"Next, I'll start with you!"
After killing Benn Beckman, Oak set his next target on Shanks. Of everyone present, Shanks hated him the most. Charging at the forefront, he slashed at Oak with a Divine Departure.
Oak responded by swinging the Seven Star Sword. His powerful Conqueror's Haki coiled around the blade, shattering Shanks's Divine Departure in a single strike and continuing toward Shanks with force to spare. Overwhelming rage had made Shanks lose his usual composure. Although it strengthened his attack, it robbed him of his usual sharpness, leaving him unable to react effectively when Oak's sword came at him.
"Move!"
In the end, Rayleigh rammed him aside from behind, taking the force of Oak's strike in his place. But the price was...
After shoving Shanks away, Rayleigh swung his sword into the lingering sword energy from Oak's attack. Their clash lasted only an instant. Then, with a sharp crack, Rayleigh was blasted backward by the sword energy, his sword hand trembling violently from the impact.
Oak flashed before him in an instant and swung his sword.
"This sword was meant for Shanks, but since you like sticking your neck out, I'll give it to you instead!"
Seeing Rayleigh so close before him, Oak swung down without hesitation.
Under that strike, Rayleigh felt a fatal threat. His pupils contracted sharply as he quickly retreated to the side.
He absolutely could not take Oak's attack head-on by himself!
That had already become the consensus among them. But since Oak had made his move, how could Rayleigh evade simply because he wanted to?
Whoosh!
This strike was not only immensely powerful, but incredibly fast. Rayleigh could no longer dodge in time. At the critical moment, Shanks, who had been shoved away, finally reacted.
"Get lost!"
He slashed at Oak's Seven Star