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"Ask me for advice?"
Rayleigh's sharp gaze swept over the younger generation standing before him, brought by Yamato. Knowing their origins, he wasn't particularly surprised that they had so easily exposed his identity. However, he had neither the time nor the inclination to engage in a fight, especially with this group from the Sky Kingdom.
"The old man's retired," Rayleigh said firmly, his tone final. "I won't be fighting you."
"Hey, you guys!" Luffy interjected loudly before Yamato or the others could respond. "Uncle Rayleigh's already agreed to help us train! He doesn't have time for you!"
A moment of silence followed Luffy's declaration. Usopp and the others turned to him with exasperated expressions.
"Did you just… self-destruct us?" Usopp muttered under his breath, sweat dripping down his face.
Zoro's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Luffy. Without warning, he vanished in a burst of speed, reappearing in front of Luffy with his sword already mid-swing.
The sudden attack caught Luffy completely off guard, leaving him no time to react.
At the critical moment, Rayleigh stepped in. With a weapon appearing in his hand seemingly out of nowhere, he intercepted Zoro's blade.
—Clang!
The clash of their swords rang out, and the force of the impact sent a ripple of dust and wind spreading across the room.
"If you're just trying to force my hand, you've gone too far, Roronoa Zoro," Rayleigh said sternly, his eyes glinting with a mix of irritation and respect.
"But it worked, didn't it?" Zoro replied with a faint smile. Without hesitation, he shouted over his shoulder, "Law!"
"I told you not to use me as a tool, damn it!" Law growled in irritation. Nevertheless, he snapped his fingers, his frustration evident despite his compliance.
In an instant, Rayleigh, Yamato, and the others vanished from the tavern, replaced by a scattering of small stones clattering to the ground.
Shakky, who had been about to speak, turned toward the door instead. She sighed knowingly. Of course, she was familiar with Trafalgar Law's abilities.
Moments later, the sound of clashing blades rang out from outside. Without a word, Luffy and the others rushed to see what was happening.
Outside
Rayleigh stood calmly, his expression unreadable as he faced Zoro. The latter, already in his Three-Sword Style stance, exuded a ferocious aura.
"Looks like you won't dodge this time, Dark King," Zoro said with a smirk.
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed at the title. The tension in the air was palpable, the atmosphere charged with the collision of powerful Haki emanating from both fighters.
Law observed from a distance, his brows furrowed. Though his mastery of Observation Haki had reached an impressive level, he knew he couldn't interfere effectively against someone of Rayleigh's caliber.
Rayleigh raised his blade, his tone tinged with annoyance. "Your little stunt has put me in a foul mood."
"Good," Zoro replied through gritted teeth, his sword poised. His aura surged, the ground beneath him cracking from the pressure.
In an instant, Zoro blurred into an afterimage, his Tiger Hunting unleashing a devastating strike that pierced the air with a sound like thunder.
—Ding!
The clash of their blades was deafening. The sheer force of their collision generated a powerful gust of wind that tore through the surrounding grass, sending it howling in all directions.
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed as he sized up Zoro. The young swordsman's strength, precision, and unrelenting will were palpable.
"Strong," Rayleigh admitted, his tone carrying both acknowledgment and intrigue. "Sharp and relentless. You're worthy of being called the new generation of sword masters."
As soon as Rayleigh finished speaking, his wrist strength surged. With an effortless motion, his blade pushed Zoro's three-sword attack downward by over ten centimeters.
Seizing the advantage, Rayleigh withdrew his blade and countered without hesitation. The violent surge of his Haki exploded into black lightning, wrapping around the handle of his sword.
Zoro, undeterred, poured even more strength into his arms. With a sharp twist of his wrists, he managed to reverse the pressure, raising his blades back to the height of Rayleigh's attack within moments.
—BOOM!
A thunderous sonic boom erupted across the field, the force shaking the surrounding grass and sending dust and moss flying into the air.
"Have you already mastered it?!" Rayleigh exclaimed, his tone laced with disbelief.
The attacks hadn't even made direct contact, but the immense aura radiating from Zoro was unmistakable. Conqueror's Haki poured from him in waves, crackling like black lightning around his body. And more than that—it was advanced. The flow of his Haki was deliberate, wrapping around his blades and surging outward with intent.
"Of course I have!" Zoro roared, his voice fierce. "Because I'm going to become the world's greatest swordsman—even surpassing Master Alex!"
As he spoke, Zoro's aura intensified. His boundless fighting spirit manifested as a blazing flame intertwined with black lightning, the mark of a true conqueror.
Rayleigh, his earlier irritation fading, couldn't help but grin. "Interesting!"
The next moment, Rayleigh unleashed his own Haki, a force far more refined and overpowering. Zoro staggered back slightly as the sheer pressure pushed against him.
The ground beneath them trembled as Rayleigh's aura swirled, growing even more precise and devastating. It was the undeniable strength of a true great swordsman.
Watching from a distance, Kuina felt her blood boil with excitement. Unable to resist the call to action, she leapt forward, delivering a sharp, calculated slash. The force of her attack forced Rayleigh to halt his advance momentarily.
Landing gracefully beside Zoro, Kuina stood with Wado Ichimonji in hand, her eyes burning with determination. "I want to challenge the legendary Rayleigh too," she declared, her voice steady. "I don't mind joining in!"
Her words carried the confidence of someone standing at the threshold of becoming a great swordsman. With her skill honed through relentless training, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to face a legend.
Rayleigh's response came swiftly, not with words, but with a devastating slash that sent the air howling.
"Hey, Kuina!" Zoro snapped, his tone sharp with irritation.
Seeing her rush forward regardless, Zoro sighed and followed suit, matching her offensive stride for stride.
Near the Bar
From a short distance away, the Straw Hats and their allies finally arrived at the battlefield. The scene before them left them gaping in disbelief.
"What… what kind of fight is this?!" Usopp stammered, his voice shaking.
Even at a distance, the oppressive aura of the clash pressed down on them. The ground shook with every blow exchanged, and the crackling of Haki tore through the air like thunder.
"To hold their own against the right hand of the Pirate King… the Sky Kingdom's swordsmen are terrifying!" Chopper cried, clutching Usopp tightly as they both trembled.
Suddenly, a loud crackling sound interrupted them—a burst of electricity so sharp it cut through even the roaring winds of the battlefield.
A circle of electricity flared to life, forcing the group to halt. Yamato stepped forward, her expression stern. "Don't interfere," she warned. "If you disrupt them now, I won't be responsible for what happens."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Nearby, Enel's eyes narrowed, his expression dark.