Chapter 17: Surprise Reunion.
As the women jumped ships and dissappeared into the cabin, the closed door on the small creaked and slowly opened. Under the gazes of Whitebeard and Shanks an old man came out from there.
Whitebeard and Shanks both raised their eyebrows at this. Feeling intense gazes on him Rayleigh turned and saw them both and was stunned. He jumped ships and came to them with some maneuvering.
"What are you doing here Rayleigh?" Shanks asked him curiously. Rayleigh just coughed and said "I thought you'd know as you were with that women's accompalices. "Shouldn't you be in Sabaody, how did you even meet that women?"
"I didn't meet her she came to Sabaody finding me" he said. "I didn't took her seriously at first and went aboard her ship, but at the shore when she fought with some pirates, I found that I didn't had any chance to back away. So I quietly followed her here."
"Just now she said we'll continue slowly from here on and I can go fool around and meet some of my old friends, that's why I came out to have a look" Rayleigh said gaining strange looks from both Shanks and Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's booming laughter cut through the silence suddenly. "Gurarara! Seems like even the Dark King can't escape trouble today!" He crossed his massive arms, his grin showing his intrigue.
Shanks too chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Guess we're all in for a surprise today, huh?" His eyes glinted with amusement, watching Rayleigh's unusual discomfort.
Rayleigh cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "I'd rather not go into the details, but let's just say… I was a little too curious for my own good."
Whitebeard raised a brow, grinning wider. "Then let's drink for sometime make sure it's worth our while. Shanks, Rayleigh how about a drink? We'll toast to this unexpected reunion!"
Rayleigh chuckled, joining in as they settled in for an unlikely gathering between legends, each wondering what else the day had in store for them.
As they were enjoying their drinks gyeong came out of the cabin and informed everyone "Everyone maintain their ships at a close distance of 1000 meters from each other we are going to reach the first barrier of our territory don't get lost.
Saying this she turned around to navigate her ship forward where sea mist was thicker everyone looked at each other and started acting quickly so they don't get lost in the mist.
Everyone was cautiously moving forward to avoid any troubles. It was silence throughout the way until someone from one of Buggy's ship shouted "Wha..what's that?". Hearing this everyone looked forward and were shocked.
As the mist cleared Giant walls and Giant gate came into view these large structures didn't just looked sturdy but were also soo luxurious that it shocked them. None of them could imagine the wealth wasted to build such structures.
Suddenly the ship gyeong was on stopped before the luxurious giant gate and following that everyone stopped their ships too. Everyone's eyes turned towards gyeong to see what she's upto.
Before everyone's eyes she came to the ship's bow before the large gate and started making some weird hand signs before it, when she stopped the giant gate started lowering.
"Let's go," she said, turning around and their ship started sailing forward. The whole fleet advanced behind them cautiously through the gate, every crew member peering around in awe.
As the gates closed with a loud bang behind them, none of the pirates seemed to notice, all too stunned by the sight before them. Only the real strong ones were aware of everything happening with a calm face.
A massive island lay ahead, divided by three water canals from three different directions that led from three large gates toward the center where a large stucture stood.
a luxurious castle stood at the centre, towering over the land and connected by grand bridges stretching out towards the each of the three directions, linking the separate landmasses with it. Beautiful women filled the island, either enjoying themselves or either engaging in rigorous training.
Rayleigh blinked, his eyebrows raised as he took it all in. For a moment, he wondered if he'd stumbled into Amazon Lily instead; the sheer number of beautiful women could start a war amongst males.
Shanks, equally shocked, muttered, "This place… it's more secure and luxurious than anything I've seen in my life, its like a wealthy kingdom ruled by a benevolent king. They don't have such luxury even in Mary Geoise."
Buggy, meanwhile, was too busy salivating over the possible wealth stored here and if he can lay his hands on it or possibly steal it.
Suddenly, Gyeong's sharp voice snapped them all back to attention. "Don't even think about laying a hand on the women here if you want to leave here alive. Each one of them is our sister and our captain's wives, including us."
This statement directly woke up the pirates having second thoughts about the women here.
Chaeyoon appeared beside Gyeong, handing her a small flat and rectangle device. Gyeong tinkered with it briefly before bringing it to her face, her image and amplified voice booming across the island. "Everyone, begin preparations. The people Captain asked us to bring have arrived."
As her voice echoed across the island, the pirates watched as every woman on the island began transforming, each one taking on different forms most likely the result of devil fruit abilities. They shifted into creatures like lions, tigers, eagles, dragons, and other mythical beasts, rushing toward the central castle with hurried movements.
Marco flew over from side to where Whitebeard, Rayleigh, and Shanks stood, his expression uncertain. "Pops, are you sure we were not lured into Kaido's territory?" he asked with doubt.
The three of Whitebeard, Rayleigh and Shanks exchanged looks, their gazes eventually settling on Gyeong. She noticed their bewildered expressions and smirked, clearly enjoying their reactions. With a sly glint in her eye, she watched them, confident and unphased, leaving the legendary pirates wondering just what kind of power they had walked into.
Gyeong's body melted before them and started forming before them making Rayleigh and Shanks stunned as this was their first time seeing this making her chuckle.
Not embarrassing them further she said "You guys enjoy the banquet that'll be prepared for you later. I'll go and contact our captain to come back quickly"
"Contact! isn't he here?" Whitebeard asked. "No! He parted ways before we reached Marineford saying he's going to capture the mastermind behind the Battle of Marineford" she replied.
"And do you know who that is?" asked shanks raising an eyebrow. "The guy who gave you the scar on your left eye, the killer of Thatch and the processor of the most absurd Logia devil fruit the 'Dark-Dark Fruit'."