I'm the one being hunted?
In this world where the average IQ was two hundred and fifty, Rainer figured his own was maybe one twenty-five. Not a genius by any means, but not a fool either.
If he thought back on anyone he'd crossed who might hold a grudge, there were only two real candidates: Smoker, whom he'd tricked once, and Joker's little lieutenant.
He quickly ruled out Smoker. Which left… well, the answer was obvious.
Seriously? He actually tracked me down? What a joke.
"I'm done. Take what's left."
"Really, sir?"
Rainer smirked, sliding the remaining two hundred thousand Berries toward the bunnies. As they squealed with delight, he gave each a playful squeeze on the rear, drawing soft gasps from them.
Loosening his collar, he stood and walked away from the table.
"Looks like tonight's fun ends here."
Zoro grabbed his three swords and rose with interest. He glanced at Sanji, still drowning in women.
Forget it. Not worth mentioning.
Outside the casino's second floor, in the stairwell, Rainer checked that no one was around before summoning the Necromancer.
Among his undead, this one was special—powerful, humanlike in appearance, and yet unseen by outsiders. Perfect for testing the waters.
"What's wrong?" Zoro asked, following him out. He'd noticed the man Rainer had locked eyes with earlier—the same guard captain from the docks.
"Not sure yet. Probably fallout from Loguetown," Rainer replied evenly.
"Loguetown… ah, that incident."
Zoro scratched his chin, then rested a hand on his sword. "The others are still inside. Need help?"
"Nah. I'll let the undead handle it." Rainer grinned.
This Necromancer had fused Ace's and Crocodile's templates. In terms of raw physique, she wasn't as strong as Blue Oni or Red Oni—but her ability more than compensated. In a one-on-one, she could surpass them.
If even this failed, then they might as well pack up and sail back to the East Blue.
"Fair enough. No fun left for me. Come back quickly, we'll drink." Zoro stuffed one hand in his pocket and sauntered off.
He knew Rainer's strength. He also knew Rainer's personality. If the man said it was handled, then it was handled.
The Feiwen Tavern stood at the end of one of the kingdom's busiest streets.
Even deep into the night, the royal capital pulsed with neon and life, the streets packed with wandering tourists.
Parting ways with Zoro, Rainer stepped outside, soaking in the lively chaos. For a moment, he felt transported back to another world. The chatter of strangers didn't irritate him—it exhilarated him.
The sea… I belong out there. This world's true wonder has only just begun.
But there was no time for reflection. Amid the crowd, he spotted the long-haired man again. The man moved unhurriedly, deliberately, as if beckoning him to follow.
Rainer trailed after, the Necromancer at his side, letting her shadow him instead of taking point.
The man clearly didn't intend to fight in a crowded street. Rainer agreed.
On the way, he even stopped to buy a pack of smokes.
Gaode Island was shaped like a barbell—two peninsulas joined by a thin strip of land.
The western side housed the bustling Hollard Kingdom, one of the most prosperous cities of the Grand Line, famed as a vacation paradise.
The east, though also under Hollard rule, was nothing but farmland stretching endlessly to the horizon. Mostly peasants lived there, scattered across the fields in wooden cottages.
The contrast reminded Rainer of the Goa Kingdom, his birthplace. A nation praised as the East Blue's most beautiful, yet rotten with class division—from palace to high town, to the edge of Gray Terminal.
In such a place, someone like Sabo—born a noble but uncorrupted by its rot—was truly rare.
Compared to Goa, though, Hollard was far healthier. The eastern farmlands weren't oppressed slums—they were simply where the soil and climate best fit crops. Farmers had moved there voluntarily for convenience.
That was the story Rainer had gathered, anyway.
At the reed fields of the east peninsula, the long-haired man—Sandy—finally stopped.
"Come on out. Following me this far must have been exhausting."
He stood tall in a white shirt and pants, one hand on his sword hilt, head tilted back to the moonlight with a faint smile.
"This place… one of the kingdom's scenic spots. At sunset, the light falls across the endless fields, and the autumn wind stirs golden waves of grain.
"I like it here. The wind clears my head. Brings me peace. And so…" His eyes hardened. "…I've buried many corpses here."
He lowered his gaze, sharp as a blade. "Tonight, you'll join them."
Rustle—
From the reeds stepped a petite girl, silver hair tied in twin tails, a doll-like face expressionless, eyes hollow and cold.
"A little girl? Where's the blond man?"
Sandy frowned, then realization dawned. His lips curved faintly.
"No need to hide. Your identity is already exposed. The incident at Loguetown… that was you, wasn't it? And if you followed me here, you must know who I am."
"Ah, here I am."
Rustle—
Rainer pushed through the reeds, cigarette glowing. Since he'd been found out, there was no point in hiding anymore. Better to deal with this here and now.
"You're a sly one," Sandy said evenly, unsheathing his massive sword. "But not cowardly, I'll give you that."
Clang—!
Rainer chuckled. "If I were a coward, I'd never have set sail. Never would've helped Luffy bury Crocodile. I even built the coffin myself before Luffy went to kick his ass.
"Slyness and cowardice aren't the same thing."
He exhaled smoke. "But tell me—how'd you suspect me? Not just the casino."
Sandy's eyes narrowed. "Weapons."
Just one word. Enough.
"…Seriously?"
Rainer raked his blond hair, dumbfounded. So that's what gave him away.
Who would think someone would raid their stash and immediately sell the weapons on the spot? He'd thought it clever—hiding in plain sight. Instead, he'd just exposed himself.
First Crocodile, now this long-haired bastard. And he'd only just entered the Grand Line.
"…Tch. Whatever."
He sighed, walked to the side, and sat cross-legged on the grass.
"You're underestimating me?" Sandy scowled. Even against two opponents, Rainer didn't plan to fight?
But Rainer stayed calm. He wasn't careless. The Necromancer had already read Sandy's strength with Observation Haki. Rainer had every reason to be confident.
The girl raised her staff. A small flame flickered to life—then erupted into a roaring column of fire.
"So fast!" Sandy's heart lurched. A Devil Fruit user?
He twisted his foot, springing aside. The flames grazed him, charring his clothes and singeing his hair.
But there was no time to worry about that—the fire's speed and power were monstrous. Almost like… that rising monster in the New World.
Rainer's lips curled. He'd never considered Ace weak. The Fire Fist's mastery over his fruit was undeniable. Which was why the Necromancer had instinctively drawn from his template first.
Beautiful.
With each swing of her staff, blazing firebirds burst forth, wings spread, hunting Sandy relentlessly.
He slashed and dodged, but the birds only reformed, chasing again. And more kept spawning.
Sandy grimaced. He knew this was a losing game. The real target wasn't the fire—it was the caster.
He leapt forward, blade flashing. "Sword Gale Slash!"
A wave of force tore through the flaming birds, clearing a path straight toward the Necromancer.
"A flying slash?" Rainer raised a brow. His first time seeing one in person.
But just as Sandy closed in, the Necromancer's staff flared. Firelight surged skyward, exploding into a towering wave of flame.
Majestic Blaze Annihilation!
Rainer grinned. He had plenty of techniques in his memory—Fire Release, Earth Release, Lightning Release. The key was matching the right user.With Ace's fire and Crocodile's sand, the templates gave him all the tools he needed.