"Uncle Rayleigh, you want us to fight that Byrnndi World guy?" Luffy's eyes brightened with rare enthusiasm.
"Yes," Rayleigh said directly. "The truth is, I'm retired, so it's inconvenient for me to get involved in the seas' current troubles. If I did, the Marines would start focusing on me again. Besides, I need to coat your ship, so I don't have time to go. So, would you please help Hancock?".
Before Luffy could answer, Sanji, the romantic, nodded without hesitation. "Since the beautiful Ms. Hancock is in trouble, it is my duty as a gentleman to help. Damn Byrnndi World, just watch me, Black Leg Sanji, fry him with lightning!".
Rayleigh simply smiled, keeping his focus on Luffy.
Luffy adjusted his straw hat and flashed his wide, white teeth. "That Byrnndi World is a bad guy, right? If that's the case, then let's go beat him up! Hancock is a good person. Since she's having trouble, as a friend, we should definitely help out."
Friend? Boa Hancock was taken aback.
Luffy smiled and explained, "We've heard two moving stories together, and we cried and laughed together, so we're already friends, aren't we?".
Looking at his pure smile, Boa Hancock's heart pounded, and her face flushed bright red.
"Yes, we're friends! Luffy, please help me!" she said.
"Haha! Of course! Just wait, I'll blow Byrnndi World away!".
The two happily reached an agreement. The whole thing happened so smoothly that Rayleigh was slightly surprised. He had planned to use certain conditions to lure the Straw Hats, but he hadn't expected Luffy to make an agreement with Hancock directly based on friendship. Furthermore, Luffy's mannerisms constantly reminded Rayleigh of Roger.
Luffy then looked at Carl. "Mr. Carl, is this okay?".
Carl spread his hands. "As the captain, you should make your own decisions; you don't need to ask for anyone else's opinion. But that Byrnndi World is still quite a threat. The Thousand Sunny needs to stay here for the coating process, so Luffy, you should just take a few people to go with the Pirate Empress to deal with Byrnndi World. Although this isn't the movie version, Byrnndi World's strength is still considerable."
Carl estimated that Sanji alone might be enough, but since this was an agreement between Luffy and Boa Hancock, Luffy would naturally go himself and would take a few extra people just in case.
Luffy said without hesitation, "Then let's arrange it that way! Whoever wants to fight Byrnndi World can come with me!".
"Oh!!!", his crewmates shouted, their spirits soaring.
The grouping was quickly finalized: Luffy would take Sanji, Usopp, Jango, and Little 3 to support Boa Hancock. The rest of the crew would stay on the Sabaody Archipelago to guard the ship. Zoro had originally been eager to go, but Carl turned and mentioned something to Rayleigh that immediately piqued Zoro's interest more.
"Carl, you want me to guide your swordsmanship?" Rayleigh couldn't help but be surprised.
"Yes, Uncle Rayleigh," Carl said as if it were obvious. "I know you are a senior expert in swordsmanship. Since I've met you, I naturally have to ask for advice."
"But you are already a great swordsman. I have nothing to teach you."
"Of course, I want to learn Roger's Evasion!".
Rayleigh looked at Carl speechless. He felt Carl was incredibly cheeky, casually asking to learn Roger's famous swordsmanship. Zoro, Law, Brook, and Tashigi all approached quickly after hearing this. They were also interested in Roger's swordsmanship and were all excited. It seemed they wanted to participate as well.
Rayleigh sighed suddenly. "Well, for the sake of the Straw Hats helping Hancock, I will demonstrate my swordsmanship. But I can only give you a glimpse of Roger's Evasion, and I can only speak about my own understanding. It's hard to say whether it will be helpful to you".
Carl waved his hand. "Teacher Rayleigh, you can teach; our aptitude is not bad, and we will definitely be able to understand something, as long as you don't keep any secrets, Teacher."
He switched from "Uncle" to "Teacher" in an instant. This guy changed his form of address remarkably fast! Rayleigh's mouth twitched. He felt like Carl was trying to corner him. Ever since they met, he hadn't been able to take the initiative; he was constantly being controlled by Carl.
Luffy and his group left with Boa Hancock.
Rayleigh first went to the shore to check on the Thousand Sunny, then invited several coating craftsmen to help coat the ship together. Franky was very interested in the coating process, so he studied closely on the sidelines, fulfilling his duties as a shipwright. As for Nami, Robin, Marie, and Chopper, they stayed in the bar chatting with Shakky. Law sent Bepo, Jean Bart, Shachi, and Penguin back to their submarine. Kaku, however, continued to follow Law due to his status as a swordsman.
Rayleigh finished arranging the coating work and took Carl and the others to a secluded, sparsely populated area to begin teaching kendo.
"You are all skilled swordsmen, so I don't need to dwell on theories," Rayleigh stated. "Just fight me first, and I might be able to point out your weaknesses and offer suggestions." As Rayleigh spoke, he drew his sword—an ordinary double-edged sword. However, no one underestimated it.
"Since Mr. Rayleigh said so, let me try the sword skills of the Pirate King's Vice-Captain first!" Zoro, a fighting maniac, stepped forward without hesitation. Law and Tashigi, who were a step behind, couldn't help feeling annoyed. When it came to fighting swordsmen, Zoro was always the most eager, which was why his growth was the fastest.
Carl didn't mind and simply found a spot to sit down. He knew he would definitely be the last one, so there was no need to rush.
Zoro adopted the Three Swords Style stance and charged forward like a tiger. "Three Swords Style: Tiger Hunt!"
His three swords slashed toward Rayleigh's chest simultaneously.
Clang! The double-edged sword easily blocked all three of Zoro's blades.
Zoro's expression changed. He felt the surging Armament Haki radiating from the sword, threatening to overwhelm him through his own blades. He subconsciously took a few steps back, then gritted his teeth and charged again.
"Two Swords Style: Hawk Wave!"
"Three Swords Style: Demon Slash!"
"Three Swords Style: Purgatory Onigiri!"
He continuously used one move after another, holding nothing back, using all his strength and all his Haki. But Rayleigh continued to block him slowly, with ease. What's more, Rayleigh wasn't counterattacking! Zoro knew that if Rayleigh wanted to attack, he wouldn't be able to withstand a single blow. The fact that Rayleigh allowed him to use every move showed the dedication of the teacher. When Zoro began using his moves for a second round, Rayleigh finally started fighting back, targeting the weaknesses of every single one of Zoro's movements, leaving Zoro completely unable to fight back.
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse