The setting sun stained Port No. 7 of the Sabaody Archipelago in molten red.
Sea breeze swept across the weathered pier.
KING stood on the gangway.
One foot aboard.
One foot still on the dock.
His lifeless eyes tracked the second hand of his watch.
4 minutes, 30 seconds remaining.
Just a few steps more…
A velvet first-class bed awaited.
Even if the sky collapsed, it would not concern him.
Then—
that familiar sensation returned.
Like needles pressing against his spine.
"Young man… if you rush through life, you miss the scenery."
The voice was calm. Gentle. Ancient.
But beneath it—
pressure.
A deep-sea tidal weight pressed against the world.
Dust froze midair.
Seagulls dropped from the sky without a cry.
Dockworkers collapsed foaming at the mouth.
Conqueror's Haki.
Refined. Controlled. Surgical.
Focused.
On him alone.
KING's foot stopped mid-step.
His heart surged.
Then the rhythm took over.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
The Emperor Engine roared awake.
He turned.
Leaning against a mooring bollard sat an old man.
White hair.
Round glasses.
A vertical scar over his right eye.
A silver flask in his hand.
Silvers Rayleigh.
The Dark King.
Former right hand of Gol D. Roger.
He unscrewed the flask and lifted it slightly.
"If you don't mind… care to drink with a retired old man?"
Sake aroma drifted on the wind.
Anyone else on the seas would feel honored.
KING felt only:
annoyance.
deep annoyance.
extreme annoyance.
His vacation time was evaporating.
This old man was a human traffic jam.
KING said nothing.
He stared.
Bloodshot eyes.
No tension.
No hostility.
Just…
disdain.
The look one gives someone handing out flyers during rush hour.
THUMP THUMP THUMP—
His aura surged with anxious urgency.
To Rayleigh, it felt like a direct counter to his Haki.
Invisible pressure collided.
The wood beneath them cracked.
"I don't drink with strangers," KING said.
His voice was hoarse and cold.
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Heh… a stranger? Seems I've truly grown old."
He took a sip.
"In my day, few on this sea failed to recognize me."
"That's not important."
KING waved dismissively.
"I'm busy."
"Move."
Rayleigh blinked.
Even Admirals spoke to him with caution.
Enemies exchanged respect.
No one had ever told him:
Move.
He chuckled softly.
"Interesting… truly interesting."
"The strongest rookie of Marine Headquarters won't spare an old man a few minutes?"
His figure blurred.
No flourish.
Pure speed.
He now stood blocking the gangway.
Gentle smile.
Immovable presence.
"Even if you refuse… I still wish to speak."
His tone shifted.
"About Luffy… and the future of this world."
KING stared at him.
Temple throbbing.
What Straw Hat? What future?
The ship is leaving in three minutes.
The horn blared.
Final boarding call.
Patience ignited like dry tinder.
He didn't want to fight.
If he fought, the ship would be destroyed.
Vacation: ruined.
So he fought with strategy instead.
Transfer the problem.
Efficient resource allocation.
KING raised his right hand.
Reached past Rayleigh's shoulder.
Pointed toward the distant mangroves.
Blinding golden flashes erupted there.
Light beams carved the skyline.
Kizaru.
"Old man," KING said evenly,
"instead of asking pointless questions…"
"Shouldn't you turn around?"
Rayleigh paused.
He looked.
A cross-shaped burst of light exploded in the distance.
With Observation Haki, he saw clearly:
Roronoa Zoro lay bloodied.
Kizaru's light-formed leg rose.
Execution imminent.
KING lowered his hand.
"If you don't go now," he said flatly,
"it'll be too late."
"Are you sure you want to keep blocking my way?"
Rayleigh turned sharply back.
Shock filled his eyes.
A Marine Vice Admiral…
had just urged him to save pirates.
Why?
The image resurfaced:
KING dragging a Celestial Dragon like garbage.
Rayleigh inhaled slowly.
"I see…"
Understanding replaced scrutiny.
"You didn't want to get involved."
"Because of your position… you chose to leave."
"And now you want this old man to protect those children."
His conclusion solidified instantly.
This man transcended alignment.
Justice beyond uniforms.
Vision beyond factions.
What spirit.
What magnanimity.
"Since you've said so…"
Rayleigh corked his flask.
Stepped aside.
The gangway cleared.
"Farewell, King."
KING said nothing.
Talking invites trouble.
He walked aboard.
Behind him, Rayleigh laughed warmly.
"Next time we meet — regardless of position — give this old man the honor of a drink!"
Before the words finished—
WHOOSH
Rayleigh vanished like wind.
Seconds later, a distant explosion shook the air.
Kizaru's voice echoed faintly:
"Oh my~ Isn't that Dark King Rayleigh… how terrifying~"
KING adjusted his hood and stepped onto the deck.
The ship horn sounded.
Departure.
At last.
Peace.
He glanced at his watch.
Vacation time remaining: 1 day, 18 hours.
Acceptable losses.