The sun was setting in the west, its slanting rays turning the boundless sea into a shimmering expanse of gold. A seagull skimmed over the water with a small fish in its beak.
The Going Merry drifted with the waves, followed by an enormous mangrove tree.
After Kizaru retreated with his men, Reiner finally reunited with the others.
The Warrior Demon displayed his terrifying physical strength, dragging a mangrove tree away as the Sabaody Archipelago gradually dwindled into black specks on the horizon.
"That watermelon-head guy was really strong. That was so close just now, shishishi."
Luffy sat at the bow, grinning foolishly. The dangerous situation that still left everyone else shaken had long since vanished from his mind.
Zoro leaned against the rail of the Going Merry, images of his fight with Sentomaru continuously flashing through his mind as he muttered,
"That guy was incredibly skilled at using Haki. He could even project it away from his body. If he hadn't revealed it himself, I would've thought he had some kind of Devil Fruit power."
"That's a more advanced Haki technique. As long as you train hard, you can do it too."
Tap! Tap!
A strange sound suddenly rang out as a pair of slippers stepped onto the deck. The man had silver-white hair and beard, round-framed glasses, and a scar running vertically across his right eye.
Everyone aboard was startled and immediately grabbed their weapons, staring warily at the newcomer.
"Who are you?!"
"Marine reinforcements?!"
Zoro's sword was half-drawn. His beast-like instincts told him that this man was terrifyingly strong.
"Don't be so tense, everyone. I'm merely an obscure coating craftsman. I've heard a great deal about you. I've always wanted to meet you, Straw Hat Boy." Rayleigh wore a smile.
He strolled casually toward Luffy. As he