When it came to reputation, naturally Dark King Rayleigh stood far above the rest.
After all, Rayleigh was considered one of the legendary pirates.
He had once been the right hand of the Pirate King.
But ever since Gol D. Roger was captured by the Navy, the whereabouts of his crew gradually faded from public sight.
And now—Rayleigh had suddenly reappeared.
What was even more shocking was that Don's name appeared right beside Rayleigh's on the front page of the newspaper.
Some readers didn't recognize the name at first—but others immediately recalled the young man who'd once filled an entire newspaper issue all by himself.
A young pirate hunter from the East Blue—he looked barely an adult, yet his strength was terrifying.
He had fought two Marine Admirals, defeated Chinjao of the Flower Country, and once destroyed dozens of islands in the North Blue.
But the mystery that intrigued people most…
was that the Navy had never placed a bounty on him.
This alone stirred endless speculation about Don's identity.
And now, these two men had clashed in a fierce battle on the Sabaody Archipelago.
But the result?
Readers flipped through the newspaper again and again, searching every corner—yet no conclusion to the battle could be found.
All they saw were grainy pictures taken by reckless news birds from high above:
the ruined island,
and the sheer cliffs of the Red Line carved with terrifying sword marks.
Sabaody Archipelago, Area 13 — Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
Shakky, cigarette dangling from her lips, tossed a newspaper onto the counter in front of Rayleigh.
"Your little duel made the headlines."
Rayleigh lifted the paper and skimmed through it.
"I knew those news birds were tailing us. This was bound to happen."
There wasn't a hint of surprise on Rayleigh's face.
"Even if Don leaves… we won't be able to stay on the Sabaody Archipelago for much longer."
Shakky crushed her cigarette, leaned on the counter, and looked at Rayleigh.
"So where do we go next?"
"We'll decide when the time comes."
Rayleigh understood she was right.
There were far too many pirates setting sail now—each one dreaming of making a name for themselves.
And an old pirate like him, with both fame and age, was the perfect stepping stone in their eyes.
Even if he defeated one or two challengers, five more would show up… then ten… then more.
The trouble wouldn't disappear—it would only multiply.
As Rayleigh sighed helplessly, the Den-Den Mushi in his pocket suddenly rang.
"Rayleigh! That brat really came to cause you trouble?"
The deep, booming voice of Crocus echoed the moment Rayleigh answered.
"Mm. He did. Though not in the way you're thinking. Still… it certainly counts as trouble."
Hearing it was Crocus, Rayleigh answered honestly.
"That kid isn't simple. I could tell the moment I met him,"
Crocus warned before pausing.
"Wait—your fight didn't end in a result, so right now you're…?"
"Sabaody. And he'll probably keep coming to bother me for some time. Crocus, as my former crewmate, maybe you could take a share of the burden for me?"
Rayleigh said into the Den-Den Mushi.
And then
click.
The call was disconnected.
Rayleigh stared expressionlessly at the Den-Den Mushi, then turned toward the bar entrance.
Moments later, Don walked in with his three companions.
"It's time to continue, Dark King Rayleigh."
Don smiled at him the moment he stepped inside.
"I'm an old man, you know. My recovery isn't as fast as you youngsters."
Rayleigh felt his teeth ache.
"Don't pretend. With that body of yours, I bet you recovered after resting a bit and having a meal yesterday."
Seeing Rayleigh's face shift slightly, Don added reassuringly:
"Once I master it, I won't bother you anymore."
That line—left Rayleigh no room to refuse.
He could tell that if he rejected him, Don would simply find some other way to force his hand.
Rayleigh sighed, stood up, grabbed the sword Shakky handed over, and followed Don out of the bar.
Shakky watched them leave, a trace of helplessness flickering across her face.
This bar had been comfortable…
If they had to relocate, would they find another place like this?
On the Moby Dick
"Pops! Pops! News about Dark King Rayleigh!"
On the massive Moby Dick, pineapple-headed Marco waved a newspaper excitedly.
"News about Rayleigh!"
As someone who had fought the Roger Pirates many times, Marco recognized most of their members well.
And Dark King Rayleigh was one he remembered most clearly.
Back in those days, Rayleigh had been his primary opponent in many battles.
"Gurararara
that bastard finally couldn't sit still anymore?"
Whitebeard laughed heartily before even looking at the paper.
"No, Pops—someone fought him on Sabaody! That Don guy from the East Blue!
You said before he'd make a name for himself on the Grand Line soon!"
Whitebeard paused.
He set down his immense sake bowl and took the newspaper from Marco.
Pinching it between two fingers, he narrowed his eyes at the headline.
"So it really is him."
Just a few glances—and then he saw Don's photo.
A flicker of surprise crossed Whitebeard's face.
His impression of the young man had been quite deep.
Not everyone could debut by fighting two Admirals—even if the fight ended without a conclusion.
When you couldn't see someone's strength in person, you judged by their deeds.
"Pops, who do you think would win?"
Marco asked, curious as he watched Whitebeard fall into thought.
"Gurararara—either is fine. It has nothing to do with us."
Whitebeard laughed and tossed the newspaper back to Marco.
"Are Red-Hair and Linlin still fighting?"
"Yes, Pops! Should we join in?"
The moment Marco heard him bring it up, he tossed the paper aside eagerly.
"What, go watch the fun?"
Whitebeard's interest sparked for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"No… that's not our war."
Stepping into that kind of battle meant casualties
and since Red-Hair Shanks and Big Mom had been fighting for so long without weakening, their strengths were monstrous.
A war of that level…
his sons might not withstand it.
"Start the feast!"
Whitebeard raised his bowl high, and cheers erupted across the Moby Dick.
Wano Country — Onigashima
"So this brat is the one that flamingo-kid mentioned?"
Kaido set down his sake gourd and took the newspaper from King.
"Yes. He's the one who destroyed most of Doflamingo's military factories in the North Blue. Last time, Doflamingo said it might affect our cooperation."
"Heh… wanting to cooperate with me… not just anyone has the qualifications."
Kaido snorted.
Cooperation was supposed to be between equals
the Flamingo brat really overestimated himself.
But as Kaido stared at the photos—Rayleigh's aged face, and Don's young one—a glint of killing intent flickered in his eyes.
Still…
This kid's talent was frightening.
END OF CHAPTER
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