One Piece: SSS-Rank Haki at Age Seventeen

On another battlefield, the air was suddenly frozen by overwhelming killing intent.

CLANG!!

The sharp clash of metal pierced through the clouds.

Two figures crossed like lightning, their afterimages dragging translucent arcs through the air—half illusion, half reality.

The cold gleam of a silver blade collided with the eerie aura of Kikoku in midair.

In an instant, sparks burst forth like a shower of meteors, raining down onto the ground and scorching the soil with sizzling heat.

BOOM!!

An even more violent shockwave erupted.

The sword aura carried by Rayleigh's blade surged like an invisible tsunami, colliding with Law's condensed slash and forming a destructive storm.

An unstoppable force surged through Kikoku's hilt into Law's body. of his sword and crash into his entire body.

Even his bones seemed to groan under the unbearable pressure.

His pupils shrank.

The overwhelming impact blasted him away.

His body flew like a kite with its string cut, smashing toward a distant rock wall.

Along the way he crashed through several towering ancient trees before slamming into the cliffside, dust exploding outward as a massive crater formed.

"Huff—"

Heavy breathing mixed with the metallic scent of blood as it escaped his lips.

Trafalgar D. Water Law knelt on one knee.

The blade of Kikoku was plunged deep into the scorched ground, barely supporting his trembling body.

His left hand pressed tightly against the wound on his chest.

But warm blood poured through his fingers like a broken dam.

It soaked through his black coat instantly, spreading into a dark crimson stain beneath him.

Through the drifting smoke, his gaze locked onto the figure standing across the battlefield.

It was an elderly man with white hair.

In his right hand he held a sword, droplets of blood slowly sliding down the blade and dripping from its tip.

Drip… drip…

The sound echoed clearly in the silent battlefield.

In his left hand, he casually held a flask of liquor.

Tilting the bottle, he let amber liquid flow freely into his throat, a relaxed smile resting at the corner of his lips.

As if the intense battle moments ago had been nothing more than mild entertainment.

Law's pupils tightened again.

His grip around his sword hilt unconsciously tightened until his knuckles turned pale.

The old man before him was clearly well past his prime—

yet the pressure surrounding him was immeasurable.

It was the confidence forged through countless life-and-death battles.

Like a towering mountain that made people instinctively feel awe.

Like the depths of the ocean hiding world-destroying power.

Even after exhausting all his strength—

using every ROOM technique and every ounce of Armament Haki—

he still hadn't left the slightest mark on his opponent.

"…As expected of the Dark King, Rayleigh."

Law's voice trembled from his injuries, but the shock within it was unmistakable.

"Even with everything I have… I can't move you at all."

Looking at Rayleigh calmly drinking alcohol, Law felt a chill run through his heart.

If this fight hadn't been a training session, but a true life-or-death battle—

with Rayleigh's unfathomable strength…

he would have died hundreds of times already without even getting the chance to fight back.

But the thought didn't crush his spirit.

Instead, beneath the pain in his chest—

a burning spark of determination ignited in his eyes.

Being guided by a legendary figure like this…

was the perfect opportunity to break through his own limits.

"Rayleigh… please!"

Law no longer hesitated.

His left hand clenched as if grasping lightning itself, every muscle in his body tightening as he squeezed out the last of his stamina.

His voice trembled from extreme exhaustion—

yet carried the resolve of someone ready to risk everything.

"ROOM!!"

A vast surgical domain of blue light expanded instantly like a sky collapsing downward.

In the blink of an eye, it covered most of the island.

Even the light within the space warped and refracted.

Kikoku hummed with a cold blue glow.

Law's body turned into a streak of shadow.

His blade, wrapped in newly awakened Armament Haki, shot toward Rayleigh like a falling meteor.

"Heh… impressive spirit."

Rayleigh smiled with clear approval.

But the casual amusement in his eyes had faded.

Now there was genuine seriousness.

At first, he had only agreed to guide Law because of Luffy's request.

But as the battle continued—

this young man had already earned his respect.

The perseverance that refused to break even in desperate situations.

The humility despite possessing extraordinary abilities.

And the calm intelligence he displayed in battle.

But the thing that moved Rayleigh most…

was his limitless potential.

Ever since Law awakened both types of Haki in Wano, Rayleigh had already reached a conclusion.

This boy—

had the potential of an Admiral.

A realm countless Marines and pirates could spend their entire lives chasing without ever reaching.

Yet for a rare monster like him—

it was only a matter of time.

CLANG—!!

The violent clash of blades shook the sky.

Two brilliant sword auras collided head-on—

erupting into a raging energy storm.

Cracks spread across the island's surface like spiderwebs.

Hurricane winds carrying blade-like shockwaves surged outward—

tearing toward the distant ocean.

At the same time…

Sunlight spread across the coral reefs of Amazon Lily.

The warm sea breeze carried something even livelier than the scent of flowers.

"Hey! Did you hear? The Pirate Empress is in the kitchen again!"

A female warrior with a snake-pattern hairstyle clutched her spear, barely containing her excitement.

Her companions immediately gathered around.

"That's not surprising anymore~"

Another young warrior in scale armor waved her hand with a smile, though curiosity sparkled in her eyes.

"Ever since Lord Luffy last visited the island, Her Majesty has practiced cooking more times than we've done training."

Just then—

a cautious clattering sound came from the kitchen.

Through the carved wooden window, they saw a completely unexpected sight.

The normally regal Boa Hancock, whose every step carried the aura of a queen—

was wearing a slightly awkward plain apron.

She held a kitchen knife delicately in her hand.

Yet she hesitated for a long time before bringing it down on the slab of meat on the cutting board.

Her brows were slightly furrowed.

Tiny beads of sweat formed on the tip of her nose.

In her mind, she replayed the image of Luffy devouring food happily.

"Luffy said… he likes large pieces with a good chew…"

But when the knife finally came down—

she misjudged the strength.

The meat was chopped into several messy chunks.

The Pirate Empress instantly flushed bright red.

She hurriedly wiped her sweat with her sleeve—

but showed no sign of giving up.

Turning around, she grabbed another fresh slab of meat from a bamboo basket.

This time she slowed down deliberately.

Her fingers gently pressed the meat to feel its texture.

Even her pinky finger tensed tightly.

Her expression was as serious as if she were fighting a crucial battle.

Outside the window, the warriors watched secretly.

They covered their mouths to hold back laughter—

yet their hearts softened at the sight of their queen's determination.

Even the mighty Pirate Empress…

could become clumsy and adorable when cooking for someone she loved.

"Hey, Hancock! Want me to help?"

Not far away, Yamato held a jar of fruit juice and watched Hancock struggling.

Her eyes suddenly lit up.

Rolling up her sleeves, she headed toward the kitchen.

To be honest, she couldn't cook either.

At first she felt a little embarrassed.

But seeing Hancock being just as clumsy gave her sudden confidence.

"Absolutely not!"

Hancock immediately raised her hand to refuse.

Her voice was firm and unquestionable.

"Luffy's dinner must be prepared by me personally!"

After all—

allowing Yamato onto Amazon Lily was already her greatest compromise.

Now this woman wanted to compete with her in cooking for Luffy?

Not a chance.

"Yeah, but Luffy eats a ton! You can't handle it alone!"

Yamato ignored the warning completely.

She squeezed into the kitchen and grabbed a white apron, tying it around herself.

Her long silver hair fluttered as she moved.

Whenever Luffy was mentioned, her crimson eyes shone brightly.

Hancock looked into those passionate eyes—

then glanced at the freely flowing silver hair.

For a moment…

she fell silent.

The air seemed to spark with invisible tension.

Two women who loved the same man—

now stood facing each other over the exact same goal.

A strange yet intense standoff had formed.

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