บท 2: Dark King
"Capture her!"
With Sentomaru's command, two pacifistas instantly appeared in front of Imai with a beam prepared.
*BOOM* *BOOM*
"The two of you missed me." Imai said as she spun in the air between the two of them.
*SHING* *THUMP* *THUMP*
With a swift move, the heads of the two pacifistas dropped on the ground. The wires that once connected their heads were creating static noises.
"She killed two pacifistas with one move!"
"Who is she?!"
Imai grinned when she heard the voices of the navy soldiers wavering in fear. That's how it should be, no one should face her thinking they could beat her. Not even in their dreams.
"You!" Imai yelled as she pointed her blade at Sentomaru. "Prepare yourself, you're next!"
"Come!"
Imai's speed left a mirage, her abnormal speed left Sentomaru off guard for a split second. A split second was enough for Imai.
Imai frowned. She quickly jumped back to avoid the slash that would've cut her if she went for the kill. Imai looked at the ground, there was a deep line that separated her from the navy soldier's.
Imai turned her head to the left, facing the familiar figure on the hill.
"D-dark King Rayleigh?! What is he doing here?!" a navy soldier screamed in fear.
Sentomaru felt humiliated, he couldn't believe he was almost killed by an unknown pirate, and needed another pirate to save him.
"Oi! You over there!" Rayleigh said with a grin while staring at Imai. "What are you doing to these poor soldiers? Go fight someone your own level."
Imai chuckled to herself. There was no hiding her identity from Rayleigh himself. Despite his age, his eyesight was as keen as an eagle.
"This is my warm up, do not interfere." Imai said as she readied her blade once again. "The grass we stand on shall drown in their blood."
*CLANG*
Instead of Imai's blade meeting Sentomaru's neck, she was met with a blade blocking her.
"I said, fight someone on your own level."
"Tsk, how annoying."
Rayleigh jumped back to counter Imai's swipe. With his level of Observation Haki, he could likely predict Imai's next moves.
"Soldiers, escape while you can. This fight is not for you." Rayleigh said as the navy soldiers started to flee.
"Die!" Imai exclaimed before striking Rayleigh with her blade. Of course, he blocked it with ease.
Rayleigh smiled. "It's been three or more years since I've last seen you. Is this how you greet me?"
"Are you sure it isn't the other way around?" Imai questioned. "Why did you stop me?"
"They don't stand a chance against you. Killing people that can't even come close to you isn't fair, Imai."
"So you do recognize me, I had my doubts for a second." Imai said before backing up. "So? What are you doing here at Sabaody Archipelago?"
"To help Luffy reunite with his crewmates." Rayleigh replied. "I trained him for about six months before leaving him to train by himself."
"I see, after the Marineford War, and the incident with his brother. He wanted to get stronger so you trained him? It's been about two years."
"Yeah, he's gotten quite stronger since then."
"Does he have it just like his brother? The Haki of a King."
Rayleigh nodded. "But it's not as strong as his brother's yet, there are still improvements that need to be made."
Imai smiled. "That's good, that means there's potential within him."
"I know what you're thinking Imai, I won't allow you to fight him right now. The difference is too big."
"I wasn't planning to fight him anyway. I'm just waiting for him to return the favor he owes."
"Haha. Well, let's have a talk shall we? There's a lot I want to discuss with you."
Once again, Imai was in a bar. But this time, the bar wasn't run down, and had cobwebs all over the place.
"Imai, it's been a while since I've last seen you. You've changed quite a lot, have you gotten taller too?" Shakuyaku asked.
"It's good to see you too, Shakky." Imai said. "How have you been for the last three years?"
"It feels as if I'm getting older seeing the new monsters entering the New World." Shakuyaku said with a laugh.
"Don't worry, you still look as young as ever." Imai reassured Shakuyaku. "Now then, let's talk."
"I'm already sure you've caught up with everything that's been happening." Rayleigh said.
Imai nodded her head.
"And I want to ask for a favor." Rayleigh's expression turned serious. "I want you to travel with Luffy and the others. Warlords and Yonkos will be targeting them. I want someone there to ensure their safety."
Imai had a confused expression. "Huh? With me there, that's limiting their potential for growth. I don't want to join a pirate group anyway."
"As expected, I can't just ask you to join eh?" Rayleigh said with a laugh. "What if I give you this in return?"
Imai watched as Rayleigh pulled out a katana that had a blade covered by a wooden sheath. It took a few moments before realizing what it was.
Imai's eyes went wide. "Why do you have this? This belongs to the strongest of the political powers! Do you know how many people would come after you if they knew you had this?"
Rayleigh smiled and nodded. "Of course I knew the consequences. But I wanted to give you this three years ago when you were still called that."
"Oh no, please don't say it." Imai said as she covered her face with her hands.
Rayleigh laughed. "Empress of the Blade, Fifth Yonko, huh? I think it was a fitting name for you. The terror you brought upon was catastrophic."
Imai sighed. "So? You want me to take this cursed blade, Shodai Kitetsu, and go on a field trip with the Straw Hat Crew?"
"That sums it up."
"And I can't say no, can I?"
"Of course not, you have to listen to your elders after all."
"Tsk, annoying old man."
"Watch your mouth, kid."
Shakuyaku laughed. "Seeing the two of you like this reminds me of the old times, always bickering like children."
"Oi, I'm not a child anymore! I'm 22!" Imai protested.
Rayleigh chuckled. "Well, I think it's about time for you to get going on your field trip. They're waiting for you."
"Waiting for me?"
"Yes, I spoke to Nico Robin a while ago. I told her to expect someone to arrive very late." Rayleigh said.
"Nico Robin huh…I don't think she'll just let anyone arrive without knowing who they are." Imai said.
"Don't worry, I have her your bounty poster. Your two point 4 billion bounties never cease to amaze me." Rayleigh said.
"YOU WHAT?!"
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