The Mangekyou Sharingan manifested.
The hand gripping the gun tightened slightly.
Though Griffin spoke lightly, his hand behind his back was already preparing to summon the Flame War Fan.
Too close!
Even without activating the Mangekyou in advance, Griffin's Observation Haki had never been turned off for a moment. Yet, he only detected Rayleigh when he was within a hundred meters!
At such a short distance, it was enough for Rayleigh to launch a fierce attack!
Wang Zhi's famed stealth ability paled in comparison, especially since this right-hand man of the Pirate King was renowned for his Haki and swordsmanship.
Blood began to heat up, ready for battle.
Should he fight…
…
Rayleigh looked up at the few people descending the ship's ladder, also deep in thought.
Given the weight of the person before him, the Marines would absolutely agree to exchange him for Shanks and the others.
The problem was…
Could he capture him?
Capturing alive and killing were two different concepts. From the battle at Hachinosu Island, Rayleigh could tell that Griffin hadn't fully reached his level yet, but he wasn't far off.
Even if he could defeat Griffin by going all out, the possibility of keeping him here was minuscule—he didn't have high-purity Sea Stone Handcuffs with him.
According to Rayleigh's plan, it would be best to gather enough strength to negotiate with the Marines and secretly release Shanks.
Rayleigh was somewhat confident in this because he knew the special nature of Shanks' identity.
If he took action here, it would mean tearing all pretense with the Marines, leaving no room for negotiation.
Moreover, they were too close to Marine Headquarters. Perhaps before he could defeat Griffin, the Marine Admirals would arrive…
He absolutely must not take action!
…
Rayleigh adjusted the oars of his small boat, forcing out a smile. "I'm surprised Rear Admiral Griffin recognizes an old man like me, haha… I was just visiting nearby!"
"Hard not to recognize you. I used to hang your bounty poster like a poster when I was a kid."
Tap…
Griffin took a step forward, descending while a chilling Eye Power spread, causing the temperature around them to plummet.
…
What the hell, is this kid planning to make a move?!
"Hey, hey, hey… my bounty was suspended long ago. I'm just an ordinary coating craftsman now!"
Rayleigh naturally raised his hands, smiling. "The hero of the Marines wouldn't attack a law-abiding civilian like me, right?"
…
Stepping onto the port walkway, Griffin smiled at Rayleigh. "Just now, you were still thinking about the consequences of attacking me, weren't you? Talking about being law-abiding… you're quite humorous."
Rayleigh's expression shifted slightly. "Is it the same ability as Shiki's?!"
Shiki, commonly known as the Red Baron or 'Lone Red,' a legendary Pirate from the old era who rivaled Roger and others single-handedly!
He once fought Marine Fleet Admiral Kong for ten days and ten nights, possessing a top-tier Observation Haki that could read minds!
…
Griffin shook his head. "No, I was just bluffing. You're really easy to fool."
…
…
"Teasing an old man isn't a good habit."
Rayleigh shook his head helplessly. "I did think about it just now, after all, you personally arrested Hancock, whom I wanted to protect."
"But I'm already old. Let's forget about fighting."
…
Griffin slowly walked toward Rayleigh, meeting his gaze calmly.
"Three times."
"You emphasized that you're old, and twice you said you're just an ordinary shipwright."
"Unlike the old-timers I've met before, they really don't accept their age..."
...
Looking directly into these eyes brimming with strange power, Rayleigh couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
It's finally... happened after all.
Forcing a smile: "Seeing young people like you emerging in the new era, I can't help but admit I'm getting old."
Griffin chuckled and shook his head.
"Based on my shallow understanding of human nature, the more someone lacks something, the more they tend to show it off."
"Those pirates who refuse to admit they're products of the old era are mostly incompetent. Subconsciously, they know they can't keep up with the times, so they keep denying it."
"The pirates who realize they belong to the old era are the truly frightening ones."
"Whitebeard, Shiki... and you!"
...
...
"Have you met Shiki..."
Rayleigh's smile faded as he placed his hand on the sword at his waist, his demeanor transforming in an instant.
Though physically lower on the small boat, Rayleigh seemed to be looking down at Griffin.
An icy, underworld-like aura spread through the air.
A name might be wrong, but a nickname is never mistaken.
Legends of this man circulate across the seas... those who dare challenge Rayleigh will earn a one-way ticket straight to the underworld!
...
There was no violent clash of Conqueror's Haki.
The intertwining of sinister Eye Power and underworld death energy made the air thick like a viscous black tide, groaning under the pressure.
"Kid, is it you who wants to fight me now?"
"Let me say this first..."
Rayleigh's gaze swept over Lucci and Doll, making them feel a chill down their spines.
"I don't have much gentlemanly grace. I can't guarantee I won't target your companions."
...
Griffin gave a light laugh: "Anyone who would hold me back doesn't deserve to stand by my side."
"I was just thinking about what you would do..."
"So... you want to gather your old comrades and rescue Shanks together?"
"If it were just Hancock, I guess old man Sengoku would give you face to appease you."
...
...
And you say you can't read minds!!
Clang—
Rayleigh drew his sword half an inch, dark red electric arcs flickering with oppressive obscurity.
"Such baseless slander..."
"Though we were once crewmates, he's now a captain with his own pirate crew. Whatever happens, he should bear the consequences himself."
...
"Ha, explaining is just covering up. I told you you're too easy to fool."
...
...
Rayleigh: "..."
Will this never end!!
Swish—
The sword was drawn, its surging Sword Qi slashing diagonally past Griffin, cutting down a giant redwood tree in the distance!!
Rumble—
...
A few strands of hair drifted down, but Griffin's expression remained unchanged.
"I originally wanted to fight you. Compared to Whitebeard and Shiki, you should be closest to your prime."
"But you're about to do something so interesting. How could I stop you?"
...
"Interesting?"
"As a Marine, you find this kind of thing interesting?"
Rayleigh didn't deny it. Being seen through and still denying would be too pathetic.
...
"Yes, the old crew of the Pirate King uniting to rescue a Celestial Dragon arrested by the Marines... isn't that interesting?"
!!!
Rayleigh's pupils contracted sharply.
How does he know! Did Shanks tell him?
Absolutely impossible!
How much Shanks despises his own bloodline—he would never casually mention it to anyone!
He had been on Whitebeard's ship, could it be that Whitebeard told him?!
...
Thud—
Griffin turned around, his military boots thumping on the bridge planks.
"I really can't read minds... It's just that your expressions are too easy to guess. Old man Whitebeard wouldn't tell me such things."
...
"Hurry up and act, gather them together."
Griffin stopped and glanced back, his crimson eyes imprinted in Rayleigh's vision.
This... what a mad, war-craving gaze!
The demon has finally been unleashed!
...
"Shanks, who was defeated by me, has no value left. I look forward to..."
"The last surge of the old era's tide!"
Surely...
It will bloom with an indescribable brilliance!