------------
If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Phoenizbeelze
-----
Hearing Rayleigh's comment, Jason scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Hehe, I must be special!"
"There shouldn't be many little monsters like you! You've mastered such powerful Haki at such a young age! If we were to engage in a prolonged battle, I'm afraid I wouldn't stand a chance against you. Of course, if it were a life-and-death struggle from the start and we both went all out, you would definitely lose!"
"Um!" Jason nodded, fully aware that in a life-and-death scenario, he wouldn't be a match for someone as strong as Rayleigh.
"Your combat power is already comparable to that of a Marine Admiral. You could escape even if you can't defeat them, but your use of Conqueror's Haki isn't quite refined enough! Learn Conqueror's Entangle soon! After that, you won't need to run from an admiral!"
He summarized it succinctly: Being young is a great advantage!
"Thank you, Uncle Rayleigh!"
"Ah, don't forget about my drink!"
"Of course! Let's go now!"
Jason was thrilled by Rayleigh's praise and swiftly took him to fulfill his promise. Though he knew it in his heart, being acknowledged by someone like Rayleigh—a seasoned veteran—was a huge source of joy!
In the following month, Jason frequently pulled Rayleigh aside to teach him new moves. This was partly due to the dogged system, which had given him a task: spar with Rayleigh ten times to earn swordsmanship skills at the level of a great swordsman!
Jason was ecstatic and praised the system for the first time! It was the first time in over ten years of being bound to the system that Jason had expressed his gratitude, making the system almost tear up with joy.
Finding a strong sparring partner like Rayleigh wasn't easy. Although some might jokingly label Rayleigh a "mediocre teacher" misleading young fighters, he really was exceptional.
The only cost was a few drinks, and Jason was well off enough to afford that without worry! He didn't spend his money on cars or houses, so everything he had was expendable. If he ever needed extra cash, he could catch a few pirates for their bounties or simply rob them!
As for the dignity of the strong, Jason didn't care about that at all!
A few days later, after saying goodbye to Rayleigh one night, Jason returned to the hotel and fell into a deep sleep. However, he was suddenly jolted awake by a commotion outside.
Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he went to the window and saw the summit of the Red Line near the Sabaody Archipelago ablaze.
Amidst the chaos, he sensed screams echoing through the air, impacting even the Sabaody Archipelago. Panicked Marines were rushing through the streets, racing to support Marijoa.
Instantly, Jason lost all sense of sleep!
Fisher Tiger was on the move!
He stepped back from the window, grabbed the famous sword Shusui resting beside his bed, and headed outside.
Jason had eagerly awaited this very moment!
Yet, he didn't rush straight to Marijoa. He remembered something that altered his original plan slightly. Initially, he intended to wait for Fisher Tiger to create chaos in the Holy Land, hoping Tiger would save him when he was in trouble and bring them closer.
But then he realized: Fisher Tiger hadn't died here! He managed to escape, and after that, he founded the Sun Pirates!
Therefore, his objectives shifted. Nonetheless, the goal remained close—he still had a chance to befriend him.
Jason's ultimate aim was to find Arlong and warn him to handle things appropriately when he eventually visited the East Blue to meet Nami and the others after the Sun Pirates disbanded.
Just as long as Arlong didn't kill Bellemere.
Of course, he could wait until Arlong and his gang arrived at Cocoyasi Village three years later and then eliminate him directly, but he pondered the possible changes that might ensue from such a choice.
If he did that, Nami wouldn't try to steal in order to save Cocoyasi Village, nor would she encounter Luffy and the others at sea. The Straw Hats could easily replace their navigator!
Except for the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, which Jason couldn't alter, he could change many other things. From Robin's experience, he didn't want to witness a Straw Hat crew with mismatched members.
Originally, Jason's desire to avoid being a Marine or a pirate had shifted somewhat! He didn't want to be a pirate because he had no intention of forming his own crew! He held no grand ambitions, nor did he aspire to be the Pirate King.
The Straw Hats didn't burn, kill, or plunder as they traveled. At most, they were simply a group of passionate adventurers.
Moreover, Robin sought to interpret historical texts, a task that most other crews misunderstood, but not the Straw Hats—they had the time to be lazy and sort through it all.
Jason simply wanted to cherish their time together, so he had to think it through carefully.
Jason made his way to Shakky's Rip-Off Bar. Rayleigh and Shakky were already up, observing the chaos unfolding outside.
"Hey! Brother Jason, you're here too!" Rayleigh called.
"Yeah! What's happening? Why did it suddenly turn chaotic?"
Jason feigned ignorance while Rayleigh glanced at him knowingly.
"You must have seen something with your keen perspective. There's a riot in the Holy Land of Marijoa! Someone has stormed Marijoa and freed the slaves imprisoned there!"
"Hiss~ Whose audacity is this?"
Jason exhaled sharply, feigning shock (he was good at this).
"I'm not sure yet, but if someone dares to resist, I have to check it out! Brother Jason, are you coming?"
Rayleigh turned to him, and Jason thought, "Of course! That's exactly why I'm here!"
"Definitely! The World Government and Marines have been after me for years, yet I've done nothing to warrant it! I've never killed a single Marine!"
Although he grumbled internally, Jason outwardly displayed righteous indignation! He immediately asserted that he wanted to join Rayleigh.
"Let's go!"
Rayleigh took the lead, rushing toward the top of the Red Line, closely followed by Jason.
"Be careful, Rayleigh and Jason!" Shakky shouted from behind them.
The Holy Land of Marijoa was not far from the Sabaody Archipelago. If they pushed themselves, they could reach the top of the Red Line in half an hour.
Upon arriving on the Red Line, Jason and Rayleigh spotted many slaves fleeing as Marines and World Government agents chased after them, too preoccupied to notice the two of them moving against the tide.
This location was already beyond the Holy Land, where there were still some civilians among the slaves, making their identities easy to spot.
The marks of dragon hoofprints were often displayed prominently or not covered by clothing, even on those who were naked.
This was a constant reminder to the slaves of their identity and the fact that they had no say in their lives!
As these slaves rushed to escape, they clearly didn't have time to worry about clothing! Thus, Jason and Rayleigh could easily identify those with the dragon hoofprints.
The chaos grew as they proceeded. Once they reached an area devoid of civilians, the duo decided to conceal themselves. Jason covered himself with a cloak.
After a period of stealthy movement, they finally arrived at the Celestial Dragons' residence, a place engulfed in flames! Slaves were still fleeing while the Marines and World Government agents scrambled around, trying to extinguish fires.
Celestial Dragons, with glass jars perched on their heads, screamed orders amid the havoc.
Rayleigh and Jason exchanged glances and stealthily split up, sneaking into the chaos undetected!
At this point, Fisher Tiger had ceased setting fires and was still in the process of freeing slaves. His efforts were twofold: he not only sought to liberate them but also used them as barriers against pursuit.
Most of the pursuers were agents of the World Government and Marines, who were restricted from shooting unless commanded by the Celestial Dragons.
Some Celestial Dragons remained particularly fond of certain slaves. They didn't want to execute them and potentially lose valuable property.
Jason hopped through various rooms and found himself in an opulent chamber—what appeared to be a luxurious bedroom, spanning over a thousand square meters. The extravagant furnishings made him sigh at the excess of the Celestial Dragons!
The room brimmed with gold, jewels, and various precious items. A lavish bed could accommodate ten people, resting under a huge crystal chandelier.
Tables and chairs carved from seafloor stone littered the elaborate space, while a wine cabinet overflowed with bottles! There were also various questionable items and rare plants spread across the balcony, alongside a swimming pool.
After glancing around, Jason left; there was nothing of substance here beyond indulgence. He dashed into a few more rooms and stumbled upon a variety of intriguing sights, including several naked women adorned with collars, along with furs from countless tribes.
"Damn it! I wish I could dress up as a Celestial Dragon—how infuriating!"
However, his gaze was drawn to one particularly fascinating sight: a few Devil Fruits casually tossed atop a table.
Though he had no idea of their types, he knew they were valuable. Any one of them could fetch a hefty price. Grabbing a curtain, he wrapped the fruits and hoisted them onto his back.
Just then, commotion erupted outside!
A Celestial Dragon screamed to kill Fisher Tiger! Then gunfire erupted.
Jason poked his head out and gasped! There stood Fisher Tiger, covered in red and towering at five meters tall! Wasn't he a Fish-Man?!
He was now surrounded, trapped by the World Government! Using his superior Fish-Man physique, he was holding his ground, but it was clear he had no way out. The Celestial Dragons shouted angrily at him.
Jason didn't rush in. He wanted to see how Fisher Tiger planned to escape.
Just as one of the Marines approached Fisher to attack, another figure rushed toward the attacker, moving far faster than anticipated.
Hey, Rayleigh. I knew he would show up! There was no way Fisher Tiger, a Fish-Man with a future bounty of over 200 million, could escape after causing such pandemonium in Mary Geoise!
Rayleigh, clad in a black robe, revealed himself, and upon using his Conqueror's Haki, the Marine subordinates and several Celestial Dragons around him fainted on the spot.
"Who... who are you? How dare you attack Mary Geoise! Do you wish to die? Kill him!" shouted the remaining Celestial Dragons.
Undeterred, Rayleigh replied with a calm tone. "Oh, how could I not join in such an interesting spectacle as freeing slaves?"
"Sir, no matter who you are, we are allies for the moment! Let's rush out first! If we can reach the beach, we'll be safe!" Fisher Tiger started.
Seeing this, Jason was ready to join Rayleigh and dashed toward the Celestial Dragons, poised to strike.
But those guarding the Celestial Dragons were not to be trifled with. They noticed Jason's approach too late and lunged toward him with knives drawn.
"There are accomplices! Protect Lord Celestial Dragon!"
Missing his initial attack, Jason rushed to join Rayleigh, who was already engaging nearby foes.
"Hey! I'm joining in! Ready to charge out together?"
"Ah, Jason, you're here too! Then let's make a break for it!"
"Agreed!"
"Mr. Fish-Man, though you've fought hard, we're still full of energy! You go ahead!" Rayleigh said decisively, and they began striking down the enemies around them.
"Thank you both!" Fisher Tiger expressed, acknowledging their strength. It was evident they weren't mere slaves he had liberated, but allies willing to fight alongside him—he could tell just by their aura.
Now, the pursuers stood no chance against Jason and Rayleigh. Within moments, the three were nearing the edge of the Red Line.
"My friends, please leap in with me! There's ocean below! As long as I'm there, it's safe!" Fisher Tiger urged them.
Jason and Rayleigh were about to agree when, unexpectedly, the two of them simultaneously pushed Fisher to the ground with surprising force.
"Whoosh!"
A blazing ray of yellow light shot past, striking the Red Line and causing a massive explosion!
"What... what just happened?!" Fisher Tiger exclaimed, bewildered by the overwhelming destruction!
"Admiral!" Jason and Rayleigh shouted in unison as a faint voice echoed from a distance.
"It's terrifying how someone could wreak such havoc at the Holy Land Mary Geoise! And they want me to work overtime today?! No one leaves here alive!"
Two figures emerged slowly from the smoke. One was an imposing figure dressed in a yellow-striped suit with sunglasses and a cloak: it was Kizaru!
Next to him stood Aokiji!
"It's Admiral Kizaru and Admiral Aokiji! This is bad! The Marines now have reinforcements!"
"If both Admirals have arrived, those thieves will definitely be finished!"
When the World Government and Marine troops recognized the arrival of the two Admirals, their spirits soared. They felt victory was in their grasp...
Rayleigh and Jason exchanged glances and recognized their opponents.
"Mr. Fish-Man, you jump down to get yourself to safety! We'll return in no time!"
"Those are two Marine Admirals!"
Fisher Tiger hesitated.
"Don't worry! We are also quite strong! If you don't jump down to help us, will we keep fighting alone?" Jason reassured him.
"Alright!"
With that, Fisher Tiger dashed toward the edge of the Red Line, preparing to leap down.
Kizaru and Aokiji readied to intercept them in an instant, but Rayleigh and Jason blocked their path, determined.
------------
If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Phoenizbeelze
-----