Carl seemed completely unaware of Sanji's attack from behind as he continued walking forward without a care.
Sanji's roundhouse kick landed squarely on Carl's back with a crisp crack, but Carl remained unmoved, while Sanji crashed to the ground, clutching his leg in pain.
Without even utilizing Haki, Carl had simply relied on his physical body to endure Sanji's strike.
Sanji felt as if he had kicked an iron wall—no, something even tougher. It was like striking pure, unyielding Sea-Prism Stone.
Carl halted and turned slightly, casting a glance at the fallen Sanji. Luffy, witnessing this, was overcome with a mix of rage and despair, on the verge of passing out.
Nami knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, while the rest of the crew glared at Carl with unmasked hatred. Brook and Franky, however, charged toward him without hesitation.
Though Luffy's heart burned with fury, he knew better than anyone that Carl was not an opponent they could handle. The gap between their strengths wasn't merely vast—it felt like an entirely different dimension.
When Luffy saw Brook and Franky rushing toward Carl, he yelled desperately:
"Brook! Franky! Stop! Come back!!!"
Tears streamed down Luffy's face as he shouted, and both Brook and Franky froze mid-step at his plea.
Ace's body ignited with flames, his protective instincts as an older brother kicking in as he watched Luffy break down.
The brothers teetered on the edge of emotional collapse, and observing this, Rayleigh sighed deeply.
With a clang, Rayleigh drew his sword and turned to Shakky, saying:
"Shakky, take them and leave. Now."
Without waiting for a reply, Rayleigh unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. Crimson lightning crackled around him as he bellowed at Carl:
"Black Dragon! I'll be your opponent!"
Rayleigh's sudden surge of energy stunned Luffy. "Rayleigh-san, you…"
Without looking back, Rayleigh spoke firmly:
"Luffy, I told you before—the Roger Pirates owe your father a debt. This is the time to repay it."
But deep down, Rayleigh's true motives ran deeper than a mere debt. He had a strong premonition that Luffy was the one Roger had been waiting for all along. And if forced to choose between saving Ace or Luffy, Rayleigh wouldn't hesitate to protect Luffy. He believed Roger would make the same choice.
Carl chuckled at Rayleigh's declaration, ignoring Sanji as he turned his attention to the swordsman.
"Do you think you're worthy?"
Rayleigh's face darkened with fury as he roared:
"Don't get too cocky!"
In a flash, Rayleigh closed the distance between them, his sword imbued with Conqueror's Haki, slashing down fiercely.
BOOM!
The ground shattered instantly, and the shockwave sent Sanji flying.
Carl nonchalantly blocked the strike with his cursed sword, Muramasa, and smirked.
"Not bad. You've improved, Rayleigh."
Despite his age, Rayleigh's strength remained at an Admiral level. However, missing an arm and burdened by age, his power had diminished. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he was visibly straining.
Carl extended his free hand, black spirals forming around it. Rayleigh's pupils contracted as he swiftly retreated, but Carl pursued him relentlessly, always a step ahead.
The battlefield became a chaotic blur of motion, thunderous clashes echoing as deep fissures marred the earth. Luffy and the others stood frozen, awestruck by the overwhelming display of power.
Brook helped Sanji to his feet, while Franky carried Zoro's severed body, following Shakky's command.
"Snap out of it! Move, now!" she shouted.
Realizing the futility of staying, Luffy and his crew reluctantly fled, following Shakky into the distance.
Carl watched them leave, but he made no effort to stop them. Redirecting his attention to Rayleigh, he deflected another attack and smirked.
"Rayleigh, you're past your prime."
Rayleigh gritted his teeth, staring at Carl's youthful, handsome face.
"Not everyone's a monster like you!"
Carl chuckled, shaking his head.
"Ah, how touching. But let's hope Shanks doesn't inherit this foolishness."
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed.
"What's your connection to Shanks?"
Carl laughed lightly.
"He's my foolish little brother."
"What!?"
The revelation left Rayleigh stunned. His sword almost slipped from his grasp as he stammered.
"You're kidding! That's impossible!"
In that moment, Rayleigh understood the gravity of the situation. Carl wasn't just playing, he was deciding Rayleigh's fate.
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