Raising Legends in Roger’s Shadow

Ritter was skimming the newspaper over lunch when a certain headline caught his eye.

Newgate, huh? You really thought strength was all it took to find your place in the world once you set sail?

"Captain, look at this! Rocks just recruited Newgate, Shiki, and Wang Zhi into his crew!"

The article read:

"Shocking! The King of the World Rocks' pirate crew absorbs infamous pirates Newgate, Shiki, and Wang Zhi, destroying Marine Branch 16 in the process. Are they aiming to rule the seas? For more, check next week's issue! Photo included: Rocks, Shiki, and Newgate."

"Looks like the little lion finally got tamed, huh? Hahaha!" Roger burst out laughing.

Ritter perked up immediately.

No one's spreading rumors yet? Then I guess it's up to me. Shiki's the one getting all the attention from the others Ha, Kizaru, you sly dog. Is this what they call 'response chemistry'? I'm shipping this!

The Roger Pirates had docked at a bustling trade island for some rest and resupply.

The crew scattered in groups some went to procure goods, others headed for taverns to unwind.

Rayleigh sat alone at an outdoor café table, sipping coffee with an air of scholarly leisure.

Just then, a tall woman with long black hair and sharply defined sideburns approached. She wore a wide-brimmed hat and a faint, playful smile curved her lips.

"Well now, drinking coffee alone? Isn't that a bit dull?" she said, pulling out a chair and sitting opposite Rayleigh without so much as a by-your-leave.

Rayleigh raised his eyes, a flicker of surprise in his gaze behind his glasses, but it quickly faded.

"Do we know each other, miss?"

"We do now." She rested her chin in one hand, smile deepening. "Name's Shakky. I deal in information."

Rayleigh raised a brow. "An information broker? So, are you here to sell... or to buy?"

Shakky winked. "Oh, I'm here to trade information." She stretched the word out teasingly, tapping the table lightly with her fingers. "For example, I'm quite interested in the so-called 'Dark King' Rayleigh."

Meanwhile, up on the roof above the café...

If you looked closely, you'd notice one part of the rooftop looked subtly different from the rest. That was thanks to Ritter's high-density fog technique thin, yet incredibly concentrated. Beneath that fog crouched Ritter and Jabba.

With the current thickness, unless Uncle Rayleigh actively swept the area with intent, there was no way he'd notice them.

Ritter nudged Jabba. "Told you there'd be something going on."

Jabba nodded like a bobblehead. "Totally worth tailing him all the way across sixteen islands! We finally caught him!"

Ritter quickly slapped a hand over Jabba's mouth. "Shh! Keep it down or we'll get caught."

Rayleigh cleared his throat, lifting his cup to hide the twitch in his expression. "Oh? And what exactly do you find so interesting about me?"

"Oh, lots of things." Shakky leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Like… you're a pirate, so why the glasses? Trying to look refined?"

Rayleigh nearly choked on his coffee. "…It's just a personal habit."

"Oh~?" Shakky dragged out the sound, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Then how about this rumor has it your captain Roger laughs three times before every fight. True or not?"

Rayleigh sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Are you collecting intelligence, or just here for gossip?"

"Why not both?" Shakky chirped, pulling out a tiny notebook and jotting things down seriously. "Note: Rayleigh reacted with visible frustration when asked about Roger. Possible dissatisfaction with captain maybe even ambition to usurp him...?"

Rayleigh: "…That's not intelligence. That's slander."

From their rooftop perch, Ritter whispered, "Jabba, look! Uncle Rayleigh's blushing!"

Jabba struggled to contain his laughter. "Unreal. Never thought I'd see Rayleigh get flustered. Who is this woman?"

Shakky must have sensed their gaze. She turned toward them and winked.

The two immediately ducked back under the fog.

"Keep your head down!" Ritter hissed, shoving Jabba's face back into the mist. "You trying to get us both killed?"

He'd deliberately kept the fog layer small to avoid attracting attention just enough to cover the two of them. It wasn't far from the ground, so one wrong move and they'd be spotted.

Gotta admit… young Shakky is scarily sharp, Ritter thought.

"Alright, that's enough intel for now." Shakky closed her notebook with a snap, stood up, and looked down at Rayleigh with a smirk. "Next time we meet, I expect you to buy me a drink. Coffee's a bit too tame."

Rayleigh opened his mouth to respond, but she was already gone, leaving only a faint trail of perfume in her wake.

"You two can come out now. How long were you planning to spy on us?"

Ritter and Jabba, shameless as ever, immediately scrambled over.

"Uncle Rayleigh, who was that?" Ritter asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Rayleigh pushed up his glasses, feigning calm. "Just a troublesome woman."

Ritter grinned. "Oh, she's definitely into you~! Scandal alert!"

Rayleigh: "…You been slacking on your training again, haven't you?"

Ritter: "Shutting up now!"

...

A few days later, the Roger Pirates were preparing to set sail.

Ritter was crouched on the deck, checking supplies, when Jabba suddenly yanked him down behind a crate. "Oi, kid, look over there!" he whispered.

Ritter followed his gaze.

At the tavern near the docks, Rayleigh was cornered against a wall… by Shakky.

Why don't I have a camera right now?! This is gold! Someone get a camera, quick!!

Not being able to record this ship-worthy moment… Ritter was suffering.

Shakky had one hand braced on the wall, the other holding a small note. She leaned in, eyes sparkling.

"Rayleigh, darling, I've got some classified intel. Want to hear it?"

Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, trying to stay cool. "…What intel?"

Shakky's lips curved upward. "Word is, you've got a little gossip-loving brat named Ritter on board?"

Rayleigh: "…"

Ritter (hiding behind the crates): "???"

Jabba was shaking with laughter. "Hahaha! You're so busted!"

Ritter gritted his teeth. "How the hell does she know about that?!"

Shakky raised her voice a little, clearly for their benefit. "Especially about certain… romantic rumors."

Rayleigh's brow twitched. "…What are you getting at?"

Shakky leaned in and whispered something into his ear.

Rayleigh's ears instantly turned bright red.

Ritter and Jabba's eyes widened in unison. "OOOOOHHHHHHH!!!"

Shakky stepped back, gave the note a little wave. "If you want the full scoop, you'll have to buy me that drink next time~" Then she turned and strolled off with a flourish.

Rayleigh stood frozen for a moment before he sighed and rubbed his forehead. "…What is that woman after…?"

Ritter and Jabba crept up like overexcited kids. "Uncle Rayleigh! What'd she say? What was it?!"

Rayleigh's face was unreadable. "Training. Double. Today."

Ritter/Jabba: "??? What'd we do?!"

In the distance, Shakky leaned casually against the mouth of an alleyway, watching the chaos unfold aboard the Roger Pirates' ship. She chuckled softly to herself.

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Things are just heating up. Read ahead in Legend's Apprentice and stay ahead of the crowd.

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