Rayleigh had stayed on Sabaody for quite some time, but he always kept a low profile. Besides, he had made plenty of friends there—like the casino owner and the shipwrights—who were willing to help hide him. Even if the Marines heard rumors of the Dark King Rayleigh being on Sabaody, finding him was a near-impossible task unless he chose to show himself.
After all, Rayleigh had been the first mate on the Pirate King Roger's ship. Many people, especially those from that era, knew of him.
It was no surprise that Akainu could recognize him.
"So, you really are here on Sabaody," Akainu said, his brow furrowing. Already in a bad mood, seeing Rayleigh only made things worse.
"Hahaha." Rayleigh laughed. "It's been a long time, Akainu."
To Akainu, Rayleigh's response felt eerily familiar. It reminded him of his encounter with Red-Haired Shanks in Alabasta years ago.
Back then, Shanks had greeted him in a similar tone, with almost identical words. And more importantly, whenever Rayleigh or Shanks appeared, there was always one particular person present.
"You know Takumi too, don't you?" Akainu asked directly.
Rayleigh feigned ignorance, pretending to be puzzled. "Takumi? Who's that? I don't know him. And why did you say 'too'?"
"Don't play dumb with me." Akainu didn't believe Rayleigh for a second, his tone icy. "When I fought Shanks in Alabasta, Takumi stepped in to save him. They clearly know each other, so I doubt you don't know him."
"Oh, so this kid saved Shanks, huh?" Rayleigh stroked his beard, acting as if he had just learned about it. "Seems like this Takumi fellow is quite impressive. I'd like to meet him if I get the chance."
Akainu just stared, speechless.
Though Akainu had never officially fought Rayleigh, he knew the man had once been the Pirate King's right hand. Even in his advanced age, Rayleigh's strength hadn't diminished much.
Under normal circumstances, Akainu would have jumped at the chance to fight Rayleigh, even if it meant a tough battle. But today, capturing Takumi's crew was his top priority. If they slipped away now, who knew when they'd have another chance.
Even if Akainu didn't believe Rayleigh, now wasn't the best time to fight him.
"You still have a bounty on your head. Don't forget you're a wanted criminal," Akainu said with obvious annoyance. "Don't think I don't know why you're here. I won't arrest you right now, but don't get in our way."
Akainu then gestured for his men to move around Rayleigh and continue on their way.
But as they tried to move, Rayleigh blocked their path again, smiling. "This isn't like you, Akainu. What's the matter? You see a pirate and decide not to arrest them? Or do you think I'm not worth the effort? I may have retired from piracy, but, as you said, I'm still a wanted man."
"I don't have time for this," Akainu snapped. "Step aside, or I'll make you move."
"And what if I refuse?" Rayleigh replied, still smiling. "How about a fight? It's been a while since I've had a good workout."
Rayleigh's words made it clear that a confrontation was inevitable. After a moment of silence, Akainu turned to his men and ordered, "Go after Takumi's crew. I'll deal with Rayleigh."
"Yes, sir!" the Marines responded in unison.
They scattered, running past Rayleigh, who made no move to stop them. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Akainu, whose body had begun to steam. "I remember the first time I saw you, you were just a Vice Admiral. Your temper hasn't changed a bit. Let's see if your strength can impress me."
As he spoke, Rayleigh drew his sword.
Akainu's face remained expressionless as his arm turned into molten lava. He shaped the lava into a dog's head and extended it towards Rayleigh, the fiery beast opening its jaws to bite at Rayleigh's neck.
Rayleigh covered his blade with Armament Haki and slashed at the lava dog, halting Akainu's "Hellhound" attack.
A sharp cracking sound echoed as a web of cracks formed on the surface of the lava head.
Seeing that his attack was about to shatter, Akainu quickly retracted it.
But in that instant, Rayleigh appeared right in front of him, a smirk playing on his lips as he swung his sword in a horizontal slash aimed at Akainu's legs.
Akainu stepped back, but not quickly enough. Rayleigh's blade severed his legs at the knees.
However, as the severed limbs fell away, Akainu's entire body transformed into magma. His molten legs reattached themselves to his upper body, and within seconds, Akainu stood whole once more.
Rayleigh held his sword in one hand, stroking his beard with the other. "I remember you have a few large-scale attacks. Why aren't you using them? Worried you'll destroy Sabaody and upset the World Government?"
"Rayleigh!" Akainu shouted angrily. "What's your connection to Takumi? Why are you protecting him?"
"Huh? What are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean," Rayleigh continued to feign ignorance.
At that moment, one of Akainu's subordinates came running up from a distance, shouting, "Admiral Akainu, bad news! Takumi's ship has already submerged. We're too late!"
"What?!" Akainu turned, but before he could react further, Rayleigh had vanished.
Meanwhile
The ship carrying Takumi and his crew descended smoothly into the ocean.
Initially, both Enel and Kaku were a bit worried about whether the bubble coating would hold underwater.
After all, both of them were Devil Fruit users, and this was their first time descending into the sea this way. If the bubble burst, they'd be in serious trouble.
But as the vast, serene underwater world unfolded before them, they momentarily forgot their fears. They leaned eagerly against the ship's railing, marveling at the spectacular marine scenery.
"We really made it down here," Enel said with excitement. "This world is truly fascinating."
"Indeed," Kaku agreed. "It's my first time seeing the ocean like this too. The sea is incredible. I can't wait to see what Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters below the surface, looks like."
"Fish-Man Island... Oh, I've been meaning to ask," Enel suddenly said, "Those half-human, half-fish folks—are they people or fish? They're technically fish, right? So... can you eat them?"
Kaku blinked, then put his hand to his forehead in exasperation. "Ignorance truly is a sin..."
Takumi didn't join in their conversation. Instead, he looked up at the fading light from the surface, watching as it grew more and more distant. Everything felt both vividly real and dreamlike, giving him the sensation that he was drifting through a dream.
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