After an hour of relentless effort, Alexander finally managed to coat his swords in Armament Haki. The black sheen of the haki-covered blades shimmered faintly under the sunlight, radiating a sense of power and accomplishment. It wasn't a perfect coating yet, but it was undeniably effective—a testament to Alexander's innate talent and sheer determination.
From a distance, Rayleigh observed the scene, his arms crossed and a satisfied grin creeping across his face. To say he was surprised would be an understatement. He had expected Alexander to struggle with this step for at least two to three weeks, considering how difficult it was to balance focus and control with the raw energy of Armament Haki. Coating a weapon required more than strength—it demanded a connection between the user and their willpower, a level of finesse many struggled to achieve.
But here Alexander stood, swords gleaming with haki, defying all of Rayleigh's expectations.
"Remarkable," Rayleigh muttered to himself. It had been years since someone had surprised him like this. Not since Shanks… not since Roger. That same spark of potential, the same fiery drive to conquer the impossible—it burned brightly within Alexander.
The older man's grin widened as he took another sip from his flask. "You've got guts, kid. And talent. Let's see how far you can push yourself."
Meanwhile, Alexander stood in the sand, breathing heavily, his swords steady in his hands. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he admired his handiwork. The satisfaction of his first real victory against his own limitations filled him with pride, but it was only the beginning.
As he sheathed his swords, Alexander's eyes locked onto the horizon. "One step closer," he murmured to himself. "One step closer to being the strongest."
Puru Puru Puru.
The sound of the Den Den Mushi echoed across the quiet beach. Rayleigh paused, glancing at the small snail phone resting in his pocket. Its little face mirrored a curious yet calm expression. He picked it up and held it to his ear.
"Hello, honey. Something happened?" Rayleigh asked casually, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity.
On the other end, Shakky's voice came through, steady yet with an underlying tone of concern. "Ray, there's someone looking for Alexander," she began.
Rayleigh's brow furrowed slightly. "Not the Marines, I assume?"
"No, it's not a Marine," Shakky confirmed. "It's a pirate. He's been going around asking questions about him. Word is, he's put two and two together and realized little Alex isn't hiding in some far-off place—he's hiding in plain sight."
Rayleigh let out a low hum, his eyes narrowing. "Interesting," he said, glancing over at Alexander, who was still practicing with his swords, completely unaware of the conversation.
Shakky continued, "Whoever this pirate is, he seems determined. I don't know his intentions yet, but you know how dangerous it can get when a bounty like Alexander's starts drawing attention."
Rayleigh sighed, rubbing his temple. "I had a feeling this would happen sooner or later. A bounty like his isn't exactly easy to ignore."
Shakky's tone softened slightly. "Just keep an eye on him, Ray. He's still new to this world. He may have the talent, but he's not ready for every storm that's coming his way."
Rayleigh chuckled lightly, though his gaze remained sharp. "Don't worry, Shakky. I'll keep the kid safe. Whoever this pirate is, they'll have to go through me first."
With that, the call ended, leaving Rayleigh deep in thought. He glanced back toward Alexander, who was now sheathing his swords, a determined look etched on his face.
Rayleigh muttered under his breath, "Looks like trouble is heading your way, kid. Let's see how you handle it."
Rayleigh's eyes sharpened as he extended his Observation Haki, scanning the surrounding area. Beneath the water, he sensed multiple auras moving swiftly and precisely—far too organized to be sea creatures. A submarine.
His mind immediately connected the dots. The pirate searching for Alexander must have found them. The question now was—what were their intentions?
His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, ready to strike before they could ambush Alexander. But then he stopped himself. No... this could be useful.
Alexander had talent, no doubt, but he lacked experience. He had barely begun his journey, and real battle was the best teacher. A fight against this many opponents could be exactly what he needed to awaken his Observation Haki.
Rayleigh exhaled and leaned back against a tree, a small smirk forming on his lips. Let's see how you handle this, kid.
Of course, if things went south, he was ready to step in. But for now, he would simply watch—waiting for the moment the enemy made their move.
Alexander tightened his grip on Shinryu, his eyes focused on the mountain before him. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, but he refused to give up. He swung his sword repeatedly, the blade humming as it sliced through the air.
Rayleigh's words echoed in his mind: "A flying slash isn't just about brute force. It's about control, precision, and an extension of your will through your blade. Your Armament Haki must seamlessly merge with your swordsmanship. Only then will the air itself become your weapon."
Alexander understood the principle. By creating immense pressure with the swing of his sword, he could send a powerful cutting force through the air. But understanding was one thing; execution was another entirely.
He adjusted his stance, grounding his feet firmly in the sand. Breathing deeply, he focused on channeling his Armament Haki, feeling the energy flow from his core and into his sword. The blade began to darken, coated in a faint black aura.
With a determined shout, he swung Shinryu with all his might, pouring everything into the strike. The wind roared as the blade cut through the air, creating a faint ripple.
The wave of pressure shot forward, but it fizzled out before reaching the mountain.
"Tch!" Alexander grit his teeth in frustration, lowering his blade. He had the power, but the technique was still out of reach.
He took another breath, calming his mind. "No point in getting angry," he muttered to himself. "It's about control, not strength. Focus."
He raised Shinryu again, his resolve hardening. If he could master this, he wouldn't just be swinging his blade—he'd be extending his reach, striking down enemies from a distance. It was a skill worthy of the strongest swordsmen on the sea, and he was determined to make it his.
As he prepared for another swing, the faintest ripple of energy began to form around the edge of his blade. The potential was there—it was only a matter of time before he could fully unleash it.
Alexander took a deep breath, letting Rayleigh's words settle in his mind.
"Armament Haki is forged through battle and training. The more you push yourself, the stronger your control will become. Practicing swordsmanship isn't just about sharpening your blade—it's about sharpening your will. Let your Haki flow into your strikes, and it will naturally grow stronger."
He tightened his grip on Shinryu, the weight of the sword feeling more natural in his hands with each swing. The dark coating of Haki flickered and pulsed along the blade, not yet stable, but improving. He could feel the power coursing through him, demanding to be refined.
Alexander adjusted his stance once more, planting his feet firmly in the sand. He took a slow, steady breath, then slashed. The air trembled slightly, but the flying slash still didn't fully form.
"Damn it… I need more control."
He sheathed Shinryu, then drew it again in a smooth, fluid motion. He repeated this process over and over, honing his speed and precision. Every time he drew his blade, he tried to let his Haki flow more naturally.
His body ached, but he didn't stop. He knew that strength wasn't something given—it was something earned. And if he wanted to survive in this world, if he wanted to be truly free, he had to push himself beyond his limits.
From a distance, Rayleigh observed quietly, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Not bad, kid. At this rate, you might just exceed my expectations."
Suddenly Alexander heard a voice.
As Alexander turned toward the voice, he saw a tall, lean teenager standing a short distance away. The boy had sharp, gray eyes filled with quiet intensity, and dark circles beneath them hinted at a harsh past. His black hair was messy and spiked, with sideburns framing his face. He wore a yellow hoodie with a black Jolly Roger symbol on the chest, layered under an open, spotted white coat with fluffy trim.
His arms were crossed, revealing numerous tribal-style tattoos, including one on the back of his hands and fingers. A long nodachi sword, nearly as tall as he was, rested on his back, the hilt wrapped in white cloth and a fluffy guard matching his coat.
His gaze locked onto Alexander, unreadable yet probing.
"Are you the Demonic Kid Alexander?"
Alexander's grip tightened on his sword, eyes narrowing as he sized up the newcomer. His posture was tense, ready to react at the slightest sign of hostility. The name "Demonic Kid" had already caused its fair share of rumors, and he wasn't about to let anyone approach him without knowing their intentions.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Alexander's voice was sharp, laced with the warning of someone who had been forced into too many dangerous situations.
Noticing the hostility radiating off Alexander, the boy raised his hand in a gesture of peace, trying to ease the tension. "Wait," he said calmly, keeping his body relaxed, "I come in peace." He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "My name is Trafalgar Water Law. I'm here to talk."
His expression was serious, but there was no malice in his tone—just a clear desire to speak, not to fight. His eyes remained steady on Alexander, a quiet confidence emanating from him, as though he was used to navigating tense situations like this one.
Alexander didn't lower his guard, his eyes still sharp and calculating. He kept his hand firmly on the hilt of his sword as he listened to Law, not trusting him fully yet, but intrigued by what he had to say. "OK, then talk," he said, his voice tense but open enough for the conversation.
Law looked him dead in the eye, not flinching at Alexander's sharp demeanor. "Let's make an alliance," he said, his voice steady and serious.
"Alliance?" Alexander repeated, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "You're asking for an alliance?"
Law nodded, his expression unwavering. "Yes. An alliance to bring down the emperors."
Alexander's reaction was instant. He let out a laugh, a sound that held no humor but rather disbelief and a touch of incredulity. "The emperors? You're mad," he said, shaking his head. "You think that you and me can go out and fight the emperors? Those pirates are no joke. Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, and Captain John have ruled parts of the New World for decades. And now you want both of us to fight them?"
The tone of his voice made it clear that he thought the idea was not just reckless—it was insane. He eyed Law cautiously, trying to gauge if the boy was serious or if this was just another foolish pirate's dream.
After a few moments of silence, Alexander stopped laughing, his expression shifting into one of calm focus. He sized up Law for a second, his eyes narrowing slightly. "OK," he said, his voice steady now, but laced with a hint of challenge. "I'll consider your proposition. But first, let's have a duel."
He unsheathed Shinryu, his sword gleaming in the light, and held it in a ready stance. His eyes never left Law, watching his every movement, anticipating what might come next. "I want to see what you're really capable of before I even think about teaming up with you."
The challenge was clear, and Alexander's gaze was filled with the intensity of someone who was used to fighting for survival, never taking anything—or anyone—at face value. The tension between them was palpable as they both stood, ready to test each other's strength.
Alexander's grip on Shinryu tightened as he stepped forward, the air between them charged with anticipation. Law raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"You're really going to make me fight you to convince you?" Law asked, his tone calm but tinged with amusement. "I thought you were smarter than that."
Alexander's eyes remained locked on him, his expression unreadable. "Smarter? Maybe. But you're asking me to throw my lot in with you—someone I know nothing about. An alliance is serious business. So, before I entertain the idea of teaming up, I need to see if you can back up your words."
Law let out a small chuckle and adjusted his hat, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous calm. "Fair enough. But don't expect me to hold back."
Alexander's stance shifted slightly, the weight of Shinryu in his hands now feeling more natural than ever. "Good. I wouldn't want it any other way. You want my trust, you have to earn it. And what better way than to show me your strength?"
There was a brief pause as both stood, sizing each other up, waiting for the other to make the first move.
Law then spoke, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "I didn't come all the way here just to fight you. I'm not some reckless rookie. But if this is what it takes for you to understand, then fine. Let's see if you're worth the time."
With that, Law shifted his stance, readying himself for the duel that was about to unfold. Alexander's eyes flashed with excitement. He had fought some tough opponents, but this kid—this Law—was different. He could feel it in his gut.
"Don't worry," Alexander said, his tone steady but with an edge of excitement. "I've never backed down from a fight, and I'm not about to start now. Let's see if you're worth your words, Law."
Law's smirk deepened as he tapped the side of his sword. "Then prepare yourself, Alexander. You may be strong, but you're going to need more than just strength to defeat me."
And with that, the tension between them snapped, and the duel began.