I Congratulate You on Getting Rich

Knockoff Bar, Second Floor.

"So, you've become the god of Skypiea now?"

Rayleigh was a bit stunned. Two years ago, Seven had flashed across the scene like a shooting star, then vanished without a trace. He'd thought the kid had fallen into the hands of the World Government.

Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that Seven had gone to Skypiea, subdued the Skypieans and the Shandia people, and crowned himself god.

"These gold coins are from that big pillar in Shandora, right? That pillar over ten meters in diameter and more than sixty meters tall?"

"Seven, I congratulate you on getting rich!"

Ignoring Rayleigh's starry-eyed look of envy and jealousy, Seven turned his gaze to Shakky, who stood there dumbfounded.

"Auntie Xia, you've worked hard."

Shakky took a long moment to compose herself before nodding. "Kid, if this deal goes through, I can rest for at least half a year."

After settling the commission and transaction details, Shakky stepped aside and used a Den Den Mushi to contact buyers.

Seeing this, Rayleigh quickly lowered his voice.

"Seven, lend me some Berry later. I've still got gambling debts to clear outside."

"No problem, but—"

Seven grinned. "Old man, I happen to need a ship built to set sail. How about this: I'll give you all these gold coins."

Rayleigh's face tightened immediately.

Then he heard Seven continue: "You just need to tell me where the Golden Jackson is docked."

"What do you say?"

Two years ago, Seven would never have dared to sail the Golden Jackson openly. That would have drawn the attention of the Navy and the World Government.

What are you trying to do?

The Navy just executed the King of the Pirates, and now you're sailing his ship out to sea? What exactly are you planning?

Now, though? Screw that.

Rayleigh stared at Seven for a long, long time, finally letting out a sigh.

"Better not, Seven."

"You know the saying: the nail that sticks out gets hammered. Once the Golden Jackson returns to the sea, the Navy and the World Government will definitely launch a Buster Call."

"Besides, a ship that big—you can't sail it alone!"

Seven didn't press the issue. If he could learn the Golden Jackson's whereabouts, he'd take it without hesitation. But since Vice-Captain Rayleigh wasn't willing to talk, he'd leave it for later.

After all, the Morning Star Pirates currently only had a Captain and a Vice-Captain. The crew was indeed a bit small.

"Two hundred million Berry enough?"

Hearing that, Rayleigh was so delighted he instinctively reached out to pat Seven's shoulder. But as his hand extended, he suddenly realized with embarrassment that he couldn't reach anymore.

At 1.88 meters tall, Rayleigh looked like a child next to Seven's 2.6-meter frame.

"You... got taller."

Seven turned the tables and reached down to pat Rayleigh's shoulder instead. "I'm only seventeen, you know. I'll keep growing. Might even break three meters this year."

With that, Seven bent his knees and crouched down. "Here, Uncle Rayleigh. One last chance."

Successfully patting Seven's shoulder, Rayleigh smiled with satisfaction. "You little brat, you really have changed. Want to find a spot and spar a couple rounds?"

So what if he's taller?

Kid, the New World's full of big lugs.

Today, I'll make sure you know—even if you're taller than me, your Uncle Rayleigh is still your uncle.

"Sure." Seven's smile was radiant.

"I recall there's a Deserted Island east of Sabaody Archipelago. Want to head over there and trade a few moves?"

If Seven and Rayleigh sparred on Sabaody Archipelago, it would inevitably catch the Navy and World Government's attention. Seven didn't care—he wasn't staying on Sabaody long-term—but for the sake of Uncle Rayleigh's retirement, the Deserted Island was clearly the best choice.

"Deserted Island? Is that necessary?"

"Three hundred million Berry." Seven held up three fingers.

Rayleigh casually grabbed a double-edged sword. Partly to pay off his gambling debts, partly because his hands itched to teach the kid on his old ship a lesson.

Beating up kids—best to do it early.

The moment they stepped out of the bar, Seven grabbed Rayleigh like a chick and shot straight into the sky, flying at breakneck speed toward the Deserted Island.

Midair, Rayleigh wore a helpless expression. "Seven, kid, I could have just swum there."

The explanation was his last shred of pride.

After flying for a while, Rayleigh finally realized belatedly: "This isn't elemental transformation?"

Seven smiled without a word.

Of course it's not elementalization. With the Flying Cape, saving a bit of stamina wherever possible counts.

After all, at this point in time, Rayleigh was just 56, not yet entering his later years, still at the tail end of his prime—a Three Types of Haki Great Swordsman, an excellent opponent.

East of Sabaody Archipelago, a nameless Deserted Island.

Silvers Rayleigh held his double-edged sword, about to speak, when he saw Seven raise a single hand before him, pulling a purple-glowing Katana out of thin air.

Rayleigh furrowed his brow. "That sword... even Observation Haki can't get close to it?"

"Old man, watch out."

The moment the words fell, Seven shot forward with his Paired Saber Dream One Heart, afterimages trailing behind him.

Rayleigh lifted his double-edged sword coated in Armament Haki and casually blocked the attack.

It looked effortless, but the immense force transmitted through the purple Katana numbed his arm.

"Your strength... really is something."

Clang~ Clang~ Clang~

In an instant, Rayleigh blocked three strikes, each one shocking him more than the last, and he couldn't help recalling a phrase Seven had said years ago on Roger's ship.

Might makes miracles.

Both leaped back from the force, and Rayleigh shook his numb arm. "Might makes miracles indeed, kid. The old man's getting serious."

After coating his blade with Armament Haki, Rayleigh wrapped red-black Haki around his wrist, which rapidly spread to the edge—Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

Though it felt a bit like bullying the young, Seven's unreasonable strength was truly... hard to handle.

Rayleigh really wanted to ask: What have you been eating these two years? How did you get so strong? Shooting up in height is one thing, but this kind of strength too!

Yet, the next second.

When he saw the purple Katana in Seven's hand, from hilt to blade fully wrapped in red-black Haki, Rayleigh's jaw nearly dropped, and his usually sharp, calm eyes went wide.

"What a monster!"

Seventeen years old, Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

Even that guy Roger, at Seven's age, had never reached such a level.

Back when they were both on Roger's ship, Rayleigh knew Seven had awakened Conqueror's Haki long ago, but he never imagined this power could be so overwhelming.

It even faintly surpassed his own!

Rayleigh tore off his cape behind him, his fighting spirit blazing higher. Gripping his double-edged sword with one hand, he launched a fierce assault.

The two blades, both wreathed in Conqueror's Haki, clashed head-on. Though they were inches apart, an invisible, immense force locked them in place, unable to advance a single inch.

Visible red-black ripples spread layer by layer.

Wherever they passed, exposed rock instantly shattered into dust. The ground, centered on the point of impact, cracked like a spiderweb, spreading wildly into bottomless depths.

With the two swords as the core, dazzling energy spots surged madly, like a neutron star on the verge of eruption.

The sky suddenly dimmed. The once-clear dome was torn apart by the black-red Haki.

The pressure of the Conqueror's Haki collision blanketed the entire island like a physical weight. Even the sea breeze stalled, leaving only those two earth-shaking auras echoing between heaven and earth.

The island's seabirds, lizards, and other animals, the News Bird passing overhead, even the fish in the waters near the Deserted Island—all were knocked unconscious.

The Sea Kings were no exception.

Facing Rayleigh's increasingly fierce attacks, Seven still refrained from using Observation Kill.

It was just a spar, not a fight to the death.

Besides, big moves were always saved for enemies.

During the hours of sparring with Vice Captain Rayleigh, the fusion progress of the Thoughtless One Heart training experience in Seven's mind finally broke past the 25% threshold.

26%

Only one thought filled Seven's mind: to release the Sword Intent condensed within his body, to use Dream One Heart to strike a Thoughtless Sword.

Leaping back into the air from the force, Seven took a deep breath.

"Uncle Rayleigh, this move has a name."

After hours of fighting, neither had called out a single technique name. To borrow Mihawk's logic—if I don't name it, it's just a normal attack.

"Let it out, Seven!"