Chapter 75

Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Rayleigh's sword, Carnes glanced at him with a somber expression.

"Since there's no way around it, let's continue!" Carnes thought.

With a sudden surge of determination, Carnes fiercely raised his hand and met Rayleigh's powerful slashing blow with the palm of his hand.

Without any assistance, Carnes, even with his "Hierro" also known as "steel skin" ability, still coated his left hand using the advance Armament Haki.

"Shuh!"

"Boom!"

The collision of palm and blade caused a resounding roar that echoed in all directions.

"Boom!"

The ground beneath Carnes's feet collapsed and cracked, causing the entire area to tremor

Behind him, a fierce gust of wind sent debris flying as Rayleigh's strike tore through the thick layer of earth and stone.

"Boom!"

A horrifying ravine stretched more than ten meters long, over three meters wide, and more than two feet deep due to impact of attack.

Kid and Law, who were standing behind, were forced to take a few steps back due to the aftermath of Rayleigh's devastating attack.

As for Luffy, who was running towards Rayleigh and Carnes, he was sent soaring into the air several meters high by the tremendous shockwave.

"Ah!"

Kid and Law shielded their eyes, bracing against the terrifying blast without retreating.

The sight of Carnes single-handedly blocking Rayleigh's formidable strike sent shockwaves through their hearts.

They were well aware that if Rayleigh managed to strike down Carnes, it would mean their own demise, as they were standing behind Carnes.

Dodging or blocking such an attack was out of the question. In mere moments, they would be killed.

"Where did such a monster... come from?!" Kid gritted his teeth and roared.

On the other side, Rayleigh's momentum with the blade remained undiminished, but Carnes showed no signs of backing down. The two locked into a stalemate.

"Boom! Boom!"

"Boom!"

Once again, the ground beneath them gave way, unable to withstand the force of their clash.

Rayleigh, already pierced in the stomach, was visibly strained, his eyes filled with hyperventilation and bright red blood streaming from his mouth and nose.

"Ahem..." Rayleigh coughed in pain, blood seemingly choking him.

Nevertheless, his gaze remained fixed on Carnes, his voice hoarse but resolute.

"The new era has no ships that can carry you. Accept..."

Before Rayleigh could finish speaking, Carnes displayed an unusual anger on his face and interrupted him.

"Shut up!"

"Who do you think you are?!"

"Forty years ago, you were no match for me. Now, after forty years, do you think you can defeat me?!"

Carnes tightened his grip on the hilt of "Eclipse" and lifted it upward. The sword embedded in Rayleigh's body sliced through his organs as he moved it upward.

The damage to Rayleigh's internal organs caused blood to gush from his mouth and nose, staining the ground with dark red, sticky liquid.

However, Rayleigh did not release his grip nor give up. He held on tenaciously.

"Back then, none of your friends could kill me! Now, do you think you can take my life in exchange for yours?!"Carnes taunted.

"Do you believe that by sacrificing your life, you can match all the people who hunted me back then and take my life?!"

"A fool's dream!"

"Clang!"

An untimely, crisp sound suddenly echoed in their ears shattering the silence.

Rayleigh's long sword shattered into countless pieces, unable to withstand the immense forces from both sides.

Staring at the fragments of his broken sword, Rayleigh felt astonishment mixed with disbelief.

Memories flashed through his mind, accompanied by Carnes' words.

"An idiot dreaming?"

Simultaneously, without the slightest hint of pity or hesitation, Carnes freed his hand that Rayleigh was trying to hold on. Then,

With his left hand clenched, Carnes stepped forward, accumulating power, and delivered a punch to Rayleigh's chest.

"Shua!"

"Boom!"

The wind howled as Carnes struck Rayleigh's chest.

In the next instant, blood exploded from Rayleigh's back.

Crimson droplets filled the air as Carnes's blood-stained fist penetrated through Rayleigh's entire chest.

"Ahem..."

Rayleigh's mouth and nose bled profusely, dark red blood pooling on the ground beneath him.

His grip on Carnes's wrist unconsciously loosened.

Without hesitation, Carnes withdrew his fist and stood before Rayleigh.

Shortly after, Rayleigh's body collapsed straight to the ground.

"Plop~"

Glancing at Rayleigh lying in a pool of blood, Carnes lifted his head to look at the sunny sky and let out a long breath.

"Hoo~"

With "Eclipse" dancing in his hand, Carnes turned his gaze toward the direction of the auction house, flicking the remaining blood off the blade.

Albedo had already stepped forward.

She held a white handkerchief, offering it to Carnes.

"Lord Carnes."

After observing the white handkerchief for a moment, Carnes reached out to accept it, slowly wiping away the bloodstains on his hand.

"It's over. Let's go."

Carnes and Albedo turned away, not bothering to check on Rayleigh's condition. Carnes knew there was no chance of survival for him.

In that moment, amidst a pool of blood, Rayleigh gazed blankly at the sky.

His body grew heavier with each passing moment, engulfed in an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that almost lulled him to sleep.

"Uh huh... I failed..."

Rayleigh muttered hoarsely, a faint, inappropriate smile gracing his face.

"I'm sorry, Shakky. This time... it seems I won't be able to return..."

After these words, Rayleigh wearily closed his eyes.

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