Akira felt exhausted.When he finally woke, he found himself lying in a bed, staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling.
This wasn't the Celestial Dragons' territory.
"Brother, you're finally awake," a familiar voice called out.
He turned his head—and there she was. Hancock sat beside him. A quiet sigh of relief escaped his lips. At least she was safe.
"Where are we?" he asked, his voice edged with caution.
Hancock shook her head. "I don't know. But right now, we're the only ones here."
Ellie was missing. That could only mean one thing: trouble.
Ignoring the dull ache throbbing through his body, Akira forced himself upright and made his way toward the house's interior.
Through the doorway, he spotted Ellie seated stiffly in a chair, her sharp gaze fixed on the man across from her.
Akira followed her eyes—and froze.
Sitting there was none other than Silvers Rayleigh.
Gol D. Roger's right-hand man. The legendary Dark King. An old man with kind eyes behind round glasses—and an overwhelming, tranquil power that filled the room.
Rayleigh chuckled. "You're quite something, kid. Stirring up a storm in Mariejois like that."
Akira instinctively tensed, but pain lanced through his body the moment he moved.
"Easy now," Rayleigh said with a calm smile. "You're still in rough shape. Surviving that kind of battle's no small feat."
Akira didn't answer. His eyes were already on Ellie. "She's a Celestial Dragon princess," he said carefully. "And now, she's mine."
He wasn't sure how Rayleigh would take that. Having a World Noble with them was dangerous.
But to his surprise, the old man just laughed. "Hah! You're an interesting one. Don't worry—I'm not here to make trouble."
Ellie stayed silent, her face tight with frustration.
Akira exhaled. "Thanks for the help, but we can't stay here. The Navy's coming."
He made a move to rise again.
Rayleigh nodded. "You're right. You caused quite a stir. I had to pull a lot of strings to get you out of their sights. My advice? Lay low until the heat dies down."
Hancock gave Akira a worried look. "Brother, you're hurt. Don't push yourself."
But Ellie had a sharper take. "Master Akira, we should follow our own path. This old man may have helped us, but I don't trust him."
Rayleigh only smiled, amused.
Akira clenched his fists. He hated to admit it, but staying here was the safest option—for now.
"...Fine," he said at last.
"Smart choice," Rayleigh replied. "The Navy still has units nearby, but since you injured Akainu, their defenses are a mess. This is the best place for you to recover."
Akira barely heard the words.
Rayleigh was here.
A man who once sailed beside the Pirate King. A master of Haki beyond imagination.
This wasn't just luck. It was a chance.
"Rayleigh," Akira said, stepping forward, voice steady. "Teach me Haki."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow, caught off guard—then chuckled. "After all the chaos you stirred up in Mariejois, you want to learn Haki now?"
Akira didn't blink. "Because no one's ever strong enough. Not even you."
Rayleigh stared at him, silent. A flicker of something passed through his gaze—nostalgia, perhaps.
This kid… reminds me of Roger.
Finally, he spoke. "Mastering Haki isn't easy. Even with talent, it takes years. Are you prepared for that kind of grind?"
Akira didn't hesitate. "I wouldn't ask if I wasn't."
Rayleigh grinned. "Then let's see what you've got."
Akira believed in his own potential—but more than that, he believed in the system guiding his growth. With it, he could evolve far faster than anyone else.
"If you give me this chance, Mr. Rayleigh," Akira said firmly, eyes burning with conviction, "I won't waste it."
Rayleigh studied him for a moment longer before stepping closer. Slowly, he raised a hand and pressed it to Akira's forehead.
"In that case… I'll give you a chance."
Beside them, Hancock and Ellie remained quiet, watching intently.
"You will become stronger, won't you, Brother?" Hancock asked softly, hope in her voice.
Ellie crossed her arms, smirking. "Come on, Master Akira. You're the only man I admire—don't let me down."
Their support steadied him. The weight on his shoulders felt lighter. There was no room left for doubt—only certainty.
Meanwhile, at Navy Headquarters…
Akainu's battered body was carried into the infirmary, his face twisted in pain and rage.
Sengoku stood before him, arms crossed, expression grim.
"This is the worst I've ever seen you," Sengoku muttered. He could hardly believe it himself.
Akainu—one of the three Admirals—had been defeated.
It was unthinkable.
And yet, here they were.
Proof of how terrifying that brat, Akira, had become.
Akainu tried to speak—but pain locked his body in place. Even if he had something to say, the words wouldn't come.
Sengoku exhaled and turned away from the infirmary bed."For someone with that kind of power," he said quietly, "treating him as an enemy might not be the smartest move. The wiser path… might be to bring him to our side."
He paused, then added, more to himself than anyone else,"If we can convince him to join the Navy… maybe we can put all of this behind us."
With that, Sengoku walked out, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Akainu's blood boiled, but his body—broken and bandaged—betrayed him. He clenched his teeth, helpless fury burning through every nerve.That boy… That pirate…
"In all my years," a deep voice rumbled from the shadows, "I've never seen a rookie cause such an uproar."
A tall figure emerged from the darkness. His aura was suffocating—calm, but undeniably lethal.
Sengoku didn't turn around. He didn't need to.
"You're thinking what I'm thinking, aren't you?" the man continued, his tone laced with amusement.
Sengoku stayed silent, his jaw tight.
The man's smirk widened as he stepped into the light."In that case," he said smoothly, "I'll handle it. I'll find a way to bring that brat—Akira—over to our side.
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