26. What Are You Going To Do To My Partner?

Rayleigh's silver hair danced in the wind as he gripped a long sword firmly.

Compared to the Admiral, his courage didn't falter one bit.

One was a Marine Admiral, the World Government's top fighting force.

The other is the Vice Captain of the legendary pirate crew in One Piece, known throughout the world.

In this intense moment, the two faced each other, their presence akin to two brewing storms.

"I'd heard rumours of this island being haunted before, but I didn't think they were true," Kizaru remarked, looking down at Rayleigh. Despite his usual casual tone, there was a seriousness in his eyes and demeanour.

"It's quite troublesome. I came here to relax," Rayleigh responded with a relaxed smile, his sword angled towards the ground.

They locked eyes, and in an instant, their figures blurred.

Boom boom boom.

Two streaks flashed across the sky rapidly, unleashing countless waves of energy that exploded above, leaving massive craters in the ground below, invisible to ordinary bystanders.

To the common folk, it resembled a clash of titans, a monstrous duel.

The aftermath of their battle was devastating.

Energy streaks and sword waves filled the air, easily obliterating large swathes of land and leaving deep gashes on the nearby terrain.

Nami and her companions had to retreat even further to find safety amidst the chaos.

Not far from the ongoing battle, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji stood their ground, showing no signs of retreat.

Luffy, however, wore a troubled expression. "What's Uncle Rayleigh up to? Why's he stepping in now?"

He scratched his head, feeling a bit perplexed. He was all geared up to face Kizaru when suddenly Rayleigh jumped in, making it seem like Luffy couldn't handle the fight on his own.

It irked him a bit, but he knew Rayleigh meant well. Yet, it left him feeling frustrated, unable to vent his anger.

"Kizaru's fast, but his swordsmanship doesn't match up to Uncle Rayleigh's," Zoro observed, watching the nearly invisible battle in the sky.

"Is that Moonwalk? Seems pretty basic," Sanji remarked, lighting a cigarette with a casual flick of his hand. He took a drag and continued, "I can do a lot with my kicks and footwork, I just need to break through his patterns."

The trio stood nearby, observing the clash between the two titans of the sea. They dodged the occasional energy streams and sword waves that veered their way.

After a while, Kizaru and Rayleigh reappeared amidst the grassy field, their blades locked in a fierce struggle akin to a wrestling match.

Both fighters seemed unfazed by their earlier intense battle, breathing evenly as if it had posed no challenge.

Even Rayleigh, at the age of seventy-six, displayed remarkable physical prowess, truly living up to his reputation as a formidable figure of the sea.

"I never expected the Dark King to still possess such formidable strength after retiring for so long," Kizaru remarked calmly, though a hint of apprehension lingered in his tone.

According to Marine intel, Rayleigh was seventy-six, older even than Whitebeard. Yet, he stood toe to toe with Kizaru, proving to be a formidable opponent that couldn't be easily defeated.

It was a testament to his legendary status in the era.

"I refuse to accept ageing. If only I were twenty years younger, I might have more vigour," Rayleigh quipped, smiling as he exerted pressure on Kizaru with his sword.

However, the expressions on both combatants' faces soon shifted, indicating a change in the tide of the battle.

On the contrary, Rayleigh's expression soured while Kizaru sported a smug grin.

"It seems the Straw Hat Boy won't be escaping arrest today," Kizaru remarked confidently.

Rayleigh remained silent, his frustration evident on his face. Thirty years ago, he could have easily whisked away the current crew of Straw Hats to safety. But time had passed, and now all he could do was stand against Kizaru.

Meanwhile, Luffy, observing the battle nearby, glared fiercely, his expression darkening.

Suddenly, Nami and the others, who had retreated to a safe distance, felt an ominous presence looming behind them, sending shivers down their spines.

Turning around, they were met with the imposing figure of a man, his demeanour as cold as steel. Clad in black gloves and holding a Bible to his chest, he exuded an intimidating aura.

"That's... a real Shichibukai," Nami whispered in horror, her pupils dilating as memories of encountering Kuma holding a book at the Thriller Bark flooded back to her.

This one's nothing like those imposters.

"If you were to journey anywhere, where would you want to go?" Kuma asked, leaning in slightly to address Nami.

His immense presence engulfed her, weighing heavily on her heart.

"You scoundrel, show some respect!" Franky roared, lashing out with a chain in his right hand.

But the attack missed entirely.

Kuma vanished in an instant, reappearing behind Nami as if by teleportation. He removed the black glove from one of his palms, revealing a pink, fleshy ball.

"Travel in peace," he said softly, patting Nami on the shoulder.

A sense of dread gripped Nami's heart as she recognized the power of the fleshy ball.

In her moment of despair, she could only cry out as she had before.

"Luffy."

A figure cloaked in white steam materialized behind Kuma, its presence unnoticed until now.

Under the glaring sunlight, his already imposing figure expanded, overshadowing the Kuma entirely.

Kuma found himself frozen in place, overcome by the overwhelming aura emanating from his adversary.

"What do you intend to do with my comrade?" boomed a deep, icy voice filled with fury from behind Kuma.

The intense momentum, akin to a black shockwave, surged violently outward, transforming the entire Sabaody Archipelago into a realm of chaos.

Rippling like a tidal wave, the Conqueror's Haki, which tinted the world with its hue, compelled even Kizaru and Rayleigh to halt their battle.

They turned their attention to Luffy in the distance, their expressions serious.

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