Posture.
The moment Ryan's voice fell, Daz Bones and Rob Lucci tensed up. Both of them warily looked toward the corridor, assuming combat stances.
"Ray... Rayleigh..." Hancock followed Ryan's gaze toward the corridor. When the figure emerged from the shadows, her pupils abruptly contracted, and her originally tense body froze in place.
The man had fluffy, silver-white long curly hair, with a beard that also shimmered silver. He wore a simple pair of glasses on the bridge of his nose, and the vertical scar under his right eye was particularly striking in the dim light. It was none other than the Dark King—Silvers Rayleigh.
"It's actually the Dark King Rayleigh..."
Daz Bones stared at the face he had only ever seen in legends, his pupils slightly contracting as he murmured under his breath. Beside him, Rob Lucci's expression also grew complex, a hint of astonishment flashing across his stern face.
Rayleigh wore a faded, washed-out shirt, its sleeves casually rolled up to his forearms. In his hand, he carried a half-old liquor flask, his steps unhurried. His gaze first fell on Hancock. Seeing that she was somewhat disheveled but otherwise unharmed, he slowly let out a sigh of relief. "After Gloriosa heard the news on Kuja Island, she was almost frantic enough to come here herself. It's good that you're alright."
Listening to Rayleigh's words, Ryan instantly understood. It seemed Rayleigh had sold himself to the auction house and, while waiting for the "buyer" backstage, overheard the guards talking about Hancock's situation, which prompted him to seek her out.
After all, the world's most beautiful woman was a focal point wherever she went—it was impossible to keep her presence a secret.
"Young man, you're truly unexpected, daring to kill a Celestial Dragon." Rayleigh's eyes swept over the thoroughly dead Saint Charlos before turning to scrutinize Ryan, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Even more audacious than that Golden Lion."
He had originally come to rescue Hancock, never expecting to witness the death of a Celestial Dragon. This man, who was called Golden Lion's disciple yet had slain Golden Lion, was truly extraordinary.
Are all young people these days so bold?
"The great Dark King Rayleigh, coming all this way..." Ryan's hand remained resting on the hilt of the Seven Star Sword, his fingers gently stroking the cold scabbard, his tone calm. "Surely it's not just to praise me for being 'brave,' is it?"
"I came for Hancock." Rayleigh chuckled softly, shaking the liquor flask in his hand, his tone frank. "Young man, I have some ties with Kuja Island. Could you do me a favor and hand Hancock over to me?"
"Hand her over to you?" Ryan raised an eyebrow, his grip on the Ten Star Sword tightening slightly. "I'm afraid not. According to the rules of the sea, once spoils are claimed, they're not given away for free."
His training had just begun to show results—how could he give up because of a simple "do me a favor"? Ryan's pride wasn't so cheap that he would compromise at someone's mere request, even if that someone was a legendary figure.
"My... spoils of war!" When Hancock heard the clear declaration of "my," her heart skipped a beat. She instinctively looked up at Ryan's profile, a different light flickering in her deep blue eyes.
In the past, hearing a controlling term like "spoils of war" would have only brought her shame—a trampling of the Pirate Empress's dignity. But now, coming from him...
When Ryan uttered the word "mine," an indescribable flutter stirred in his heart. Automatically ignoring the humiliating address, a faint blush spread across his stunning face.
"Kid, no need for such a temper." Rayleigh glanced at Ryan's hand tightly gripping the sword hilt, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He waved dismissively and chuckled, "I have no intention of fighting you."
This wasn't a sign of weakness. Ryan's strength spoke for itself—he had slain Golden Lion and captured the proud Hancock. Rayleigh, now older, was no longer in his prime when he could stand alongside Roger and stir up storms in the New World. He couldn't withstand intense battles anymore.
Moreover, after hearing Gloriosa explain the whole story—how Hancock had provoked Ryan first and lost—Rayleigh knew that, by the rules of the sea, the defeated had no right to make demands. Hancock had to accept her fate.
All he wanted now was to live a peaceful life on Sabaody Archipelago as a coating craftsman, drinking and basking in the sun. If he were to fight Ryan, the commotion would inevitably draw the attention of the Marines or the World Government, making it impossible to maintain his quiet retirement.
Most importantly, if Ryan were to use Hancock as a bargaining chip again, things would only get more complicated.
In short, it was best to avoid a fight if possible.
"If you don't want to fight, then don't block my way." Ryan's expression remained calm as he relaxed his grip on the sword hilt slightly but didn't withdraw it. "I have things to do and no time to waste here."
"You're really not one for pleasantries." Rayleigh chuckled softly, but the moment his words faded, the atmosphere around him shifted abruptly. His previously gentle aura vanished, replaced by an intimidating pressure. He said gravely, "But kid, you should know—even though I've 'banked the furnace,' I haven't completely 'gone cold.' If you push me to fight, you might not come out on top."
Beside them, Daz Bones broke into a cold sweat, and Rob Lucci instinctively took half a step back. This was the deterrent power of the "Right Hand of the Pirate King"—even his mere presence was enough to pressure top-tier assassins and agents.
Ryan narrowed his eyes slightly, fully aware of what this meant.
Back when he fought Golden Lion, the latter had a ship's rudder embedded in his skull, which not only injured his brain but also severely diminished his Haki. Ryan's victory had partly relied on his opponent's compromised state. But Rayleigh was different. Even in his old age, his combat experience and mastery of Haki had been honed through countless life-and-death battles. He was far from being in a "weakened state" like Golden Lion.
"Kid, Hancock has already paid the price for her impulsiveness. This 'punishment' is enough." Rayleigh's tone was even as his gaze swept over the corpse of Charlos Saint on the ground. "Besides, you don't have time to tangle with me now. There's no need to push your luck."
Ryan understood Rayleigh's point. Killing a Celestial Dragon was a done deal—the World Government's pursuit was inevitable. What he needed most now was to quickly obtain the "goods" and head to Fish-Man Island, not stand here in a stalemate with Rayleigh.
Losing the "World's Most Beautiful Woman" was a pity, but giving up an entire forest for one tree was clearly unwise. Coupled with owing a favor to the Dark King Rayleigh, this deal wasn't a loss.
"Forget it." After a moment, Ryan finally released his grip, letting the hilt of the Seven Star Sword slip from his palm. He cast a sidelong glance at Hancock, his tone carrying a hint of resignation.
With casual indifference: "I've grown tired of playing around, so I'll do you this favor. Remember, you owe me a favor."
"Grown tired of playing!" Hancock's face instantly turned pale upon hearing these words, as if pierced by something sharp. The flutter in her heart from his earlier "mine" was instantly extinguished by a bucket of cold water.
So in his eyes, she was just something to be discarded once he grew tired of playing!
"Fine." Rayleigh didn't mind Ryan's tone, simply nodding calmly. "I, Silvers Rayleigh, keep my word. If you ever face trouble in the future, as long as it doesn't violate justice, I will certainly lend my assistance."
Ryan said nothing more, turning to walk out of the corridor with decisive steps, without the slightest hesitation. Daz Bones and Rob Lucci exchanged a glance before silently following behind.
Hancock remained slumped on the cold floor, her gaze fixed on Ryan's resolute back as it gradually disappeared around the corridor's end without even a single glance back. Her heart suddenly felt pierced by something.
He really had grown tired of playing with her... How cruel!