High above the ocean, Yuji soared through the sky, his massive three-headed form shrouded in swirling, stormy clouds. Lightning crackled around him, casting an eerie glow on the thunderous clouds that had been trailing them for the last day.
Ulti and Page One clung to Yuji's massive back, laughing and cheering as they looked over the endless ocean beneath them. Hancock and her sisters held tightly to the scales near his neck, watching the horizon in silent awe, exhilarated by the speed and power surrounding them.
After what felt like hours, a shape began to appear in the distance: a landmass cloaked in lush green jungles and steep mountains. The unique rock formations were unmistakable, and Hancock's heart surged with recognition and excitement.
"There it is!" Hancock exclaimed, her eyes bright with emotion. "Amazon Lily!"
Ulti's face lit up with joy, almost toppling off Yuji's back as she peered over his massive scales. "This is awesome! An adventure, just like Yuji promised!"
Page One remained silent, but a small smile tugged at his lips, excitement flickering in his eyes. He didn't express it as openly as his sister, but the thrill of discovering a new island was palpable.
Yuji felt their excitement and let out a satisfied rumble, his voice echoing in a low, thunderous growl. "Hold on tight! We're almost there."
As they closed the distance, the storm around Yuji grew more intense, bolts of lightning illuminating the sky in sharp, blinding bursts. Unknown to Yuji, this ominous cloud mass moving toward Amazon Lily had not gone unnoticed.
---
On Amazon Lily's shore, three figures stood near a simple cabin. Silver-haired Rayleigh, the infamous "Dark King," sat on a small crate, deep in conversation with Shakky and Gloriosa.
"I'm sure those girls are out there somewhere," Shakky was saying, her voice calm and confident.
Gloriosa nodded. "The girls were strong, but it's been too long without a word… we're running out of options."
Rayleigh opened his mouth to respond but froze, his eyes narrowing. A sudden chill washed over him, the air around him growing colder, thick with an unnatural tension. His sharp eyes flickered towards the sky, and he sensed something powerful approaching, something far beyond the usual storm.
"Shakky, Gloriosa," Rayleigh murmured, his tone deadly serious, "a large storm is coming… but this isn't natural."
Gloriosa's face tightened with concern. "What could it be?"
But Rayleigh's lips quirked up into a grin, his eyes glittering with intrigue. "It's more than just weather. There's someone something massive inside that storm."
Shakky looked at Rayleigh, her expression questioning. "A person inside a storm? Rayleigh, what are you talking about?"
He stood slowly, drawing his sword. The legendary blade gleamed in the dim light, and the air around them seemed to vibrate as his Conqueror's Haki surged. The ground trembled slightly beneath their feet, and the atmosphere grew thick and tense. Trees began to sway, and animals nearby scurried away, sensing the shift in power. Rayleigh's eyes focused, his sharp gaze scanning the sky.
Shakky's eyes widened as she took in Rayleigh's rare display of serious intent. "Rayleigh, you're not actually…?"
Rayleigh chuckled, his voice soft yet tinged with excitement. "This isn't just an ordinary visitor, Shakky"
With a deliberate movement, Rayleigh raised his sword, letting his Haki flow freely along the blade, transforming it to an intense black gleam. His Armament Haki was so powerful it seemed to radiate from the blade, pulsing like a heartbeat. He took a breath, focusing all his energy, and then swung his sword in a wide arc, unleashing a colossal half-moon-shaped slash that tore through the air with devastating force.
"Don't come to this island!" Rayleigh shouted, his voice echoing across the sea.
---
(Yuji's Point of View)
As they neared Amazon Lily, Yuji began to feel a strange unease, a shift in the atmosphere that sent a prickle down his spine. He'd been carrying Hancock, Ulti, Page One, and the others through the storm he created to conceal them, but now something was piercing through that cover—a force of such magnitude that even he felt it.
Just as he was about to speak, a glint in the distance caught his eye. A blade. A massive, crescent-shaped sword slash was racing through the air toward him. Before he could fully comprehend it, the blade of energy made contact with his leftmost head.
Hancock, Ulti, and the others screamed in horror as the sword's energy sliced cleanly through the head, severing it with devastating accuracy. Time seemed to slow as the head tumbled, then dissolved into dust, scattering in the wind. Blood sprayed from the wound, raining down in crimson streaks.
Hancock's voice was shrill with terror. "Yuji! Your head!"
Ulti looked stunned, her face pale. "Is… is that it? Yuji's gone?!"
But Yuji's remaining heads let out a powerful, guttural roar, shaking them all from their shock. Where the severed head had been, golden embers began to glow. Within seconds, bone, muscle, and scales reformed, regenerating the lost head entirely.
Ulti let out a breath, her fear replaced by amazement. "What… Yuji, you're indestructible!"
"Of course I'm the strongest HAHAHAHA"
Page One clenched his fists, his admiration evident. "That was close… but we're still here."
Yuji's eyes darkened, his voice a deep, resonating growl. "Whoever did that… they're not ordinary"
His gaze shifted back to the island, his three heads scanning the shoreline. "Stay close. Whoever's down there is ready to fight"
---
(Rayleigh's Point of View)
Rayleigh stood on the beach, his eyes fixed on the sky. He saw the dragon's head regrow almost instantly after his attack, and he chuckled, more intrigued than intimidated.
"So, you can heal… interesting," he muttered, lowering his sword. This was no ordinary creature. Whatever this was, it possessed abilities beyond anything Rayleigh had ever encountered.
Shakky looked at him, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Rayleigh, what exactly is this creature?"
Rayleigh smirked, his gaze never leaving the approaching figure. "Something… monstrous. But if it's come for the Boa sisters, it must be one hell of a story."
Gloriosa frowned. "But are we sure it's here for them?"
Rayleigh shook his head. "Not certain, but I'm ready to find out."
As the stormy figure descended closer, Rayleigh's Haki flared up again. Rayleigh spoke, his voice a low rumble as he addressed the figure in the storm. "If you've come in peace, then let's talk. But if you intend to bring harm to this island, you'll find me standing in your way."
---
(Back to Yuji's Point of View)
Yuji landed a short distance from the shore, his three-headed form looming large, each pair of eyes fixed on the silver-haired man waiting for him. The figure radiated a powerful Haki.
'HOLY SHIT Did I just take an attack from the Right hand man of Roger? The Dark king Rayleigh??'
Hancock jumped off Yuji's back and called out, her voice steady despite the tension. "It's us!"
Rayleigh's eyes softened as he recognized her voice. "Hancock… so you're safe." He turned back to Yuji.
Yuji rumbled in affirmation "I didn't come here to fight… unless necessary."
Rayleigh smiled, finally lowering his blade. "Fair enough"