The sun sank in the west, its slanting rays gilding the boundless sea. A seagull skimmed over the water with a small fish in its beak.
The Going Merry drifted with the waves, a massive mangrove following behind her.
After Kizaru and his men retreated, Lina finally reunited with the others.
The War Demon showed off his terrifying physical strength, dragging a mangrove tree away as the Sabaody Archipelago gradually shrank to a black dot and vanished from sight.
"That watermelon-head was so strong! That was close, huh? Shishishi!"
Luffy sat at the bow, grinning foolishly. The others were still shaken by the danger they had faced, but to him, it was already a thing of the past.
Zoro leaned against the side of the Going Merry, replaying his fight with Sentomaru in his mind. He murmured, "That guy's Haki was incredible. He could even project it beyond his body. If he hadn't revealed that himself, I would've thought he was some kind of ability user."
"That's a more advanced application of Haki. If you train hard enough, you'll be able to do it too."
Tap. Tap.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice spoke, and a pair of sandals clapped against the deck. The man had silver-white hair and a beard, round glasses, and a vertical scar running across his right eye.
The people aboard were startled. They immediately grabbed their weapons and warily faced the newcomer.
"Who are you?!"
"Marine reinforcements?!"
Zoro's sword was halfway out of its sheath. His beastlike instincts told him this man was incredibly powerful.
"Don't be so tense, everyone. I'm just an unremarkable coating mechanic. I've heard of you for a long time, Straw Hat Kid. I've always wanted to meet you." Rayleigh smiled.
He strolled toward Luffy, and as he passed Zoro, casually pushed his