After taking a fierce combo from Klee Meow and Shermie, Rayleigh knew he couldn't afford to hold back anymore.
While struggling to fend off Sherwin and his team relentless attacks, he threw a sharp glance toward Shakky.
Seeing the signal, Shakky quickly returned to the bar to fetch Rayleigh sword.
Once the weapon was back in his hands, Rayleigh finally managed to stabilize the battle before things could spiral even further out of control.
"Divine Departure!"
Not long after retrieving his weapon, Rayleigh unleashed a sword strike infused with Conqueror Haki.
The instant the slash came forth, Sherwin Observation Haki flared with alarms, and all the Felyne fur stood on end.
Tch! So you really know that move too…
Since Rayleigh could use advanced Haki techniques, it wasn't surprising he knew Divine Departure.
The real power of that strike wasn't just in its speed, but in the Haki coating—without it, the move was simply a fast slash, nothing more.
However, when it came to speed, Sherwin wasn't afraid of anyone. Especially with Shermie spirit merged with him,
he entered a state similar to the Mink Tribe "Electro Mode," or what could be called the "Chidori Flow." Even without using Link Time or entering full-speed mode, he could still keep up with Rayleigh Divine Departure.
The main reason he managed to react in time, though, was because Haibara Meow had "dispelled" Rayleigh Observation-Killer effect, allowing Sherwin own Observation Haki to respond properly.
Monster Hunter Style: Grounded Lightning Flash!
Lightning sparked as the Third Generation Kitetsu clashed violently with Rayleigh sword.
After locking blades for two or three seconds, Sherwin was finally sent flying backward.
Even with the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Sherwin still couldn't match Rayleigh advanced Haki in any technique except Crimson Heaven End.
After that exchange, Sherwin clearly understood the direction of his next training—
Either he needed to improve his body to withstand using Link Time without restraint, or he had to refine Crimson Heaven End until it could be unleashed instantly, just like advanced Haki techniques.
And right now, Rayleigh was the perfect opponent to test it on.
On the other side, although Rayleigh had just sent Sherwin flying, he didn't move in to pursue.
Before he could, several Felynes had already surrounded and engaged him—
A flash of steel, nearly as fast as Divine Departure itself, swept toward Rayleigh leg in a fierce strike.
"Flying Cat Sword Style – Secret Art – Soaring Cat Flash!"
=(=ω=)┫
At the same time, Link Meow shield slammed toward Rayleigh knee from another direction.
"Demon Wind Kick – Evening Elephant – Four-Legged Meow!"
Sanji Meow gathered all his strength and kicked at the back of Rayleigh other leg.
Meanwhile, Huamei Meow used the sword technique she'd derived from the Requiem BANDOROU, quietly slicing at Rayleigh ankle.
"Drizzle – Falling Plum."
Because of the Felyne small stature, their attacks mostly targeted the lower body, making it extremely awkward for Rayleigh to defend himself.
Adding to his troubles, Jinx was firing her Bang-Bang Gun from a distance, bullets rattling against his head and sword arm.
Although the shots couldn't harm Rayleigh, they did divide his focus — and at crucial moments, gave the others a perfect opening.
The little blue Felyne might act crazy, but her battle instincts were razor-sharp.
Just as Rayleigh finally managed to parry the Felyne assault, Sherwin — who'd been knocked back moments earlier — charged forward once again.
Monster Hunter Style – Crimson Sky End: Thunder – Beta Version 1.0!
"Hm?"
When Rayleigh raised his sword to block Sherwin strike, he suddenly realized the flames that had cloaked his body earlier were gone, leaving only crackling arcs of lightning.
Tch, the force is way weaker than before.
After his first attempt failed, Sherwin exchanged a few more blows with Rayleigh before quickly retreating.
"Fire Release – Blazing Spark Meow!"
Klee Meow, who had already separated from Sherwin, flung clusters of fire into the air.
They transformed into massive blazing four-leaf clovers that hovered above the battlefield, firing beams of flame down at Rayleigh.
At the same time, as Sherwin intentionally retreated, the elementalized Shermie peeked halfway out from his shoulder.
She cupped her tiny paws before her mouth and blew softly toward Rayleigh.
A faint, almost invisible spark of electricity drifted along her breath, floating like cat fur through the air before silently attaching itself to Rayleigh body.
Because the spark felt no different from harmless static, it carried no sense of danger — even Rayleigh Observation Haki failed to perceive it.
He didn't realize what had happened until the spark suddenly erupted, shocking him full-on and leaving his whole body numb.
Just as he was paralyzed by the "Cloudless Thunder Moon," Klee Meow fiery beams struck.
"Boom! Boom! Boom—!"
The searing flames completely engulfed Rayleigh figure, but Sherwin and the Felynes didn't let their guard down.
After all, he had previously taken a combined attack from both the Kirin and the Gold Rathian head-on without suffering any real harm.
Well… not entirely unharmed — his hair, beard, and clothes had gotten singed here and there — but beyond that, he was still perfectly fine, lively enough to keep fighting as if nothing had happened.
This time was no different. Aside from a few more charred patches and his already tattered clothes becoming even more ragged, Rayleigh aura showed almost no sign of weakening.
Monster Hunter Style – Crimson Sky End: Thunder – Beta Version 1.1!
Electric arcs wrapped around Sherwin body as he swung his blade once again.
…
"Tch!"
Sherwin clicked his tongue in irritation, staring at the old man in front of him — who didn't act like an old man at all.
Their battle with Rayleigh had been dragging on for quite a while, yet his condition hadn't deteriorated in the slightest.
Although Sherwin still had plenty of potions and food left, and both he and the Felynes had noticeably improved during the prolonged clash, he honestly didn't feel like continuing anymore.
After several rounds of testing, he had already figured out how to refine Crimson Sky End.
What he needed now was a quiet, uninterrupted place to practice and fine-tune every detail through repetition.
Fighting in live combat wasn't impossible, but the efficiency was far lower.
Besides, at this rate, it looked like the fight could go on for days and nights — and in just a couple of days, he still had to head to Marineford to retrieve the Devil Fruit!
Not to mention, before that, he also planned to deal with those slave traders who had caught his attention.
"Do I really have to let Klee Meow use bombs?"
Sherwin glanced at the tiny doll summoning Dodo Advance, weighing whether to unleash the Investigation Team weapon of mass destruction.
"Cough, cough…"
On the other side, Rayleigh—once again electrocuted by Shermie concealed "Cloudless Thunder Moon" technique until black smoke puffed from his mouth—was starting to feel cornered.
He truly hadn't expected that the Felynes around Sherwin weren't just skilled individually, but that their teamwork was flawlessly seamless.
What surprised him even more was that everyone—humans and Felynes alike, Sherwin included—was visibly improving as the battle went on.
Even Jinx, who had been firing from afar, was choosing increasingly precise sniping spots.
From the looks of it, she was only a step away from awakening Observation Haki.
Rayleigh, who had originally planned to give Sherwin a good beating, now found himself turned into a mere sparring partner.
Even when he managed to use his greater experience to catch Sherwin off guard with a powerful strike, the Felyne teamwork quickly created an opening for Sherwin to gulp down a potion, and he'd bounce right back, full of energy again.
Rayleigh realized that his earlier vow—to beat Sherwin so badly he'd be bedridden for two or three days—was now hopeless. If this dragged on any longer, he might be the one in trouble instead.
After all, he was still a man in his seventies. The "stall until the old man tires" tactic actually worked against him.
Sure, Rayleigh still looked lively now, but that was only because he was forcing himself through sheer willpower.
He could endure longer than most old men—but not indefinitely. Once his stamina gave out, his age disadvantage would show itself painfully clear.
Of course, if Rayleigh were to fight seriously and take down one or two of the Felynes, he could still turn the tide.
But he simply wouldn't do that. The one he wanted to discipline was Sherwin he couldn't bring himself to harm those adorable little cats.
So…
What excuse could he use to make this brat and his Felynes stop fighting?
Rayleigh knew he couldn't be the one to call for a halt. He was a long-renowned veteran, after all—he'd already declared he was going to teach Sherwin a harsh lesson.
Yet now, not only had he failed to do so, he'd have to be the one to suggest stopping the fight?
If it had been a younger friend he was close with, Rayleigh wouldn't have minded acting shamelessly for a bit.
But because of Hatchan, his relationship with Sherwin wasn't exactly warm or familiar.
Under these circumstances, Rayleigh pride simply wouldn't allow him to be the first to back down.
Just as he was racking his brain for a way out, his Observation Haki suddenly picked up a familiar presence rapidly approaching.
"Looks like this fight about to end anyway," Rayleigh exhaled in relief, quickly pulling back from the battlefield and turning toward that direction.
"An old friend come to see me."
The moment he said that, a sturdy, broad-shouldered old man in a Marine uniform stepped out from behind the mangrove trees.