Rayleigh chuckled, then turned and walked to the shattered water tank. He effortlessly pulled Naguri out of it. Before anyone could react, he grabbed the slave collar he'd just removed and flung it behind him.
Bang!
The slave collar exploded, the sound jarring Naguri awake. He blinked sleepily, seeing everyone staring at him. "Arnold!? What happened? Why am I here?" he asked, genuinely bewildered.
"Naguri! You're okay! That's amazing!" Chopper, overjoyed, bounced over to Naguri, practically vibrating with excitement.
Seeing this, Rayleigh released Naguri and sauntered over to Luffy. He surveyed the group with a smile. "You managed to withstand my attack just now. It seems you're not just any ordinary folks."
"I never expected to run into such a big shot here! Silvers Rayleigh, the 'Dark King'!" Kidd's blood was practically boiling with anticipation.
"I've lived quietly on this island for many years. I'm simply a coating craftsman now. As an old man, all I want is to live out my days in peace."
Luffy tilted his head. "By the way, why did the old man say he wanted to see me?"
"Now's not the time to talk about that. Let's get out of here first," Rayleigh said, his eyes flickering as he subtly glanced at Hikaru. The aura around this young man was incredibly strong, not at all like someone who had just set sail.
Eh!? Wait! Isn't that Hikaru? Why is he here!
Shakky's intelligence had informed him that this young man was a ruthless individual who had managed to escape Garp. Her speculation was that Hikaru was most likely a powerful figure who had been lurking among ordinary people for years. The fact that he hadn't revealed his whereabouts for so long suggested extraordinary ambitions.
Silvers Rayleigh?
Hikaru regarded him expressionlessly. He found it a pity that Rayleigh didn't possess a Devil Fruit and relied purely on swordsmanship and Haki for combat, meaning he wasn't on Hikaru's hunting list of special ability users.
Hikaru had already brought the Saint Charlos palace back into his fortress, which was hidden within his body. Little Bonnie had also entered his body, out of sight, awaiting his call.
Wait? Something seemed off? Never mind! Anyway, they were both safe for now and wouldn't restrict Hikaru's actions.
"Are you Hikaru? How could a strong man like you appear here?" Rayleigh finally couldn't hold back his curiosity. While Shakky was excellent at intelligence gathering, how could she possibly eavesdrop on the Kingdom of God, which had cut off all ties with the outside world?
"Oh? Interesting. Why can't I be here? As the 'Right Hand of the Pirate King,' the 'Dark King' Rayleigh, feared by the world, how could you ask such a foolish question? You don't think you manage everything in the world, do you?"
Hikaru responded bluntly. While he was too lazy to fight with Rayleigh, who wasn't a Devil Fruit user, it didn't mean he needed to be polite.
His words were harsh but contained a truth. Rayleigh wasn't an acquaintance of Hikaru's, so he had no right to question Hikaru's movements.
But as soon as those words were spoken, everyone's expressions shifted, and the atmosphere grew tense.
Kidd grinned, looking at Hikaru with admiration. This was the first time he'd seen someone more arrogant than himself. Even he hadn't dared to speak so boldly to Rayleigh just now.
Law's face was solemn. He could sense the profound arrogance in Hikaru's words. Such a person was either truly foolish or possessed the strength to face any challenge.
Luffy, being simple-minded, didn't overthink it; he just felt that the expressions of those around him were a little odd.
Rayleigh was silent for a moment. Although Hikaru's tone wasn't pleasant, what he said resonated with Rayleigh.
Yes! He wasn't the manager of everything in the world, so what good would it do to ask that question?
This reminded Rayleigh of a magical island he'd visited with the Roger Pirates.
He'd met an incredibly long-lived old woman there, who was over 100 years old. Even her children were long-lived, none of them having passed away, all well over eighty.
As a supernatural world, it's normal for the lifespan in the One Piece world to be longer than in the real world, right?
He'd been very curious then and respectfully asked the old woman the secret to her longevity.
The old woman, with a kind look, had told him without hesitation: "The secret to longevity is... mind your own business!"
Rayleigh shook his head. If he were twenty, he'd have drawn his sword and slashed at Hikaru right then. But he was seventy-six now, and it was time for retirement. Naturally, he should stick to the old woman's secret of longevity.
"Hehe. It seems the young man has many complaints about me."
"You're overthinking it. I'm just stating a fact."
"I've learned a lot from this old man. I hope you can always keep your original intentions in the future."
Rayleigh spoke with a smile, but his suggestion carried ill intent. If Hikaru remained so self-centered, unless he became the strongest in the world, he would inevitably encounter someone he shouldn't offend, who would then teach him a harsh lesson.
"Heh." Hikaru sneered, offering no comment. The time was almost up, and he was too lazy to waste words with Rayleigh.
Just as Law and Zoro sensed the atmosphere growing awkward, a Navy announcement blared from outside the auction house:
"Pirates inside! Release the World Noble family immediately! An Admiral will arrive soon. If you surrender now, we will try to show leniency! Otherwise, you don't know what an Admiral will do to you!"
Law shook his head helplessly. "It seems we're not just involved; they're treating us as accomplices!"
"Straw Hat Luffy's reckless style is legendary, and I've seen it firsthand. I don't want to meet an Admiral here!"
Kidd still wore a confident smile. He had the highest bounty among the Supernovas and considered himself the strongest of his generation. However, his high bounty was primarily earned by slaughtering many civilians; he hadn't faced any significant setbacks.
Rayleigh scratched his head, no longer trying to question Hikaru. He shamelessly asked Kidd, Law, Luffy, and the others for help.
"Ah, I'm counting on you guys from now on. I still need to stay retired here, so I won't show myself and use that kind of power. If the Navy found out I was living quietly here, it would be difficult for me to survive."
"Heh, I won't waste my time with you guys. I'll just help you out. Don't worry, I can clear out that group of Marines at the door by myself."
Kidd casually mocked Law and Luffy, two peers of his generation, then turned and walked outside.
Hearing this, Luffy and Law exchanged unfriendly glances at Kidd's retreating back, then chased after him like children, starting to bicker. Their respective crews watched them helplessly.