Analysis Rate 100%! New Pluton's Power!

Marco, watching the battle from afar, felt his heart nearly leap out of his throat!

He watched as Rayleigh cast aside all humor and probing. In those clouded eyes, flames belonging to the "Dark King," flames that looked down upon the world, blazed anew!

That was not Killing Intent.

It was something on a higher level—an absolute seriousness that regarded his opponent as an equal...

"Interesting brat..."

Rayleigh's low voice rang out, every word seeming to carry a metallic weight.

"You've successfully piqued this old man's interest."

"As a return gift, I'll let you witness the true fighting stance we used when we roamed the seas!"

The instant his words fell!

BOOM—!!!

Conqueror's Haki more than ten times stronger than before erupted. No longer merely invisible pressure, it transformed into visible black-red lightning that rampaged wildly around Rayleigh and shot into the heavens!

The entire Yarukiman Mangrove forest trembled violently beneath that overwhelming presence, and countless weak creatures instantly rolled their eyes back and collapsed unconscious!

Above the canopy, Shakky's expression turned graver than ever. She clenched the cigarette in her hand so tightly that its tip deformed slightly.

She had not expected Rayleigh to get this serious!

This was the true power of the Pirate King's right-hand man—the man who had given all of Marine Headquarters such a headache!

Rayleigh slowly raised the longsword in his hand. The raging black-red lightning seemed to find an outlet, frantically converging upon and coiling around the blade!

"Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"

Marco cried out in shock, all color draining from his face!

This was how the legendary great pirates truly fought! They materialized the Conqueror's Haki that reigned over the world and infused it into their attacks like Armament Haki, so every strike carried the will of a king, its power multiplying geometrically!

"Brat, watch closely!"

Rayleigh vanished from where he stood once again.

But this time, in the future vision predicted by Chen Ye's Observation Haki, there was no longer merely a flash of sword light!

Instead, there was a... black-red bolt of lightning that tore apart heaven and earth!

Fast!

Fast to the absolute limit!

So fast that even thought could barely keep up!

Chen Ye's pupils contracted sharply. He pushed the rudimentary Tremor-Tremor Fruit power he had gained to its limit, wrapping his fists in Vibration Halos as he crossed them before his chest to block!

CLANG!!!!

A deafening crash that seemed capable of tearing apart eardrums erupted!

The black-red blade collided head-on with the white Vibration Halo!

After only an instant of deadlock, Chen Ye felt a Terrifying Power he simply could not resist surge madly through the vibrating defensive layer and into both his arms!

It was not merely a combination of strength and sharpness. There was also an unquestionable will that sought to utterly crush every existence before it!

CRACK!

The bones in his arms let out a sorrowful groan under the unbearable strain!

As though struck head-on by a battering ram, his feet left the ground, and he flew backward like a cannonball!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A series of earth-shaking explosions rang out!

Chen Ye's body became a human-shaped plow of destruction, smashing through three massive mangrove roots over ten meters in diameter in succession. His momentum did not stop until he slammed violently deep into the base of a fourth mangrove root, sending dust flying into the sky!

The entire battlefield instantly fell silent.

"Chen Ye!!"

Marco let out a heart-rending roar. No longer caring about anything else, azure flames burst forth as he prepared to rush over and save him!

Rayleigh slowly sheathed his sword and stood where he was, a slight frown on his face.

He could sense that he had restrained his Killing Intent in that final blow, but the domineering will contained within it was enough to mentally shatter anyone whose will was not firm.

This young man was likely...

However, just as everyone thought the battle had ended.

Amid the wreckage, a figure covered in blood and dust swayed as he slowly stood back up.

Chen Ye wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. His arms were twisted at strange angles, clearly broken.

Yet on his raised face, there was not the slightest trace of pain or fear. Instead, an incomparably brilliant, victorious smile bloomed!

It worked!

Sure enough, while fusing with half of Peak Whitebeard's power gave him sufficient strength, his physique was still not enough to confront this kind of legendary top-tier powerhouse head-on?

His constitution still needed strengthening. Having power alone was not enough; he needed a body like Kaido's!

But it was enough already!

Because at the very instant he was blasted away, the heavenly sound he had been waiting for most rang out in his mind!

[Ding! Detected that the host has suffered an ultra-high-intensity legendary energy impact!]

[SSR Peak Rayleigh Dossier analysis progress... 95%... 98%... 100%!]

[Analysis complete!]

[Congratulations, Host! Peak Trump Card [Peak Rayleigh] has been fully unlocked and charged! Space-time travel may be initiated at any time!]

Boom!

A warm current appeared out of nowhere and flooded Chen Ye's Limbs and Bones!

It was not mere healing, but a leap to a higher level of life itself!

[Ding! Complete dossier for a legendary figure unlocked. Special reward obtained: Pluton's Power!]

[Effect: The host's swordsmanship talent and Haki talent levels have been permanently increased by a tremendous amount!]

In that instant, Chen Ye felt that his strength had become completely different.

Countless profound insights into the sword and the use of Conqueror's Haki Infusion surged into his mind like a burst dam, then were swiftly absorbed by his body and turned into instinct!

The foundation that had become somewhat unstable from forcibly driving his power was thoroughly reinforced at that moment. He even felt as though he had taken another step forward!

He could feel it—he had grown stronger!

Truly, genuinely stronger in a way that belonged to him alone!

Under everyone's astonished gazes, Chen Ye ignored his miserable injuries and stepped out of the rubble, one step at a time.

He came before Rayleigh, solemnly withdrew all his Fighting Spirit, and gave the legend before him a deep bow.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Rayleigh."

"I have benefited immensely!"

His voice was hoarse, yet filled with heartfelt gratitude and respect.

Rayleigh stared at him in silence, the surprise and confusion in his eyes surpassing even what he had felt during the battle.

Was this kid... a monster?

He had taken a sword strike infused with Conqueror's Haki head-on, yet he could still stand. And even... his presence seemed slightly stronger than before?

He Slowly sheathed his sword, and the terrifying aura of Reign Over the World dissipated with it. He returned to being that somewhat lazy coating craftsman.

"You brat..."

Rayleigh looked Chen Ye up and down, as though trying to see through him completely.

"I can be certain now. I wasn't mistaken just now."

"You possess that fellow Newgate's power. That ability to shatter space is one of a kind."

He paused, his tone carrying a trace of confusion even he could not understand.

"Just who are you? Why do you possess the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit?"

"A Monster Newcomer like you couldn't possibly be unknown on these seas."

Rayleigh looked at Chen Ye, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Tell me. What exactly are you after, going to such lengths that you were even willing to risk your life fighting this old man?"