Outside the luxurious Ark Maxim, the energy barrier was fully activated. Its defensive capabilities were sufficient to withstand a nuclear-scale assault; even the strongest physical attack in this world couldn't so much as scratch it.
Inside the ship's lounge, the women watched the large display screen with concern, which showed the standoff between Leo and the Dark King, Rayleigh.
"The opponent is the Dark King Rayleigh! The Captain won't be in danger, will he?!" Perona hugged her stuffed doll tightly, her voice tense. After all, Rayleigh was a legend from the previous era, the right-hand man of the Pirate King himself. The combination of factors made even the women, who usually trusted Leo implicitly, feel a knot of worry.
"Hey!" Nami rallied them, "You all have to believe in Leo! Back at Enies Lobby, he faced Admiral Kizaru and the Marine Hero Garp simultaneously and still managed to sever Kizaru's arm!"
Robin nodded with a smile. "The Rayleigh of today is no longer the Rayleigh of the past. The Captain will be fine. What we need to guard against is a sneak attack by the Marines."
Nami thought for a moment, then said decisively, "Leo has his Instant Transmission; he can return anytime. But as his women, we can't just sit here and do nothing." Before the others could ask, she made her bold proposal: "What if we pilot the ship and attack Marine Headquarters?!"
The women's eyes widened in unison, inwardly gasping at Nami's audacity.
Attack Marine Headquarters?!
That was far too bold.
But... it sounded incredibly stimulating!
Vivi punched her palm, her eyes lighting up. "She's right! We can tie up the Marine reinforcements for Brother Leo! The ship's energy barrier is impenetrable, anyway."
Tashigi hesitated. "But the ship's firepower is only at the 'warship-destroying' level. Marine Headquarters is swarming with powerful fighters. Attacks like that won't pose a real threat to them."
Kaya, throwing an arm around Tashigi's shoulders, smiled. "We're not actually trying to destroy Marine Headquarters. We just need to tie up their forces and stop them from heading to Sabaody. If they ignore us, even 'warship-destroying' level attacks are enough to cause significant damage to the base itself."
"Oh!" The other hesitant women saw the light.
"Then let's move quickly!" Once everyone agreed, the ship swiftly changed course and shot towards Marine Headquarters.
The women's moods grew excited and determined.
Marine Headquarters, Marejois
The moment Leo set foot on Sabaody, informants had contacted Fleet Admiral Sengoku. In the current climate, Leo was the eye of the storm on the seas. Coupled with his unique crew composition, it was impossible for him not to be recognized.
The matter was urgent. Upon receiving the news, Sengoku, without time to convene an emergency meeting, immediately contacted the Admirals stationed at HQ—Akainu, Aokiji—and the Hero, Garp. He ordered the three of them to proceed to Sabaody at once to capture Leo!
As for Kizaru... he was still lying in a hospital bed. Though he had long since regained consciousness, his severed arm was beyond reattachment. The thoroughly demoralized Kizaru lay in bed day after day, staring blankly at the white ceiling, still unable to accept his harsh new reality.
On the other end, after receiving Sengoku's orders, Aokiji, Akainu, and Garp gathered their forces, preparing to set out with grim determination.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!
Just then, a series of thunderous explosions rocked Marineford.
Under the barrage of laser cannons, the sturdy fortress walls crumbled like paper, collapsing one after another.
"Enemy attack!!"
"Enemy attack!!"
The well-trained Marine soldiers sounded the alarm immediately. The urgent sirens blared throughout the entire headquarters.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!
The violent explosions continued. Everyone looked up in panic. In the sky, the massive ship's 180 laser cannons were aimed squarely at Marine Headquarters, spitting fire, launching an all-out, indiscriminate assault.
"Bastards! Defensive positions!!"
"Return fire!!"
"Admiral Sakazuki!!"
"Ah!! Help me!!"
Under the continuous barrage, Marine soldiers fell one after another into pools of blood. Key buildings within the headquarters were specifically targeted by the laser cannons.
"Ahahahaha... Keep firing! Hit them hard!!"
"That's it! Beautiful!"
"More firepower! Increase the firepower!!"
Watching the scene on their screens, the women felt a collective sense of vindication. While the laser cannons' attack power couldn't harm the Marine elites, against ordinary soldiers and structures, it was a crushing superior force.
"BASTARDS!!" Sengoku, who had rushed out of the main building, took in the shattered state of his headquarters, his eyes nearly bursting with fury. "LEO!!" He ground his teeth, his face dark with storm clouds. It was that damn Reynolds again!!
"SAKAZUKI! KUZAN! STOP THEM!!" Sengoku ordered immediately, canceling the mission to Sabaody. If he let these guys keep bombing, the entire Marine Headquarters would be reduced to rubble. He had no desire to conduct business in the open air.
Grasping the severity of the situation, Aokiji and Akainu immediately launched their counterattacks. A myriad of Devil Fruit abilities erupted, intercepting the incoming laser blasts. They alleviated immense pressure and bought precious time for the Marines.
Simultaneously, more and more Marine officers surged out from the buildings, using their various skills to intercept the lasers aimed at the headquarters and their comrades.
Back in the lounge, the women sipped their juice, calmly watching the main screen. The ship had an unlimited energy supply. Let the Marines exhaust themselves. As long as they tied up the Admirals, their goal was accomplished.
The battle between Leo and Rayleigh officially began!
"Ahahaha! Leo, let this old man see just what a 3 Billion Berry bounty is made of!!"
BOOM!!
A Conqueror's Haki that had slumbered for years erupted from Rayleigh, carrying overwhelming momentum as it surged towards Leo. Even Rayleigh himself had forgotten the last time he'd used his Conqueror's Haki.
Leo was not to be outdone. A savage Conqueror's Haki, no less powerful than Rayleigh's, burst forth in response, crashing forward like a tidal wave.
BOOM! BOOM!!
BOOM! BOOM!!
Countless red lightning bolts crackled in all directions. The moment their Haki clashed, thunderous explosions ripped through the air. The ground beneath their feet cracked and collapsed in layers, the air itself whined and screamed, and red lightning snakes ran rampant across the area.
A visible shockwave, centered on the two combatants, swept outwards in all directions. Some unlucky souls caught too close were hit directly and instantly lost consciousness.
"Conqueror's Haki!!!"
"It's a Conqueror's Haki clash!!"
"Is that the Dark King Rayleigh?!"
"Holy shit! Why is Rayleigh fighting Leo?!!"
Pirates hiding in the shadows looked up at the sky torn asunder by the clashing Haki, their faces filled with astonishment. The scene before them was like the end of the world.
"Bastards! Are they trying to destroy the entire Sabaody Archipelago?!!"
"Stop complaining and get out of here! Their real fight hasn't even started!"
"Ahahaha~ To think I'd live to see the legendary Dark King Rayleigh in action! This is worth it!!"
"I still think Leo's more badass. Wherever he goes, he causes major trouble!"
As the onlookers whispered among themselves, Leo and Rayleigh were already locked in fierce combat. The Seven Star Sword and Rayleigh's longsword clashed, their wielders testing each other's strength.
Leo's brow furrowed slightly. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he subtly increased his pressure, clearly straining. "Heh... Going all out from the very start? You flatter me, old man!!"
A cold smirk played on Leo's lips. "Well, I am facing a legend from the bygone era, after all." His voice was icy. "Rayleigh, you shouldn't have meddled in Octo's affairs. Your ending could have been like Crocus's—living out your remaining years in peace here. A pity~"
While increasing his offensive pressure, Leo released the dark will contained within the Seven Star Sword, letting it drift towards Rayleigh.
Rayleigh's pupils contracted. His body instantly leaped backward. He didn't know what this power was, but it was clearly nothing good.
"Hehehe... Rayleigh, has old age made you cautious and timid in a fight?!" Leo taunted with a cold laugh. The man was 76 years old. Why did he have to wade into this muddy water? He was just asking for trouble.
"Leo, tell this old man, what exactly have you done to deserve a 3 billion Berry bounty?" As he spoke, Rayleigh, sword in hand, closed in again. With his sharp eyes, he could tell there was more to the bounty than met the eye, but he couldn't guess the specifics. Even so, he didn't dare be the slightest bit careless facing Leo. Aside from the pressure Leo himself exuded, that eerie named blade in his hand constantly put him on edge.
Buzz~
The advanced Armament Haki known as Ryou instantly flowed up and coated Rayleigh's blade. With a swing from Rayleigh, several sharp flying slashes shot towards Leo.
A shadow passed deep within Leo's eyes. The Seven Star Sword moved, deflecting Rayleigh's attacks one after another. While Rayleigh's attacks were still sharp, their power left Leo disappointed. He never doubted Rayleigh's strength, given his history as the Pirate King's first mate. But the man was 76 years old. His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak. In the original story, he'd started panting after just a short fight with Kizaru.
"Rayleigh, if this is all you've got, then you can go die now!" Leo snorted coldly and launched his counterattack. Fighting a 76-year-old man couldn't get his blood pumping.
With a faint hum, refined Armament Haki quickly climbed the blade of the Seven Star Sword.
"Slashing Wave!" Leo's gaze sharpened as he swung the Seven Star Sword repeatedly.
Flying slashes, interwoven with black and green light, screamed through the air, tearing through the atmosphere as they shot towards Rayleigh.
"So it is Golden Lion's technique!" Rayleigh swung his own blade to meet them. The next moment, the two engaged in a fierce clash.
Clang! Clang! Clang!!
In the blink of an eye, they exchanged dozens of blows, leaving afterimages in their wake. Often, the shockwave from one collision hadn't even fully dissipated before the two teleported elsewhere and began a new exchange.
Wherever they passed, everything was destroyed under their fierce assaults. The hard ground was covered in a crisscross of sword scars. The entire Grove 42 was filled with the violent, rampaging energy of red and black lightning.
The pirates and other onlookers watching from a safe distance were utterly stunned, unable to recover their senses for a long time. Rayleigh was one thing—he was a legendary pirate from the previous era. But Leo?! Just because he destroyed Enies Lobby? Seeing Rayleigh being forced back step by step, gritting his teeth and barely holding on, left everyone speechless with shock.
After another exchange of slashes, the tremendous force from Leo sent a numbing shock through Rayleigh's hands, forcing him back several steps.
"Rayleigh, your era ended long ago. Since you're seeking death, go keep that octopus company in hell!" Leo's figure blurred. A dark red Ryou surged continuously from his body, coiling tightly around the Seven Star Sword.
As the Ryou poured in, the sword blade began to vibrate intensely, as if transmitting its excitement to Leo. Staring at the panting Rayleigh before him, a cruel arc curled at the corner of Leo's mouth. "Die!!"
"Lion's Thousand Ravines!"
The signature sword technique of Golden Lion Shiki!
In that instant, dozens of slashes, entwined with both Ryou and the dark will of the Seven Star Sword, swept towards Rayleigh one after another like an overwhelming tide.
Rayleigh's pupils shrank to pinpricks. Disregarding his stamina consumption, he mobilized all the power left in his body for a desperate defense. In a battle between masters, victory and defeat could be decided in a flash.
Clang! Clang! Clang!!
Clang! Clang! Clang!!
Sparks flew continuously. Fine beads of sweat broke out on Rayleigh's forehead, his whole body already soaked in cold sweat. His tall frame was forced back relentlessly by the powerful impact, plowing a deep furrow into the ground. Though Rayleigh defended with his life, several slashes still found their mark, breaking through his Haki defense, invading his body, and sending splatters of blood blooming in the air.
By the time he blocked the final slash, with a clang, Rayleigh leaned on his sword, driven into the ground for support. He stared at the wounds on his body, his face contorted in a grimace as he couldn't suppress a groan of agony. Besides the power of Ryou, a strange, inexplicable force, like maggots burrowing into bone, was running rampant inside him. Darkness, slaughter, bloodlust, submission... a dark power was constantly eroding his will, trying to completely assimilate him.
"BASTARD!!" Rayleigh's eyes were wide with fury, a venomous, beast-like growl erupting from his throat. "Leo! What is that power?!"
He had never heard of such a bizarre power.
A playful smile rose on Leo's face. He naturally knew what Rayleigh was asking. He had to admit, the Seven Star Sword, used correctly, was truly a divine weapon. Even the former Dark King would meet his end because of it. And he hadn't even fully unleashed the sword's dark power yet. One could see the whole from a small part.
"Rayleigh, no need for words. This last move will send you on your way!" Leo couldn't be bothered to waste words on a dead man.
Huff... Huff... Rayleigh stared fixedly at Leo, his mouth gasping for air. He never imagined this would be the outcome. In his script, the worst-case scenario was a mutual defeat, with him dying to kill Leo. But this...
A self-mocking smile flickered across his face before his eyes suddenly turned resolute.
"Come, Leo! Let me witness your true power!!"
BOOM!!
At this moment, Rayleigh held nothing back. Disregarding the cost to his body, he mobilized every last bit of his physical strength and Haki, briefly erupting with power equal to his prime. Even if he died today, he would drag Leo down with him!
Rayleigh's figure vanished. A single strike, simultaneously imbued with Armament Haki Ryou and Conqueror's Haki Infusion, shot towards Leo at incredible speed.
"Ahahaha! Well met!!" Leo laughed loudly, advancing instead of retreating!
"Thunderstorm: Fox-Fire Slash!"
Leo raised the Seven Star Sword and swung it horizontally.
A green storm, simultaneously缠绕 (entwined) with Armament Haki Ryou, the power of lightning, and the dark power of the Seven Star Sword, materialized out of thin air. Carrying endless wind blades, it shot towards Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh, it's time for your curtain call!!"
Rayleigh's pupils constricted. The sky-obscuring green tornado crushed towards him, breaking through all obstacles.
An earth-shattering explosion resonated across the entire island.
The green tornado,裹挟 (carrying) the three powers, completely swallowed Rayleigh.
"AHHHHH!!!"
Soon, Rayleigh's blood-curdling screams came from within.
The onlookers in the distance swallowed hard, watching the scene nervously, not even daring to breathe loudly.
As time passed, the green storm gradually subsided.
Everyone looked again. The next second, all their eyes widened, a chill running from the soles of their feet to the crowns of their heads. Before them, Rayleigh's figure had long since vanished. All that remained was a desiccated corpse and a broken sword on the ground
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T/N :
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