Carl didn't say a word.
In his right eye, the number 'six' had directly changed to 'five.'
A gurgling, black grudge filled his eye—an ominous force rarely seen.
That's right. It was the Human Path, an ability he had never dared to use before!
[Human Path]: Releases black battle energy from the right eye, unlocking a combat ability surpassing the Asura Path, but at the cost of extreme danger. Even the Six Paths skeletons would hesitate to use it.
For Carl to activate this now showed how enraged he was.
He had merely spoken a single word.
Yet this Dark King, with no warning, had immediately unleashed his Conqueror's Haki and charged at him, sword in hand.
Had his Armament Haki not been sharpened to its peak, he might have been overwhelmed just now.
If that sword strike had landed cleanly, even his formidable Tekkai (Iron Body) would not have kept him unscathed!
At best, he'd be gravely injured.
This was the first real setback he had encountered since stepping onto the world stage, and that fact sent his rage boiling.
Rayleigh's Shock
"Gulp—"
Rayleigh involuntarily swallowed as a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
The reluctant smile on his face vanished.
The Marine youth before him no longer seemed human.
He resembled a demon emerging from the abyss of Hell.
Especially that black battle energy coiling around his scarlet right eye—something far beyond the scope of normal abilities.
"This is… not good…"
Carl's hand gripped the handle of Sakura Ten, and an overwhelming killing intent surged forth!
"ROAR!"
A blood-red beast manifested in midair, its fangs and claws bared ferociously!
Rayleigh's body froze as he watched the scene, muttering in disbelief,
"Just… how many people has this man slaughtered…?"
The Sakura Ten slid from its sheath with a bone-chilling gleam.
Sen Han's voice rang out coldly,
"Then let me return the favor for your misunderstanding!"
Snap!
Carl's other hand abruptly grabbed the sword pressed against his neck!
At that moment, Kizaru—who had regained his bearings—fired a golden laser straight toward Rayleigh's head!
Rayleigh had no choice but to intercept the beam with his left hand, coating it in Haki.
Sizzle!
Sakura Ten flashed.
A crimson line stretched across Rayleigh's chest!
Swoosh!
Rayleigh abandoned his sword and launched himself backward.
He tumbled through the air, landing far away.
A long, bleeding gash extended from just below his neck to his waist.
Strands of black lightning crackled across the wound.
Rayleigh's Realization
"Top-level Armament Haki…" Rayleigh exhaled.
Even though he had hardened his entire body with Haki, it still wasn't enough to withstand Carl's attack.
It was exactly like what happened to the Golden Lion.
Once struck by Carl's blade, there was no stopping the damage.
This was because top-tier Armament Haki was not just defensive—it destroyed from within.
His pupils shrank sharply as he noticed something else—
Black smoke was rising from his wound.
"This… this is…"
A strange, gnawing weakness spread through his body.
It was that black grudge—the Human Path's secondary effect.
Not only did it amplify Carl's lethality, but it also caused mysterious status effects.
Even Carl hadn't expected this result.
It wasn't an inherent trait of [Human Path]—he had experimentally fused his black aura into his sword strikes, and the outcome was better than anticipated.
Carl's Killing Intent
As the dust cleared, Carl stood still, his face unsightly as he gritted his teeth.
"I've lived for so many years… and this is the first time I've suffered such a loss."
His crimson eye gleamed ominously as he declared,
"Today, I'll send you to meet your old captain."
"Oh~ Carl, you look terrifying, don't you?" Kizaru chuckled.
Even he felt the weight of Carl's menacing aura.
What kind of Devil Fruit had this kid eaten to grant so many strange abilities?
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh—still catching his breath—felt his mouth go dry.
Top-tier Haki, bizarre techniques, and swordsmanship at the level of a Great Swordsman!
If he were alone, he might already be done for.
But there was another monster here.
And Kizaru was no joke.
However, Rayleigh couldn't retreat yet.
The Straw Hats hadn't all escaped yet, nor had Kuma teleported them all away.
At that moment—
A black-gold slash came roaring at him.
The Battle Rages On
BOOM!
Rayleigh reacted instantly, sidestepping the attack.
But the ground behind him split open, forming a massive chasm!
And it wasn't over.
One after another, black-gold slashes rained down.
"Lion・Thousand Slice Valley!"
This was a technique Carl had recreated from the Golden Lion's legendary Sword God-style.
The Flying Slashes of a regular swordsman couldn't compare.
Infused with Carl's top-tier Haki, these slashes reached an incomprehensible level.
Even Rayleigh, the legendary Dark King, was forced into a defensive stance.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ground was torn apart, devastation spreading across the entire area.
"Oh~ If that's the case, the old man will join in."
Kizaru casually raised a finger, golden light condensing at the tip.
Zap!
A laser beam shot straight for Rayleigh.
Already struggling to dodge Carl's attacks, Rayleigh was too slow.
Sizzle!
The laser pierced his left shoulder.
Blood spattered.
Carl flashed forward, his blade slicing downward.
Snap!
Rayleigh caught the Sakura Ten between his palms, both hands coated in Advanced Armament Haki.
Black lightning crackled from his burning palms.
Carl sneered.
"Hand-to-hand, huh?"
His left hand was already gripping Deadwood.
Terrifying sword intent surged wildly.
Rayleigh's pupils shrank.
"What?! No—"
Swoosh!
Carl's figure blurred behind Rayleigh.
He slowly returned Deadwood to its sheath.
"Extreme Sword God: Instant Slash!"
Splurt!
Blood erupted from Rayleigh's chest.
Torrents of sword energy exploded from the wound.
Rayleigh coughed violently.
"That's… truly insane…"
Staggering, he barely held himself upright.
Kizaru raised his fingers again.
Zap!
Another laser beam tore through Rayleigh's palm.
Carl followed up.
"Slash Wave!"
The black-gold slash sent Rayleigh crashing into a building.
The Aftermath
By now, Sabaody Area 12 was reduced to ruins.
"Tsk, Carl~ You went too far." Kizaru sighed, looking at the destruction.
Carl lit a cigar, unfazed.
From the wreckage, Rayleigh coughed blood, slumped against a cracked boulder.
"It's over…"
He smiled bitterly.
Perhaps… the era of pirates was truly… doomed.
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