"Black?"
Rayleigh paused, pondering the name, unable to recall it fully.
But none of that mattered; his sole purpose here was to retrieve the Hancock sisters.
If possible, he preferred a smooth operation but if a fight was necessary, he wouldn't hesitate.
Thinking this, his tone returned to calm:
"This old man has come only to take away the three sisters of Amazon Lily. If Saint Black is willing to grant this old man a favor, I will immediately gather my people and leave Mary Geoise. Whatever your plans may be, they no longer concern a retired old man like me."
His voice was low, steady, almost like discussing the weather.
Goodness, do all Roger Pirates possess a 'Face-Face Fruit'?
"I absolutely refuse to leave Saint Black!"
Before Black could speak, Hancock leaped forward, fuming. One hand rested on her hip, the other extended a delicate finger, pointing arrogantly at Rayleigh:
"You old man, don't try to sow discord between Saint Black and me! I will not leave with you!"
An eerie silence fell over the manor.
Crows seemed to circle above, the scene growing heavy with tension.
Marigold's small face flushed crimson; she quietly tugged at Hancock's clothes.
Hancock glanced back, eyes dangerous:
"What? Do you want to leave Saint Black?"
Marigold shook her head vigorously, hastily denying:
"No, no! I absolutely have no such thoughts. Wherever Big Sister is, I am there too."
She quickly reaffirmed her loyalty. Marigold knew Hancock's temper well. In these years at the manor, Hancock had been treated differently by Black and had become utterly unyielding. Suggesting departure now would have invited a harsh lesson.
Rayleigh had not expected Hancock, formerly a Slave, to refuse leaving.
So what was his purpose? Should he tie her up and take her by force?
Black clapped his hands and laughed heartily:
"Well, Mr. Rayleigh? You heard her; it's not that I refuse, it's that she herself doesn't want to leave."
Rayleigh regained composure, understanding the full story. Hancock had arrived at Mary Geoise as a Slave there was no doubt.
Her current demeanor could be due to Saint Black's influence, or perhaps some special Devil Fruit. Regardless, he still had to take her and see if her mindset could be restored.
"Saint Black's methods are truly unexpected."
Rayleigh slowly drew his sword:
"But no matter what, this old man must take them today. Let this old man see what the elite of today's Celestial Dragons truly possess!"
Black shook his head, disappointed:
"What a pity. A business license on Sabaody Archipelago is far more respectable than a pirate flag. So, you choose to refuse, sir?"
Rayleigh's sword was fully drawn; his aura surged. Conqueror's Haki had yet to manifest, but his presence alone radiated overwhelming authority.
Black remained relaxed:
"Indeed! In these past twenty-plus years, I've never understood what 'handing someone over' means."
Their gazes locked; sparks seemed to crackle in the air.
Just as tension peaked, Black smiled:
"However, Mr. Rayleigh's opponent today isn't me. Mandy! Koala! You two accompany this senior from the sea for a bit of exercise!"
Many strong individuals could maintain peak condition for long, yet Rayleigh, though formidable, was very elderly. His sustained combat ability had declined.
Mandy and Koala alone could not match him in a one-on-one fight, but facing two slightly weaker opponents simultaneously was a different matter entirely.
Mandy's swordsmanship reached Great Swordsman level, and she had an awakened Ice-Ice Fruit. Compared to Doflamingo in the original story, both had awakened Devil Fruits.
The Ice-Ice Fruit's strength was superior, though Doflamingo had refined his skills more. Doflamingo's advantage was Haoshoku; Mandy's was her swordsmanship. Haoshoku, before forming a coating, had limited effect on strong individuals of equal level. Excluding 'Birdcage' a skill trapping over a hundred billion Mandy's normal combat power surpassed Doflamingo's.
Even facing Rayleigh alone, she could hold her own temporarily. With Koala's cooperation, exploiting Rayleigh's stamina limits, victory became possible.
Black, a Celestial Dragon, rarely acted personally without reason. Mandy and Koala were cultivated to resolve such issues.
Though Rayleigh's expression remained calm, a hint of irritation rose in his heart. Koala was younger than Hancock, Mandy in her early twenties. To confront him he felt Black underestimated the title of 'Pluton.'
He suppressed his anger, returning to composure:
"Young man, aren't you going to act yourself? This old man won't hold back for their age. If they get hurt, don't feel bad."
You're actually a pretty nice person, aren't you?
Black smiled politely:
"Mr. Rayleigh, no need to hold back. They've yet to face any worthy opponents; this is a perfect opportunity to hone their skills."
"Then this old man won't be polite!"
Rayleigh's aura shifted, emotion replaced by the cold clarity of battle.
Mandy stepped forward, drawing her longsword.
"Oh?" Rayleigh's eyes flickered.
"Kogarashi, huh… It seems you've accomplished quite a few things quietly."
The Golden Lion's weapon and Mandy's rapier were similar; after defeating the Golden Lion, Black allowed her to choose. Mandy favored Kogarashi, which became her personal sword.
Years in Mary Geoise prevented her from testing it, but now, before a legendary pirate, her fighting spirit surged.
Boom!
Rayleigh's Conqueror's Haki exploded into the sky. The bluestone slabs of the manor trembled and cracked beneath its astonishing power.