The Navy Retreats, Over!

"Rayleigh, this won't do! You're actually going to surrender to the Navy!"

After arriving before Rayleigh, Gaban bumped Rayleigh's shoulder with his fist and said with a grin.

Seeing Gaban before him, Rayleigh let out a heavy sigh of relief, then warmly embraced his old friend.

It had been two years. They had not seen each other for two whole years!

"Gaban, thank goodness you came. Otherwise, I would've been heading to Impel Down to become Golden Lion's neighbor!"

Rayleigh had just been considering surrendering in exchange for Mislanda and the others' lives. Who would have thought fate really had a sense of humor!

"Let's not talk about that for now. Once we get out of here, let's have a good drink!"

"Sure! It's on me—drink as much as you want!"

Afterward, Rayleigh pulled the sword embedded in the ground free and stood beside Gaban.

Back in the Roger Pirates, they had been Roger's right- and left-hand men. Their coordination was anything but ordinary!

If the two joined forces, even Akainu and Aokiji twenty years later might not have been able to defeat them!

What's more, Aokiji was in terrible condition right now.

First Rayleigh's slash, and now Gaban's axe—Aokiji wanted to cry, but no tears would come.

Why was I always the one getting hurt?!

Not far away, Dragon had also arrived at Ohara with his subordinates!

Looking at the Navy forces waiting in formation, Dragon walked straight up before everyone.

"Stand down, Navy. Ohara is under my protection today!"

Rayleigh, Gaban, Dragon!

The three of them together could crush the Buster Call head-on!

Seeing the lineup across from them, the Navy side could not help feeling afraid.

They did not recognize Dragon, but they knew Rayleigh and Gaban!

When Sengoku at Marine Headquarters heard that Gaban had brought people to help Rayleigh, he felt utterly miserable!

In terms of strength, Gaban might not have matched Rayleigh, but he was still someone the Navy did not want to provoke lightly!

"Admiral Sengoku, what do we do?"

The vice admirals asked anxiously.

Aokiji had already suffered serious injuries. The four of them were no match for the lineup across from them!

Akainu wanted badly to arrest every one of them, but alone, he could hardly challenge even one of them, let alone all three!

In the end, after Sengoku and Steel Bone Kong discussed it, the Navy withdrew.

They had no choice. They would definitely lose if they stayed, so what else could they do but leave?

Watching the Navy warships gradually sail away, Rayleigh sat directly on the ground.

Today had truly been exciting enough!

He looked toward Mislanda, who was thawing out in the water, and could not help giving a bitter smile.

Why had he listened to that brat and come here in the first place?!

"No, I can't listen to him anymore. These old bones of mine still want to live a few more years!"

Having made up his mind, Rayleigh walked over to Dragon and Gaban.

After talking for a while, he also understood why Dragon and Gaban had come here.

After that exchange two years ago, Dragon had been keeping an eye on the Navy. Sure enough, not long ago, the Navy captured a group of scholars investigating the World Government. Later, many warships entered the West Blue, carrying five Navy vice admirals!

A typical Buster Call lineup!

Thus, Dragon immediately brought people over and happened to run into Gaban on the way.

When Gaban heard Rayleigh was in danger, he immediately followed Dragon here as well!

"Ah, that was really close!"

"Thank you both for this. I'll remember this favor. If you ever need anything in the future, come find me!"

Hearing that, Dragon smiled.

This trip had not been for nothing!

Afterward, they looked at the scholars and discussed how to settle them.

They definitely could not remain in Ohara. The Navy would surely return before long.

In the end, after some discussion, Dragon decided to take all the scholars away and find them a hidden place to settle down!

Professor Clover strongly agreed with the suggestion.

He was not someone who failed to understand the situation. Leaving was the best choice now; otherwise, they would not be able to protect anything!

And so, after two days of packing, Dragon prepared to leave with all the scholars. The ship was loaded with countless books.

Before leaving, Robin looked at Mislanda, who had yet to wake up.

"Mom, Mr. Rayleigh, can we not separate?"

After spending two years with Mislanda, Robin had grown dependent on him and did not want to part ways.

Rayleigh sighed at that.

"Robin, you saw what happened the day before yesterday. Mislanda has no right to choose anything right now!"

"You know Mislanda's goal very well—the strongest in the world. He is still far from that goal. If you really want to help him, then pray for him in your heart!"

Hearing Rayleigh's words, Robin wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded.

Seeing how reluctant her daughter was to leave, Olvia pulled her into her arms.

"Don't worry, Robin. You'll see each other again someday!"

"Mm!"

And so, the scholars left Ohara under Dragon's lead.

Only civilians remained in Ohara now. When the Navy came, as long as they still cared about their reputation, they would not touch these people!

"Alright, they're gone. We should get going too!"

With a small boat and a crate of supplies, Rayleigh left with Mislanda.

As for where they were going, they did not know either.

"Gaban, where are you going next?"

"I don't know either. I'll wander around. If I find somewhere comfortable, I'll settle down there!"

"Alright, as long as you're happy! I just don't know when we'll meet again!"

"Enough of that. We're leaving. Take care!"

With that, Rayleigh piloted the small boat and left Ohara with Mislanda.

They could not stay in the West Blue any longer, or there would be big trouble.

[ Ding, congratulations to the host for completing the mission: Repel the Buster Call! ]

Mislanda, who was in a half-conscious state, suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.

"Whew, whew, whew!"

He clutched his chest and gasped heavily.

Damn it, you bastard system, you scared me to death!

Mislanda looked around and discovered that he was lying in a small boat, while Rayleigh sat quietly at the bow.

Noticing the movement behind him, Rayleigh immediately turned around.

"You're awake. Then have something to eat!"

"Where are we now?"

Mislanda picked up a piece of roasted meat and took a huge bite, then asked.

His last memory before passing out was Aokiji freezing him solid.

He had no idea what happened afterward, but since the mission was complete and Rayleigh was fine, Dragon and the others must have come too.

"The Calm Belt. We're about to enter the Grand Line!"

That was right. After several days of sailing, Rayleigh had already brought Mislanda out of the West Blue.

After thinking it over, Rayleigh still felt the Grand Line would be better.

"What about Robin and Professor Clover's group?"

"They're safe. Dragon took them away. The World Government won't be able to find them for the time being!"

Then, while Mislanda ate, Rayleigh roughly explained what had happened in Ohara.

After hearing it, Mislanda could not help being shocked.

It really had been dangerous. Rayleigh had almost ended up in Impel Down!

Still, he had not expected Gaban to go to Ohara. That was surprising.

Mislanda actually had a pretty good relationship with Gaban.