Just as Akainu's forces were closing in on Sabaody Archipelago, Luffy had already defeated the fake Straw Hat crew on the island.
Together with Robin, he was heading toward the harbor on the opposite shore where the Thousand Sunny was waiting.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates were also gradually arriving on the island, each moving toward the same destination.
"Luffy!!! It's been so long!!!"
While walking, Luffy suddenly heard a shout.
He and Robin turned around to see Usopp and Kalina, whom they had not seen in a long time.
"Whoa! Usopp! Kalina!!!"
A bright smile spread across Luffy's face.
After two years apart, the reunion of his crewmates filled him with pure joy.
But now was not the time to chat.
The fake Straw Hat incident had already drawn the attention of the Marines.
Right now, Luffy had only one thought in mind.
Get back to the ship and set sail immediately.
However, reality never went as planned.
"Dark Hound!"
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted behind them.
Everyone turned around to see a magma-formed hound surging toward them.
"Scatter!" Luffy shouted.
The group quickly dispersed.
The magma attack obliterated everything in its path.
Luffy looked up at the familiar yet terrifying figure ahead.
"Akainu!"
Yes, the one who had arrived was Akainu.
Although he reached the island slightly later than Luffy's group, his Observation Haki allowed him to instantly lock onto Luffy's position.
He rushed over without waiting for his subordinates.
"Monkey D. Luffy! You're still worth 400 million berries, huh."
Akainu's voice carried overwhelming killing intent.
"Two years ago, I thought you would die under the attack of Fleet Admiral Shiu."
"Who would have thought you'd survive? For the Marines, that is nothing but humiliation."
His killing intent erupted without restraint.
Luffy and the others tensed up instantly.
Even after two years of training, none of them wanted to face an Admiral head-on right at the start.
This was the worst possible scenario.
Akainu had already lost patience.
His body erupted with magma as he charged straight at them.
"You guys go to the shore first! I'll handle him!" Luffy shouted.
He immediately activated Gear Second.
"Gum-Gum Jet Rifle!"
His right arm spun at high speed before launching forward.
Akainu snorted coldly.
"Dark Hound!"
A magma hound surged from his arm once again.
Luffy's eyes sharpened.
"It's not over yet! Armament Haki coating!"
Buzz!
Black Armament Haki wrapped around his fist.
BOOM!
Fist and magma hound collided violently.
But Akainu still had the upper hand.
"Ugh!" Akainu growled as he increased his strength.
Luffy began to lose momentum.
BOOM!
Luffy was blasted backward, crashing heavily into a large tree.
Akainu sneered.
"Straw Hat, your strength doesn't match your bounty."
At that moment, two figures moved in.
"Three-Sword Style: Hellfire Demon Slash!"
Zoro crossed his blades and slashed down at Akainu.
At the same time, Sanji followed up.
"Diable Jambe: Hell Memories!"
A flaming kick aimed directly at Akainu's head.
Akainu snorted but did not dare take it head-on.
His body turned into magma and scattered instantly, dodging both attacks.
Taking advantage of the opening, he counterattacked from behind.
"Blazing Hound!"
A massive magma hound surged toward Zoro and Sanji.
Suddenly, several sharp sounds cut through the air.
"Special Attack: Atlas Comet!"
Multiple small projectiles struck the magma attack mid-air.
Boom!
Explosions shattered the attack completely.
Akainu turned his gaze toward Usopp.
Zoro and Sanji quickly regrouped beside Luffy.
"Zoro! Sanji! Usopp! It's been a while!" Luffy grinned.
"Idiot, is this really the time for that?" Zoro sighed.
Sanji nodded in agreement.
"Luffy, we can't fight an Admiral here. We need to retreat."
Luffy scratched his head.
"I don't really know what to do!"
"Don't say it so proudly!" they all shouted.
Akainu watched them coldly.
"So the entire Straw Hat crew is here. Saves me the trouble of hunting you one by one."
His killing intent intensified.
"Everyone, we attack together! Usopp provides support!" Luffy said.
Everyone prepared for battle.
Then a voice echoed from afar.
"My dear student setting sail, and you think you can interfere?"
Everyone turned.
A man with white hair, glasses, and a relaxed posture walked forward.
He wore a white coat, short sleeves, shorts, and sandals.
Burn marks covered his body, remnants of his defeat at the hands of Shiu.
Silvers Rayleigh had arrived.
"Rayleigh!!"
"Rayleigh-san!"
"Rayleigh!"
The crew was shocked.
Rayleigh stepped in front of Luffy.
"This place is mine. Luffy, take everyone and leave Sabaody. Go continue your adventure."
Tears welled up in Luffy's eyes.
"Rayleigh…"
Rayleigh smiled.
"Don't worry. Running away is one of my specialties."
Luffy nodded firmly.
The crew immediately turned and ran toward the harbor.
But Akainu would not let them escape.
"You think you're getting away?"
"Dark Hound!"