"Rayleigh!"
A sweep of Conqueror's Haki tore through the calm; great Sea Kings that had been surrounding the pirate ship scattered and plunged beneath the waves. Their thrashing had churned the sea into a riot, rocking the ships — but the people aboard this vessel were used to such scenes.
Boa Hancock read the newspaper in her hands and murmured softly.
Rayleigh had saved her life once and was like a father to her. She knew he'd been living quietly on the Sabaody Archipelago — and now he'd been found, of all people, by a pirate hunter.
"Turn! Head for Sabaody!" she ordered without hesitation.
"Sis, we're supposed to return to Amazon Lily!" one of the towering snake-women protested.
"I've changed my mind," Hancock waved her hand.
The Kuja pirate ship swung around and accelerated.
…
At Headquarters.
"So that's how it is."
Sengoku's face showed a trace of speechless resignation.
He'd been worried that all these people gathering would make things harder to control — but it seemed they were simply fighting one another.
And sometimes, fights led to friendships. Still, he breathed a small sigh of relief; at least now he had a clearer idea of what Don was doing.
"Sengoku!"
The Den Den Mushi rang. After answering, Sengoku's expression went serious on hearing the other side.
"They can't be stopped, but nothing must go wrong. Send people to the Sabaody Archipelago — there must be no accidents."
It was Kong on the line — now Commander-in-Chief of the entire World Government's forces, Sengoku's superior. Sengoku had reported the suggestion to keep the Celestial Dragons quiet, and now the result didn't look ideal.
"Really impossible?"
Sengoku frowned.
"If it's impossible, it's impossible," Kong said flatly.
"I understand."
Sengoku was silent a moment, then hung up with a grave look.
He knew what the Celestial Dragons were like: if they got to Sabaody, an encounter with Don would be unavoidable. Those people always caused trouble. He could only try to avoid the worst outcomes.
…
Clang!
A blade wrapped in Conqueror's Haki struck Don's Armament-coated forearm.
Feeling the impact, Rayleigh immediately pulled his blade back and retreated.
"Still not there?" Rayleigh frowned at Don.
What was up with this kid? Rock solid. He felt Don was even "harder" than Charlotte Linlin.
Rayleigh hadn't held back this time. Don's challenge carried coercion — so Rayleigh intended to give the boy a lesson. Yesterday he'd been restrained; today he'd unleashed himself. Yet even so, Don bore no visible wounds.
What an odd monster.
"Not yet — just a little more!"
Don shook his arm and said.
"You said the same thing yesterday."
Rayleigh stared.
"I'll learn as fast as I can. Don't worry — before you drop dead."
Don smiled and lifted his blade.
What the hell.
What kind of line is that — before you drop dead? Do we have that kind of relationship? Am I supposed to risk my life teaching you?
"I've no endurance left. We'll fight tomorrow!"
Rayleigh sheathed his sword and walked toward the shore.
Seeing Rayleigh bow out so soon, Don's face registered a bit of helplessness. Old fox — he'd expected this. Rayleigh had likely read his intent, or at least guessed how far Don might push.
Don had no intention of killing Rayleigh. So once his opponent withdrew, he wouldn't strike him from behind. Killing people wouldn't earn him money… or help him learn Haki techniques. Still.
Don lifted his blade again; black lightning danced along the edge. He'd apparently grasped a glimmer of some trick.
On the ship.
The three aboard were surprised Rayleigh returned so early.
"Let's head back."
Don said that once he was on board.
"I'm old; recovery isn't quick. We call off tomorrow."
Rayleigh, looking at the sword Don held, considered and replied.
"You think I'm easy to talk to?"
Don lowered his sword and shot Rayleigh a dark look.
"This is the first time anyone's threatened me like that."
Rayleigh ignored Don's tone.
"Well then, consider it done."
Don sheathed his sword and spread his hands.
"This technique isn't learned overnight. I don't have time to spar with you every day."
Rayleigh changed tack.
"So— you're planning to make some money and gamble? Lose it all, then auction yourself off, loot the buyer, and keep gambling?"
"You know me well!"
Rayleigh blinked, suspicious. He actually knew that?
"Before I go to the New World, I must master this technique. If I can't, I won't go."
"You rascal."
Rayleigh shook his head and fell silent. He really couldn't read this man. In Rayleigh's day, someone like Don would already have a place in the sea. Yet Don still wasn't satisfied with himself. How strong did he want to become?
Don turned his gaze toward the Red Line — strength was the only currency in this world. Known threats weren't a worry for him now; it was the unknown, extremely powerful opponents that kept him uneasy. So he would become stronger before meeting that person — activate "Unyielding" and cleave them.
Wait — why did he just think that? He was only trying to make his way in this world and nudge it a bit.
Don shook his head and drew his attention back.
"Tomorrow we continue. But keep the fights shorter. Don't hold back during these sessions. I won't be able to kill you, so don't worry."
He wanted to feel Conqueror's Haki in action himself, then figure out how to learn it.
That was also why Don avoided using his Devil Fruit.
"Your swordsmanship…"
Rayleigh stroked his chin and began, but Don interrupted with a hand.
"Hawkeye taught me!"
Don said.
Hawkeye — who had been silent and watching — blinked and frowned.
"I didn't!"
"You did!"
Don turned to Hawkeye. "Just say whether you taught me or not!"
"I taught you, but—"
"No buts. My swordsmanship is what you taught me," Don declared self-righteously.
Smiles and Robin exchanged eye-rolls.
"Incompetent teacher!"
Rayleigh said to Hawkeye.
Hawkeye: …I really want to cut someone right now.
END OF CHAPTER
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