Chapter 92: Big News (BONUS)

Rayleigh was so infuriated by Caelan's expression that he wanted to argue.

This was knowledge he had gained from years of experience. How could it be brushed off so casually?

"You've taught me enough. Now it's time to hand you in for the bounty."

Caelan didn't give Rayleigh a chance to respond and cut him off directly.

Hearing this, Rayleigh's anger vanished, and his expression turned sour.

This brat flipped the script so fast. He had just been his student, and now he wanted to cash him in for a bounty.

Still, Rayleigh wasn't ready to give up just yet.

"Hey, I was your teacher a minute ago. Isn't this a little heartless?"

Rayleigh looked Caelan in the eye, trying to play the emotional card.

"That was the deal from the start, so stop talking nonsense."

Caelan rolled his eyes and responded flatly.

If Rayleigh's bounty had only been a few tens of millions of Berries, he might have let him go.

But this was Rayleigh—a bounty in the billions. There was no way he'd let that slide.

Besides, this might be his last chance to collect a bounty from the World Government, so he had to be extra cautious.

It had been two days since he killed Spandam. Even though he destroyed the body and left no trace, someone would eventually realize that Spandam had gone out on a mission.

With the World Government's intelligence capabilities, they would probably figure things out within the next day or two.

"Alright, alright, I give up."

Rayleigh went silent, helpless.

This brat was too stubborn, and he had no way of dealing with him.

He had no intention of resisting. Escaping from a Marine base would be easier than escaping from Caelan.

Anyway, as long as the Admirals didn't show up, he might still have a chance to slip away.

"Just wait here. Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon."

Caelan looked up into the distance and said calmly.

The Sabaody Archipelago was known as the Celestial Dragons' backyard. He and Rayleigh had stirred up such a commotion that the Marines were bound to respond.

Caelan told Nami and the others to return to the Wind Rider, while he and Rayleigh stayed behind to quietly await the Marines' arrival.

Rayleigh lay on the ground, his face pale and lifeless, like he could die any second.

"You're really something. That pose is pretty dramatic."

Caelan chuckled at Rayleigh's theatrics.

Others might not know the truth about Rayleigh's condition, but Caelan did.

He didn't have a single visible wound or drop of blood on him. Just some weakness and minor numbness.

With Rayleigh's physical durability, this was no more than a mosquito bite. It wasn't a big deal.

"Mind your own business."

Rayleigh rolled his eyes and turned away from Caelan.

He closed his eyes and began pretending to be dead.

"Haha."

Caelan laughed softly but didn't say anything else.

He could see right through Rayleigh's little trick.

He was clearly trying to feign weakness, hoping the Marines would let their guard down so he could escape.

As for a strong man's dignity?

This was Rayleigh—the same guy who auctioned himself off whenever he ran out of money. There was no way he'd care about something so trivial.

"Interesting."

Caelan murmured, eyes glinting.

He had no intention of reporting this to the World Government.

First, he had a decent impression of Rayleigh. The old man gave him money and taught him. Second, Caelan was already about to fall out with the World Government, so there was no reason to help clean up their mess.

While Caelan and Rayleigh were waiting, the entire Sabaody Archipelago was thrown into turmoil.

As expected, with all the ruckus in the Celestial Dragons' so-called backyard, it didn't take long to attract attention.

News King Morgans darted toward Island No. 27 like a cat that smelled a fish market.

As a Carrier Pigeon Fruit user who couldn't fly, his wings were practically flapping smoke.

"Quick! Quick! Quick!"

"Big news, coming through!"

Morgans' eyes sparkled with excitement.

Just when he thought he would be the first to arrive, a sleazy golden flash zipped past him.

He couldn't even see what it was clearly, but for some reason, it just felt shady.

"Ohhh, is Admiral Kizaru joining the party? That makes it even better!"

Morgans flapped his wings faster. With an Admiral involved, the scoop would be even more explosive.

Thinking about the fight between Aokiji and Caelan last time, which brought him record-breaking traffic, Morgans couldn't stop grinning.

…

At the same time, the Straw Hat Pirates—who had arrived early since there were no strong enemies to face—were also drawn to the massive disturbance on Island No. 27.

"There's something huge going on over there! Let's check it out!"

Luffy pointed in the direction of Island No. 27 and shouted.

"That looks really dangerous. We shouldn't go."

Usopp grabbed Luffy's left arm, trying to stop him.

"Yeah, don't go."

Chopper held onto Luffy's right arm and pleaded softly.

"I'm gonna be King of the Pirates! There's nothing to be afraid of!"

Luffy shouted, dragging Usopp and Chopper toward Island No. 27.

"That's a clash between two great swordsmen! I have to see it!"

Zoro ran with his swords, more excited than anyone.

Sanji and Franky followed behind, muttering curses as they went.

…

Naturally, the first to arrive was the Flash Man himself—Kizaru.

"Long time no see, Admiral Kizaru."

Caelan looked at the familiar figure and greeted him.

"Long time no see."

Kizaru glanced at the chaotic battlefield, then looked at Caelan with caution.

He was shocked to see Rayleigh lying on the ground pretending to be dead.

The last time he had met Caelan was back in Alabasta, when he had been ordered to deal with Crocodile and ended up getting beaten instead.

Back then, he already knew Caelan wasn't ordinary.

He hadn't expected to hear about him again so soon—and this time, he had actually defeated Aokiji. (Gecko Moria was nothing.)

And now, Caelan had defeated Rayleigh too.

In just over a month, he had brought down two top-tier powerhouses. It was astonishing.

"This is scary. Even the Pirate King's vice-captain was defeated?"

Kizaru pushed up his glasses with a wildly exaggerated expression.

"You flatter me. I had to work pretty hard to take him down."

"The vice-captain of the Pirate King truly lives up to his name."

Caelan adjusted his bloodstained shirt to cover the wound that was nearly healed, then spoke with deep emotion.

"Really? That's impressive. He is a legendary pirate, after all."

Kizaru nodded, genuinely impressed.

As Roger's right-hand man, Rayleigh was a man who had once shaken an entire era. It made sense that even defeating him wouldn't come easy.

As for Caelan not having any major visible injuries, Kizaru didn't question it.

Maybe he had suffered internal injuries.

Watching Kizaru get completely fooled, Rayleigh, who was lying on the ground, twitched his eyelids a few times and could barely hold it in.

(To be continued.)

***

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