On the side of the Rocks Pirates, under the command of Whitebeard and Golden Lion, they were equally shocked.
They knew Raiver Sky was strong—how could someone designated as an Officer by Captain Rocks be weak?
But they never expected Raiver Sky to be this powerful!
That was the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates! A top-tier powerhouse of the seas!
Golden Lion: "Hahaha... This is getting interesting. That Rayleigh guy must be going crazy with rage, right?"
Whitebeard laughed heartily: "Gurarara! Roger, did you see that?"
Roger's expression turned extremely serious.
He didn't respond to Whitebeard's provocation, instead staring intently at the gradually calming whirlpool on the sea surface.
He fully expanded his Observation Haki, sensing the presence beneath the waves.
Not only was he still alive, but he had only suffered minor injuries.
Roger felt slightly relieved, but then a deeper shock surged within him.
He knew Rayleigh's strength best.
He figured Rayleigh must have underestimated his opponent's Devil Fruit Ability and been caught off guard.
If that wasn't the case, then this kid was simply too monstrous.
Come to think of it, this kid's Devil Fruit Ability was indeed bizarre, seemingly related to force and space.
Suddenly, fine bubbles began to rise from a certain spot on the sea surface.
"Gurgle... gurgle..."
The bubbles grew increasingly numerous until finally, a figure burst out of the water.
It was Rayleigh.
But compared to before, Rayleigh now appeared somewhat disheveled.
His clothes had been completely torn to shreds by the impact, with only his Supreme Underpants surviving intact.
He looked down at his chest, where there was a clear indentation—the exact spot where the Almighty Push had directly struck him.
If he hadn't used Advanced Armament Haki for defense at the most critical moment, he would have either died or been severely injured.
"Rayleigh, I never thought you'd let your guard down like that. You shouldn't have," Roger's voice came from afar, carrying both reproach and concern.
Rayleigh smiled wryly, offering no rebuttal.
He had indeed been careless earlier, failing to dodge—who would have thought the kid had such a move?
"Can't blame you entirely," Roger's voice continued. "That kid's ability is truly bizarre. If it were me in your position, not knowing the details, I might have suffered too."
This was the truth.
Roger admitted to himself that if he had been in Rayleigh's place, completely unaware of Raiver Sky's abilities, the outcome would likely have been similar.
To probe the characteristics of his opponent's ability within two moves and withstand both attacks with Haki—Rayleigh's response was practically textbook.
"Gurarara! Roger, now you see? This kid Raiver Sky is a true genius!" Whitebeard's booming laughter rang out. "Captain Rocks had his eye on him long ago! The Officer position wasn't given out randomly!"
Roger snorted coldly, refusing to engage.
He knew full well Whitebeard was showing off.
"Why do geniuses of this caliber always end up with Rocks?" Roger couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
First Kaido—that monstrously talented rookie who was now a captain under Charlotte Linlin.
Now it's Raiver Sky again, so young yet possessing such terrifying strength.
However, according to intelligence, the Officers of the Rocks Pirates don't have much loyalty to speak of.
They gather together more for profit and power.
While such a pirate crew is powerful, it also has fatal weaknesses.
Perhaps at any moment, they might collapse from within.
Meanwhile, the battle between Golden Lion and Gaban had temporarily halted due to the earlier commotion.
"Hey hey hey... no way!" Gaban rubbed his eyes, hardly believing what he saw:
"That guy Rayleigh... actually got sent flying by a rookie?"
He had fought Rayleigh countless times and knew his strength best.
"Hahaha! See that, Gaban? This is the rookie from our crew!"
Golden Lion Shiki was in high spirits, his laughter full of pride: "Raiver Sky's abilities have grown even stronger since we last saw him!"
Gaban's expression turned grave.
He looked toward Rayleigh out on the sea surface, then toward Raiver Sky standing mid-air.
If he were to face that bizarre ability himself... what would happen?
Gaban quickly simulated several countermeasures in his mind, but had to admit.
Without fully understanding the nature of that ability, he would likely suffer heavy losses too.
Roger turned to Gaban: "Prepare to set sail."
"Not fighting anymore?" Gaban asked.
"No need." Roger looked toward Whitebeard and Golden Lion in the distance, "We've achieved our purpose in coming here.
We've seen that kid called Raiver Sky and tested his strength.
Continuing to fight would be meaningless."
More importantly, Roger sensed that the commotion from the earlier battle was beginning to attract attention from other forces.
Through his Observation Haki perception, several unidentified ships were approaching this direction.
One of their flags... seemed to be the Navy's?
"Those annoying hyenas again." Roger frowned.
Gaban nodded: "Understood, I'll go prepare now."
A few minutes later, Rayleigh emerged from the cabin, fully dressed.
Roger glanced at him but didn't ask questions, simply saying: "We're leaving."
Rayleigh nodded and stood at the ship's bow.
His gaze crossed the sea, landing on Raiver Sky in the distance.
The two made eye contact.
Rayleigh's expression was complex - containing anger, frustration, but mostly scrutiny and a hint of appreciation.
Raiver Sky's gaze was much calmer.
No words were exchanged, but both understood the other's meaning.
Next time we meet, we'll fight again.
The Roger Pirates' ship slowly set sail, leaving the shattered sea area.
Whitebeard and Golden Lion didn't try to stop them, merely watching from the shore.
"Gurarara! That bastard Roger runs pretty fast." Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Probably detected the Navy." Golden Lion exhaled smoke, "Those hyenas always have such sharp noses."
Raiver Sky walked over to the two, watching the gradually receding pirate ship.
"Is it over?" he asked.
"For now." Whitebeard patted Raiver Sky's shoulder: "Well done, kid! You're the first to make Rayleigh suffer such a loss!"
Golden Lion: "Hahaha! Raiver Sky, you've really made a name for yourself this time!
Before long, the entire New World will know your name!"
Raiver Sky smiled but didn't respond.
At the moment Rayleigh was sent flying, a system notification sounded in his mind:
"Ding! Mission completed: Demonstrate sufficiently powerful strength in the confrontation with the Roger Pirates!"
"Ding! Reward distributed: Congratulations, you have obtained Advanced Conqueror's Haki!"
At that moment, Raiver Sky felt something awaken deep within his soul.
A domineering aura surged from within him—Conqueror's Haki!
And it was Advanced Conqueror's Haki!
Beyond the advanced level was the pinnacle level!
Raiver Sky could sense that, if he wished, he could release this power at any time to intimidate or even knock out all living beings around him.
"Hey, kid Raiver Sky!" Whitebeard's voice pulled Raiver Sky out of his thoughts:
"Stop spacing out! We're heading back! There's a banquet tonight! To celebrate your victory over Rayleigh!"
"That's right!" Golden Lion also laughed, "This is a great victory! We must celebrate properly!"
Raiver Sky nodded.