Chapter 5: Cold

{Sabaody Archipelago: Slave Auction…}

It had been a series of unfortunate events thus far. A simple stop and wait at Sabaody had turned into a nightmare for Hachi and their Mermaid friend Camie. Slave traders had captured the girl and taken her to the auction, where Nami and the others had rushed to try and buy her freedom and secure her protection without having to draw to much attention to themselves. However, that had failed when the Celestial Dragons had gotten involved. The mere idea of what the World Nobles would do to Camie sent a disgusted chill down their spines. Because they all knew the stories, and didn't doubt any of them. These inbred beasts believed that they were above everything and could treat anyone else as though they were trash.

It made bile rise in Nami's throat and put everyone else on edge. Sanji was prepared to go to war once more, and so were the others. However, none of them had quite expected Luffy to make a crash landing into the auction house and go straight after Camie, concealment of their identities be damned. However, Hachi had attempted to stop him, only to be revealed as a Fishman and instantly the groups of nobles and royalty around them were horrified, yelling disgusting slurs and vulgar words at the octopus man who panicked. Then, a gun went off and Hachi went down, bleeding and wounded while a Celestial Dragon cheerfully laughed and danced about, waving the gun that had shot Hachi.

The reaction was almost instant as the people started clearing out, unsure of what to do as Luffy crouched beside his bleeding friend and the room went cold. The chill was physically evident as the Straw Hats, Eustace Kid and Trafalgar Law watched what was happening around them. To say that people were recoiling from Luffy would be an understatement as they watched the boy come into a standing position and direct those icy dark gray eyes onto the World Noble who stilled as he noticed the behavioral change of the boy before him. The other Straw Hats were uncharacteristically frozen at the sight and said nothing as Luffy started to step towards the Celestial Dragon before him. Naturally, they were had an idea of what was going through their Captain's head, but Hachi was the only one who attempted to stop him.

"Don't do it, you promised me!" he pleaded this and Luffy seemed almost willing to relent, but it was the grotesque World Noble that made him direct that ice cold fury onto himself again. Because the fool aimed the gun at Hachi once again and then turned his attention to Luffy when he noticed the stiff, but strangely fluid walk that the boy had as he approached.

"W-What's with that look on your face?! You filth! Do you know who I am! You stay back!" he fired the gun at Luffy, but he dodged it like it was nothing, and let the others bounce off him as his gaze remained locked on Charloss.

If it had been anyone else, those watching would have felt sad for what was about to happen, but with it being scum like this, no one cared. Kid was gleefully grinning, excited to see what would happen, whilst Law merely observed, curious but not showing any other emotion as the Celestial Dragon made an attempt to defend himself. His guards came, but Luffy dispatched them like they didn't even exist. The notion of what was to come definitely weighed upon the Pirates that were present, but if it meant putting one of these pieces of human trash in their place then they would just outrun the Admiral that would come. Charloss kept trying to get Luffy to submit to him, to make him bow and know his place with his jumbled speech and shaky hold on his gun. In an instant, Luffy stepped into the Celestial Dragon's personal space and reared his fist back. The impact sounded like a cannon firing. The protective sphere around Charloss's head burst, his eyes growing wide as a firm fist was planted squarely into his mouth, breaking his teeth, crushing his nose, and dislocating his jaw as he went tumbling backwards, blood flying as Kid whistled, fascinated by the brutality and Law could only imagine the amount of surgery the World Noble would need to fix his face once he returned to Mariejois.

"That's gonna leave a mark." Luffy stood upright as he raised a bloodied fist, daring someone to come for them next.

It was brutal, unlike their Captain to do something with such a coldness to him. The sight made Chopper move behind Usopp and Papagu crouch down beside Hachi as people panicked about the violence they witnessed. Yes, Luffy could be violent, but this was cold-blooded and almost seemed as though he intended to kill the Celestial Dragon with that hit. However, as he took in deep breaths to calm himself, his mind recalled his brother Sabo and the fate he had met as a child. If his own brother didn't get to live then why should these pieces of trash? It took all his restraint not to use his Second Gear and cave the World Noble's head in with his fists. If he resorted to that, then what kind of person would he be? No better than them, that much he suspected. However, as some guards tried to step in, those cold gray eyes locked onto them, and kept them from moving, like an invisible force was pushing them back, daring them to try and take another step.

The notion of battle eased when an old man stepped out on the stage and with a flourish of energy knocked most of the people who resided in the auction house out cold. However, the man seemed bemused at the notion that Luffy had hit a World Noble, and congratulated him as he removed Camie's collar and she was set free. It was almost dream-like when the man introduced himself as Silvers Rayleigh, the first mate of Gol D. Roger. But, Luffy didn't become hyper or excited like normal, instead he kept a stern eye upon the man who greeted them, seeming to be quite interested in the events taking place. However, whatever air there was for peace and quiet had been broken by the Marines approaching and asking for a release of the hostages. Thus, the Supernovas stepped up to the plate, and the Straw Hats made their move to escape while Kid, Law, and Luffy decided to have a little fun at the expense of the Marines.

They foolishly thought that they were a match for the trio, but the three of them treated the soldiers as though they were toys. Kid demolished and killed, Luffy knocked them out, stretching, twisting, and turning as he did whilst Law used his unusual Devil Fruit's powers to separate body parts without gore present. It was quite the sight to say the least as they made quick work of those present and soon after departed from one another to make tracking them down more difficult.

When meeting up with Rayleigh though, the Straw Hats were happy, conversing and asking questions, sometimes with others in their group keeping them from saying more on subjects they'd rather learn the answers to themselves. Rayleigh watched the Straw Hats in curiosity, seeing how they interacted with one another, noticing how they laughed and talked, seeming excited to head into the New World. It reminded the old man of his days with Roger, and when he looked to the young Captain who aspired to be the new King of the Pirates, he couldn't help but see a resemblance between him and his old Captain.

Luffy was spirited, eager, and as wild as the ocean itself, that much he was certain of and though he knew the dangers of the New World, he couldn't help but be hopeful for the success of the small crew before him. His attention lingered upon the boy, mind thinking over things as he watched Luffy talk excitedly with his crew about their first destination in this next step on their journey.

During the little incident at the auction house, Rayleigh had been amused and somewhat shocked that such a young individual had the guts to walk right up to a Celestial Dragon and knock them senseless. But, even more fascinating to him was the energy that radiated off of Luffy. Though it was cold then, there was no mistaking his actions and the output as anything but Haki, and more specifically, he noticed that the boy seemed to have a natural affinity for the rarest form of it. That was undoubtedly what let him draw people to himself, the thing that let him amass a crew of unlikely people whom Rayleigh presumed would have never become Pirates under normal circumstances. It was the power of a King, of a leader who could overcome insurmountable odds. In all honesty, the mere notion was dumbfounding as Rayleigh took a sip of his sake and watched them happily begin to map out their destination.

"The Will of D is rising again, isn't it? Roger old friend."

It was a funny notion, that the last time he had encountered a descendant from the Clan of D it had been his Captain when they were both only in their early twenties. Now, as he was pushing into his eighties, he encountered another descendant of that bloodline and witnessed the same spark of power and hunger for life. It was rather remarkable and made Rayleigh feel as though these children would somehow manage to surpass the obstacles that they would face. However, he also wondered if it was wise to not suggest training before they departed.

True, the had two Supernovas on their crew - the Captain and first mate - but that didn't account for the risks involved and once they reached those waters, the chances of running headlong into a Yonko or something just as nasty would increase tenfold. Taking another drink of his sake, Rayleigh surmised that he was also showing concerns over a crew led by a seventeen year old boy who had taken down two Warlords as though they were nothing. Moria was still recovering last he'd heard, and Crocodile was in the deepest bowels of Impel Down. If this child could manage that at only seventeen, it made him wonder what he would be capable of by the time he was in his twenties. Rayleigh could only smile as he headed off to coat the ship, sure that his concerns were unfounded.

To bad the universe loved proving people wrong.

He had arrived on the scene upon hearing the news that a Warlord and Admiral Kizaru had tracked down the Straw Hat Pirates. Naturally, he expected there to be complications, but what he saw instead was a familiar face of one Bartholomew Kuma attacking the children and Kizaru zipping around with Sentomaru as though it was a fun game. Each of them had done all they could to stop themselves and their crewmates from being attacked, but Rayleigh knew they were going to loose this fight - even with his help - but what had surprised him some had been Luffy calling to scatter and return in three days. He gave them orders, firm and loud - unquestionable. And, though none of them seemed to like it, they did it none the less. But Kuma was to fast.

Rayleigh watched, fending off Kizaru as Zoro, their swordsman disappeared first with a pop. He saw it right then and there in the young Captain's eyes - fear, trauma, remembrance of something like this before. He saw the festering signs of wounds that hadn't been properly healed as he tried to stop Kuma from taking his crewmates away. But, the boy wasn't strong enough, and though he fought to the point that Rayleigh was positive his body was about to collapse - it didn't matter. One by one they were sent far away from one another, scattered across the corners of the five seas, left unsure of one another's fate as the retired Pirate watched as the last of the crew slipped from the hands of their Captain who reached for them in a desperate hope to save them. Kuma loomed over the huddled form of Luffy who remained on the ground, screaming, anger and pain radiating off his thin frame as he glared up at the Warlord from the corners of his eyes. He was alone, and Rayleigh saw the flicker of dispair in those dark gray eyes, knowing that nothing could be done, but Kizaru and Sentomaru only departed, unaffected by this action save for the fact that Kuma would have to answer for his reasons of not killing the lot of them.

"We will never see them again… farewell." and with that, Luffy disappeared. Rayleigh sighed, shaking his head as he knew that it would be one hell of a return trip with what Kuma usually did.

"Your buddies already left, Kuma," Rayleigh said as the Warlord approached the former first mate of the Pirate King and crouched down to look at him.

"The Dark King Silvers Rayleigh, I have a request to ask of you." the voice was calm, peaceful in a manner that the man had anticipated. Kuma wasn't a ruthless Pirate anymore, and had long since desired to stop the Government and their evil, but to keep his goal within sight, he had to resort to specific mannerisms. Thus, instead of slaughtering the Straw Hat Pirates, he had done the next thing and separated them in a dire hope that they would be able to find their way back to Sabaody soon enough.

"What's that?" Kuma's misty eyes looked to him, showing him that without the receptors implanted there by Doctor Vegapunk, he was blind.

"In one month, go to Amazon Lily. There you will find the boy who would be King. Til then, I shall be here, and I will watch their ship until their return," he stated. Rayleigh sighed, nodding his head.

"Why would you do that if you're a Warlord?" the man looked to him.

"It is my last objective… as a favor to a dear friend who asked me to protect the boy." Rayleigh grumbled, knowing that Kuma had his own way of doing things, and merely nodded in agreement, knowing that there was no sense in arguing.

"Alright then, I'll take your advice. Good luck to you, Kuma," he said, waving his hand at him as he walked off and the giant of a man took a seat beside the Sunny on the ground.

It was in that night when Rayleigh returned to Shakky that the woman poured him a stiff drink, knowing he would need one after hearing what had happened to the Straw Hats. She asked if he was concerned, and Rayleigh admitted he was, but not for the reasons he probably should have been. It was a strange feeling, knowing that the nine of them were indeed safe, but that returning here would be the real challenge. Naturally, he presumed that each of them would find a way home, but if it were to occur within a short time, then they would only meet the same fate. No, Rayleigh shook his head as Shakky took his hand and they both acknowledged what would happen. Something bigger was coming and would rattle the foundation that the small motley crew had found themselves with. It would alter everything that they knew, but if they survived it then there was a chance that each and every one of them would come out ten times stronger than they once were. The former Pirate knew good and well that they would need this strength to be capable of surviving the New World, but it hadn't made witnessing their separation any easier.

He knew without question that the look in Luffy's eyes would haunt him. It was the expression of someone who valued these people as more than mere crewmates. They were family, and without them that boy didn't know where to go or how to function properly. The notion of being alone could break him, and Rayleigh knew that was a dangerous weakness. Something that admittedly, no one truly ever overcame. He went to sit outside and stare up at the stars that peaked out from the mangrove trees, contemplating what his plan should be in one month. If Kuma had told him the truth, then Luffy would be there and that would give him the opportunity to train the boy to use the Haki he possessed. A smile curled his lips.

The notion of what that boy would be able to two in two years time intrigued him. He already had shown signs of possessing Conqueror's Haki for just a brief flash in the auction house, and Rayleigh knew that cultivating that raw potential would make him a force to be reckoned with. The mere idea of him becoming a capable Haki user meant that coupled with his fighting spirit and natural talent in combat, it would be quite the challenge to face off against Monkey D. Luffy and his crew. Therefore, Rayleigh hummed, leaning back in his chair as he took a draw off his pipe, a smile on his face.

"In one month, I'm going to be getting a new student it seems."

{.…}

Author's Note: this is a very short chapter, maxing at only 10 pages. But, I don't really feel like there's more that needed to be said here. I don't always have a huge amount to say on certain moments, but I put this as a "What if?" kind of situation as to how Rayleigh found Luffy and how he was fine with Kuma sitting there watching the Sunny. Some things may not be accurate to the events of the anime/manga, but this is just interpretation, nothing more. See you next chapter.

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.