Seeing Rayleigh's expression suddenly change, Shakky frowned.
"Rayleigh… what's wrong?"
He gave a small nod, his voice low and serious. "Shakky, leave. Right now."
Her brows tightened. "The Marines again?"
"Yeah. And this time… they sent a monster."
Shakky's body stiffened. "Don't tell me… the Zero Division?"
Rayleigh's face darkened. "That's right. One of them."
He turned to her, his tone firm.
"Forget the bar. Pack your things and go. Now."
For a moment, she hesitated.
"Go. There's no time!"
At his sharp voice, Shakky finally let out a quiet sigh and hurried inside. A short while later, she came back out with a small bag.
"Leave Sabaody. The farther, the better. Head to Foosha Village."
"Rayleigh…" Her eyes shimmered with tears.
He avoided her gaze, waving her off. "Just go."
"Let me stay and fight with you!"
Rayleigh shook his head. "He's already found me. He's on his way."
Shakky froze, then said nothing more.
"…Be careful."
With that, she turned and left without looking back.
Rayleigh listened as her footsteps faded into the distance. Only then did he glance over his shoulder, watching her disappear from sight. A faint, carefree smile touched his lips.
"Make sure you live, Shakky…"
Far away, tears streamed down her face as she ran.
She understood exactly what this meant.
She dealt in information. She knew how terrifying the Zero Division truly was. Even legends of the sea could not survive them, let alone an aging Rayleigh whose strength had already declined.
But she didn't dare turn back.
If she did, she might not be able to leave at all.
Back at the bar, Rayleigh let out a long breath.
With Shakky gone, his mind felt lighter.
He reached inside, grabbed a bottle of liquor, and sat down on the grass outside the door, raising it with a grin.
"I've been saving this for a long time…"
He poured himself a drink and waited in silence.
Before long, a tall figure appeared in front of him.
A green-striped suit beneath a white Marine coat.
Messy, curly hair.
A calm, almost friendly smile.
The two men studied each other.
"Dark King Rayleigh."
"Zero Division?"
Ryokugyu raised an eyebrow at Rayleigh's certainty.
"Well now… even a retired relic knows about us?"
Rayleigh chuckled. "At this point, who doesn't? You've made quite the name for yourselves."
"A group of monsters."
Ryokugyu smiled faintly. "Monsters, huh? I'd rather you use my name."
He placed a hand over his chest in a mock gentlemanly gesture.
"Arata Kiji. Codename Ryokugyu. Zero Division squad leader, and a Vice Admiral of Headquarters."
Rayleigh's brow lifted slightly.
A codename. That meant this man was also an admiral candidate.
"Then what does Vice Admiral Ryokugyu want with an old man like me?"
Rayleigh took a sip of his drink, relaxed as ever.
Ryokugyu casually sat across from him.
Rayleigh poured another cup and handed it over. Ryokugyu drank it in one go, clicking his tongue in appreciation.
"Good stuff."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"Dark King Rayleigh, let's not play games. A few days ago… you were the one who let the Straw Hats escape, weren't you?"
Rayleigh smiled. "That's not quite accurate. Akainu was the one who let them go."
Ryokugyu burst out laughing. "Fair enough. I can imagine how furious he must've been."
His tone shifted slightly.
"After all… that mission came directly from Fleet Admiral Xu."
His eyes locked onto Rayleigh, a trace of amusement within them.
"So tell me, why didn't you run this time? I hear you're quite good at escaping."
Rayleigh laughed openly. "Run? Where would I even go?"
He looked straight at him.
"If my Observation Haki is right… you already found me long ago."
Ryokugyu shrugged.
"You made the right choice. Because…"
His gaze turned cold.
"There's nowhere left for you to run."
Rayleigh stilled for a moment but said nothing.
Ryokugyu glanced around the bar, as if searching for something.
"Hmm… wasn't there someone else here earlier?"
That made Rayleigh tense instantly.
Kill him if you want, but not her.
"Ryokugyu… what are you getting at?" His voice carried a dangerous edge.
Ryokugyu barely reacted to the killing intent.
"Nothing much. I remember sensing a woman here."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Shakky, right?"
"If you're going to die here… should she be buried with you?"
That was enough.
Rayleigh smashed the bottle in his hand straight into Ryokugyu's face.
Liquid dripped down from his hair.
His body hadn't taken any damage at all.
Ryokugyu glanced down at his soaked suit and clicked his tongue.
"Man… one of my favorite outfits, too."
Then he looked back at Rayleigh, smiling faintly.
"So she matters that much to you."
Rayleigh's voice turned cold. "If you've got business, take it up with me."
"I know." Ryokugyu's smile widened. "That's exactly why I'm here."
"To take your life."
Boom!
In an instant, two overwhelming forces erupted.
Rayleigh's Conqueror's Haki surged outward.
And from Ryokugyu… a crushing spiritual pressure answered it head-on.
-----------------------------
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