Chapter 74

Not only were Kid and the others unable to keep up with Carnes' movements, they could barely even see him clearly.

This scene, in particular, crushed any thoughts Kid and Law had of seeking revenge against Carnes.

It was true that they desired revenge, but they were not willing to throw their lives away for it.

The strength of opponents at this level was far beyond their reach. They were simply not on the same level!

"What's this guy's background...?" Law gritted his teeth and whispered with a deeply serious expression.

In the Navy Headquarters inside a meeting hall a loud crash reverberated...

"Boom!"

"Is it that kid again? These recent incidents are giving me a headache!

Now even the Celestial Dragons have been attacked. What is going on with that family?

They're always causing trouble," sighed Fleet Admiral Sengoku as he massaged his forehead with one hand, furrowing his brows.

Not long ago, there was a minor riot at the headquarters when Tsuru was killed by Carnes. And right after it was suppressed, the situation with Fire Fist Ace unfolded without pause.

They were currently in a critical moment, busy deploying troops to Marineford in preparation for the Whitebeard Pirates' attack.

And now, at this juncture, that brat from the D clan had gone and attacked the Celestial Dragons!

Observing the distressed Sengoku, the officer who came to report the news pondered for a moment before adding more information,

"According to the information, aside from Straw Hat Luffy, there are also the pirate Eustass Kid and several of his companions, as well as Trafalgar Law and several of his companions."

"A total of thirteen wanted criminals, five of whom are newcomers with bounties exceeding 100 million."

Sengoku's eyes widened slightly upon hearing the officer's report.

Immediately, he turned abruptly and looked at the reporting officer, asking, "Is Carnes there? Is he among them?"

The officer was caught off guard by Sengoku's sudden question.

After hesitating for a moment, he spoke slowly, "The information provided this time is all about the prisoner who harmed the Celestial Dragons. There is no information available on other criminals present there."

"Then is he on that island?" Sengoku asked again, with serious expression.

The officer, sensing something amiss from Sengoku's repeated questioning, instinctively straightened up.

"Sorry, Fleet Admiral, I... I have not received any intelligence regarding Carnes."

Sengoku turned around, lost in thought, muttering to himself, "He is there... he must be there... or after sometime he will surely be there looking for that person."

At that moment, the idea of sending Garp, the Admiral on standby, and warships to the Sabaody Archipelago crossed Sengoku's mind.

However, he quickly regained his composure. Such a move was unacceptable; his superiors wouldn't allow it.

After all, Fire Fist Ace held more significance than Carnes at this moment.

"What is the current situation over there?" Sengoku inquired.

"We have lost contact. It is presumed that the entire force has been wiped out," the officer truthfully reported.

Hearing the gravity of the situation, Sengoku grew even more concerned. "Have there been any requests?"

This remark carried weight, as it implied whether there were any demands from higher-ups.

"Not yet, Fleet Admiral," replied the officer.

Meanwhile, nearby, a tall and lean man wearing a white Marine coat with gold threads on the epaulettes and gold-trimmed cuffs.

Along with another man donning a yellow and white striped suit underneath his coat, listening to two men leisurely sipped his tea.

Then he spoke up.

"Well, attacking the World Nobles is quite a problem, isn't it, we can't sit idle, can we, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?" he said in a casual tone.

"Kizaru?" Sengoku turned to face the voice.

Kizaru put down his teacup, slowly stood up, and wore a faint smile on his face as he lazily addressed Sengoku,

"Leave it to me; I'll be right back."

"Don't worry..."

With that said, Kizaru turned and left the meeting hall.

On the other side, at Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 1...

As the battle raged on, Rayleigh's exhaustion became increasingly apparent, and his body was covered in numerous wounds.

Though these wounds were minor, they were still enough to be fatal!

"Haven't seen you in over 40 years, and your swordsmanship seems a bit rusty, huh, Carnes?" Rayleigh remarked, teasing Carnes despite the intense battle.

"Oh, don't worry about me I am just here to test your blade, but it seems due to old age your swordsmanship has become dull just like your senile mind?" Carnes replied flatly, his sword's sharpness unwavering.

"Well, that's rather impolite!" Rayleigh chuckled.

But in the next moment, while he was momentarily distracted, Carnes plunged his sword, Eclipse, directly into Rayleigh's stomach!

"Puff!"

Crimson blood spilled from Rayleigh's stomach.

Immediately, a sweet taste filled his throat, and then bright red blood gushed from his mouth.

"Cough, cough..."

"Are you looking for death?" Carnes spoke indifferently.

Rayleigh wasn't able to block that attack, let alone dodge it!

Behind them, Kid and Law wore grave expressions as they witnessed Carnes deliver that attack to Rayleigh's stomach.

Luffy was momentarily stunned, then shouted.

Upon seeing Carnes, Luffy's eyes welled up with anger. He didn't care whether he was Carnes' opponent or not. He neither cared about Carnes strength nor his own weakness.

Rather he roared and charged towards Carnes.

"You bastard!"

However, Carnes didn't take Luffy seriously.

It was at that moment when Rayleigh, blood still flowing from his mouth, suddenly grabbed Carnes' wrist holding the sword and hoarsely said, "Gotcha..."

Carnes furrowed his brow slightly but remained unconcerned.

"And? What now?"

"Hehe..." Rayleigh smiled wistfully.

"I know I won't be able to leave this place alive today, and it'll be even harder to kill you and then escape. So, I'll have to trouble you to accompany me to after life."

Hearing Rayleigh's words, Carnes couldn't help but laugh.

"You want to die with me? Are you dreaming?"

Rayleigh slowly raised the longsword in his hand, and immediately covered the blade with his Haki.

At that moment, his aura underwent a dramatic change.

"Boom!"

A powerful and terrifying aura surged from Rayleigh's body.

Though blood continued to flow from his mouth, but his gaze remained fixed on Carnes, and his voice grew incredibly hoarse.

"This... is a new era! It's the era of newcomers! We've shone for far too long; it's time for fresh blood to take over sea. We, old-timers, should just retire gracefully!"

With that, Rayleigh poured his entire being into the blade and took a decisive step forward.

"Boom!"

In an instant, the ground beneath Rayleigh's feet gave way.

"Make way for these newcomers, give these young ones, this new blood, the stage!"

Rayleigh shouted angrily as he unleashed a full-powered slash against Carnes' army.

"Clang!"

The sound of sharp blades cutting through the air resonated, accompanied by an overwhelming momentum and pressure.

At that moment, the longsword in Rayleigh's hand emitted an intensely dazzling light and immense power.

Even the heavens and the earth seemed dim in comparison.

This strike wasn't just to render someone unconscious; it was meant to completely sever the head of the man before him!

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