"Hm?"
Peak Whitebeard was the first to notice something off with Lucian. His massive frame leaned in as he asked in a puzzled tone,
"What's wrong, Lucian, my boy?"
His voice caught the attention of Marco, Vista, and the others who had been deep in their drinking battles—they all paused and turned their curious gazes over.
Even the two Luffys and Ace, who had been fiercely fighting over a chunk of meat, instinctively halted and looked over.
Lucian didn't turn around, but a sly smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"It's nothing."
He replied calmly.
"It's just… our guest has arrived."
"Guest?"
Everyone was stunned.
Peak Whitebeard raised a brow and set down his barrel.
"On this sea… who would dare show up uninvited and call themselves a 'guest'?"
"Could it be that red-haired brat?"
"No, no, Pops!"
Lucian smirked playfully, but instead of looking at Whitebeard, his eyes landed on Peak Rayleigh, who was quietly drinking with Zoro nearby.
"I think this guest would be best greeted by Mr. Rayleigh."
"Oh? Me?"
Peak Rayleigh raised an eyebrow, setting down his cup with mild curiosity.
Lucian nodded seriously.
"Indeed, Mr. Rayleigh."
He raised his finger and pointed toward the distant object in the water rapidly approaching them.
"See that thing over there? The one coming at us fast?"
Everyone followed Lucian's gaze.
In the distance, a pitch-black shadow was racing across the sea at a speed nearly imperceptible to the naked eye, slicing through the waves and trailing a long white wake.
Lucian continued.
"I think you should greet it—with a slash.
Preferably… one wrapped in Conqueror's Haki."
His cryptic words left everyone confused.
But Peak Rayleigh laughed.
He stood up and cracked his shoulders, bones popping audibly.
"Oh? Since you put it that way, kid…"
He grinned wide, revealing pristine white teeth, his eyes sparking with battle intent.
"Then I'll gladly oblige!"
As soon as the words left his mouth—
Peak Rayleigh kicked off the ground, launching himself into the sky like a cannonball!
Midair, he had already drawn his sword!
With zero hesitation, a slash of destructive force ripped through the air, his blade wrapped in black and red lightning-like Conqueror's Haki. The devastating arc sliced straight toward the deceptively calm sea!
At the same time—
Beneath the surface.
A white-haired, bearded old man was swimming furiously at astonishing speed.
It was none other than the "Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh, who had rushed all the way from the Sabaody Archipelago.
As he swam, he muttered internally:
'Dammit, that kid Lucian sure knows how to cause a scene. Doesn't know how to lay low, forcing these old bones to come all the way out here.'
'Still, getting to see my younger self and Roger's Nika successor… not a bad deal.'
Just then!
His entire body tensed. He felt a crushing killing intent fall from above, locking onto him!
'What the—?'
Old Rayleigh abruptly looked up.
From the sky, a monstrous slash, powerful enough to cleave a meteor, was descending toward him at an absurd speed!
"Son of a—!"
He cursed and didn't dare meet it head-on. Exploding with strength, he dove deeper into the sea!
BOOM!!!
The slash hit the ocean, instantly cleaving open a deep chasm in the water. Tidal waves surged violently as seawater blasted to either side!
Onshore, Peak Rayleigh landed steadily beside the group. Seeing that his attack had missed, he raised an eyebrow.
"Dodged it? Not bad."
The others, having witnessed the strike, had a good idea of who was coming.
Sure enough—
A second later!
The split sea exploded upward!
A golden figure burst out like a sea dragon, trailing immense killing intent as it shot toward Peak Rayleigh!
Seeing who it was, Peak Rayleigh's grin widened.
"So even as an old man, I've still got that presence, huh?"
He stepped forward to meet the attack. The two identical swords clashed violently mid-air!
CLANG!!!
The screech of metal echoed as black and red lightning crackled wildly around them!
They landed ten meters apart, staring each other down from a distance.
Peak Rayleigh held his sword, eyes sharp like a hawk, sizing up the older version of himself—his spirit no less fierce despite the age. He smirked,
"Oh? These old bones are still kicking, I see."
Old Rayleigh wiped seawater from his face, gaze equally serious. He could feel the overwhelming force emanating from his peak-state self.
"Still sharp as ever, huh, younger me?"
"Enough talk, old man."
Battle light gleamed in Peak Rayleigh's eyes.
"Come on. Let's see how much strength I'll have left in a few decades!"
"Gladly!"
Before the words were finished, the two vanished on the spot!
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
A storm of sword clashes exploded instantly!
Their figures blurred into light, colliding across the beach at breakneck speed!
Each impact sent out bursts of sparks and shockwaves!
Black and red Conqueror's Haki lightning crackled madly between them—every blow carrying a world-shattering pressure!
Their swords didn't even make direct contact—just the clash of sword intent wrapped in Supreme Haki was enough to unleash terrifying destruction!
The two Rayleighs delivered a breathtaking swordsmanship showcase to the spectators.
Marco stared wide-eyed and muttered,
"Pops… do all strong guys like fighting themselves?"
"Of course!"
The older Whitebeard downed a swig of sake and laughed heartily.
"Everyone has one enemy they can never beat—and that's themselves!
Now, finally getting the chance to fight yourself—even if you're a bit old—that's a dream come true!"
"Ah… I get it now." Marco nodded in realization.
The duel between the two Rayleighs continued.
However, just like the gap between the two Whitebeards…
Old Rayleigh's swordsmanship, Haki, and experience were flawless—but the problem was stamina.
As the battle wore on, his breathing grew heavier. His sword strikes slowed just a fraction.
Peak Rayleigh picked up on it instantly. He pushed the old man back with a slash, then chuckled with ease:
"Hey, old timer—you still good?"
"Already out of breath?"
"'Cause I haven't even warmed up yet!"