At this time, on Rusukaina Island, the island where Silvers Rayleigh brought Monkey D. Luffy for training, the harsh environment remained as brutal as ever.
Located northwest of Amazon Lily within the Calm Belt, the island shifted its climate every week, cycling through dozens of seasonal changes across the year. Once believed to be the remains of an ancient destroyed kingdom, it had become an uninhabited land ruled entirely by ferocious beasts.
Massive lions, elephants, and countless other predators roamed freely. Each one possessed strength far beyond ordinary creatures of the outside world. Physical attacks alone were often useless against them, and only those who could use Haki were able to injure or defeat them.
That was exactly why Rayleigh brought Luffy here. On this island, survival itself demanded mastery of Haki, there was no room for weakness.
Today, however, training was briefly interrupted by a scheduled visit.
Boa Hancock had arrived once again to deliver food to Luffy, something she did every three days without fail.
From a distance, Luffy waved energetically.
"Yo, Hancock, long time no see."
Hancock's expression immediately brightened as she stepped forward with the food.
"Luffy, I missed you. It has been three days, I was so worried. I brought everything you like, please eat well."
Without hesitation, Luffy rushed over and began eating happily.
"This is great, Hancock, thanks."
Hancock instantly slipped into a dreamy, lovestruck expression, watching him with soft eyes.
Rayleigh exhaled slowly, clearly unimpressed.
"Hancock, you really are spoiling him. There's plenty of food on this island already. You don't need to keep bringing so much."
Hancock turned sharply toward him, visibly displeased.
"What do you mean spoiling him? It has been three days since I last saw him. And why are you still here, Rayleigh?"
Rayleigh sighed.
"I am his teacher. I am here to train him in Haki."
Hancock narrowed her eyes.
"I can teach him Haki too. You can leave."
Rayleigh rubbed his temple.
"No, your Haki is still not at the level of a proper instructor. And your relationship with him makes proper training difficult."
Hancock stepped closer, her aura shifting sharply. Even Rayleigh felt the pressure of her Conqueror's Haki.
She grabbed his nose firmly.
"Do not underestimate me, Rayleigh. I can turn you to stone if I want."
Rayleigh immediately raised his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright, I understand. I won't say anything."
He paused, then added.
"But you should still reduce how often you come. He needs training time."
Before anything could escalate further, Rayleigh turned toward Luffy.
"Luffy, eat faster. Once you finish, your training will be doubled."
Luffy smiled without hesitation.
"Got it."
Suddenly, a transponder snail began ringing in the distance.
Boa Marigold quickly answered it, and her expression changed almost instantly.
A panicked voice came through.
"Lady Marigold, ten Marine warships are approaching from the southeast. They are attacking Amazon Lily. We cannot hold them back."
Everyone froze.
Marigold's eyes widened.
"That's impossible. Our empress is a Warlord of the Sea. Why would the Marines attack us?"
The voice continued urgently.
"They claim we are harboring Straw Hat Luffy. They are demanding his surrender."
The moment those words were spoken, the entire atmosphere changed.
Rayleigh's gaze sharpened. Luffy stopped eating. Hancock's expression turned serious.
Marigold immediately asked.
"Who is leading them? A Vice Admiral or an Admiral?"
The reply came quickly.
"It is the new Admiral of the Marines, Shura, he is a Celestial Dragon."
The word "Celestial Dragon" followed shortly after.
The Boa sisters stiffened. Fear rooted deeply in their memories of the World Nobles surfaced instantly.
Rayleigh's expression darkened.
"A Celestial Dragon becoming an Admiral…"
Boa Sandersonia spoke quickly.
"He is the newly appointed Marine Admiral, real name Saint Figarland Shamrock. His abilities are unknown, his strength is also unknown."
Luffy tilted his head in confusion.
"A Celestial Dragon? Aren't those the guys with bubble helmets? Can someone like that really become an Admiral?"
Rayleigh's tone grew more serious.
"Do not underestimate them, Luffy. Not all Celestial Dragons are useless. Some are extremely dangerous, especially those from the Figarland bloodline."
He paused briefly.
"If a man with that lineage became an Admiral, then his strength is not ordinary. The position of Admiral is never given lightly."
Luffy's expression turned more focused.
"So this guy is strong."
Rayleigh nodded slightly.
"Very likely."
A brief silence followed before Luffy spoke again.
"Sorry, Hancock. It looks like we can't stay here anymore."
Hancock shook her head immediately.
"If you leave now, it will only confirm their suspicion. I will handle them myself."
Rayleigh stepped forward.
"No, this time it is different. A Marine Admiral is coming with full force. This is not something your Warlord status alone can handle."
Hancock hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Rayleigh continued.
"We will go with you. This situation started because of us."
Hancock looked at him briefly, then gave a small nod of acceptance.
"Very well. But you will disguise yourselves and follow the Kuja Pirates."
The decision was made.