Rayleigh once again swam across the Calm Belt barehanded and came ashore completely naked.
As soon as he returned to Shakky's bar, he heard the news about Caelan.
"The young man who defeated Aokiji has arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago. Is he planning to enter the New World?"
Rayleigh took a glass of strong liquor, downed it, and closed his eyes in deep thought.
He recalled that the fish-man Hachi who once saved his life had died at Caelan's hands.
Though Hachi was at fault, Rayleigh was still human, and emotions sometimes took precedence.
Rayleigh opened his eyes, his mind made up.
He had no intention of killing him. After all, he wasn't entirely in the right.
"You're a pirate, and he's a bounty hunter. What's your excuse?"
"Hachi died by his hand, and now you want to teach him a lesson?"
Shakky rolled her eyes at Rayleigh and spoke teasingly.
As a couple who had been together for years, she could see through Rayleigh with a single glance.
"Hahaha, you saw right through me."
"I just want to test him a little. I won't go too far."
Rayleigh scratched his head awkwardly.
"He's the guy who defeated an admiral. You think you can go easy on him? Sure…"
"You're asking to be beaten up. I don't have the money to buy you back!"
Shakky blew out a puff of smoke and looked at Rayleigh seriously.
Caelan was a famous bounty hunter who had captured countless pirates. A legendary pirate with a bounty in the billions was exactly his kind of target.
If Rayleigh really got caught, Shakky wouldn't be able to buy him back even if she sold everything she owned.
"Hahaha! These old bones of mine won't break that easily."
Rayleigh patted his abdomen and laughed, then turned to leave and search for Caelan.
"Wait. Take this with you."
Shakky tossed a box at Rayleigh.
"What's this?"
Rayleigh looked at her with a confused expression.
"Two hundred million Berries. If he beats you down, this might save your life."
"If you don't take it, don't blame me if I find someone else."
Shakky rolled her eyes again and spoke with some annoyance.
As a former member of the Rocks Pirates, she could tell that Rayleigh wouldn't be able to beat Caelan. Every era produces its own monsters. The new always tramples over the old to rise.
There was no doubt in her mind that Caelan was that monster of this generation.
She was usually stingy, but she was willing to spend big this time. After being with Rayleigh for so many years, she had no desire to change partners.
"I… this…"
Rayleigh pointed at himself, at a loss for words.
He was the right hand of the Pirate King. Yet his own woman didn't have faith in him. That was kind of pathetic.
But the tigress in front of him wasn't to be messed with. In the end, Rayleigh reluctantly picked up the box and set off to find Caelan, sulking.
Before long, Rayleigh found Caelan's location. Rather than appearing directly, he hid in a corner and watched Caelan from a distance.
"This kid really has it good."
Seeing six gorgeous women of different styles surrounding Caelan, Rayleigh couldn't help but sigh.
"Just one woman is enough to tire me out."
Rayleigh chuckled to himself, feeling a bit of sympathy.
Six juicers working together... just imagining it was terrifying.
But when he looked again, Caelan had vanished.
"Old man."
A calm voice rang in Rayleigh's ear, and his expression changed immediately.
Caelan had suddenly appeared in front of him, looking completely at ease.
"What speed!"
Rayleigh stared at Caelan, his body tensing instinctively.
Even though he had let his guard down and hadn't activated his Observation Haki, Caelan had not only discovered his presence but also approached him unnoticed. This proved his speed and Haki were top-tier.
No wonder he could defeat an admiral. He was the real deal.
"Do you know who I am?"
Rayleigh raised his head and released a powerful aura.
"Yeah, Rayleigh right?"
Caelan looked unimpressed, his tone casual.
He had recognized the man in front of him right away.
Trying to act tough in front of him? Not happening.
Rayleigh had been choked off by Caelan's response. The imposing aura he had built up vanished instantly.
Couldn't this kid let a man finish his introduction?
Before Caelan could say anything, exclamations erupted from the crowd. Even the women nearby looked stunned.
"Dark King Rayleigh?! The Pirate King's right-hand man?"
The women stared at the strong older man facing Caelan, voices filled with disbelief.
It was understandable. The name of the Pirate King was legendary, and even his crewmates were famed throughout the world.
Among them, Rayleigh was said to be Roger's closest comrade and the second strongest in the Roger Pirates.
A pirate of such mythic status was undoubtedly a top-tier powerhouse.
The expressions of the women became serious. If someone like this had come for Caelan, another fierce battle might be about to break out.
"Run!"
The nearby onlookers were already panicking and fled in all directions.
The people living on the Sabaody Archipelago weren't fools.
If they didn't run now, they'd be caught in the crossfire.
"Well, are you scared now?"
Seeing everyone's reaction to his name, Rayleigh couldn't help but look at Caelan with smug satisfaction.
"Judging by their reaction, aren't they the ones scared of you?"
Caelan pointed at the fleeing crowd and smiled playfully.
"Run! Caelan's going to get serious!"
The fleeing onlookers shouted in panic. Rayleigh's era was long gone. These people couldn't even confirm his identity. But Caelan? His recent feats were terrifying.
Rayleigh sighed inwardly.
"Young man, let's just get this over with!"
Rayleigh calmed himself and addressed Caelan evenly.
Caelan stretched out his arm and made an inviting gesture.
From the moment he sensed Rayleigh with his Observation Haki, he knew what the old man was thinking.
In the East Blue, he had wiped out the Arlong Pirates, and even killed Hachi, who had once saved Rayleigh's life.
Two months ago, he might've stood no chance. But now? He had been reborn through battle. He feared no one.
Rayleigh's fighting spirit was ignited by Caelan's fearless stance. For a moment, it felt like he had returned to his youthful days.
(To be continued.)
***
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