Chapter 188 Sparring with Rayleigh
Sabaody Archipelago.
Mr. Donald, who was now a well-known merchant on this island, finally found some time today. He bought several movie tickets again and took his closest subordinates to see the movie.
When entering, an acquaintance spotted him.
"Donald? Didn't you already see the movie a long time ago?"
"That's right."
Mr. Donald proudly puffed out his chest. "I watched the premiere on Fish-Man Island! After returning to Sabaody Archipelago, I've watched it several more times!"
So his friend showed a hesitant expression.
Before he could ask, Donald spoke up himself. "Because this is a movie filmed on Fish-Man Island with Director Brett participating! No matter how many times I watch it, it's worth it! I feel very honored to contribute to this movie's box office!"
His friend was deeply speechless.
Was this something a person could say?
But it was probably this guy's attitude that allowed his wealth to skyrocket through cooperation with Fish-Man Island.
Fish-Man Island was becoming increasingly developed and prosperous, and as one of the earliest merchants to do business with Fish-Man Island, Donald's total wealth was also growing at a jaw-dropping rate.
He was now a fixed partner of Fish-Man Island and had already formed a trading company based on trade with Fish-Man Island.
As the movie began and Donald sat upright in his seat to appreciate the film once again, he didn't realize that in the back row of the temporary theater sat two figures wearing hooded cloaks whose faces couldn't be seen clearly.
One was unusually tall, the other much shorter.
"Haha, it seems your influence in the human world is gradually growing, Brett."
A somewhat aged but still vigorous voice came from the shorter cloak.
"Just opportunists."
The tall cloaked figure, Brett, said indifferently. "The only reason these guys have good feelings toward Fish-Man Island is that Fish-Man Island can make them money."
"But things will be different after this movie is released, won't they?"
The shorter cloaked figure, Rayleigh, said with a smile. "Listen, the surroundings are full of amazed voices about Fish-Man Island."
Indeed, exclamations like "How beautiful Fish-Man Island is!" "It's like a dreamland!" "The mermaids are so beautiful!" were coming from around them.
"I hope there will be genuine change."
Brett said.
He'd leave the cultural strategy of subtly changing people's attitudes toward Fish-Man Island to Tesoro—he was more than happy to do so.
As for himself, he still had to persist with the strategy decided earlier.
That was to overthrow the World Government and form a new government, making Fish-Man Island leap to become one of the world's most important political forces, letting Fish-Man Island's will influence the world's direction.
For this, he had to become stronger.
"So Rayleigh, help me train after watching the movie." Brett said.
"You kid." Rayleigh said with a smile. "Didn't you say you'd already graduated?"
"Just extracurricular private tutoring."
Brett was unfazed. "I've already mastered the knowledge of Armament Haki. What remains is supplementary content about Conqueror's Haki coating."
"Conqueror's Haki coating?"
Rayleigh paused and turned his head. "I thought you'd already mastered it, considering you're already called the Deep Sea Emperor."
"Well."
Brett sighed. "That's a long story."
Later, on a black floating island on the sea outside Sabaody Archipelago, Brett and Rayleigh stood facing each other.
"Hahahaha! It's exciting training time again!"
The floating island spoke.
"Partner, what are we training today? My Armament Haki training has made great progress! I'm almost mastering flowing Armament Haki!"
"That's really amazing."
Brett's response lacked sincerity.
Although if Alexander as a Sea King could really master flowing Armament Haki, his strength would probably reach some jaw-dropping level.
But that wasn't tonight's focus.
"Conqueror's Haki coating is power that truly belongs to the strongest."
Rayleigh casually threw his empty wine bottle into the sea, then burped with satisfaction and said leisurely, "To master this power, I still recommend intense battles with strong enemies."
"But I can't just go to Marine Headquarters or Wano Country or Whole Cake Island to cause trouble single-handedly now."
Brett said.
He was well aware that intense battles with strong enemies could promote rapid evolution of Haki.
But the problem was that even looking across the entire world now, there weren't many guys he could call strong enemies.
He couldn't just start conflicts for no reason.
"So what I mean is, Brett."
Rayleigh pulled off his cloak with one motion and raised his right hand. Black lightning began sparking from his hand. "Are you ready for an intense battle with me, a strong enemy?"
Brett's eyes narrowed. A terrifying aura hit him head-on. If this had been a year ago, it might have made him feel tremendous pressure, but now it was different.
He just sighed that Rayleigh indeed knew how to use Conqueror's Haki coating too.
That made sense. Even the moss-head could use it—there was no reason Roger's right-hand man couldn't.
"Then I'll also go all out!"
Brett took a deep breath.
This was the final hurdle. After mastering Conqueror's Haki coating, only awakening would remain.
If his artificial Devil Fruit could awaken.
"Finally going to show your hidden power?"
Rayleigh said with interest. "Let me see, Brett. What exactly earned you the title of Deep Sea Emperor!"
Brett didn't reply, just silently activated his ability.
His body grew slightly taller. Scales, claws, fangs, horns, tail—in the blink of an eye, a red dragon-man appeared before Rayleigh's eyes.
"Hey! This is—!!"
Even someone as experienced as Rayleigh couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
This ability—wasn't this Kaido's ability? How did this kid have the same ability as Kaido?
"Are you ready, Rayleigh!"
Then lightning began sparking around Brett's body. This time he could finally run his electrical propulsion at full power without holding back. "I won't show mercy!"
"You kid—"
Rayleigh's mouth curved into a smile.
Had he grown to this extent?
The kid he could once easily defeat with one hand now required him to go all out.
Brett, you really deserve the title of Deep Sea Emperor now.
This world will definitely change because of your existence.
"Take this, Teacher Rayleigh!"
Brett shot forward.
"Don't underestimate me, Brett!"
Rayleigh laughed heartily and threw a punch.
BOOM!
Time began to flow.
Most of half a year passed just like that.
The current time was Sea Calendar 1514.
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