"Miss Marine…"
"There's no need to be so impulsive."
Rayleigh smiled helplessly as he lightly stepped backward.
"I haven't been a pirate for many years."
"Can't you show an old man a little mercy?"
"There are far too many civilians around us."
"I'd rather not start a fight here."
"You came to Sabaody because you need your ship coated, didn't you?"
"How about this…"
"I'll finish the coating first."
"Once your ship is ready…"
"If you still want to settle old scores, I'll accompany you."
As he spoke…
His Observation Haki continuously monitored Seraphina's movements.
Coupled with his overwhelming experience and physical ability…
He effortlessly avoided her opening slash.
Looking at the young Marine before him…
Rayleigh couldn't help smiling bitterly.
What rotten luck…
I should have stayed in Shakky's bar.
Instead…
I accepted one coating job…
And immediately exposed myself.
Looks like old age really is catching up with me.
Even my presence can no longer be hidden from talented youngsters.
Still…
He could not help admiring Seraphina.
The sword intent contained within that single slash…
Already rivaled many famous swordsmen.
The Marines had truly produced a terrifying young monster.
Seraphina slowly lowered Winter Solstice.
She did not lower her guard.
Although Rayleigh appeared peaceful…
She knew exactly who stood before her.
The former first mate of the Roger Pirates.
The legendary Dark King.
One of the men who had stood beside the Pirate King himself.
Regardless of how quietly he lived today…
His past could never be erased.
To Seraphina…
The opening of the Great Pirate Era had plunged countless innocent people into suffering.
Roger's execution.
His final words.
The countless pirates inspired by his legacy.
All of it had transformed the seas into chaos.
Rayleigh…
Was one of the people who had helped create that era.
She had every reason to arrest him.
Or kill him.
However…
If they fought aboard the warship…
The damage would be immeasurable.
Even though the vessel had been built using the finest materials available…
She refused to gamble.
If the ship were destroyed…
Her pursuit of Shanks would be delayed indefinitely.
She looked directly into Rayleigh's eyes.
"Don't try anything."
"Dark King."
Rayleigh merely smiled.
"I wasn't planning to."
Nearby…
Reiva quietly approached.
"Vice Admiral…"
"He was the Pirate King's first mate."
"What if he tampers with our ship during the coating?"
He lowered his voice.
"We can't trust him."
Seraphina remained silent for several seconds.
Then she nodded.
"Very well."
"I'll trust you."
"We'll settle everything after the coating is finished."
Rayleigh chuckled.
"Fair enough."
"Give me three days."
His confident tone clearly showed his mastery of the craft.
After decades spent coating ships…
No one on Sabaody surpassed him.
Seraphina frowned slightly.
"Three days is too long."
"Money isn't an issue."
"I need this finished as quickly as possible."
Rayleigh stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"In that case…"
"One day."
"I'll gather a few old friends."
"With enough skilled craftsmen…"
"We can finish everything before tomorrow."
Seraphina nodded.
"Deal."
That night…
Because the coating process had begun…
Most of the Marines temporarily left the ship.
Only a small security team remained behind to guard the vessel.
Several coating craftsmen quietly exchanged glances.
"All finished?"
"Finished."
"Good."
"Let's leave before sunrise."
Rayleigh smiled.
The next moment
His figure blurred.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Within seconds…
Every Marine assigned to guard the ship had been rendered unconscious.
Not one had suffered any serious injuries.
The craftsmen calmly gathered their tools.
Without another word…
They quietly disappeared into the darkness.
Before leaving…
Rayleigh looked back toward Seraphina's cabin.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"What a frightening young woman…"
"So that was your plan all along."
He had already seen through everything.
Seraphina had never seriously intended to arrest him tonight.
Instead…
She had deliberately used his identity to pressure every craftsman into working at maximum speed.
No one dared slack off while the Dark King himself supervised the project.
It was an open scheme.
One Rayleigh could not refuse.
He laughed softly.
"She really does resemble Sengoku in some ways…"
"Perhaps…"
"It's finally time to stop introducing myself as 'Rayleigh.'"
The following morning
Reiva hurried onto the deck.
"Vice Admiral!"
"Rayleigh has escaped."
"But…"
"The coating has been completed perfectly."
Seraphina calmly set down her teacup.
"I expected as much."
Reiva continued.
"When we arrived…"
"All of the Marines assigned to guard the ship were unconscious."
"I checked them personally."
"They're unharmed."
"It seems he merely knocked them out."
He hesitated.
"Should we search the Sabaody Archipelago?"
"Perhaps we can still capture him."
Seraphina gently shook her head.
"So…"
"He really left."
She sounded neither surprised nor disappointed.
"If Rayleigh truly intends to disappear…"
"None of you can stop him."
"Only I would even have a chance."
She calmly looked toward the sea.
"He vanished from the world for decades."
"No one discovered his whereabouts."
"That alone proves how exceptional he is."
She picked up her teacup once more.
"At present…"
"Capturing Rayleigh is not our highest priority."
"Our objective lies elsewhere."
"There's no reason to waste valuable time."
She had anticipated everything.
She had intentionally refrained from personally monitoring Rayleigh.
Because she believed…
Someone possessing Rayleigh's character and pride…
Would never betray an agreement once he accepted payment.
As expected…
He had fulfilled his promise perfectly.
Not only had the coating been completed…
Its quality exceeded expectations.
Seraphina smiled faintly.
"Rayleigh…"
"We'll meet again."
"There are still many questions I intend to ask you."
She slowly placed the teacup back onto the table.
Then she stood.
"Complete final preparations."
"We're departing for the New World."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Fish-Man IslandRyugu Palace"The Marines!"
"The Marines have entered Fish-Man Island!"
A Ryugu Kingdom soldier hurried into the royal audience chamber.
King Neptune immediately rose from his throne.
"What did you say?"
"The Marines?"
His expression became serious.
Fish-Man Island rarely saw Marine warships.
Especially not one that had arrived through the deep-sea route.
A minister immediately spoke.
"Your Majesty!"
"Should we intercept them?"
Another minister quickly objected.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"They're Marines!"
The ministers immediately began arguing.
Neptune silently considered the situation.
After several moments…
He finally spoke.
"Summon Jinbe."
The guards immediately saluted.
"At once, Your Majesty!"
Neptune understood that Jinbe, as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, possessed a unique relationship with both the World Government and the Marines.
If negotiations became necessary…
Jinbe would be the most suitable representative.
At the same time…
He was also Fish-Man Island's greatest military strength.
Should conflict become unavoidable…
Jinbe could protect the kingdom.
Still…
Neptune sincerely hoped matters would never reach that point.
He looked toward his ministers.
"Prepare a banquet."
"Receive the Marines as honored guests."
Several ministers were immediately shocked.
"Your Majesty!"
"Why?"
"Fish-Man Island is under Whitebeard's protection!"
"The Marines and pirates are sworn enemies!"
"If we welcome the Marines…"
"Wouldn't that offend Whitebeard?"
The audience chamber became increasingly noisy.
Neptune slowly shook his head.
"Whitebeard will understand."
His voice remained calm.
"If the Marines come in peace…"
"Then we shall welcome them in peace."
"If they come with hostile intentions…"
"Then we shall defend ourselves."
"But…"
"Fish-Man Island will never strike first."
Neptune knew Whitebeard well.
The Emperor would never blame Fish-Man Island for choosing diplomacy before violence.
His true concern…
Was something else entirely.
Fish-Man Island had long existed beneath Whitebeard's protection.
Now…
A Marine warship had suddenly arrived beneath the sea.
Whether this visit was peaceful…
Or the beginning of a greater storm…
Only time would reveal the answer.
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