"Rayleigh, how about letting me handle this instead? My speed isn't slower than yours. I can activate my Phoenix Form and fly over in an instant.
"Rayleigh, how about letting me handle this instead? My speed isn't slower than yours. I can activate my Phoenix Form and fly over in an instant.
"Rayleigh, how about letting me handle this instead? My speed isn't slower than yours. I can activate my Phoenix Form and fly over in an instant—one kick is all it'll take to pierce Spandam's heart."
Marco gave a thumbs-up to himself with a determined expression on his face.
"Exactly! Rayleigh, why should you get all the glory? I agree that Marco should be the one to kill Spandine,"Jozu's bullish temper flared up as he bared his teeth and growled in protest.
Nozdon immediately responded with displeasure, "Hmph, Joz, Rayleigh is the fastest man in history. That Spandine has the Golden Den Den Mushi for the Buster Call—you need to think about the people of this island."
"Don't pretend to be the good guy, Nozdon. You're not that noble! Marco is also one of the fastest men around!"Jozu glared fiercely and snapped back.
"Woc... all fighting over who gets to be the fastest man..."Reid couldn't help but feel that something sounded off.
"Let Rayleigh go. We'll take Spandine's death as the signal—and then we'll see who can take out more enemies,"Whitebeard said in a low voice. In truth, Marco was still a bit behind Rayleigh in terms of power. After all, Rayleigh had once blocked Marco's attacks with just one finger.
"Since Pops has spoken, then fine, let Rayleigh do it."
"Young man, you still have a lot to learn. Watch closely how I get things done," Rayleigh said with a grin, his tone full of seniority.
"Hmph, then I'll be watching," Marco muttered, clearly not fully convinced.
"I can sense them approaching—everyone quiet for a moment," Rayleigh suddenly said.
"What? Is Rayleigh's Observation Haki that strong? I haven't sensed anything," Marco was stunned and looked at Rayleigh with a newfound respect.
"As expected of Rayleigh—anyone who's mastered all three forms of Haki is truly a top-tier powerhouse." Reid was also amazed in his heart. His gaze shifted to the sword on Rayleigh's waist." That sword... It looks a lot like Shanks' Gryphon in the future. Could it be the same one?" Reid wasn't sure. Only time would tell.
"Vice Admiral Kuzan, we just received word—Spandine's squad is approaching Ohara Island."
"Oi! Don't bother me with stuff like that—can't you see I'm sleeping?! Huh?!" Kuzan snapped, lying on a folding chair and ripping off his eye mask in frustration. He looked like he wanted to bite the messenger.
"Y-yes, Vice Admiral Kuzan, please continue resting," The marine soldier immediately stood straight, hands by his sides, breaking out in a cold sweat.
On another ship, Sakazuki wore a Marine cap, arms crossed, his face grim.
"Archaeologists... a bunch of peace-disrupting scum. They all need to be wiped out." Sakazuki thought to himself, then lifted his head and cast a cold gaze toward Ohara Island.
Other Vice Admirals had already begun to fan out, surrounding the waters near Ohara to prevent any escapes.
Meanwhile, Spandine's CP9 ship had docked and the squad was preparing to disembark.
Spandine and his two subordinates stepped off the ship, immediately striking poses as they stood on the shore.
Spandine wore a cloak of silver and dark gray, with his hands in his pockets and an expression like everyone owed him money.
On his right stood a man with curly orange hair and a strong build—clearly a trained fighter. On his left was a cold, silver-haired man, hands in his pockets as well, exuding a deep and aloof presence.
Their CP9 agents all stood in formation in front of them, weapons at the ready, dressed in uniform black.
"Hahaha! The exciting moment has arrived. These idiotic scholars—what's so wrong with living peaceful lives? Why insist on studying the Void Century? A bunch of fools. If they want to go against the World Government, then they deserve to die."
"Sir, the target—Olvia—is present on the island," the curly-haired man reported.
"That woman, hehehe… that arrogant woman thought we wouldn't know she's from Ohara Island."Spandine grinned wildly, his laugh arrogant and smug.
"Listen up, all of you. Go and herd the unrelated residents on the island onto the evacuation ships. If some fools refuse to get on, let them be—I've already been merciful enough. After all, I represent justice."
"Yes, Commander Spandine!"
Just as the agents were about to carry out the orders, a voice suddenly came from nearby.
"With so many of you crowding into the island, it's going to get cramped. I think you'd better just stay right here."
Whoosh!
Rayleigh's eyes flashed sharply, and his Conqueror's Haki burst forth. Before the agents could even react, they were all knocked unconscious by the sheer force of it.
Spandine's head swayed as he collapsed to the ground—he was just too weak.
His two subordinates managed to stay standing, but both were drenched in cold sweat.The silver-haired man pulled his hands from his pockets, clearly no longer calm.
Before they could respond, Rayleigh was already standing in front of the three. His sword flashed—The curly orange-haired man and the silver-haired man were instantly sent flying.
Rayleigh didn't stop there. With one clean stroke, he slashed down toward Spandine's head.
"Ah… don't kill me… I beg you…"Spandine was absolutely terrified, his face drained of all color.
Rayleigh ignored his pleas. His sword fell swiftly.
For this strike, Rayleigh even infused it with Conqueror's Haki coating—he was determined to make sure Spandine died beyond any doubt.
Slice— The sky seemed to darken. A head flew through the air, blood splattering the ground.
Spandine: dead.
Rayleigh walked over to the now-headless corpse and retrieved the golden Den Den Mushi from it.
"Hey!! Rayleigh, you seriously took them all out by yourself?! That's cheating!" Marco, in his phoenix form, flew over. After landing and returning to his human form, he pointed angrily at Rayleigh and shouted.
"Young man, you need to act decisively—not like a child. If we had let those black-clad agents get onto the island, it would've been a disaster. Learn from this." Rayleigh grinned at Marco.
"This doesn't count! This match is invalid!"
"Heh~ I'm sure high-ranking Marines will come ashore soon. By then, Conqueror's Haki won't be enough to knock them out. We can compete again then. Let's go back. And make sure to keep this golden Den Den Mushi safe—don't press the button by accident." Rayleigh turned and strolled back calmly, carrying a severed head in one hand.
Marco, still fuming, followed after him grumbling.
A while later, the curly-haired and silver-haired subordinates, who had been knocked away by Rayleigh, slowly got up. Each of them had a deep gash across their chests.
"Where's the commander? Ah… there he is. Commander, are you alright?"The orange-haired man clutched his chest as he walked toward Spandine—"Commander… Huh? Ahhhh!!!"
His face went pale, eyes bulging, sweat pouring as he gasped sharply.
"Hey! What are you screaming for?! You'll attract the pirates!"
"Sp… Spandine… Commander Spandine's head is gone!"The orange-haired man said with great difficulty.
"What did you say?!"The silver-haired man was visibly horrified. His whole body trembled as he staggered over.
Seeing the scene, he urgently shouted, "Quick! Contact Vice Admiral Kuzan!"
"Understood."The orange-haired man pulled a Den Den Mushi out of his pocket and started calling.
Brrleh brrleh brrleh… brrleh brrleh brrleh…