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, didn't he settle down in the Sabaody Archipelago to work as a coating mechanic?
Why is he now in Loguetown?
Lin Mo didn't have time to think further before Rayleigh unexpectedly turned around and walked into the weapon shop.
The shopkeeper, Sell-A-Blade, was just about to smile and welcome a new customer, but when he saw Rayleigh's plain clothes and the tattered white hooded cloak draped over his shoulders, his face fell. The man clearly looked like he had no money.
"What's with today? First customers of the day are all broke…" he grumbled. "Hey, old man, you got money to buy something?"
Rayleigh smiled. "Can't I just browse without buying?"
With that, he walked casually toward Lin Mo.
"…," Lin Mo fell silent.
This guy… he's not here because of me, is he?
Forget it. Ignore him.
Lin Mo turned away and continued rummaging through the sword barrels.
Found it!
He drew a modest-looking sword from the barrel — the hilt wrapped with a short white cloth, cross-shaped guard, ray skin and a basic wrap.
It was Sandai Kitetsu.
As he unsheathed it and swung twice casually, a chilling aura seeped from the grip into his body.
Nothing had happened, but Lin Mo could faintly smell the scent of blood.
He could even feel the sword trying to erode his consciousness.
As expected of a cursed blade. Interesting.
Lin Mo smirked slightly and resheathed the blade.
Then, he tossed it back into the barrel.
Rayleigh, noticing the wooden sword hanging from Lin Mo's waist, smiled.
"If I'm not mistaken, the one you just held was Sandai Kitetsu. A cursed blade, sure — but if you can tame it, it's a fine weapon. You're not planning to buy it?"
"I don't have the money," Lin Mo replied flatly.
He had already spent all his money on three bottles of booze back at the tavern.
"Ha ha ha," Rayleigh chuckled. "What a shame. I'm broke too. Otherwise, that sword would make a nice collectible, even if I don't use it."
"Boss," Rayleigh turned to the shopkeeper, "How much for the swords in the barrel?"
Sell-A-Blade swallowed hard and replied reluctantly, "50,000 Berries each… but the one you were looking at earlier — I'm not selling that one!"
"Oh? Not for sale? What a pity," Rayleigh said, feigning disappointment. "If that fine blade really only cost 50,000 Berries, I'd definitely come back for it once I had the cash."
Lin Mo rolled his eyes.
This guy? Save money for a sword he won't even use? The guy who'd sell himself for booze and gambling money?
Yeah, right.
But Sell-A-Blade clearly took Rayleigh's words seriously, turning pale.
"That's a cursed blade! Many people who used Kitetsu died horrible deaths. There's not a single swordsman left who dares wield one. Anyone ignorant enough to use it disappears — it's like they've been cursed. Even if you had the money, I wouldn't sell it. If you died, I'd feel like a murderer!"
"Oh? If that's the case, why keep Sandai Kitetsu in the sales barrel?" Rayleigh asked with a curious look.
Clutching his head, the shopkeeper moaned, "I just wanted to get rid of the cursed thing… but I'm afraid whoever buys it will die young. I can't have that on my conscience. I won't sell it anymore! Even if I have to bury it at the bottom of my chest forever!"
With that, Sell-A-Blade ran to the barrel, quickly fished out Sandai Kitetsu, and hugged it to his chest.
Lin Mo and Rayleigh both looked at him, speechless.
Rayleigh suddenly laughed. "Haha, what a quirky shopkeeper."
Lin Mo silently turned and left the shop.
Rayleigh followed after him.
"Hey, kid, wait up. Do you know who I am?"
Lin Mo shook his head. "Nope."
Rayleigh wasn't buying it. "That look you gave me in the store — you clearly recognized me."
"…," Lin Mo was quiet.
Rayleigh continued, "It's been five years since I last came to Loguetown. Still looks just like it did back then."
Lin Mo kept walking silently.
Rayleigh smiled and said, "You know, someone told me there was a brat just like you. Cold and aloof. Said his name was Lin Mo."
"!"
Lin Mo stopped in his tracks and stared at Rayleigh.
How did he know his name?
Did he meet someone on the way to Loguetown who told him?
Rayleigh, seeing Lin Mo's surprise, smirked and said, "Don't bother guessing. I met Shanks on the way here. He told me about you — said I should keep an eye out. Apparently, you'll surprise me."
Lin Mo was speechless.
On second thought, it wasn't surprising. Shanks used to be a trainee on the Roger Pirates' ship, and Rayleigh was the first mate. Sharing that info wasn't out of character.
"Hey kid," Rayleigh's gaze shifted to the gourd at Lin Mo's waist, "Got any booze left?"
"…," Lin Mo stayed silent.
"Hahaha, don't worry — I'm not trying to rob you. I know a tavern nearby with a generous owner. Want to come and bum a drink or two with me?"
Hmm?
Free booze?
Tempting…
Lin Mo hesitated.
Rayleigh could tell he was wavering and patted him on the back, saying, "Shanks said you could hold your liquor. Let's see which of us drinks better. Hahaha!"
Reluctantly, Lin Mo let himself be led away.
Shortly after they left the alley...
Bartolomeo, the green mohawked boy, appeared at Sell-A-Blade's weapon shop.
"Eh? Aren't you Bartolomeo from the next street over?" the shopkeeper gasped.
Grinning with a club in hand, Bartolomeo growled, "Hand over the sword that kid was just looking at."
"S-Sword? What sword? I don't know what you're talking about…" Sell-A-Blade tried to bluff.
Bartolomeo slammed his club down and smashed the counter. "Last chance. Give me the sword, or I'll trash your whole shop!"
Terrified, Sell-A-Blade ran into the back room. He had planned to bring out a random sword to fool the kid…
But then Bartolomeo yelled from the front, "If you give me a fake, I'll kill you!"
That really scared Sell-A-Blade.
Bartolomeo was the local street tyrant — the kind who caused trouble even the Marines struggled with. Going against him meant certain doom.
Hesitating briefly, the shopkeeper gritted his teeth and brought out Sandai Kitetsu.
He always wanted to get rid of it anyway.
Let the little thug have it — even if it kills him, no one will care.
Bartolomeo grabbed the sword and walked off, still buzzing with excitement.
He couldn't stop thinking about Lin Mo catching that bullet with his bare hand.
The more he thought about it, the more thrilled he became.
He had made up his mind.
He would use this sword as an offering — to convince that amazing kid to let him become his underling!