There was a moment of silence in the cell.
Rayleigh stopped drinking. He looked down at the keys on the ground, then at the man in the dark gray cloak outside the cell door. Then, a gentle yet profound smile appeared on the old man's lips.
"My goodness, these young people these days are really something. It's been a long time since anyone on this vast ocean has called me by that name."
Rayleigh picked up the key and slowly inserted it into the collar's lock. With a "click," the collar, powerful enough to blow an ordinary person to smithereens, was casually removed by him and tossed into a nearby corner.
He stood up, patted the hay off his trousers, walked to the iron fence, and looked Rain up and down through his thick-rimmed glasses.
"So, what does this generous boss who spent 500,000 Beli to buy this old codger of mine want? Judging from your aura, you don't seem like the kind of person who needs slaves."
Rain casually pulled over two wooden chairs from outside the cell and handed one to Rayleigh.
"I'm a bounty hunter. I just came from Enies Lobby and Water 7 a few days ago."
Rain's voice was hoarse but steady as he slowly recounted his experiences over the past few months in the tone of an outsider.
"The overall situation on this sea is rotten to the core. Many people wave the skull and crossbones flag of 'freedom,' but they commit acts of slaughtering civilians and plundering innocent beasts. But does the navy, which stands in opposition to them, represent Absolute Justice? I recently killed a naval Commodore at G-2 fortress who was secretly selling Seastone to pirates."
Rain took out a cigarette case from his pocket, lit a cigarette, and the bluish smoke rose in wisps in the dimly lit underground cell.
"As for the lofty World Government, in order to cover up their own incompetence and greed, they devised the nonsensical Buster Call, wiping out the entire island and its innocent inhabitants along with the pirates. In the game of these behemoths, ordinary people don't even qualify as pawns; they can only be cannon fodder."
Rain raised his head, his pure black eyes staring directly at Rayleigh.
"I don't believe in the freedom of pirates, nor in the justice of the Navy. I only believe in the power I hold in my hands. This 500,000 Beli is just a stepping stone to see you." Rain's tone was sincere. " The Roger Pirates were the most unruly outcasts on this sea back then. I'm sure Captain Roger hoped to see a Great Pirate Era than what we have now. I hope to make some changes, but my abilities are far from sufficient. Therefore, I hope you can guide me on some techniques for developing ' Haki '."
After listening to Rain's analysis of the maritime situation, the smile in Rayleigh's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression of appreciation.
He could sense that the man before him wasn't just boasting, but had truly seen through the superficial balance beneath the surface of this vast ocean. Although Rayleigh didn't entirely agree with his views, such an extremely clear-headed realist was even rarer on the Grand Line than Logia Fruit, so offering a few pointers wasn't out of the question.
"Having seen through the rules, he chooses to seize power in the gray area where black and white meet... What a terrifying yet clear-headed young man."
Rayleigh picked up the flask, took another swig, and then, without warning, took a step forward through the iron bars.
"Buzz--"
An invisible yet tangible sense of terrifying pressure instantly erupted from Rayleigh's center!
That wasn't murderous intent, but a pure spiritual shock. The air seemed to become incredibly thick at that moment, and the slaves in the surrounding cells who were still sleeping or groaning fainted without even uttering a sound under the sweep of this aura.
Rain, who was directly hit, suddenly narrowed his eyes. Faced with this sudden mental storm, he felt as if an invisible mountain was crashing down on him, trying to crush his consciousness and strip him of control over his body.
However, the Conqueror's Haki is essentially a clash between soul and spirit.
Rain's terrifying mental power, which had survived countless life-or-death hunts and could even suppress the raging lava and cells within his body with an "absolute dictatorship," transformed at this moment into an unshakable black reef in a raging sea. He neither dodged nor evaded; his pure black eyes erupted with an extremely cold rationality and an indestructible will, forcefully withstanding the oppressive feeling that would instantly shatter the consciousness of an ordinary person.
He sat in the chair without swaying at all, and his breathing remained perfectly steady.
"Oh?" Rayleigh withdrew his Haki, a clear look of surprise and admiration flashing in his eyes. "Extremely tenacious willpower and an unshakable self. To be able to face my Haki without flinching, your mind is like a rock forged through countless trials."
Rayleigh stroked the stubble on his chin and chuckled softly.
" Haki, in essence, is the latent power possessed by all humans, such as 'prestige,' 'killing intent,' and 'fighting spirit.' Your willpower is indeed strong enough, but you've used all your energy to 'squeeze' and 'control' your body internally, which has caused your spirit to be like an iron box that's been tightly sealed. To Awakening your Haki, you must learn to release that powerful spirit that's been pent up inside you."
Rain lowered his head thoughtfully, pondering these seemingly casual yet insightful words. Indeed, by using " Life Return " to forcibly control his body, he gained unparalleled internal control, but in doing so, he also sealed off the channels for his spirit to extend outward.
"Thank you for your guidance." Rain looked up, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude.
"I was just rambling on." Rayleigh waved his hand, reverting to his usual carefree old man demeanor. "I'm retired now, just a wretched old man making a living by coating ships. I don't do the trouble of taking on apprentices."
Rain knew that for a legend of Rayleigh's stature to offer even a few words of guidance was already a favor, given the 500,000 Beli and his shared ideals; forcing it would only backfire.
He stood up, bowed slightly, and his tone became very polite and respectful.
"I understand. Since Mr. Rayleigh is now a coating craftsman, I will formally request your services as a customer." Rain stepped aside and gestured for him to proceed. "My ship is anchored on the secluded shore of Island Number One. The voyage to Fish-Man Island will require your world-class craftsmanship to coat my ship."
"Hahaha! When business comes knocking, there's no reason to refuse!" Rayleigh laughed as he pushed open the unlocked cell door, stretched, and said, "Come on, buddy, take me to see your ship. A deposit of 500,000 Beli, and I'll use the best resin materials for you!"