Rayleigh had forgotten how many times Randall had already proved him wrong.
But people were like that. They never gave up until reality forced them to.
That was both a strength and a weakness.
In Rayleigh's case, it was rather foolish.
"Rayleigh, you don't actually think this bunch of misfits can save you, do you?"
Randall gave Rayleigh a strange look, seeing hope rekindled on his face.
What was he thinking?
Rayleigh turned to look at Randall.
He wanted to find a trace of panic on that handsome face.
Unfortunately, he failed.
He could not find a single expression connected to any negative emotion.
Most of the hope that had just risen in his heart immediately died out.
Only a lingering refusal to believe it kept him from falling into complete despair until he saw the truth for himself.
"Why couldn't they?
There are so many pirates..."
Before he could finish, Randall interrupted him with a number.
"12,315."
Rayleigh froze, unable to process it, and instinctively asked:
"What?"
"I said there are 12,315 pirate ships in total."
Randall spoke calmly.
Rayleigh's eyelid twitched.
That many?
He had thought there were only a few thousand.
It seemed he had still underestimated the pirates' madness and their willingness to gamble on a slim chance.
A sudden shock ran through Rayleigh.
Was his Observation Haki really that precise?
He could count them down to the last ship.
"Over ten thousand ships means at least several hundred thousand people.
Since you know exactly how many there are, aren't you nervous?"
Rayleigh composed himself and continued asking.
If even the Roger Pirates of old had been swept into that mass, they would probably have been torn to pieces.
That force was probably enough to lay siege to Marine Headquarters.
Yet only Randall, Aokiji, and Christa