Dark King Rayleigh Appears!
The old man had white hair and a white beard. He wore glasses and carried a kind smile. The cape on his back fluttered slightly, and his presence radiated the aura of a true powerhouse.
There was no doubt about his strength. Even though he hadn't fought seriously in years and age had worn him down, he still possessed formidable power.
Vane said in a grateful tone, "Thank you. I owe you one, Rayleigh."
Rayleigh replied calmly, "There's a pirate ship at the port."
"Thanks!"
Vane thanked him once more and departed swiftly. He knew exactly where Rayleigh was talking about.
He was heading back to the Sabaody Archipelago. At the moment, he was being pursued by Kizaru. Engaging Kizaru in battle was out of the question for now—he had only just acquired strength today. He lacked combat experience, especially against top-tier fighters. Although he had already awakened his Devil Fruit—the Quake Quake no Mi—its development was still at an intermediate stage, and Vane hadn't fully figured out how to utilize its abilities. Right now, his best move was still just a powerful punch.
Even if he managed to escape this time, staying on the Sabaody Archipelago wasn't an option—not with the Navy after him. Kizaru wasn't the only dangerous force at Marine Headquarters. There was also Akainu, known for his ruthless, iron-blooded methods. That man was far less reasonable than Kizaru.
"Don't run off now, little brother."
Yasakani no Magatama!
Kizaru appeared once again, turning into a beam of light as he chased after Vane. But just as he was about to pursue further, Rayleigh intercepted him.
"I'd heard rumors you were still around the Sabaody Archipelago, but I didn't expect to see you here in person, Dark King Rayleigh."
Kizaru looked at him with surprise. Facing Rayleigh now, his cloak billowed behind him, his uniform spotless.
"I'm just an old man trying to live out his days in peace."
"Been a long time. I didn't expect to find you this aged, Rayleigh."
Rayleigh smiled. "You've gotten older too."
"You let a criminal escape, Rayleigh. This won't end here. I'm not easy to deal with."
"You can't kill a seedling before it sprouts. The future's only just begun. The seas need new blood."
Rayleigh smiled as he drew the blade at his waist. "Haven't used this in a while."
Heavenly Cloud Blade!
Kizaru clapped his hands together, then pulled them apart. A blade of light formed between them.
"Marine Headquarters still has a bounty on your head, Rayleigh. You better be prepared."
"He did what you should've done but didn't. What others wanted to do but were too afraid to try. The world needs youth like him—the current order is rotting."
Rayleigh spoke with a calm smile and swung his blade.
"The higher-ups won't allow that kid to live. He's too dangerous. If Whitebeard were still alive, I'd have mistaken him for having the Tremor-Tremor Fruit! If we let him go, we'll have a hard time explaining it."
Kizaru slashed down with his lightsaber.
"You really don't seem calm anymore. Disturbing your peace like this… You've been in hiding for twenty-two years, haven't you, Rayleigh?"
Another strike followed his words.
"After Roger turned himself in, I chose seclusion."
Rayleigh crossed both hands on the hilt and blocked the blow.
"You're not what you used to be. It's awkward, fighting someone your age."
Kizaru launched a blinding light kick, but Rayleigh parried it effortlessly with his foot. The blast veered off and struck a nearby tree, bringing it crashing down.
"I may be old, but I've still got some fight left in me."
"Was he your student? That level of Armament and Observation Haki at his age—he must've had guidance."
"This is my first time meeting him. I just don't want to see a promising seedling crushed too soon."
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Elsewhere…
"There he is! That's the criminal! He's trying to escape!"
"Stop him!"
A group of Marine soldiers blocked Vane's path. With photos from the press in hand, they quickly recognized him.
Their leader was a Marine colonel.
Vane didn't speak. He stood like a king. Then, with a surge of force, his Conqueror's Haki exploded.
A massive wave of pressure swept outward like a storm, with blood-red lightning crackling through the air. The ground split beneath him. None of the hundred or so Marines could withstand it. One by one, their eyes rolled back and they collapsed in droves.
"Was that Conqueror's Haki?"
Even Kizaru was stunned. Rayleigh, too, though experienced, was taken aback by the display.
"To think he's mastered all three types of Haki… and to such a high degree. His Devil Fruit ability is comparable to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. I'm really starting to worry—we may be watching a monster emerge."
Kizaru narrowed his eyes. "Rayleigh, he's too dangerous! You really want to protect him?"
"No matter what, I'm not letting him fall here."
The real battle erupted.
Meanwhile, Vane reached the port where Rayleigh's ship was waiting. He leapt aboard, raised the anchor, and set sail without hesitation.
"I'll return one day… but right now, I can't afford to stay."
He glanced back at the gradually shrinking outline of the Sabaody Archipelago.
"I just hope Rayleigh doesn't get caught. He's exposed now. I owe him for this."
This was Vane's first time leaving Sabaody—the only home he'd ever known.
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