Is it simply because his name contains "Rocks"?
Or is it because of the letter D?
But he had never told anyone about any of this. Even the wanted poster only listed his name.
Raynor endured the pain and slowly stood up.
"Even if you came here to kill me, what does that have to do with him? Let him go!"
Hearing this, Aokiji took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"I kept him here because he might be able to save you."
"Following orders is a Marine's duty."
"But not killing innocent people is a Marine's responsibility."
Raynor frowned deeply.
Usopp was still completely confused. He had no idea what they were talking about.
After hearing Aokiji's words, Raynor couldn't help laughing.
"Now that's what I call lazy justice. You'll use every means necessary to carry out your orders and kill me, right? So how can you guarantee that you won't accidentally kill him too?"
At that, Aokiji opened his eyes and gave a cold laugh.
"Why should I guarantee that? If I accidentally kill an innocent person and then can't bring myself to keep fighting, don't you think that would make a wonderful story?"
As soon as he said this, Usopp's entire face went pale.
So this guy had been planning to sacrifice him from the very beginning?
Hearing Aokiji say this, anger appeared in Raynor's eyes.
He gritted his teeth and said:
"Don't even think about it!"
The moment he finished speaking, Raynor spat out a blast of explosive fire.
But the flames were simply too slow. Before Raynor had even finished moving, Aokiji's body had already been replaced by an ice clone.
The next second, Aokiji appeared behind Raynor. Raynor immediately activated Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
He dodged Aokiji's attack in an instant, then kicked Aokiji's head so hard that it shattered.
Unfortunately, Aokiji's Observation Haki was stronger than Raynor's.
The moment Raynor made his move, Aokiji had already switched places with a clone. Raynor had never been attacking Aokiji's real body at all.
After several dozen exchanges, Raynor was already gasping for breath, while Aokiji was not even breathing heavily.
As expected, there was still a huge gap between Raynor and an Admiral.
Raynor searched through the items in his mind.
He hoped to find a way for both of them to escape.
The moment Raynor relaxed even slightly, Aokiji moved toward Usopp.
Raynor had no choice but to move again. He kicked Aokiji and sent him flying.
By now, Usopp was completely terrified. He stood frozen in place, afraid to move.
His entire body seemed to have lost its color, and he had completely forgotten to run.
Staying here was too dangerous for Usopp. He might really end up becoming Aokiji's human shield, just as Aokiji had said.
Raynor had to get Usopp somewhere safe first.
With that in mind, Raynor silently said in his head:
"System, extract the Rabbit Talisman!"
As soon as he finished speaking, another hexagonal stone appeared in Raynor's hand.
But just as Raynor was about to leave with Usopp, a wave of cold air suddenly came from above.
The next second, a thick icicle stabbed down toward them.
Raynor instantly shoved Usopp aside.
But he himself did not get away in time. The icicle struck him directly in the back.
He collapsed face-first onto the ground, unable to move.
Aokiji sat on top of the icicle and said casually:
"I have to admit, judging by your strength, you're a truly gifted genius."
"If you stayed at Marine Headquarters and trained for a few years, becoming an Admiral would be completely within your reach."
"It's just a shame that you chose a path you can never turn back from."
As he spoke, Aokiji formed a long sword made of ice in his hand.
His expression turned cold.
"I don't want to know why those old men started watching you, but I'll allow you to say one last thing."
"I gave you such a perfect script just now, and you still refused to use it. What a shame."
Hearing this, Raynor frowned deeply.
Then the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"How considerate of you. But if you want me to say some last words, I do have something to say."
"It's just a little too soon for you to hear them."
A look of disdain appeared in Aokiji's eyes.
"Do you really think you can still get back up?"
Raynor did not answer. He closed his eyes and quietly murmured:
"Paper Drawing!"
The moment he finished speaking, Raynor's body turned into a thin sheet of paper.
He slipped through the gap, then returned to his normal form. While Aokiji was still stunned, Raynor covered himself with Armament Haki, wrapped it in Conqueror's Haki, and used Observation Haki as well.
In an instant, he grabbed Aokiji before he could turn into ice and drove his knee into Aokiji's stomach.
Aokiji spat out a mouthful of blood.
With Raynor's Armament Haki covering him, Aokiji could not turn into ice.
Taking advantage of this opening, Raynor unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks against Aokiji.
He only stopped after his entire body had gone limp from exhaustion.
But even after Raynor let go, Aokiji still did not turn into ice. He simply wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
He rolled his neck and said:
"You rely too much on Haki. That will become your fatal weakness. I'll help you get rid of this bad habit."
The moment he finished speaking, Aokiji punched Raynor in the stomach. Raynor spat out another mouthful of blood.
The next second, Aokiji's fist struck Raynor across the face, sending him flying sideways.
Raynor stared at Aokiji in disbelief. This was impossible. Armament Haki was still protecting his body.
Aokiji was fighting with his bare hands and had not strengthened them with anything. So why did Raynor feel completely powerless to fight back?
And why did every blow hurt so much?
As Raynor was thinking about this, Aokiji kicked him again and sent him flying.
Only then did Raynor remember that he could use the Rabbit Talisman to escape.
But just as he was about to activate its power, Aokiji had already appeared above him.
Aokiji grabbed Raynor's hand, causing the stone Raynor had been holding to fall to the ground.
Aokiji picked up the Rabbit Talisman and examined it carefully.
"This thing is really crude. The explosive fire you used earlier was probably activated with a stone like this too, right?"
"The things in this world really are fascinating."
"But an ability this dangerous is something you should use as little as possible from now on."
As he spoke, Aokiji tossed the Rabbit Talisman behind him, then kicked Raynor away again.
Raynor struggled to climb back to his feet. A serious look appeared in his eyes.
The battle had become completely one-sided.
Although he could be sure that Aokiji would not harm the other companions aboard the Going Merry, if his own life ended here, he would never be willing to accept it.
Raynor stared at Aokiji while gasping for breath. A cold look had also appeared in Aokiji's eyes.
"How about we continue acting out that earlier script? It would be a shame if a gifted genius like you died. I might even feel sad."
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