Silvers Rayleigh, nicknamed the Dark King, was the former first mate of the Roger Pirates, known as the "right hand of the Pirate King."
After the crew disbanded, hadn't he settled in the Sabaody Archipelago to work as a coating craftsman?
So why was he in Loguetown now?
Lucas Moore didn't have time to think further before Rayleigh unexpectedly turned back and entered the weapons shop.
The shopkeeper, Bladehawk, had just spotted a potential customer and was about to greet him with enthusiasm.
But when he saw Rayleigh's simple, travel-worn attire, his white hooded cloak riddled with holes, his expression quickly fell. The man looked completely broke.
Bladehawk scowled. "What's going on today? First customers, and they're all dead broke. Hey, old man, can you even afford anything here?"
Rayleigh smiled calmly. "Is window-shopping not allowed for the poor?"
Without waiting for a reply, he walked straight toward Lucas with a quiet smile.
Lucas stayed silent.
Was this guy here for him?
Forget it. Just ignore him.
Lucas turned his back and resumed rummaging through the barrel of swords.
Found it.
He pulled out a sword with a plain design: a small white cloth wrapped around the hilt, a cross-shaped guard, and simple sharkskin and cord binding. It wasn't flashy, but it had a sharp presence.
When Lucas drew the blade, Bladehawk, who had just been grumbling about his bad luck, immediately tensed up.
Even Rayleigh, who had just stepped beside Lucas, raised his eyebrows. "Is that... the Sandai Kitetsu?"
Lucas silently drew the sword and gave it a couple of casual swings.
An eerie chill crept from the hilt into his hand, winding through his body.
Nothing had happened, yet Lucas could swear he smelled a faint trace of blood.
It felt like the blade was trying to invade his mind.
A cursed sword indeed.
Very interesting.
Lucas smirked faintly, then sheathed the sword and dropped it back into the barrel.
Seeing this, Rayleigh glanced at the wooden sword hanging from Lucas's waist and chuckled.
"If I'm not mistaken, that was the Sandai Kitetsu. It may be a cursed blade, but if you can tame it, it's actually quite a fine weapon. You're not planning to buy it?"
"I'm broke," Lucas answered flatly.
He had already spent all his money on three bottles of wine at the tavern earlier.
Rayleigh burst into hearty laughter. "What a shame. I'm broke too. If I had the money, I'd at least buy it for my collection, even if I never used it."
"Hey, shopkeeper," he turned to Bladehawk, "how much for the swords in the barrel?"
Bladehawk gulped nervously, his face pale. "Fifty thousand Berries each… but that particular one you looked at? Not for sale!"
"Huh? That's too bad," Rayleigh said with mock regret. "If a sword like that only cost fifty thousand Berries, I'd definitely come back and buy it once I've got the cash."
Lucas gave him a sidelong glance.
This guy? He'd probably sell himself for a drink, and if he got any money, it'd go straight to booze or gambling. No way he'd save up to buy a sword he didn't even plan to use.
Obviously nonsense.
Bladehawk, however, seemed deeply shaken by Rayleigh's comment.
"That's a cursed sword!" he burst out. "People who wield a Kitetsu almost always die horribly. No swordsman uses them anymore. Anyone who does ends up disappearing like they were cursed. Even if you had money, I wouldn't sell it. If you die, it's like I killed you myself!"
"Oh?" Rayleigh asked curiously. "Then why is the Sandai Kitetsu still sitting in your sale barrel?"
Bladehawk clutched at his hair. "I want to get rid of it, but… I'm scared someone might actually buy it and end up cursed. I can't live with the guilt. No. I can't let this blade harm anyone. I won't sell it. Even if it sits in my shop forever, I'll never sell it again!"
As he spoke, he rushed to the barrel and frantically pulled the Sandai Kitetsu out, hugging it tightly.
Lucas and Rayleigh both stared at him, speechless.
Rayleigh suddenly laughed. "What an amusing shopkeeper."
Lucas quietly left the store.
Rayleigh didn't linger either and followed him out.
"Hey, kid, wait up. You know who I am, don't you?"
Lucas shook his head. "No idea."
Rayleigh didn't buy it. "The way you looked at me in the shop… you clearly recognized me."
Lucas said nothing.
Rayleigh continued casually. "I haven't been to Loguetown in five years. Brings back memories. This place hasn't changed much."
Lucas kept walking, refusing to take the bait.
Unbothered, Rayleigh went on, "The way you ignore people reminds me of what a certain someone told me about a brat. Your name's Lucas Moore, right?"
Lucas froze.
He turned and looked directly at Rayleigh.
How the hell did he know his name?
Did someone tell him on his way to Loguetown?
Rayleigh saw the surprise on Lucas's face and grinned. "No need to guess. I ran into Shanks on the way here. He told me to keep an eye out for you. Said you'd surprise me."
Lucas sighed inwardly.
Of course. It made sense. Shanks used to be a trainee on the Roger Pirates' ship, and Rayleigh was the first mate. Naturally he'd bring him up.
"Kid," Rayleigh said, eyeing the gourd of wine at Lucas's waist, "got any booze left?"
Lucas remained silent.
"Hahaha, relax. I'm not trying to steal it. I know a tavern nearby. How about we go score some drinks together?"
Hm?
Free booze?
That didn't sound too bad.
Lucas hesitated.
Rayleigh immediately noticed. "Heh, I can see you're tempted already."
He clapped Lucas on the back and started walking. "Shanks told me you can hold your liquor. Well, let's see whose drinking game is stronger!"
Lucas was dragged along, more or less willingly.
Shortly after they left the alley…
A green-haired, rooster-headed boy appeared in the weapons shop.
"Hey! You're Bartolomeo from the next street over!" Bladehawk nearly jumped out of his skin.
Bartolomeo grinned slyly, swinging a spiked club. "Hand over the sword that kid picked up earlier."
"Sword? What sword? I have no idea what you're talking about…" Bladehawk tried to play dumb.
Bartolomeo smashed the front counter with a single swing, his tone cold. "This is your last chance. Hand it over, or I'll trash your whole store."
"A-Alright! Alright! I'll get it!" Bladehawk stammered and ran to the back. He considered giving the boy a random sword to get rid of him.
But Bartolomeo shouted from outside, "Try handing me a fake, and I'll cut you down!"
That sent a chill through Bladehawk's spine.
Everyone in the neighborhood knew Bartolomeo as the local menace. He'd done all sorts of crazy things, and even the Marines had trouble with him.
If he didn't go along with him, it could really cost his life.
After a moment of hesitation, Bladehawk gritted his teeth and brought out the real Sandai Kitetsu.
He'd always wanted to get rid of it anyway. Better to let the brat have it.
If Bartolomeo died, well… no one would miss him.
Bartolomeo left the shop clutching the sword, excitement buzzing in his veins.
As he walked down the alley, the image of Lucas catching a bullet with his bare hand replayed in his mind.
The more he thought about it, the more thrilled he became.
He'd made up his mind.
He'd use this sword as a gift.
And make that badass kid his boss.