Ozz was drifting through the New World again.
Treating it half like a vacation, he wandered from place to place, sightseeing while checking off a few infamous destinations. More importantly, he'd finally let go of the knots in his heart after confronting the two people he hated most.
Dragon Boy and Peach Boy.
Sure, he didn't finish them off completely but where's the fun in killing them right away?
Sometimes, slow and steady torment is the real entertainment.
And while Ozz was out wandering, his crew members had embarked on their own adventures elsewhere.
Sabaody Archipelago.
In the vibrant red-light district, a steady stream of fresh-faced pirates poured into the area.
Some were cautious.
Others, brash and naive, thought they could punch their way to fame and fortune.
But sooner or later, every one of them came to understand just how vast the sea really was.
And keeping peace in this chaotic haven?
That job fell to one legendary figure. A laid-back, blond-haired middle-aged man seated at the bar, sipping on a glass of rum.
To the average barfly, he looked like nobody special.
But anyone with real experience at sea would instantly recognize him.
The man once known as the right hand of the Pirate King.
The one they called "Dark King"...
Silvers Rayleigh.
Ever since Roger disbanded his crew and figures like Ozz and Shanks began to rise across the seas, many of the original Roger Pirates had chosen full retirement and disappeared from public view.
But Rayleigh?
He stuck around if only within a limited circle largely because of one specific responsibility.
Watching over Ozz's turf.
His payment?
A modest cut of belly and total access to every corner of the Sabaody Archipelago for free.
Not a bad deal for an old man.
Food, lodging, shopping... Rayleigh didn't have to pay for a damn thing here.
His job was simple.
Help clean up the mess whenever some rookie pirate either didn't recognize the name "Black Emperor" or thought they could take Ozz's place.
And if they knew the name and still came swinging?
Well, they were too stupid to live anyway.
Granted, this kind of role was more high-profile than Roger's old creed of "no unnecessary trouble," and the World Government had taken notice once or twice.
But after a bit of digging...
Oh. He's just loafing around in Ozz's territory?
No problem, then.
Sure, Rayleigh was operating a little outside the usual bounds but with Ozz's name attached, the Government chose to look the other way.
After all, the guy was doing them a favor by wiping out a few unstable variables in the New World.
This reputation drew in thrill-seekers by the dozen.
Young pirates dreaming of glory came from all over, just to catch a glimpse of the legendary right-hand man of the Pirate King.
"That blond guy... that's got to be him. The Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh!"
"No doubt about it."
"He just looks like a regular middle-aged guy, polishing a coating... how can someone like that be a legend?"
"Don't be fooled by appearances! They say he's taken out hundreds hundreds of idiots who tried to start trouble here!"
"I mean, he was the Black Emperor's vice-captain. You don't get more terrifying than that!"
Inside the bar, whispers filled the room as more pirates recognized the man at the counter, each one staring at Rayleigh with a mix of reverence and fear.
Normally, a pirate of that caliber wouldn't be seen anywhere near civilians, let alone sitting in some dingy old tavern drinking rum.
"Huuh..."
Shakuyaku took a long drag of her cigarette as she leaned against the bar with a lazy smile. Watching the crowd swell, she nodded toward Rayleigh.
"Didn't think you'd bring in this much business. The bar's packed again."
Rayleigh shrugged with a tired smile.
"What can I say? These greenhorns better not start crying when they realize they can't afford their drinks."
Even with all his notoriety, there was never a shortage of hotheaded fools.
Just like the Four Emperors were constantly being challenged, the cycle of ego and overestimation never stopped.
"Hey!!! Dark King Rayleigh!! We're gonna use your head as the banner for the Niuma Pirates' entry into the New World!!!"
A group of dumb pirates stormed into the bar, weapons drawn, shouting loud enough to make half the patrons choke on their drinks.
Rayleigh, still seated casually at the bar, didn't so much as glance their way. Just sipped his rum, arms resting on the counter like an ordinary uncle.
"Your head is ours, old man!!"
Crack
A burst of black-and-red lightning tore through the bar.
BOOM
THUD, THUD, THUD
In the blink of an eye, the intruders were smashed to the ground, twitching and unconscious. Rayleigh hadn't even moved.
They were quickly dragged away.
If they were lucky, they were dead.
If not, well...
Then they'd better be ready to live like real cattle from now on.
"No wonder they call him Dark King Rayleigh. I couldn't even see what he did!!"
The bar went silent again, save for the soft glug of Rayleigh's drink. Everyone stared at him like deer caught in headlights.
He was long used to it.
Drink some good rum, kill time with a massage, maybe stroll through the Sabaody markets once in a while.
Early retirement, basically.
Glug, glug...
Rayleigh drained the rest of his drink.
"The usual."
Shakuyaku took the empty bottle and made a mark in her little notebook.
"Putting it on Ozz's tab, right?"
"Of course. Like hell I'm paying for this overpriced stuff myself, Shakky."
Rayleigh chuckled.
Just as he was about to order another round, the door opened.
A new figure stepped inside.
Not only that, but they walked straight toward Rayleigh.
"Look at that! Another idiot with a death wish!"
"Kid looks young... probably just set out to sea yesterday, ha!"
But a few of the more seasoned pirates in the bar caught a glimpse of the newcomer and froze, eyes wide, mouths slightly agape.
The young man walked directly to Rayleigh and took a seat beside him.
"A glass of red wine, please."
The voice was magnetic. Refined. Almost aristocratic.
Rayleigh turned to look, showing no surprise. He simply smiled and lifted the bottle in greeting.
"What, didn't come back with Ozz?"
The man wore a crisp white shirt, dark hair short and neat, a massive cruciform blade strapped to his back. His presence radiated an icy aloofness.
When his hawk-like eyes locked onto Rayleigh's, it felt like they pierced through the soul.
"No. We've been apart for some time now. I've been traveling the seas, challenging swordsmen from every corner of the world."
"I think I've begun to glimpse what true swordsmanship looks like."
Is that so...
Rayleigh glanced sideways at the young man.
If he were honest, this kid might very well be the most gifted swordsman he'd ever met.
Even Ozz and Shanks might fall just short in terms of raw sword talent.
"So then, Dracule Mihawk..."
"To what do I owe the honor?"
Hearing this, Mihawk took a slow sip of his wine, his gaze meeting Rayleigh's with unwavering resolve.
"You are, by my judgment, one of the greatest swordsmen alive."
"Dark King Rayleigh..."
"I've come to challenge you to test my blade against yours."
"Even if it costs me my life, I won't regret it."