Chapter 347 - 186

Chapter 186 Rayleigh's Prophecy: The War of Conclusion Begins!The rough newspaper made a rustling sound in Rayleigh's hands.He narrowed his eyes. Sunlight filtered through the paper, and the bold, black headlines on the front page struck his eyes like heavy cannonballs, one after another:[Turmoil rises again in the New World! "Beasts" Kaido and "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin have broken out into a full-scale conflict, the aftermath destroying "Thundercloud Island"!]Beside it was a blurry yet highly impactful photo: in the sky, it seemed as if a giant dragon and a demonic shadow were entwined, the island below was scorched and crumbling, and the sea surface was churning with unnatural, monstrous waves.Rayleigh's thumb unconsciously rubbed the edge of the paper.His gaze moved downward.[The remnants of the "Whitebeard Pirates" have reunited, and the giant ship sets sail again! The identity of the new Captain is shocking—confirmed to be the orphan of the Pirate King, who was raised under the protection of "Whitebeard," "Flame Emperor" Portgas D. Ace (Real Name: Gol D. Ace)!]Next to the headline was a sketch of Ace wearing an orange cowboy hat, standing on the bow of the Moby Dick, his back to the flames, his profile resolute.The determination in his brows and the weight he carried seemed almost to leap off the page.The fingertips with which Rayleigh turned the page paused imperceptibly for a moment.The third page had an even more sinister headline:["Blackbeard"'s hunting ground! Marshall D. Teach's forces are expanding rapidly, targeting Devil Fruit users directly! Multiple reports confirm: The Blackbeard Pirates possess a secret method to "steal" Devil Fruit abilities?!]The wording of the report was filled with uncertainty and fear, painting a picture of a sea shrouded in terror, where every Devil Fruit user was in danger."..."Time seemed to slow down during those few seconds Rayleigh spent reading the paper.Rayleigh did not speak.Only his eyes, which had seen sixty years of the sea's turmoil and had stood side-by-side with legends, narrowed subconsciously and slowly behind his lenses, or perhaps under the sunlight.Every news headline was like a heavy puzzle piece, rapidly combining and colliding in his mind, sketching out a picture of the New World far grander and more turbulent than what was on the newspaper page:The Four Emperors wrestling for power, the orphan raising the flag, ambitious schemers lurking and stirring, the echoes of the old era and the raging waves of the new era crazily intertwined.The seagull did not just bring a newspaper; it was more like a declaration of war, carrying the smoke and blood of that most violent sea."Whoa—stretch!"Luffy's rubber neck stretched out with a "whoosh," his head shooting over to the newspaper beside Rayleigh like a cannonball, his eyes wide and round, almost swallowing those headlines."Oh oh oh! They're fighting, they're fighting! Kaidoand that fat Big Mom who eats so much!"He watched with great interest, making unintelligible exclamations.When his gaze swept over the report about Blackbeard, the excitement on Luffy's rubbery face subsided for a moment, and his eyebrows raised:"Huh? Blackbeard?! He's actually still alive and kicking..."Seeing that Blackbeard wasn't dead, he was slightly surprised, but he didn't take it to heart.The Gorosei all had so-called "immortal bodies"; as a quasi-boss level character in the original story, it was perfectly normal for him to have some secrets.Luffy silently made up his mind to be a bit more cautious when he met Blackbeard later and strive to completely finish him off!!On the other side, Rayleigh had already quickly browsed through the key content.Listening to Luffy's fuss, Rayleigh shook his head, spread out the newspaper, and pointed his finger at the news about the conflict between Kaido and Big Mom."The conflict between Kaido and Linlin..."Rayleigh's voice was steady, carrying the clarity of someone who had weathered many storms."It looks grand, destroying islands and nations, but for those two monsters, at best, it can only be considered... 'daily recreation,' or a rather intense 'greeting.'"He looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the newspaper, seeing those two massive and terrifying forces in the New World."For the [Four Emperors] standing at the pinnacle of the sea, with their territories bordering, when their philosophies or interests clash, using their fists to 'communicate' every once in a while, and incidentally wiping out one or two tactless islands or factions, is the most normal ecology.""It is both a deterrent and a way for them to maintain their own violent 'balance.'"He paused, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the faint dragon shadow in the picture of Kaido on the newspaper, his voice lowering, carrying a more specific assessment:"If this truly were an all-out, to-the-death 'life-and-death battle'... based on my understanding of those two, the chances of Linlin surviving would be very, very low."Rayleigh's eyes became extremely sharp, as if simulating that world-destroying scene in his mind."Kaido's 'Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan Type, Azure Dragon Form,' after awakening..."He slowly exhaled, each word carrying heavy weight,"Its destructive power, recovery ability, and absolute control over the battlefield environment have already reached an unimaginable level.""In a one-on-one, straightforward duel without any tricks, that guy... is almost synonymous with 'invincible.'""Linlin's 'Iron Balloon' and Soul-Soul Fruit are certainly terrifying, but facing an awakened dragon that can trigger natural disasters and is nearly immortal..."He did not finish, but the meaning was already clear enough.Rayleigh's gaze moved away from the news about Kaido and Linlin, his fingertips slowly moving down, finally settling on those few sinister headlines about Blackbeard Teach.The leisure and analytical look in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deeper layer of gravity."By comparison, the core of the vortex that is currently more worthy of vigilance, and also more dangerous..."Rayleigh's voice sank, like an old sailor sensing that a storm was coming,"Is actually this—'Blackbeard' Marshall D. Teach."He looked up, his gaze seeming to traverse time and space, seeing that sinister figure who once hid under Whitebeard's massive wings."That guy was once a'son' on Whitebeard's ship.""He knows better than anyone the structure, weaknesses, and the true value represented by that legacy of the Whitebeard Pirates."Rayleigh's words were analytical, revealing the logic behind the ambition,"Whitebeard has fallen, leaving behind not just a name and mourning, but a huge vacuum of power and territory.""—Teach couldn't possibly be unmoved by all of this."He paused, his tone carrying cold certainty:"Swallowing Whitebeard's legacy and receiving part of his forces and prestige is the most direct and lucrative ladder to the throne of 'emperor of the sea' for the Blackbeard Pirates, who have displayed a strange hunting ability."Following this logic, the conclusion was as clear as a lighthouse in the night, but it also foreshadowed a fierce collision:"As such, he will inevitably have the most direct and fundamental conflict with Ace, who is now carrying Whitebeard's flag and has sworn to protect his father's legacy... as well as the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates led by Ace."Rayleigh's tone paused deliberately here, as if leaving room for this heavy inference to echo.He slowly exhaled a breath smelling of alcohol; his voice was not loud, but every word carried a thousand pounds, striking the listener's heart:"Whitebeard's era has come to an end. But the chain reaction triggered by his 'death' and 'life' is far from over.""The collision of old and new flags, the duel between orthodoxy and betrayal... I fear it won't be long before that sea in the New World stages a battle destined to shake the entire era—"Rayleigh's gaze suddenly turned to Luffy. In those eyes that had seen through the ways of the world, there was no question, only the gravity of stating a fact, and an unspoken, profound meaning.He articulated the four words "War of Conclusion" clearly and slowly, as if he had already heard the prelude to the battle that would determine the fate of countless people.Facing Rayleigh's almost prophetic gaze, Luffy's reaction was unexpectedly... calm.He did not jump up in excitement, nor did he show a worried expression; he just habitually shrugged his shoulders, the action so casual as if he were discussing tomorrow's weather.Then, he grinned, revealing his iconic, bright smile, which was a mixture of absolute trust and pure confidence."Don't worry, Rayleigh!"Luffy's voice was loud and without any gloom, carrying a rubber-like elasticity that seemed able to bounce off all heavy premonitions,"I believe in Ace!"His gaze looked into the distance, as if he could pierce through the Calm Belt and the Red Line to see his brother sailing in the New World."That guy is very strong! Much, much stronger than before!"Luffy squeezed his fist hard, his knuckles making a "crack" sound,"And, he has many amazing companions by his side! Just like I have you guys!"He turned his head, his smile still dazzling, simply and crudely categorizing all of Rayleigh's heavy analysis and worries into his absolute logic of "believing in companions":"So, Ace will definitely be able to handle that black fatty!!"Rayleigh looked at Luffy's smiling face, which was free of any gloom, and was stunned for a moment,Immediately, the corner of his heavy mouth couldn't help but twitch upward, forming an almost imperceptible arc mixed with helplessness and emotion.