Chapter 154: Rayleigh with a 3.9 Billion Berries Bounty
In the auction hall of Red Tree No. 1, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Gringo Saint, among others, had gathered to discuss the attack on Rosward Saint's family.
Even Doflamingo, far away in Dressrosa, would never have imagined that one of his small auction houses would one day host a meeting between the World Government and the Navy Headquarters—two of the world's most powerful organizations.
"Sengoku, you've used your ability to dream-link with hundreds of people who interacted with Rosward Saint's family. You must have uncovered the detailed sequence of events by now."
"Now, it's your turn to reconstruct the chain of events, combining it with the intelligence gathered by Gringo Saint and his team, to present a final conclusion."
"Especially regarding the mastermind you mentioned earlier."
Sengoku adjusted the round glasses perched on his nose.
The Five Elders were pressing hard for answers. Three days had already passed, and news of Sabaody's lockdown had likely been leaked by relentless reporters.
If this matter wasn't concluded soon, the World Government's authority would face significant erosion—something the Five Elders would never tolerate.
Black Horse nodded and began recounting all the details he had gathered from dream-linking.
"First, Rosward Saint's family arrived at Government Base No. 69 three days ago."
"During that time, significant incidents occurred on Sabaody Island, such as Avenger Arist attacking a naval base and annihilating the stationed forces."
"While Arist was attacking the base, Navy Major Rosha and Ensign Hibari were capturing the Decalvan Brothers at Bubble Park No. 33."
"Captain Trafalgar Law briefly passed through the area before returning to his warship."
"Shortly after, the Navy Major received an urgent mission to apprehend Arist."
Black Horse paused to glance at Sengoku.
Sengoku nodded, "That's correct. I received a message from Lawrence about Arist landing on Sabaody, so I immediately contacted Rosha and assigned him the task."
He cast a sideways glance at Kizaru, who was idly trimming his nails with his legs crossed. "At the time, Polusalino here recommended Rosha to me."
"Huh? Are you calling me, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
Kizaru raised his head lazily, a puzzled look on his face.
Sengoku waved dismissively, "Nothing."
"Oh, feel free to ask if you have questions. I'm always happy to answer," Kizaru replied before returning to his nails.
Black Horse glanced at Gringo but, seeing no objection, continued recounting the events.
"Next, Major Rosha engaged in a battle with Avenger Arist at Red Tree Area 66. After a prolonged fight, Rosha managed to decapitate Arist, though not without suffering significant injuries."
"Afterward, he rushed back to Bubble Park No. 33 to transport the captured Decalvan Brothers to Red Tree Area 40."
"Meanwhile, the giant Palmer, Captain Law, and the true culprit behind the attack on Rosward Saint's family, Dafey Lons, had already clashed."
"Based on dream-linked memories from the Decalvan Brothers and their crew, Major Rosha subdued Dafey Lons with a heavy punch, knocking him unconscious. He then used electric shocks on them to ensure compliance."
"At this point, no one involved harbored criminal intent toward the World Nobles."
Black Horse methodically pieced together the events from multiple perspectives, reconstructing the intricate sequence of incidents as if he had personally witnessed them.
The account was so detailed and interconnected that even the most skeptical investigator could find no flaws.
Such extraordinary investigative capabilities were a testament to the power of a Devil Fruit.
After recounting the sequence of events leading to Rosward Saint's family's demise, Zephyr and others were startled by a light cough from Black Horse, signaling the critical part of his report.
Black Horse looked at Gringo Saint and said, "Based on CP0's findings and Gringo Saint's observations, I've identified several anomalies in the Rosward Saint family's attack case."
"First, the extreme thunderstorm encountered en route to the auction house frightened Rosward Saint's family, though no injuries were reported."
"Second, perhaps due to the shock, Rosward Saint caused a commotion at the auction, demanding to buy all items for one berry each."
"Third, Rayleigh, the Dark King, clashed with Rosward Saint and unleashed Conqueror's Haki, overwhelming them."
"Fourth, Rosward Saint rebuked Doflamingo, demanding massive compensation for Rayleigh's actions."
"Fifth, the family's erratic self-harm behavior at the auction is attributed to mental disruption caused by Rayleigh's Haki."
"Sixth, Dafey Lons, exploiting a moment of weakness while Major Rosha was recovering, temporarily enhanced his physical capabilities and attacked Rosward Saint's family."
"Seventh…"
At this point, Black Horse glanced at Gringo Saint's impassive face before continuing, "Major Rosha arrived at the scene but failed to stop Dafey Lons, leading to Rosward Saint's family's death. Gringo Saint suspects Rosha didn't give his all…"
"Rubbish!"
Before Black Horse could finish, Garp's loud and direct rebuttal echoed in the hall.
Sengoku sighed, lowering his head in exasperation.
Startled, Kizaru almost dropped his nail clipper.
Garp leaned forward, glaring at Gringo Saint. "What makes you think Rosha didn't give his all? How do you explain his injuries and the fact he hasn't regained consciousness after three days? Is that what you call 'not trying?'"
He leaned even closer to Gringo Saint. "By that logic, weren't you slacking off back in the day…"
"Garp! Do you have a death wish?!"
Gringo Saint's expression turned icy.
"Is that so? Well, now I'm a little scared," Garp retorted, pulling out a snack from his pocket and munching loudly in defiance.
"Garp, you idiot, can't you keep quiet for once?"
Sengoku quickly stepped in to mediate, snatching the snacks from Garp and stuffing them into his own pocket.
He then knocked on the armrest of his chair and turned to Gringo Saint with a serious expression. "Gringo Saint, Garp's words are blunt, but he has a point."
"I can vouch for Rosha's integrity. Despite his youth and short tenure in the Navy, his commitment to justice is unquestionable."
"I firmly believe that he gave his utmost effort to stop Dafey Lons."
Gringo Saint's expression softened slightly, prompting Sengoku to pick up where Black Horse left off.
"Regarding the seven anomalies identified by Sengoku, we can immediately rule out the first and second points."
"According to weather monitoring data from Mary Geoise, there was indeed a high probability of heavy rain in Sabaody during that time."
"The occurrence of a thunderstorm was purely coincidental. Just because Rorschach has the ability to manipulate currents doesn't mean he should be suspected."
"He's not a Goro Goro no Mi user; the electricity he manipulates comes solely from his own body. It's nowhere near powerful enough to cause a thunderstorm."
"Besides, after the thunderstorm, the Rozwad family didn't suffer any harm."
"Fourthly, Diamante outside confirmed the events. This eliminates the possibility of anomalies, at most suggesting that Saint Rozwad was dissatisfied with Doflamingo."
"Sixthly, Daffy Lons's sudden power surge. As a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, it's not impossible for him to achieve this. In this world, there are techniques that can temporarily stimulate the body, unleash extreme power, and even consume life force to significantly boost one's strength for a short period."
"So…"
Sengoku scanned the room, speaking in a deep voice: "In summary, aside from any unknown influence Rayleigh might bring, there doesn't seem to be any hidden motives or interference from other forces in the Rozwad family's demise. The root of it all lies…"
He paused for a moment before continuing: "On Baterilla Island in the South Blue."
The original text is in the sixth chapter, #9@Book/Bar!
"Baterilla Island…"
The mention of this name left the room in silence.
Garp's lips moved slightly, his eyes dimmed, and his fingers reflexively clenched into fists.
"Aristotle and Daffy Lons, the two brothers, are from Baterilla Island," Sengoku said, turning to Saint Gringus. "Years ago, while investigating the possibility of Roger's bloodline lingering, the World Government, in conjunction with the Navy, conducted a purge on Baterilla Island, executing hundreds…"
At this point, Sengoku sighed and stopped speaking.
To this day, it remains unknown whether the pregnant women and infants killed on Baterilla Island back then included Roger's widow or offspring.
This incident became a blemish, much like the Ohara incident, one that the World Government and Navy have strictly sealed from public knowledge to prevent further inquiry.
Yet no one could have imagined that one day, this island, nearly forgotten by the world, would resurface in such a manner.
This was revenge from history.
Revenge from the innocent pregnant women and infants who were unjustly implicated.
However…
The lives of three World Nobles—three Celestial Dragons—could not be accounted for by a mere pirate rookie like Daffy Lons.
If the world were to learn that a pirate with a bounty of only 200 million berries dared to kill the untouchable World Nobles, the World Government's prestige would be utterly shattered.
It might even lead to further upheaval.
Therefore, the deaths of the Rozwad family must be attributed to someone or some entity of sufficient stature.
That someone could not be the plunderer Daffy Lons from Baterilla Island.
Nor could it be the vengeful blood avenger, Aristotle.
The two of them were too insignificant to enact vengeance against the supreme Celestial Dragon family.
Everyone present, all seasoned veterans, had already realized this.
Thus, yesterday, the Black Horse provided that particular response.
Regarding the so-called mastermind, whether true or false, it could only be treated as true.
And among all the significant figures involved in the Rozwad family's assault on the Sabaody Archipelago, only the Dark King Rayleigh had the qualifications to bear this responsibility.
Therefore, the final conclusion was obvious...
The Black Horse coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Everyone, the final conclusion regarding this matter is…"
"Dark King Rayleigh, due to the events that occurred on Baterilla Island in the South Blue, held a grudge against the Rozwad family and orchestrated the attack through the Daffy Lons brothers against the esteemed World Nobles."
"Does anyone here have any objections to this conclusion?"
He looked at everyone present, especially Saint Gringus.
This time, however, Saint Gringus did not refute the Black Horse's conclusion.
In fact, everyone knew that this was perhaps the best conclusion.
As for Saint Gringus's private doubts about whether Rorschach gave his all, they had become trivial matters.
"If there are no objections, I will report this conclusion to the Five Elders as soon as possible," Sengoku said, standing up and pulling out a Den Den Mushi without hesitation.
Saint Gringus nodded faintly and left the room alone.
...
A few days later, the news of the Sabaody Archipelago incident, tightly sealed by the World Government and Navy Headquarters for days, swept across the seas like a hurricane, reaching every corner of the world.
On an unnamed island in the Grand Line, Rayleigh and Shakky watched a group of grateful slaves depart, preparing to set sail for the Calm Belt, where Amazon Lily was located.
Both Rayleigh and Shakky had some ties to Amazon Lily, however minor.
Having nowhere else to go, they decided it might be best to retire in the quiet Calm Belt region.
"Shakky, do you have any change? The News Coo is here; let's buy a newspaper and see what's been reported," Rayleigh said, leaning against the ship's rail and beckoning to the approaching bird.
The News Coo, wearing a hat and carrying a bundle of newspapers, obediently landed on his hand. Rayleigh took a newspaper, placed 50 berries in its pouch, and fed it some jerky.
"Let's see if the Sabaody incident made it into the news."
Rayleigh smiled as he opened the newspaper.
The moment he glanced at it, his smile froze.
The front page showed a photo of him steering the Oro Jackson from its prow.
Two bold headlines were printed in thick black font:
"The Oro Jackson Returns to the Seas! Dark King Rayleigh Attacks the World Nobles!"
"Legend Revived! Dark King Rayleigh's Bounty Set at 3.9 Billion Berries!"
(End of Chapter)
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