The Oro Jackson sailed across the vast sea, with Oden engrossed in deciphering the Poneglyph's rubbings. Suddenly, he jerked his head up, excitement blazing in his eyes.
"Found it! The Poneglyph is—"
He unfurled an ancient sea chart and pointed to a specific area.
"Here!"
Roger leaned in, his brow arching. "Huh? Isn't this the territory Charlotte Linlin recently claimed?"
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, his tone calm but tinged with seriousness. "If the intel's correct… yes, this is now Big Mom's turf."
The deck fell silent for a moment.
"Charlotte Linlin?!" Gaban whistled. "That crazy woman's no pushover."
Shanks and Buggy exchanged glances, whispering, "Who's 'Big Mom'?"
Rhett lounged lazily against the ship's railing, crimson mist swirling around his fingers. "A monster with a sweet tooth. Her abilities are… troublesome."
Gaban perked up, addressing the trio. "That was before you joined the crew. Back then, your Rhett brother was unstoppable. When Charlotte Linlin, still a subordinate of Rocks, came to recruit us, did Rhett back down? Hell no! He charged in with his sword, delivering blows that shook heaven and earth."
Shanks and Buggy's eyes sparkled. "So cool!"
"But after all that fighting, he didn't even scratch her. I mean, even dead skin should've peeled off by then! In the end, I had to step in, descending like a god to save Rhett from the flames."
Rhett hurled a water cup at Gaban. "Shut up, you bastard. You didn't break her defense either. What are you barking about?"
Gaban swayed like seaweed. "Ooh, someone's getting defensive."
"Enough, Gaban. Let's duel." Rhett grabbed Black Tide and lunged.
Once the commotion settled, the Roger Pirates gathered on deck to strategize.
Rayleigh, ever reliable, spoke first. "Charlotte Linlin's territory is heavily guarded, but if we sneak in, find the Poneglyph, make a rubbing, and leave quickly, we can avoid unnecessary trouble."
Gaban was skeptical. "The problem is, she's a powerhouse herself, and her Observation Haki is no joke. If we're caught, we'll be swarmed by Totto Land's pirates."
Rhett drawled, "And her Homies are everywhere. Slipping in unnoticed… tough."
Spencer chimed in after some thought. "We have some rare navigational charts and treasures. Maybe we can strike a deal?"
Roger shook his head, laughing. "Kuhahaha! We just tangled with her at God Valley. That madwoman won't hand it over easily."
Oden raised his hand. "Then we take it by force! A samurai's code knows no cowardice."
Roger's eyes gleamed with excitement. Thanks to Rhett's intervention, Roger hadn't fallen ill, and his strength remained at its peak. Fearless as ever.
"We charge in, grab it, and run! Sounds thrilling, doesn't it?"
Rayleigh sighed. "Captain, her forces are expanding. She has plenty of strong fighters. A direct assault is too risky."
Rhett listened to Rayleigh's explanation, watching Roger's reaction.
So that's how they stole it in the original timeline. By the time Roger faced Big Mom, he was already ill, his strength waning. But with Rhett's intervention, Roger remained healthy, and Big Mom's story seemed to be accelerating. Still, Rhett felt it unnecessary.
With Roger, Rayleigh, Gaban, and later Oden, taking on an undeveloped Totto Land should be a breeze. It's like God Valley—if Charlotte Linlin couldn't stop any one of them, it would be a massacre. Her eldest sons wouldn't stand a chance.
Rhett casually suggested, "I think we can just overpower them and take our time making the rubbing."
Gaban grinned. "Besides, when has the Roger Pirates ever shied away from a fight?"
Roger slapped his knee, laughing. "Kuhahaha! It's settled! We charge in, grab the Poneglyph, and run!"
In this cheerful atmosphere, they decided: Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban would engage Charlotte Linlin and her top officers head-on. Oden would seize the chaos to locate and copy the Poneglyph.
Rhett? He'd use his blood mist to control the battlefield on a massive scale. Shanks, Buggy, and the rest would stay on the ship to prevent any pirates from boarding. Numbers meant nothing to Rhett—those who couldn't even breach his mist had no place on the battlefield.
Rayleigh made the final confirmation. "Remember, our goal is the Poneglyph, not a death match. Grab it and retreat immediately!"
"This'll piss off Charlotte Linlin," Rhett muttered, still frustrated about not breaking her defense.
Roger laughed heartily. "Understood! Prepare for battle, everyone!"
The crew roared in unison. "Ohhh!!!"
Sailing toward Whole Cake Island, the Oro Jackson cut through the waves.
Shanks and Buggy leaned over the bow, both nervous and excited.
Buggy swallowed hard. "Hey, Shanks, do you think we can win this time? I heard Charlotte Linlin's a big shot like our captain."
Shanks shrugged, leaning back casually. "Of course! With the captain, Rhett, Rayleigh, and Gaban, how can we lose?"
Rhett stood at the stern, crimson mist slowly spreading, his gaze sharp.
"Charlotte Linlin… let's see if your 'Whole Cake Island' can withstand my mist. Damn it, why can't I break her defense? So annoying."
The Oro Jackson tore through the sea fog, its figurehead slicing through the calm waters. Up in the crow's nest, Shanks excitedly waved his straw hat. "I see the island!"
"Full speed ahead!" Roger stood at the bow, his red coat billowing. "Let the Charlotte kids see what real pirates are made of!"
"Enemy attack—!" The watchtower on Whole Cake Island's coastline sounded the alarm, the sentry's voice trembling. "It's the Roger Pirates! All hands, prepare for battle!"
The alarm bells rang across the island. Charlotte Linlin, napping, was jolted awake, sweet cream dripping from the corner of her mouth. "Mama Mama~? Roger, that lunatic?"
"Stick to the plan!" Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, leaping into the air with Moon Step.
Rhett was the last to disembark, dragging Black Tide across the sand, leaving deep gouges. "Oden, the Poneglyph's on you."
"Leave it to me!" Oden drew his twin swords, Ame no Habakiri gleaming in the sunlight.
"Mist Realm: Blood Prison!" Rhett formed hand seals, crimson mist flooding the beach like a tide. The gathered mochi soldiers screamed:
"My eyes! They burn!"
"I can't… breathe!"
"It's poison mist! Retreat!"
Using Conqueror's Haki could achieve the same effect, but it's a one-time burst. Rhett's mist lingered.
The younger crew members watched with starry eyes. Rhett adjusted his clothes with a flourish. Just another day.