Back on the ship, Rouge began organizing their purchases while Rhett sat nearby, curiously fiddling with a baby rattle.
"Hey sis, what's this thing for?"
Rouge chuckled. "For playing with the baby when he's born."
Rhett nodded thoughtfully before suddenly turning serious. "Sis, don't worry—when the kid grows up, I'll teach him the strongest swordsmanship!"
Rouge raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Rhett clenched his fists, fired up. "First, ten thousand sword swings a day! Then we'll challenge the strongest fighters out there, pushing limits in life-or-death battles! That's how I trained—Shanks and Buggy can vouch for it. Works like a charm."
In a way, this was Rhett's own method of repaying Roger.
He'd mastered about seventy to eighty percent of Roger's swordsmanship, though their fighting styles differed. Just because he didn't prefer it didn't mean he couldn't use it.
Rouge: "..."
Silently, she picked up a baby bottle and shoved it into Rhett's hands. "Learn how to mix formula first."
Rhett: "???"
After spending some time in Water 7 with Rouge, Rhett eventually returned.
*"SHOCKING! Navy Captures Pirate King Roger—Execution Scheduled in Loguetown in One Month. Justice Prevails!"*
Now, Rhett sat in a small boat near Marineford, scanning the newspaper in his hands.
He knew the Navy wouldn't miss this chance to flex their authority. Ever since the news broke about Roger's capture, he'd been lurking around Marineford, waiting.
That's right—he was waiting for Shiki.
The Navy thought they could trample on his captain's name and flaunt their power? Not a chance in hell.
Today, if he didn't make Marineford pay, he wouldn't be able to sleep. It was like the Navy stomping on your brother's face and bragging about how strong they were. If Rhett took that lying down, he might as well become a damn ninja turtle.
But even with Yonko-level strength, he couldn't solo Marineford and walk away unscathed.
If Marineford could actually be taken down by one man, they might as well pack up and go home. He needed Shiki to draw some of their firepower.
He knew Shiki would come. He trusted in his captain's charisma.
And sure enough—he'd waited him out.
*"Shiki, you bastard, you finally showed up!"*
Shiki descended upon Marineford like a storm, his floating island casting a shadow over the fortress. Alarms blared across the base as Kong and Garp exchanged glances before charging into battle.
Shiki bellowed at Marineford: "I don't believe for a second you caught Roger fair and square! He was my rival!"
Kong roared back, "Shiki, this isn't the place for your tantrums!"
Garp cracked his knuckles. "Since you're here, you might as well stay."
Just as the clash was about to erupt—
Rhett stood atop a nearby rooftop, Black Blade in hand, coldly observing the chaos below.
He made no effort to hide. Shiki spotted him immediately.
With a booming laugh, Shiki called out, "Hahaha! I knew you wouldn't take this lying down! Come on, let's wreck this place together!"
Rhett hoisted Black Blade onto his shoulder. "Just keep those three busy. Don't die too fast—leave the rest to me."
Then, with a sweeping gesture, he pointed his blade at Sengoku and the young Admiral candidates, exuding an overwhelming conqueror's aura.
"Hey, you three—" Rhett grinned, teeth flashing. "Feel like playing with me?"
This was Rhett's first time meeting Borsalino and Sakazuki.
Sakazuki scowled. "Roger's lackey. Stay out of this."
Borsalino tilted his head lazily. "Ooooh~ Scary. You really think you can take on three future Admirals alone?"
Kuzan, however, remained dead serious. He knew firsthand how terrifying Rhett was. "Step aside. We don't have time for games."
Rhett scoffed. "Kids? I'm older than you."
Before the words fully left his mouth, he vanished—reappearing instantly in front of Sakazuki.
*"Mist God Style: Oni Giri!"*
The blade flashed like mist, razor-sharp! Sakazuki's eyes narrowed as he instinctively turned to magma, but the slash still grazed his shoulder, sending molten blood flying.
"Fast. But—" Sakazuki's gaze turned icy as his right fist erupted, "*Great Eruption!*"
Rhett: ??? What's with these guys opening with their ultimates?
The searing magma fist crashed down, but Rhett had already predicted it. Using Observation Haki, he dodged effortlessly and countered—
*"Mist God Style: Phantom Strike!"*
Jet-black Haki coiled around his blade, aiming straight for Sakazuki's throat!
*"Bang!"* Kuzan's ice wall shot up, blocking the strike—but Rhett's slash tore through it like paper!
Borsalino's fingertips gleamed with golden light. *"Yasakani no Magatama!"*
A barrage of light bullets rained down, yet Rhett weaved through them like a ghost, not a single one touching him!
After trading blows, Rhett decided it was time to clear the field. His crimson Conqueror's Haki surged outward, knocking out weaker Marines in waves.
The four combatants paused to witness the spectacle. Kong, Sengoku, and Garp countered with their own Conqueror's Haki to mitigate the effects. (Note: These higher-ups should logically possess Conqueror's Haki, even if not shown in canon. Think Luffy vs. Bartolomeo.)
Shiki laughed wildly. "Now that's what I call presence! Rare even in the New World. Watch this!"
Another wave of black-red Conqueror's Haki crashed over Marineford.
Unconscious Marines flipped him off mid-collapse: "We're already down, you bastard!"
Everyone knew—the real fight was just beginning.