CHAPTER 22

c22: The Period of March

"Sentence day?"

"Three months later?"

"This time span is a bit too long, isn't it? Aren't the Navy and the World Government worried about something going wrong?"

Although this news made Carl very pleased three full months until the execution left him genuinely concerned!

With such a wide gap between the announcement and the act itself any number of incidents could derail the final showdown and make a mockery of this so-called "Day of Judgment!"

And more importantly three months is more than enough time for Whitebeard to organize a rescue operation and potentially succeed in saving Ace!

"Hmph! Kid don't underestimate the Navy, and definitely don't underestimate Whitebeard!

The Navy's preparations will be airtight expect them to reinforce their defenses, reassign fleets, and even transfer Ace between locations just to prevent interference. You've only been part of the Navy for less than a month so it's not surprising that you still know less than an old pirate like me."

As he said this Rayleigh took a slow swig of sake, his tone cold and assured, steeped in years of experience on both land and sea.

"That man Edward Newgate—is still called the 'Strongest Man in the World' for a reason! You think someone like him can't breach a fortress? Or break someone out of prison?"

"That may be true but how come you knew about this news before I did? I mean you're not even in the Navy."

Carl furrowed his brow, suspicion flickering across his face as he looked at Rayleigh, who casually pulled out a rumpled newspaper from beneath where he'd been sitting.

"The Navy announced it this morning meanwhile, you've been glued to this seat in Shakuyaku's bar all day, and without a Den Den Mushi, how would anyone notify you if there were an update?"

Rayleigh gave Carl a sly smirk and shook the newspaper in front of him for emphasis.

Despite being mocked, Carl didn't take offense he simply nodded and took the paper, flipping it open and reading the Naval Bulletin for himself.

The article matched everything Rayleigh had just said public execution of Portgas D. Ace, adopted son of Whitebeard and biological son of the Pirate King, scheduled at Marineford in three months' time.

Carl glanced back at Rayleigh with narrowed eyes.

The old man was still guzzling sake like seawater his movements sluggish but his demeanor sharper than most sober men.

Carl kept watching him in silence until his own eyes began to sting from not blinking.

Finally he asked the question that had been clawing at the back of his mind.

"By the way... you old-timers aren't planning to break into Marineford and rescue him, are you? That's Roger's son we're talking about."

"Heh do you seriously expect me to discuss prison-breaking plans right in front of a Navy officer? What do you take me for a fool?"

Rayleigh scoffed and shot Carl a sideways glare filled with both annoyance and caution.

Carl immediately realized his mistake.

Rayleigh may not be a pirate anymore but even if he were planning something like that he'd never admit it aloud in front of someone wearing a Marine uniform.

Saying anything would be beyond reckless it would be idiotic.

"Well, I've had enough for today I should head back. Rayleigh, if you're planning to make a move on me, you'd better do it soon.

Because I don't know when I'll be transferred so if you wait too long, you might just lose your chance."

"See you tomorrow! Hahahaha!"

With a booming laugh, Carl strode out of the bar, his voice echoing through the narrow alleyways as he disappeared into the distance.

As his footsteps faded Rayleigh's smile dropped.

The humor on his face dissolved into a brooding stillness then shifted toward cold fury.

A sharp glint almost like a blade flashed in his eyes.

A quiet, deadly killing intent stirred from deep within.

"Rayleigh I understand how you feel. But now's not the time to strike. Making enemies with the Navy right now won't help anyone."

Shakuyaku's voice was calm but firm. She placed a fresh ashtray on the counter as she leaned against it, watching him carefully.

"I know that... I just haven't reached out to the other old-timers yet. If we can't coordinate something solid the prison break plan might have to be shelved entirely."

The Navy will definitely move Ace to other places the previous plan must be overturned and redone perhaps the war in three months will be our chance!"

Rayleigh's eyes flashed with a sharp glint of resolve, then he calmly downed the remaining wine in his cup.

Shakuyaku rubbed her chin thoughtfully and asked, "Luffy the Straw Hat is Garp's grandson and Ace is also Garp's grandson maybe Luffy can provide us with some useful information.

Should we tell Garp the truth about what's going on?"

"Tell him? For what? You think he'll kill Karl over this?

Don't forget only Ace is scheduled for execution. And while Garp deeply loves him, they don't share blood unless..."

As the thought hit them, Rayleigh and Shakuyaku exchanged serious glances and then blurted out together:

"Unless Luffy and Ace are executed at the same time!"

"Hahahaha! That's right that's exactly it! Only if both of his grandsons are placed on the chopping block together will that old warhorse Garp be forced to act!

And don't forget Straw Hat Luffy is also the son of Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army he's far from harmless!

Dragon isn't called the world's most dangerous criminal for nothing!"

At this point in the timelinenLuffy had not yet encountered Rayleigh at the Sabaody Archipelago and Rayleigh was unaware of the full story behind Luffy's straw hat he only knew of the boy's rising reputation as "Straw Hat Luffy."

Rayleigh, hardened by years of battle, would not hesitate to risk Luffy's life if it meant saving Ace's.

Especially since both boys were tied to Garp.

If both of Garp's grandsons were condemned simultaneously there's no way that man would sit back quietly.

"Then what do you plan to do next? Luffy's crimes and bounty aren't high enough to justify a public execution."

Shakuyaku's voice was filled with skepticism but also curiosity.

Rayleigh shook his head and pulled out a handful of wanted posters some old, some freshly issued.

"The Straw Hat Pirates haven't disbanded yet they're still sailing and making headlines. Maybe we can use them to set something big in motion..."

...

"Report Captain Carl requesting to return to the unit!"

Just as Rayleigh was plotting how to use Luffy and force Garp's hand Carl had returned to the Marine branch base.

At that moment, he was carrying someone over his shoulder a burly pirate nearly twice his size.

The unit stationed at the base was already assembled Carl didn't yet know what the gathering was for.

"Leave the pirate to me they're doing a routine patrol you can just go back and rest."

To avoid a diplomatic incident between Carl and the Celestial Dragons, Pizza had made it a priority to keep him away from patrol routes.

These patrol routes typically passed through Sabaody's wealthy districts the very areas the Celestial Dragons frequented.

And based on Pizza's understanding of Carl's temperament if Carl saw a Celestial Dragon he would provoke them.

So Pizza gave Carl no field assignments at all.

Even so despite spending most of his time in bars Carl still brought in one or two wanted pirates every single day, each with bounties of over 50 million.

Today was no exception.

On his way back Carl had encountered a pirate too arrogant to recognize him and he had dragged him back effortlessly.

"Same thing again I want to go on patrol but they won't let me I do nothing every day my body is starting to rust..."

"I think the only thing rusting is your brain you just want to pick fights!"

Pizza's mouth twitched as he took the unconscious pirate off Carl's shoulder.

"This one's Beard Kenzo a human trafficker with a 110 million bounty he's been on our radar for months!"

"That's right this guy's entire business was selling children and women from the poorer islands—his crimes alone are worse than anything I've brought in this week."

Pizza was impressed and he didn't hide it.

But Carl didn't care.

This had become routine Pizza said the same lines of praise every time and Carl was getting tired of the repetition.

"Since there's nothing urgent for me I'll head back you guys continue whatever this is."

Carl walked off without much enthusiasm and returned to his room sliding the door shut behind him.

Pizza watched the door for a long moment then exhaled heavily and his relaxed expression turned serious.

"Carl—it's not that I don't want to let you out there but your personality isn't suited for dealing with the Celestial Dragons.

For the good of the Navy and for your own safety it's best you stay here until the Marshal gives your next official orders..."

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