One Piece: Surrounded at Marineford? Just kidding!

Chapter 48 Parting Words: A Huge "Surprise"!

Faced with Rayleigh's seemingly soul-searching question, Chen Ye coughed up a mouthful of bloody saliva. The fervent fighting spirit on his face slowly faded, replaced by a profoundness that was completely out of character for his age.

"Tell me, what is it that you've gone to such lengths, even risking your life to fight me?"

Rayleigh's voice echoed through the silent forest.

Chen Ye grinned, a smile tinged with bitterness and a hint of relief.

"perhaps……"

He raised his head, meeting Rayleigh's scrutinizing gaze, and spoke each word clearly.

"It's to make up for some regrets that are about to happen or have already passed."

"Pity?"

Rayleigh frowned slightly; this answer was unexpected and filled him with confusion.

Given this young man's abilities and age, what regrets could he possibly have that he wants to change?

Chen Ye didn't explain further, but simply snorted and laughed, "You'll understand later, Mr. Rayleigh."

That pretentious, profound demeanor made Rayleigh momentarily unable to understand the young man before him.

Marco, seeing that his goal had been achieved, knew that staying any longer would only cause trouble.

He immediately stepped forward, perfectly conveying the disappointment and helplessness of a failed mission, and bowed slightly to Rayleigh.

"Since Mr. Raleigh has decided not to get involved in this dispute, we cannot force you to."

Please forgive any inconvenience caused.

"Goodbye."

After saying that, he helped Chen Ye up and turned to leave.

The entire process was flawless, perfectly portraying the character who came seeking help but was refused.

Rayleigh watched the two figures disappear into the distance, still filled with confusion.

These two people, one with unfathomable strength and the other mysterious, went to great lengths to come here just to fight me, then say something inexplicable and leave.

However, just as Marco was about to transform into a phoenix and fly away with Chenye, Chenye suddenly stopped.

He turned halfway around, looked back at Rayleigh, and that playful and mysterious smile returned to his face.

"By the way, Mr. Raleigh."

"Although you don't plan to participate in the war, I personally suggest that you check the live broadcast to see the situation in Marineford."

Rayleigh's eyes narrowed.

Chen Ye's lips curled up slightly as he dropped a bombshell that was enough to send shockwaves through Rayleigh's heart.

"I guarantee you'll see a huge surprise."

He paused, lowering his voice slightly, but it still reached Rayleigh's ears clearly, carrying a deadly allure.

"Perhaps... you might even see an 'old friend' that you miss very much."

boom!

The words "old friend" exploded in Rayleigh's mind like a thunderclap!

His breathing stopped for a moment!

For the first time, those eyes, which had seen through the vicissitudes of life, revealed an uncontrollable surge of intense emotion!

Who else could be referred to as a "very missed old friend" by Silvers Reilly on this vast ocean?!

That man who wore a straw hat, smiled like a fool, yet turned the whole world upside down!

Gol D. Roger!

How is that possible!

He's dead! I watched him with my own eyes as he was executed on the execution platform in Loguetown, ushering in a new era of madness!

What on earth is this brat saying?!

Before Rayleigh could recover from the enormous impact, Marco understood. Azure flames shot into the sky, instantly enveloping the two of them, transforming into a dazzling streak of light that soared into the clouds and disappeared into the horizon.

Rayleigh remained standing there, like a petrified statue, for a long time.

The wind rustled through the mangroves.

After an unknown amount of time, a graceful figure descended lightly from the treetop and came to Rayleigh's side.

It's Xia Qi.

She stubbed out the nearly burnt-out cigarette, exhaled a faint smoke ring, and looked in the direction where Chen Ye had disappeared, her tone tinged with a hint of emotion.

"What a terrifying newcomer."

"That old man with the white beard has really struck gold this time."

Rayleigh slowly came to his senses. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if trying to forcefully suppress the shock and turmoil surging in his heart.

"horrible……"

Rayleigh repeated the word, shook his head, and gave a higher evaluation.

"No, I should say... bizarre and terrifying."

"Oh?"

Xia Qi raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"It's quite rare to hear you say that."

Rayleigh raised his right hand, opened his palm, and looked at his palm, which was slightly red from the exertion just now. His expression became more serious than ever before.

"This kid named Chen Ye is unfathomable."

He spoke in a deep voice, each word carrying undeniable weight.

"Although I restrained my killing intent in my last sword strike, the power of Conqueror's Haki was still very real. That strike was enough to seriously injure even a Yonko or an Admiral-level powerhouse."

"I could feel that the bones in his arms were completely shattered in that instant, and his internal organs were also severely impacted."

Xia Qi nodded; she had noticed that too.

But Rayleigh's next words completely froze her face, which always carried a hint of lazy smile.

"but……"

Rayleigh's voice was extremely low, as if he were stating the most absurd truth.

"The moment he stood up to thank me, I could clearly sense that his injuries... were healing at an incomprehensible speed!"

"Not only that, his aura, far from being weakened by his serious injuries, is even stronger than when he first fought me!"

At this point, even Rayleigh himself found it somewhat unbelievable.

He raised his head and looked at Xia Qi, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes that even he himself was unaware of.

"Xia Qi, I have a feeling..."

"If he had challenged me again just now..."

"I...might lose."

silence.

A deathly silence.

Xia Qi's new cigarette, which she had in her mouth, fell to the ground with a thud.

Her eyes widened as if she were seeing this man she had been living with for decades for the first time.

lose?

The fact that this word came from the mouth of Silvers Rayleigh, the right-hand man of the Pirate King, was even more unbelievable than the World Government announcing its dissolution!

This is beyond just being described as "terrifying".

This is a monster!

A complete monster that defies all reason!

Rayleigh ignored Shakky's shock; his thoughts were completely occupied by the words Chen Ye had left behind before departing.

surprise……

Old friend...

His fingers unconsciously caressed the hilt of the sword at his waist, and his heart, which had been dormant for more than twenty years, began to beat wildly and uncontrollably.

It was a complex emotion mixed with anticipation, doubt, tension, and a hint of... fear.

"Let's wait and see."

After a long while, Rayleigh slowly spoke, his eyes gleaming with a flame of curiosity.

"I'm getting more and more interested in that day now."

"I'd like to see what that brat is like..."

"What kind of 'surprise' will it bring me?!"