"But if that problem can be solved, then it should be fine, right?"
Meiser first glanced at Luffy, then looked at Rayleigh and asked, "How do you plan to solve it?"
"Just to be clear, we can't contact them via Den Den Mushi."
Rayleigh showed no surprise at this, as he had clearly already guessed it.
Then, he said, "You all know about newspapers, right?"
"We can use the newspaper to deliver the message."
"Use the newspaper to deliver the message?"
A question mark appeared over Luffy's head. Was that even possible?
"That is one way," Meiser said, stroking his chin.
What they did at Marine Headquarters should have already been spread by the newspapers, so their crewmates would likely continue to pay attention to the papers.
In that case... everyone should be able to see the message they sent out.
But there was a problem now, which was... what kind of method should they use to express the message?
If they explained the situation directly, the Marines and the World Government would one hundred percent take action. The others might be in mortal danger then, which was not what Meiser wanted to see.
So they had to think of a method that only they would understand.
Thinking of this, Meiser fell into deep thought.
"Newspapers can do that?" Sandersonia asked doubtfully.
How come she didn't know?
"Why not?" Rayleigh retorted.
As long as the crewmates knew each other very well, the message could be conveyed in a subtle way!
"Er... so how should we do it?"
"That depends on whether they have some kind of code or something," Rayleigh said.
If the Straw Hat Pirates had some specific code, conveying the message would become very easy.
Then, Rayleigh looked at Luffy and said, "What's your choice?"
Luffy didn't answer immediately but began to think seriously.
If I think about it carefully... Rayleigh is right.
Although Meiser was very strong, already at a level where he could fight a Marine Admiral to a standstill, the others' strength was still too poor...
If they went to the New World now, they might just end up being a burden.
Just like back at the Sabaody Archipelago, Luffy murmured to himself.
So... everyone had to get stronger to prevent something like that from happening again!
Thinking of this, Luffy's eyes became determined.
Noticing the change in Luffy's eyes, Rayleigh smiled and said, "Looks like you've already made your decision."
"Yeah, that's right," Luffy nodded. "I've made up my mind."
"Then your decision is..."
"Stop for two years," Luffy said. "We'll use two years to get stronger!"
He would use two years to train, to make himself strong enough to defeat a Marine Admiral—no, strong enough to defeat any enemy!!!
"Have you decided?" Granny Nyon glanced at Luffy and said.
"Yes, I've decided."
Granny Nyon was silent for a moment, then smiled. "Mhm, that's good too."
At least it would be safer to go to the New World after getting stronger.
And... this way, that fellow Meiser could stay on their Kuja Island for two years. Thinking of this, Granny Nyon's gaze fell upon Hancock.
That excited look... just as I expected, Granny Nyon muttered to herself.
"Then I'll take this time to hatch the snake egg," Merry said, wiping the corners of her eyes.
Two years was enough time for her to hatch the snake egg and get stronger!!
"Not just hatching the snake egg," Granny Nyon said. "I'll also use this time to teach you more fighting techniques."
It wasn't enough for just Meiser and Luffy to get stronger; this little girl Merry had to get stronger too!
After all... they were crewmates who would set sail together!
"Okay, Granny Nyon!" Merry said, clenching her small fists. "I'll get stronger too!!"
She didn't want to be a burden to the crew anymore. She wanted to protect her crewmates too!
Seeing Merry's adorable appearance, the others couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahahaha."
"By the way, what method are you planning to use to send the message?" Marigold said. "A code?"
"Words?"
"Or certain numbers?"
"This..."
Hearing Marigold's words, Luffy, Meiser, and Merry stopped what they were doing, all showing thoughtful expressions.
"I remember we said we'd gather in three days when we left, right?" Meiser said.
Back then, Uncle Rayleigh said the coating would take three days, so they decided to meet up after three days.
"You mean..." Luffy frowned in thought, then a flash of inspiration struck him. "I know what to do!"
As his voice fell, Luffy wrote four characters on the table with water.
3D2Y!
But on top of the 3D, Luffy drew an X, crossing it out.
The meaning was that the plan to meet in three days was canceled and changed to meeting in two years!!!
"A simple and clear way of expressing it," Rayleigh said, stroking his chin.
Sandersonia, however, showed a doubtful expression. "Are you so sure they'll understand?"
If she didn't know what was going on, she wouldn't have been able to understand the purpose of Straw Hat Boy's actions at all.
"They definitely will!" Luffy said with a determined look. "They will definitely understand what I mean!"
They had been together for so long, they would surely be able to understand his meaning!
Sandersonia was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright... I hope they can understand."
"So how do you plan to get this message into the newspaper?" Granny Nyon asked.
"My idea is to make a trip to Marine Headquarters," Rayleigh said. "That way, you'll definitely be photographed by reporters and printed in the newspapers."
After all... these two guys were hot topics!
"Go to Marine Headquarters?" Granny Nyon frowned. "Aren't you afraid Sengoku and the others will corner you?"
Although Marine Headquarters had suffered great losses after this war, those few Marine Admirals were still alive!
"They don't have time to bother me right now," Rayleigh said with a smirk.
If he wasn't mistaken, Sengoku should be getting an earful at Mary Geoise around this time.
After all... that guy had to take responsibility for stopping the war!
Granny Nyon: ???
Granny Nyon looked at Rayleigh with a puzzled expression, not understanding why this guy was so confident.
Was he so sure that Sengoku wouldn't team up with Garp to capture the three of them?
Just then, Meiser spoke up, "Actually, we don't have to go to Marine Headquarters."
"What do you mean?" Rayleigh asked, puzzled. "Don't tell me you have another way?"
If Meiser really had another way, he wouldn't bother going to a dangerous place like Marine Headquarters either.
"I want to do something big!" Meiser said, his eyes glinting.
Rayleigh: ???
Do something big... what did that mean?
Ignoring Rayleigh's reaction, Meiser turned to Luffy and said, "Luffy, what I'm about to do might cause a bit of a stir. Is that okay?"
"Hahaha, go all out, Meiser!" Luffy laughed heartily.
Although he didn't know what Meiser was planning to do, as his captain, he was willing to bear the consequences with him!
"Okay~"
Looking at Luffy's smiling face, the corners of Meiser's mouth gradually turned up.
"What are you planning to do?" Granny Nyon asked, looking at Meiser with confusion.
"I'm going to make a trip to Mary Geoise!"
As soon as he said this, everyone revealed shocked expressions, clearly not expecting Meiser to say such a thing.
And Hancock, who had been staring blankly at Meiser, had the same reaction after hearing his words.
"Huh?"
Margaret, who was walking back with tea, saw the scene and swallowed hard. "Wh-what's wrong?"
Why had everyone suddenly gone silent?
"Mei... Meiser," Hancock said. "Are you planning to go to..."
"Ah, that's right, that's the place," Meiser said, his eyes glinting. "I'm going there to stir up some trouble."
"And while I'm at it... I'll take care of a few Celestial Dragons!"
Hancock fell silent upon hearing this, and then tears welled up in her eyes.
Is Meiser... trying to avenge me?
Her man was too good to her!
"Meiser!!"
"Lord Brother-in-law..."
Watching Meiser look at Hancock with a gentle expression, Sandersonia and Marigold also started to wipe away tears.
"No wonder you said it would cause a bit of a stir," Rayleigh said.
Causing a ruckus in Mary Geoise and killing a few Celestial Dragons on the side... how could that not cause a huge stir!
Once done, it would be a major incident that would shock the entire world!
Luffy, on the other hand, had a look of sudden realization. "Oh, so you're going to beat up some Celestial Dragons."
"Any problem with that?" Meiser raised an eyebrow.
"No problem!" Luffy grinned, baring his teeth. "Go ahead and do it without worry!"
He had no goodwill towards those damn Celestial Dragons, so naturally, he had no reservations.
If Meiser wanted to do it, he should just let him do it!
"I know you want to vent for Hancock and the others, but you also have to consider your own safety," Granny Nyon said earnestly. "What if you fall there?"
Hancock had finally found her home, and she didn't want him to die just like that.
Upon hearing Granny Nyon's words, Hancock immediately stopped crying.
Then, she looked at Meiser and said, "Granny Nyon is right. I don't agree to you going there."
"This is Meiser's decision, why don't you agree?"
Luffy looked at Hancock, puzzled, not understanding why she would say such a thing.
Hancock ignored Luffy and stared intently into Meiser's eyes, waiting for his answer.
"I know your concerns," Meiser said. "But have you all forgotten my ability?"
"I have an Undying Body!"
As he spoke, Meiser activated the ability of his right eye: Kishu Mitsu Mikoto!
Clang~
Then, Meiser picked up the Grass Sword and stabbed himself with it, piercing his heart directly!
Pfft!
Everyone: ...
Did he really have to demonstrate it for them like that?
"Ahhh!!"
"Why... why did Lord Meiser commit suicide!"
Margaret looked at Meiser in terror, not understanding why he would kill himself.
"Don't worry, I won't die," Meiser said calmly.
As he spoke, Meiser calmly pulled out the Grass Sword, his expression not changing in the slightest.
Margaret: ...
Wasn't this guy a little too ruthless with himself?
"That's a fatal wound, this..."
"A mere fatal wound is a small problem," Meiser said.
As his voice fell, Meiser's body twisted and then disappeared from the spot.
When he reappeared, his body had already returned to its original state.
"Huh?!"
Looking at the completely unharmed Meiser, Margaret showed a shocked expression. "He's... he's healed?"
Isn't this a bit too exaggerated?
A fatal wound was healed so easily?
"I told you, I have an Undying Body," Meiser said. "So you don't need to worry about my safety."
"Undying Body..."
Granny Nyon muttered, "Then there's indeed no need to worry about your safety."
At the very least, this guy wouldn't die in Mary Geoise.
"Your safety is guaranteed, but have you thought about another problem?" Rayleigh said.
"Another problem?"
"Mhm," Rayleigh nodded. "Once you escape from Mary Geoise alive, the World Government will start searching for you all over the world. At that time..."
Although Rayleigh didn't finish his sentence, the others understood his meaning.
At that time, the World Government might even search this place!
"Don't worry, I've already thought of a solution to that problem too," Meiser said.
Seeing Meiser's mysterious look, Rayleigh subconsciously raised an eyebrow.
Could it be that this kid had some other special ability?
Thinking of this, Rayleigh fell into deep thought.
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