The time was approaching soon.
After the three finished lunch, Klee, who had only slept for an hour or two last night, immediately grew drowsy upon arriving home. She turned and went upstairs to rest, likely to sleep until evening.
Drake hadn't returned. It seemed he was still searching for his pirate ship, though Xiang En guessed it had likely been stolen by pirates in the chaotic zone of the Sabaody Archipelago.
Xiang En and Kagura finished their lunch and sat together on the sofa, reading the newspaper.
Like Klee, neither Xiang En nor Kagura had studied the language of this world, yet they could understand the spoken word and read the text.
The person headlining the newspaper was familiar to Xiang En—someone every transmigrator knew, as he was the catalyst for the most classic battle in One Piece.
"'Fire Fist' Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, is scheduled for execution at Marineford in three days…"
Three days. The Summit War was about to begin.
Luffy was likely already entering Impel Down with Hancock's help, and the Whitebeard Pirates were probably already sailing toward Marineford. A war between pirates and the Navy, enough to change the world's structure, was about to kick off.
And he, a transmigrator who could fully foresee the outcome of this war, was merely curled up on a sofa with a young girl, serving as a spectator.
Xiang En didn't feel bad about it. He had only transmigrated a few days ago, and even if he wanted to change the established plot, he lacked the necessary strength and influence.
"Xia-chan, do you know this pirate who is going to be executed?"
"No, I've only heard of him."
"Then why are you sighing?"
"Perhaps I'm just reflecting, because he is not only Luffy's older brother but also the only remaining legacy of the former Pirate King, Roger, left in this world…"
Xiang En stopped talking, a strange look coming over his face. He had just sensed an astonishing aura from outside the yard.
Turning his head, he saw a white-haired old man in the courtyard—it was Rayleigh, here for his Haki lesson.
"The only remaining what?"
The old man's reading glasses reflected the sunlight. Rayleigh's lips barely moved, and his voice was heavy, as if suppressing deep emotion.
"Old man?" Kagura was surprised. She had noticed Rayleigh arrive before Xiang En, and knowing his relationship with Xiang En, hadn't warned him. But she hadn't expected Rayleigh's reaction to Xiang En's words to be so intense.
She, too, felt the pressure radiating from Rayleigh. Her eyes grew alert, and she reached out, pulling Xiang En behind her and raising her orange parasol.
"It's alright," Xiang En said, pressing down on her shoulder. He pulled her back onto the sofa despite her reluctance and walked out of the cottage to face Rayleigh.
"I apologize, little brother Xiang En. I inadvertently overheard something concerning and couldn't control my Haki," Rayleigh said with a hint of apology.
"It's fine, I understand, Mr. Rayleigh." Xiang En waved it off and walked straight up to Rayleigh.
"Before we begin today's Haki training, could you satisfy my curiosity? Little brother Xiang En." Rayleigh's eyes were sharp, his tone still gentle, but Xiang En clearly felt an urgency in him.
"Yes. I should have told you earlier, but I couldn't explain how I knew this secret, so I avoided bringing it up. Today, though, seems like an alternative opportunity."
Xiang En nodded without hesitation and truthfully revealed Ace's identity.
"So that's it. No wonder his name was Portgas D. Ace."
Rayleigh murmured, his expression complex, as if many things had suddenly become clear.
Xiang En did not interrupt, knowing the profound shock of learning his captain had an heir who was about to be executed. It wouldn't be surprising if Rayleigh turned around and headed straight for Impel Down without a word.
After a long while, seeing Rayleigh calm his emotions, Xiang En tentatively asked:
"Mr. Rayleigh, now that you know this, what will you do?"
He wasn't just curious, nor was he necessarily concerned about Ace's rescue. He was worried that Rayleigh might act recklessly and go on a solo rescue mission. Rayleigh was the first person in this world to offer him help, and for both emotional and practical reasons, he did not want Rayleigh to come to harm.
"Don't worry. I won't do anything foolish like Shiki the Golden Lion. Besides, I'm far too old. I probably wouldn't have the strength left after just swimming to Marineford."
Sensing Xiang En's concern, Rayleigh smiled, pointing to his own white hair.
But Xiang En's expression was odd. What old man who says he's too old still thinks he can swim from the Sabaody Archipelago to Marineford! Swimming that distance while fending off Sea Kings along the way—hardly any strong fighter in their prime could manage that, let alone a man over seventy!
Though Rayleigh said this, Xiang En wouldn't see him again for several days. The next time he saw him, Rayleigh would be at Marineford.
"Alright, let's start today's practice."
Under Xiang En's slightly trembling gaze, Rayleigh took a wooden staff from his waist. After Xiang En dutifully covered his eyes with a black cloth and sat on the ground, the day's Observation Haki training began.
Xiang En was repeatedly sent flying by the staff, letting out miserable screams.
Kagura watched from the window inside the cottage. Initially, she felt a pang of sympathy, but after watching for a while, she found the sight of Xiang En being miserably launched to be quite entertaining. She pulled a chair to the window and watched the show while drinking a soda.
Xiang En caught sight of her during one of his forced flights when his blindfold slipped. Greatly annoyed, he dragged the little spectator outside, put a blindfold on her, too, and made her join the Observation Haki practice.
Kagura was instantly unwilling. She hugged a pillar, refusing to come out and complaining that she hated direct sunlight. But Xiang En threatened her with her next meal, forcing her to accept training with him in a shaded area.
Rayleigh was delighted by this turn of events. He was already curious about Kagura's physical prowess, which seemed to pose a subtle threat despite her having no prior Haki training visible on her.
Then, he learned firsthand what true physical durability was.
Completely unlike the frequently launched Xiang En, Kagura was initially struck precisely by the staff when she failed to react. But it wasn't her who flew—it was the wooden staff, which snapped in half.
"Ouch~"
Kagura rubbed the cheek where the staff had struck. There was no wound, only slight redness, which was rapidly disappearing before their eyes.
The same strike that would send Xiang En flying with a gush of blood had merely broken the weapon and caused a minor bruise that healed almost instantly on her.
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