Ren opened his eyes. Outside, it was already bright. He pulled up the status panel.
[Basic Swordsmanship: Lv max]
[Observation Haki: Lv10]
[Armament Haki: Lv7]
[Conqueror's Haki: Lv10]
[Physical Technique: Lv6]
"Huh? Level 10 isn't the max? Naruto Ren actually gave me Physical Technique at Lv6?" Feeling the change in his power, Ren became even more eager to go to the New World.
"Lord Ren," two beautiful mermaids began helping him change clothes.
Who wouldn't be confused by a life like this? Ren enjoyed the service of the two girls.
"Get ready. We're going out together soon."
The two girls trembled slightly, quickly replying, "Yes, sir."
Ren said nothing more and continued enjoying the massage from the beauties, waiting for news from his guards.
"Donquixote Ren, want to join the God's Knights?" A man appeared in Ren's room.
The two mermaids almost fainted from the pressure, but Ren blocked it for them and said, "Wiping the butts of those fools here? No way. I want to get stronger—Saint Figarland Garling."
"Setting sail next? Don't make the same mistake as that other members of the Donquixote family. There aren't many with that name left." Saint Figarland Garling's face didn't change as he left.
"To become the captain of the God's Knights and not get angry at this," Ren shook his head.
"Lord Ren, the ship is ready."
"Mm, gather all the slaves. Let's go." Ren immediately began giving orders.
Soon, a group of people gathered by the side of a ship — a luxurious, sturdy vessel with a technological design.
"Lord Ren, these slaves aren't wearing slave collars. It's dangerous for you to leave with them like this. Put collars on these slaves," the CP standing by the ship ordered as they began to act.
Ren's guards desperately tried to warn him, but seeing Ren's calm and composed expression, they realized trouble was coming.
In the next moment, Ren vanished without a trace.
The CP didn't even realize what had happened until a chill ran down his neck — sharp metal, stained red with blood.
"Is my strength not enough?" Ren said calmly.
"Lord Ren, I spoke out of turn," the CP stepped back.
The slaves watching this scene breathed a sigh of relief but grew even more afraid of Ren. They couldn't understand how he moved so quickly.
Ren sheathed his sword, boarded the ship, and motioned for the slaves and guards to follow.
"Is that Lord Ren?" another CP asked.
"He's very strong. Even my observation haki couldn't detect him," the CP said, disappointed.
"It seems Donquixote Ren is hiding his true power," Saint Figarland Garling said with a smile as he watched the ship sail away.
"Should we send someone to protect them?"
"Just send two CPs to confirm their location," Saint Figarland Garling suggested. Strictly speaking, he didn't have authority over the CPs.
Sabaody Archipelago.
"Slaves who want to leave can go now," Ren decided on his own.
The slaves did not dare to move at first.
Only when one slave cautiously left, and Ren did not give chase for a long time, did the other slaves begin to leave one after another.
Some slaves did not leave.
Most of them didn't know where their hometowns were or how to sail.
If they left, they might be captured and sold again.
In that case, it was better to just stay with Ren.
"It's surprising that the three of you sisters haven't left," Ren said, looking at Hancock and the other two.
"I will prove myself through strength," Hancock said firmly.
Although she was a slave, she hadn't been tortured, and she still had pride.
"Is that so? There are sailing books in the study. Let your sisters go and study," Ren ordered.
After arranging things for the three sisters, Ren recalled a place in his memory and headed toward Rayleigh's secluded spot.
On the way, many people knelt before him.
Ren didn't mind.
He used his strong Observation Haki to sense the surroundings as he walked toward the sea.
"That's the Pirate King's Vice Captain, Dark King Rayleigh. Stop Lord Ren quickly!" a Marine Captain shouted to the guards.
The guards shook their heads.
"No one can change Lord Ren's decisions."
The Marine Captain thought about Ren's strength and knew he couldn't stop him.
He could only pray Rayleigh wouldn't act rashly.
Sending two admirals to deal with a retired pirate would be a big loss.
Ren looked at the man coating the ship.
He was blond and in his prime.
Ren could feel the man's overwhelming strength.
"I have caught the attention of a troublesome person."
"Vice Captain of the Pirate King, greetings. I am Donquixote Ren. Please draw your sword," Ren said politely.
"I'm retired. Now I'm just a ship coater. Please don't trouble me," Rayleigh refused.
"You have no right to refuse."
With just a basic sword strike, Ren unleashed a flying slash toward Rayleigh.
The ground, nearby ships, even the sea were cut in half.
His normal attack was like a special move.
"That can't be real. What kind of slash was that?"
"Why is there such a monster here?"
"That must be a Celestial Dragon."
"Aren't Celestial Dragons all useless?"
People in the distance whispered and debated.
"Brother, please don't make this difficult for me." Rayleigh clearly didn't want to fight.
"Shakuyaku. If you fight me properly, I won't disturb her retirement life," Ren said calmly.
"Heh." Hearing that name, Rayleigh knew he couldn't back down anymore. He drew his famous sword and launched a flying slash attack.
Ren used his Observation Haki to slash with the same flying attack. Their strikes collided. It didn't last long—Ren's slash was shattered, and Rayleigh's attack came straight at him.
"Armament Haki is way stronger than mine." From just one move, Ren realized the real gap between him and Rayleigh. His weakest point was definitely his Armament Haki.
Thinking about how Roger used Haki, and as the Pirate King's right hand, Ren believed Rayleigh must have held back.
"In his prime, Rayleigh really is strong," Ren said as he vanished, dodging Rayleigh's swift slash.
"Kid, your Observation Haki is strong," Rayleigh said.
"Rayleigh, I came to see you not only to test my strength, but also to train my Armament Haki," Ren spoke honestly about his purpose.
"Our fight would destroy this Sabaody Archipelago," Rayleigh smiled.
"Then let's go to the nearby uninhabited island," Ren sheathed his sword and headed toward his ship.
Rayleigh sighed and followed. He knew if this fight didn't finish, the other wouldn't give up.
"Lord Ren, who is this?" Hancock looked at Rayleigh warily.
"The Pirate King's vice-captain, very strong," Ren briefly explained. "Take us to the nearest uninhabited island."
"Yes," the guard nodded. Naturally, the guard was an all-around expert—sailing, navigation, fighting, even cooking—able to do it all.
"A fight involving Lord Ren?" The mink tribe and mermaids left on the ship looked forward to it.
These people's expressions naturally caught Rayleigh's eye. They were definitely slaves, but judging by their faces, there was no hatred—only worship and admiration.
"Looks like you really are a special Celestial Dragon."
"Special? I never thought of myself as special. My status does give me some convenience, but strength is what earns respect," Ren said firmly.
Before the fusion, he definitely wouldn't have dared to challenge Rayleigh directly. But after sharing with his other self, his physique reached an astonishing level.
**********
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