Novel Lived
Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Betrayal
Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Betrayal
(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited
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The thirteenth island of the Sabaody Archipelago was far from its usual bustling self. An unsettling tension filled the air, rippling out from the heart of the island.
Conqueror's Haki, raw and unrestrained, surged forth like a tidal wave, sending weaker- willed beings collapsing to the ground.
In a quiet bar on the outskirts, Rayleigh sipped lazily from his wine glass.
His sharp eyes, however, betrayed the casual demeanor he projected.
"What a powerful Conqueror's Haki," he remarked, swirling the remaining wine in his glass. His voice carried a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "Who could it be? It seems that another strong person is visiting Paradise?"
Despite his intrigue, Rayleigh made no move to leave. Age had given him wisdom, and wisdom dictated that he no longer needed to rush into every confrontation.
His time in the spotlight was long gone. Now, he preferred to watch from the shadows, occasionally guiding promising young pirates who held the spark of greatness.
Shakky, leaning against the counter with a cigarette in hand, exhaled a plume of smoke before speaking.
"That has to be Uchiha Madara. The enormous figure in the sky earlier? That was the legendary Susanoo." Her tone was matter-of-fact, but her sharp gaze flickered with intrigue.
The name stirred memories of another Uchiha Sasuke. Though Sasuke was powerful, he seemed a distant shadow compared to the overwhelming presence that had just shaken the island.
"Aren't you the least bit curious, Rayleigh?" Shakky teased. "The same group that dared to kill a Celestial Dragon is in that direction. Seems like the perfect opportunity for a little excitement."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Rayleigh chuckled, dismissing the idea with a wave of his hand. "Too many monsters out and about. My old bones can't handle that. Kizaru, Aokiji, and the new Golden Fox are all circling this island. Walking into that chaos would be a death wish."
Shakky gave him an unimpressed glance, flipping the shop's sign to "Closed." Her heels clicked as she stepped outside, the smirk on her face belying her amusement.
"Good luck to me, then," she said, disappearing into the Sabaody streets.
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Island 41
The air here was thick with tension, the kind that preludes an inevitable clash. Kizaru stood across from Uchiha Madara, his usually laid-back demeanor replaced by something more serious. The glow of his golden light dimmed slightly as he spoke, his voice betraying a rare
unease.
"Uchiha... Madara."
The name hung in the air, weighted with significance. Uchiha Madara wasn't just a name-it was a symbol of unparalleled strength and ambition. A man who walked the seas alone, yet his influence rivaled that of the Four Emperors. The World Government regarded him as a walking calamity, capable of reshaping the world order on a whim.
Kizaru, despite his power, understood the gravity of the situation.
Madara's gaze shifted to Colt, who stood on the sidelines.
His tone carried an air of arrogance. "Did I interrupt your plans? As an apology, let me rid you of this monkey."
Colt shook his head, rejecting the offer with a small smirk.
"You alone can't stop him. Kizaru's escape abilities are unmatched. Even if you overwhelm him, he'll slip through your fingers. Besides," Colt continued, his tone teasing, "didn't you say you'd meet me in the New World? What brings you here to Sabaody instead?"
Madara frowned at Colt's nonchalant dismissal of his prowess but replied nonetheless.
"Wanokuni's affairs have been delayed, so I decided to come early. I couldn't resist the call of the future any longer."
Turning his attention back to Kizaru, Madara's aura flared, his intent clear.
"Since you think I can't hold him, perhaps I'll take this as a chance to prove otherwise."
A golden light began to radiate from Kizaru as he prepared for battle. A sword of pure light materialized in his hand, glowing with energy.
"It's truly terrifying," Kizaru muttered, his tone uncharacteristically cautious. "If I were alone, I wouldn't hesitate to flee. But lucky for me, I have two companions today."
He glanced at Aokiji and Naruto, who stood a short distance away, their expressions unreadable.
"Kuzan, Naruto," Kizaru instructed smoothly, "take on Madara. I'll handle the target myself."
A moment of silence stretched between them.
"Kuzan?" Kizaru repeated, his voice tinged with confusion.
Aokiji sighed heavily, his usual nonchalance replaced by hesitation. "Borsalino, I don't think that's the best plan."
Kizaru's brows furrowed in confusion.
Before he could question further, Colt stepped forward with a sly grin.
"Why don't I make things simple for you?" Colt suggested, gesturing lazily toward the field.
"You can take on Madara, Aokiji, and Naruto all by yourself. Don't worry-I won't interfere." He took a step back, pulling Nami and Robin along with him, leaving the battlefield wide
open.
Kizaru's unease deepened as Aokiji and Naruto remained unresponsive.
"What's going on here?" Kizaru demanded, glancing between his supposed allies.
Aokiji, unable to hold back any longer, sighed once more. His tone was heavy with
resignation.
"Sorry, Borsalino. Naruto and I... we're undercover agents of Colt."
Naruto scratched the back of his head awkwardly, offering a sheepish smile.
"Lazy uncle, it's not personal. Colt orchestrated all of this. Join us-it's better on this side, I
promise!"
A gust of wind swept through the battlefield, carrying a few fallen leaves that landed at
Kizaru's feet.
He stood motionless, the weight of the revelation sinking in.
Undercover? Both of them?
The golden glow around Kizaru dimmed as he processed the betrayal.
He glanced at Aokiji, his voice low and tinged with disbelief.
"Kuzan... we've been colleagues for decades. Why? Can you at least tell me why?"
At that moment, Kizaru realized the truth: he was the only one left who still believed in the
mission.
He had thought he had the upper hand, but now, the battlefield felt colder, emptier-an arena where he stood entirely alone.