One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

In front of the world's shocked eyes, cold sweat dripped from Sengoku's forehead, and disbelief clouded his gaze.

The world's most formidable force under the World Government, Admiral Kizaru, had just appeared. Yet, within moments, he was struck down by two figures wielding swords, transforming into a streak of yellow light that detonated the sand-covered ground with a terrifying explosion.

"Silver Rayleigh!"

As the dust from the explosion slowly settled, Kizaru looked at the two figures before him, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

The world exploded with astonishment.

The legendary pirate, the right hand of the Pirate King—Pluton Rayleigh—had returned!

News outlets around the globe frantically rushed to print special editions. The legendary pirate had re-emerged!

"Damn it!" Sengoku cursed, his veins bulging as he stared at the screen showing Rayleigh and the others standing over Kizaru.

It was really Rayleigh, who Sengoku had faced countless times during his tenure as Admiral. And now, Rayleigh was back in the Sabaody Archipelago.

"Why couldn't that bastard remain a legend and stay out of this? Why step back into the fray?" Sengoku gritted his teeth, sweat continuing to pour from his brow.

Lately, he had been overwhelmed by everything—the rising threat of Entei Pirates, the Red Hair Pirates, and Kaido. He had even overlooked a previous report that Rayleigh had been spotted in the Sabaody Archipelago posing as a slave.

But at that time, Marine didn't pursue the retired legend. After all, capturing the Pirate King's right hand would have been beneficial, but the cost would have been too high. It wasn't easy to catch such a man, and Marine needed to save its strength for dealing with the Four Emperors and other major pirates wreaking havoc across the seas.

Sengoku had dismissed Rayleigh as no longer a threat.

But here he was—standing in the spotlight of the world!

"Why, Rayleigh?! Ace's bloodline alone isn't enough for you to come out of hiding. So why now?" Sengoku's eyes were bloodshot as he shouted at the screen.

He understood Rayleigh well enough. He and the other Roger Pirates cared more about the will someone carried than their blood. So, unless Rayleigh believed that Portgas D. Ace wasn't just Roger's son but also bearer of some inherited will, he wouldn't act.

Could it be… the 'Will of D'?

Sengoku's mind raced. As Marine Fleet Admiral, he knew little about the mysterious 'Will of D,' only that it was something the World Government deemed intolerable. The former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, had been forced to bear the false name 'Gold Roger' to suppress the truth.

When Ace's bounty poster, with his true name, had spread across the seas, the Five Elders had been livid, angrier even than after Crocodile's defeat.

If Ace truly carried on the Will of D, would the former Roger Pirates rally to his side?

Sengoku feared the worst.

If the old crew gathered under Ace, they would have a monumental problem on their hands. The Entei Pirates were already causing enough chaos. If they were joined by Rayleigh and the others, the entire Marine force could be overwhelmed.

Sengoku's fears were already coming true. The war had shifted the moment Rayleigh and another powerful figure joined Ace's side.

It wasn't just Rayleigh either. Next to him stood a burly, blind middle-aged man with Admiral-level strength, someone Marine had no prior intelligence on.

Their presence shifted the balance of the battlefield.

Sengoku's forehead throbbed, and cold sweat poured as he barked orders.

"Send reinforcements to Sabaody immediately! And get the Shichibukai to hurry up!"

The battlefield had changed. Ace's side now had three top-tier warriors, plus the full Entei Pirates. Meanwhile, Marine's forces on the archipelago were slim—only Kizaru, Akainu, and a few Vice Admirals were present.

The balance of power had been shattered.

"Tell Kizaru to hold them off until reinforcements arrive!" Sengoku barked into his transponder den-den mushi, feeling as though he was losing control.

A simple battle to capture Ace had transformed into something far more dangerous—a potential rescue mission for Marine.

Garp and Aokiji, standing nearby, remained silent, understanding Rayleigh's motivations more clearly than Sengoku. They knew it wasn't just Ace's blood that moved him but his declaration to become the King of the World and create a place where everyone could eat and celebrate together.

As for the blind man, neither Garp nor Aokiji had any clue about his origins. But one thing was certain: they were heading toward a battle that might require every ounce of their strength!

This time, they really have no choice but to step in.

The balance of power has been shattered.

Garp and Aokiji exchanged complicated glances.

——

Meanwhile, aboard the Shichibukai warship, Hancock's eyes flashed as she looked at Rayleigh on the screen.

"Rayleigh, even you have decided to take action?" she thought, her beautiful eyes gleaming. "It seems my decision was the right one."

——

"Fleet Admiral, are you misunderstanding something?" Kizaru muttered after receiving Sengoku's message through the Den Den Mushi. Crouched low, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and cold sweat streaming from his forehead, he felt a growing dread.

"Boom! Boom!!"

A deafening roar echoed across the sky, accompanied by the crackling of lightning.

"The Thunder Fruit…" Kizaru muttered, his sweat intensifying.

This Logia ability was proving to be a major headache. Its speed was nearly on par with his Light-Light Fruit. Worse, its offensive power exceeded his, rivaling Sakazuki's Lava-Lava Fruit.

In sheer capability, the Thunder Fruit far outstripped both his and Sakazuki's.

Even more troubling for Kizaru was what his Observation Haki was sensing—this young woman standing before him, though not as strong as himself, possessed Admiral-level strength.

Damn it! I've never even heard of her! Does the Entei Pirates have another Admiral-class fighter in their ranks besides Portgas D. Ace?

On top of that, there was 'Pluton' Rayleigh, the mysterious blind man who also had Admiral-level strength, and now the Thunder Fruit user, whose speed could counter his own.

Me, one against three?!

Kizaru's expression turned grim.

"Your name is Nami, right?" Rayleigh asked with a smile, looking at the girl who had just appeared beside him.

For someone so young, Nami had developed her Thunder Fruit abilities to an astonishing degree, reaching Admiral-level combat power. Ace was truly gathering remarkable talent under his command.

"Yes, Uncle Rayleigh." Nami smiled playfully at Rayleigh.

"Uncle?" Rayleigh blinked in surprise.

"Of course," Nami continued with a mischievous smile. "You were the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates, the right hand of the Pirate King. And Ace is your nephew, right? So, there's no problem with me calling you 'Uncle.'"

Rayleigh paused, then broke into a warm smile. What a clever girl! She's quite something. 'Uncle'… what a fine title.

He chuckled, his smile widening as he gazed at Nami.

"Uncle, let's take down this guy together," Nami said sweetly. "My Haki isn't strong enough, so I'll rely on you for the finishing blow. Your sword strikes earlier were incredible! Was that Haki infusion? Can you teach me how to do it?"

Nami's voice, soft and charming, called him "Uncle" over and over. Rayleigh couldn't help but laugh, his grin growing broader.

"Alright then!" he said. "Let's do this together!"

Rayleigh twirled his sword in a wide arc.

"Clang!"

Kizaru, beads of sweat forming on his brow, watched in dread as Rayleigh infused his blade with Conqueror's Haki, its force vibrating through the air.

A thunderous explosion rocked the sky as Rayleigh's terrifying Haki caused the earth itself to tremble.

"Pluton Rayleigh, in all his glory! Damn, I'm not paid for enough for this…" Kizaru thought, cold sweat trickling down his face.

——

"What happened to leaving the Admirals alone and not getting involved in Mr. Ace's affairs?"

Next to Rayleigh, the blind man known as Issho could only sigh, a few drops of sweat forming on his forehead.

Not long ago, Rayleigh had suggested leaving Kizaru alone. Now, he looked ready to cut him down entirely.

Are they really planning to kill an Admiral here?

Issho hesitated. Although the Marines were flawed in many ways, they still fought to maintain justice on the seas. Unlike Ace, most pirates were dangerous and cruel. If an Admiral were killed, it would surely send shockwaves across the world.

"What are you talking about?" Rayleigh replied, smiling. "As an elder, it's only natural to show the younger generation what we're capable of. Besides, you've already taken action, haven't you?"

Issho's gaze turned serious. "Mr. Ace's ideals have deeply moved me," he said in a deep voice. "Though I may not be fully committed yet, my sword has already been drawn on instinct. And I have no regrets."

Rayleigh chuckled, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "Drawn on instinct, eh? Well said."

Like Roger, Rayleigh was always one for a free-spirited battle. Now, he was thrilled—of course, his sword had to be drawn.

"Enough talking," Rayleigh said. "Let's capture Kizaru!"

Rayleigh had already made up his mind—Kizaru would be a fine gift for Nami. "If you don't take action, Issho, I can't guarantee Kizaru will survive."

Rayleigh's smile only grew more menacing as he stared down Kizaru. With Nami's Thunder Fruit neutralizing Kizaru's speed, the fight was tilted heavily in their favor. Add to that Rayleigh's own strength and Nami's near-Admiral power—Kizaru's defeat was inevitable.

And for Rayleigh, Kizaru's life held little value. It was Issho's presence that interested him. Strong, principled, and upright—Rayleigh saw him as a valuable ally.

Helping his juniors and forging a bond with such a powerful force was the perfect gift for Nami.

"Alright then," Issho sighed in resignation. "Let's bring him down. I'll use my gravity powers to suppress his speed as much as possible."

As gravity enveloped Issho's sword, Kizaru's face paled.

A Thunder Fruit and a Gravity Fruit—what was this madness?! 

Are they born to target him?!

Even more frustrating was Rayleigh's excitement! He seemed almost too eager to slash Kizaru to bits with Conqueror's Haki.

"Fleet Admiral! Help! Save me!" Kizaru thought desperately.

But the explosions of the Thunder Fruit and Gravity Fruit continued, overwhelming Kizaru.

——

Far away, Ace observed everything through his Observation Haki, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Nearby, Akainu's face darkened as he realized the gravity of the situation.