At Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 13, in front of Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, Badak landed and secured the ship.
"Shakky, we're back!"
Hancock pushed open the bar's door and announced loudly.
"My, my, Hancock. People really shouldn't be talked about—I was just thinking of you. Badak, it seems the trip went smoothly."
Shakky eyed Mansherry and Leo perched on Badak's shoulders and winked at them.
"Shakky, these are Mansherry and Leo, my new crewmates. Everything went well."
"Leo, Mansherry, hello. I'm Shakky. Let's sit and talk."
"Hello, Shakky."Shaki flipped the "Open" sign at the door to show "Closed" and served juice to everyone.
"Shaki, where are Sandersonia and Marigold? I don't see them."
"Don't worry, Hancock. They're recovering well. Old Ray is training them. They'll be back before dark."
"Really? That's wonderful."
...
As evening fell, the bar door opened again, revealing Sandersonia and Marigold returning. Following them was a man with graying hair and distinctive facial hair—though aged, he still exuded charisma. It was the Dark King Rayleigh.
"Sister!"
Sandersonia and Marigold rushed to Hancock excitedly, expressing how much they'd missed her and asking if her journey had gone smoothly and if she'd achieved her goals.
"Yes, everything went perfectly. All objectives were accomplished. This is Mansherry, the princess of the Tontatta Kingdom's dwarf tribe. She helped me. Come, let me introduce you."
Hancock nodded repeatedly, calling Mansherry over to introduce her to Sandersonia and Marigold.
"Hello, I'm Mansherry. Nice to meet you."
"We're happy to meet you too, Mansherry."
"Shaki, I'll take them to the back for a while."
Hancock excused herself and led the group to the living quarters behind the bar. Her sisters surely shared her desire to rid themselves of that shameful mark as quickly as possible.
"You must be Badak. I'm Rayleigh. Shanks told me about you long ago. Truly, heroes emerge from the young."
"Hahaha, Senior Rayleigh, you're the one who remains vigorous with age, still as impressive as ever."
"Oh? You've heard of me? Young folks these days are well-informed. Even a retired old man like me gets recognized."
"Senior Rayleigh is a legend of the seas."
"What legend? He's just a coating craftsman now—Old Ray." Shaki snorted from the side. "He loses more at the casino than he earns."
"Now, now, Shaki. I've been visiting the casino much less lately." Rayleigh spread his hands helplessly. "Besides, didn't I help train those girls for you?"
"Hmph. Should I even need to ask for such help?"
"Senior Rayleigh, you're living in hiding on Sabaody Archipelago, yet the Marines haven't reacted? I heard the World Government's attack dogs have sharp noses."
Badak steered the conversation away for Rayleigh.
"Ah, sharp indeed. But Roger is dead, and I've retired. Destroying Sabaody just to deal with me wouldn't be worth their while. Heh. Better to let me fade into obscurity."
"Truly befitting the Dark King—such bold words. Only a legend like you could dare live under the World Government's nose. Leo, you're 'Little Ray,' and this is 'Old Ray.' You must aim to become a renowned figure on the seas, just like him."
"Oh... a renowned figure!" Leo stood on the table, left hand on his chest and right fist raised skyward—the Ultraman pose Badak had taught him.
"Hahaha!"
Everyone laughed at Leo's adorable display.
"What's so amusing?"
As Hancock, her sisters, and Mansherry returned to the bar's main hall, they found the group in high spirits."Nothing much. Have Sandersonia and Marigold's troubles been resolved?"
"Yes, thanks to Mansherry. Thank you, Mansherry."
"Thank you, Mansherry, sniff..."
"It's nothing, Hancock, Sandersonia, Marigold. I was happy to help."
Badak stayed late at Shaki's Rip-off Bar with Leo and Mansherry before returning to his residence on Sabaody Archipelago, even managing to get a free meal out of it. Few people on these seas could get anything for free from Shaki.
"Leo, Mansherry, tomorrow we'll go shopping, and the day after we set sail for the West Blue. Our own journey is finally beginning! Aren't you excited?"
"Excited."
"Thrilled?"
"Thrilled."
"Good. Let's rest early tonight. Tomorrow I'll take you shopping."
"Okay."
...
The next day, Badak wore a bag formed from his Somersault Cloud on his chest, its surface dotted with small holes. Leo and Mansherry hid inside, able to observe the outside world through these openings.
Badak bought plenty of beautiful fabrics for Mansherry and Leo. It's worth mentioning that Leo's Devil Fruit ability made him exceptionally skilled at sewing—he'd helped make many of the Tontatta Kingdom's garments. What a capable man.
Long-range Den Den Mushi, nautical charts of the West Blue, supplies—Badak bought them all, nearly exhausting his savings.
After returning home, Leo and Mansherry called Gancho.
"Pururu pururu pururu."
The Den Den Mushi connected quickly.
"This is the Tontatta Kingdom. Gancho speaking."
"Father, it's me. Can you hear me?"
"Chief, it's Leo."
"Sniff... Mansherry..."
"..."
Badak decided to go out that night to see if any unlucky souls might take pity on a young man with two children and contribute to improving Badak's quality of life.
That night, Tony Tony Chopper swept through Sabaody's lawless district, capturing over a dozen pirates with bounties ranging from several million to over ten million berries. Each pirate was knocked out via sneak attack and delivered to the Marine base. The reputation of "Sneak Attack" Chopper began spreading from Marine circles to bounty hunters, and soon enough, low-level pirates would come to fear the infamous "Sneak Attacker."
It's worth noting that bounty hunter Kakarot also struck again that night. Not only did he kill a pirate captain with a 40 million berry bounty, but he wiped out the entire crew. The name Kakarot began circulating through Sabaody's Marine base.
Like Chopper, this man was the type who would claim multiple bounties in a single night.
Sabaody's nightlife remained lively, though those responsible for the excitement had already returned to their beds.