Shakkys Rip-off Bar, second floor.
"So, you've become the God of Sky Island now?"
Rayleigh was a bit dazed. Two years ago, Seven had appeared briefly before vanishing again. He had thought the kid had fallen into the hands of the World Government.
He never expected that Seven had gone to Sky Island to subdue the Skypieans and Shandians, crowning himself as God in one fell swoop.
"These gold coins... they're from that golden pillar in the Gold Country, aren't they? That golden pillar over 10 meters in diameter and more than 60 meters tall?"
"Seven, let me congratulate you on striking it rich!"
Ignoring Rayleigh's starry-eyed look of envy and jealousy, Seven turned to the dumbfounded Shakky.
"Aunt Shakky, thank you for your hard work."
Shakky took a long moment to recover before nodding. "Little guy, if this deal goes through, I can rest for at least half a year."
After discussing the commission and transaction details, Shakky walked to the side and used a den den mushi to contact buyers.
Seeing this, Rayleigh hurriedly lowered his voice.
"Seven, lend me some Berries later. I still have some gambling debts outside that I haven't cleared."
"No problem, but—"
Seven grinned. "Uncle, I happen to be building a ship to head out to sea. How about this: I'll give you all these gold coins."
Rayleigh's expression immediately tightened.
He heard Seven continue, "You just need to tell me where the oro jackson is parked."
"How about it?"
Two years ago, Seven definitely wouldn't have dared to sail the oro jackson openly, as that would surely attract the attention of the Marine and the World Government.
What are you trying to do??
The Marine just executed the Pirate King, and you're sailing the Pirate King's ship? What exactly is your goal?
But now? Who gives a damn.
Rayleigh stared at Seven for a long, long time, finally letting out a sigh.
"Better not, Seven."
"You know the saying about the bird that sticks its head out getting shot. Once the oro jackson returns to the sea, the Marine and the World Government will definitely launch a Buster Call."
"Besides, with a ship that big, you can't sail it alone!"
Seven didn't push the matter further. If he could get news of the oro jackson, he would definitely take it. Since Vice-Captain Rayleigh was unwilling to speak, he'd leave it for later.
After all, the Morning Star Pirates currently only consisted of a Captain and a vice-captain; the crew was indeed a bit sparse.
"Is two hundred million Berries enough?"
Hearing this, Rayleigh was so happy he subconsciously reached out to pat Seven's shoulder. Just as he extended his hand, he suddenly realized with embarrassment: he couldn't reach anymore.
Rayleigh's height of 1.88 meters made him look like a child in front of Seven's 2.6 meters.
"You... you've grown taller."
Seven reversed the roles, reaching out to pat Rayleigh's shoulder. "I'm only seventeen, you know. I'll keep growing. I might even pass 3 meters this year."
With that, Seven bent his knees into a half-squat. "There, Uncle Rayleigh, I'm giving you one last chance."
Successfully patting Seven's shoulder, Rayleigh smiled with gratification. "You brat, you really are different from before. Want to find a place to trade a few blows?"
So what if you're tall?
Kid, the New World is full of big idiots.
This old man is going to make sure you know today that even if you're taller than me, your Uncle Rayleigh will always be your uncle.
"Sure thing," Seven said with a bright smile.
"I remember there's a deserted island to the east of the Sabaody Archipelago. Why don't the two of us go there and trade a few blows?"
Given Seven and Rayleigh's strength, if they sparred on the Sabaody Archipelago, it would surely attract the attention of the Marine and the World Government.
Seven didn't really care since he wasn't a permanent resident of the Sabaody Archipelago, but for the sake of Uncle Rayleigh's retirement, a deserted island was undoubtedly the best choice.
"Deserted island? Is that necessary?"
"Three hundred million Berries." Seven held up three fingers.
Rayleigh casually picked up a double-edged sword. On one hand, it was to pay off his gambling debts; on the other, his hands were itching to teach the brat from the ship a lesson.
If you're going to beat a kid, you have to do it early.
As soon as they stepped out of the bar, Seven picked Rayleigh up like a little chick and then soared directly into the sky, flying rapidly toward the deserted island.
In mid-air, Rayleigh looked helpless. "Seven, kid, I could actually swim there."
The explanation was his last bit of stubbornness.
After flying for a while, Rayleigh finally realized, "This isn't elementalization?"
Seven smiled without saying a word.
Of course it wasn't elementalization. With the flying cloak, he could save as much physical strength as possible.
After all, at this point in time, Rayleigh was just 56 years old, not yet in his twilight years and still at the tail end of his peak. A Great Swordsman with Three Types of Haki—he was an excellent opponent... East of Sabaody Archipelago, Nameless Deserted Island.
Silvers Rayleigh held his double-edged sword and was about to speak when he saw Seven stand with one hand in front of him, pulling a purple-glowing tachi out of thin air.
Rayleigh frowned. "This blade... even Observation Haki can't get close to it?"
"Uncle, watch out."
As soon as he finished speaking, Seven charged forward with his blade, musou isshin, moving so fast he left afterimages behind.
Rayleigh raised his double-edged sword, covered in Armament Haki, and casually blocked the attack.
It looked extremely easy, but in reality, the immense force transmitted from the purple tachi made his arm go numb.
"Your strength... is truly immense."
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In an instant, Rayleigh blocked three attacks, each one more shocking than the last. He couldn't help but recall something Seven had once said on the ship years ago.
Great strength creates miracles.
The two used the momentum to leap back. Rayleigh shook his numbed arm. "Great strength really does create miracles. Kid, your uncle is going to get serious."
Following the Armament Haki coating the blade, a red and black Haki coiled around Rayleigh's wrist and quickly spread to the blade—Conquerors Haki Coating.
Although it felt a bit like bullying a junior, Seven's unreasonable strength was indeed... hard to handle.
Rayleigh really wanted to ask: What have you been eating these past two years? How did you get so strong? It's one thing to have your height skyrocket, but your strength too!
However, in the next second.
When he saw the purple tachi in Seven's hand, from hilt to blade, completely enveloped in red and black Haki, Rayleigh's jaw nearly hit the ground. His usually wise and calm eyes went wide.
"What a monster!"
Seventeen years old, and he has Conquerors Haki Coating.
Even that guy Roger hadn't reached such a realm at Seven's age.
Back when they were on Roger's ship together, Rayleigh knew that Seven had long since awakened Haoshoku, but he never imagined this power would become so formidable.
It even seemed to slightly surpass his own!
Rayleigh threw off his cloak, his battle intent rising. Gripping the double-edged sword with one hand, he took the initiative to launch a fierce attack.
The two blades, both coated in Conquerors Haki, clashed violently. Though they were inches apart, they were held in place by an invisible, immense force, unable to advance another fraction.
Visible red and black ripples spread out in layers.
Wherever they passed, exposed rocks instantly crumbled into powder. With the point of impact as the center, spiderweb-like cracks spread frantically across the ground, deep and bottomless.
Centering on the two swords, dazzling spots of energy surged wildly, like a neutron star about to explode.
The sky suddenly lost its color as the once-clear dome was torn apart by the black and red Haki.
The pressure from the Haoshoku collision enveloped the entire island like something physical. Even the sea breeze came to a standstill, leaving only those two heaven-shaking auras echoing between heaven and earth.
The seabirds, lizards, and other animals on the island, the News Coo passing through the sky, and even the fish in the waters near the deserted island were all knocked unconscious.
Even the Sea Kings were not spared.
Facing Rayleigh's increasingly rapid offensive, Seven still didn't use the Observation Killing.
It was just a spar, not a life-or-death struggle.
Besides, ultimate moves were meant for enemies.
During the few hours of sparring with Vice-Captain Rayleigh, the experience from practicing musou isshin in Seven's mind and the fusion progress finally broke through the 25% threshold.
26%
Only one thought remained in Seven's mind: to release the sword intent condensed within his body and, with musou isshin, strike with the Musou no Hitotachi.
Using the momentum to leap back into the air, Seven took a deep breath.
"Uncle Rayleigh, this move has a name."
They had fought for several hours without shouting a single move name. To use Mihawk's logic—if I don't shout the name, it's just a normal attack.
"Show me, Seven!"