The Sabaody Archipelago is the final island in the first part of the Grand Line, close to the Red Line. Although it is called an archipelago, it is a massive mangrove forest that grows out from the middle of the ocean, with each tree in the forest serving as an "island" on which people live.
This place is notable for the bubbles created by the massive mangrove, but while the people of this island were accustomed to the bubbles and even developed a culture around them, they never thought they would see a sandstorm in this place.
"W-What's happening?!"
"What is this?! Why is there sand everywhere?!"
"Why the hell is there a sandstorm here?!"
No one understood why a sandstorm appeared in this place, but Rayleigh, this man, who was the right hand of the famous Pirate King, understood the reason, and he had never thought that he would become the reason why a disaster happened on this island!
"Stop! Stop! I don't come with a bad intention! I only thought to help and apologize!"
While Rayleigh said so, he tried to search for Robin and Carina, but unfortunately, he couldn't feel them since the two were hidden by Shinra within the sandstorm that was mixed with the Camouflage Space that created a barrier against any detection type of machines with abilities.
Yet, without doubt, Rayleigh wondered how Shinra could even create a sandstorm.
Wasn't that the ability of the Crocodile?
Why could Shinra use this ability?
Or was it a different type of Devil Fruit?
After all, the ability of the Suna Suna no Mi of Crocodile wasn't that powerful since Shinra's ability could even cover the entire island, which left Rayleigh at a loss.
The island was completely in chaos, and everyone thought a disaster was about to happen.
Yet, unlike Rayleigh, who knew what had happened, no one expected that this disaster was man-made, created by somebody whose name hadn't even been heard.
Still, Shinra knew that his reaction was quite exaggerated, but he knew well that Rayleigh had never thought of them from the same position.
In the eyes of Rayleigh, Shinra was lower, and because of that, he thought that he could visit his place without even asking for permission, taking a peek, and do whatever he wanted without thinking of the consequences.
Respect.
This was what Shinra wished for from Rayleigh.
When others treated him kindly, Shinra would do the same; however, if others treated him harshly, then they should expect to be treated the same way!
Even in the modern world, people wouldn't peek at the secret of others, so how could Reyleigh expect to be forgiven just because he apologized?
"Let me see how strong the Dark King is."
"...you know me, yet you still act like this?"
Still, Rayleigh was stunned when Shinra knew him, yet he still showed this attitude.
However, he also understood why Shinra was so arrogant, yet what could Shinra do with this sandstorm?
Blinding others with sand and dirtying the island?
Still, even so, Rayleigh took his sword, ready to face Shinra if Shinra attacked him with a sneak attack.
"RAYLEIGH, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"
However, while Rayleigh was preparing, he got ready with his sword, and Haki, ready to face Shinra's attack, whenever it came from, an angry female voice was heard.
"Shakuyaku..."
"WHY DID YOU MAKE THE SITUATION MORE SERIOUS?! THE ISLAND IS COVERED IN THE SANDSTORM!"
"Calm down. Nothing will happen."
Yes, in his mind, what Shinra would do with this sandstorm was just to give a sneak attack, yet he had never expected that Shinra's attack would become a disaster.
"Al Harb Hadad!"
As Shinra's voice fell, a gigantic black sandstorm was formed, but what made this sandstorm frightening wasn't its intense wind that would tear anyone who was hit or pulled inside the wind.
"...did you say nothing will happen?"
"...." Rayleigh couldn't say a single word, and he was extremely panicked by how vile Shinra's attack was.
Dead.
Everything is dead.
All the people and vegetation, including the gigantic mangroves, died as they turned into dust whenever this black sandstorm passed. What made this technique frightening wasn't the wind and the sand, but instead its ability to rob all the surrounding moisture, thus making everyone in the affected range become dust!
The lush, green area became a desert wasteland before it disappeared into dust.
It was a scene that only appeared in distant dystopian fiction, and many trees in the lawless area were dried out as all of their moisture was robbed.
The air, the heat, and everything became dry.
Even if Reyleigh and Shakuyaki protected themselves, they could feel their skin start to become dry and aged, but fortunately, they had a unique special ability, or else—
"DO SOMETHING!"
While Shakuyaku was in a panic, Rayleigh was in a similar reaction, and panicked, never expecting that Shinra's attack would directly destroy several large trees where people lived!
If they let him continue, this island would disappear and die!
No, he couldn't let that happen!
Rayleigh thought so; his eyes grew sharper, and he drew toward the black sandstorm, his entire arm and blade covered in a bluish-black armament, as reddish-black lightning crackled around his blade.
It had been a while since he had used this technique, and frankly, he hadn't used it for more than decades, yet even so, he was still familiar with it, and whether he wanted to or not, he had to use it, or else, he was afraid this island would be destroyed!
While he was a pirate and didn't care about the lives of others, he had been living on this island for so long, so he had a certain affection toward this island, and it was impossible for him to let this island be destroyed!
"Sorry."
Rayleigh apologized since he was going to get serious, and if Shinra died, then he couldn't be blamed, especially when Shinra had provoked him.
Yet, if Rayleigh's pride hadn't made him think he was above many, then this situation would not have happened.
At the same time, Shinra opened his Sharingan, and—
"DIVINE DEPARTURE!"
As Rayleigh's blade fell, the heavens and earth itself was cut!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!
The strongest sword technique that was developed by the King of Pirates!
The slash that could cut anything, which would make even God run away!
Divine Departure!
Naturally, Shinra's black sandstorm was cut and destroyed by this technique before the sandstorm in the nearby area was also cut by this sword slash.
The sky, the earth, and even the ocean were all cut.
It had been a while since Rayleigh made a move, but when he made a move, he showed a strength that was worthy of the position of the Vice Captain of the King of Pirates' group.
Only, while the sword technique of Rayleigh was amazing, the ability of Suna Suna no Mi that was wielded by Shinra was even more amazing, since soon, the cut sandstorm recovered, and the island became a world of sand that erased all of the hope and pulled them into despair once again.
"Rayleigh... you really caused us a lot of trouble now..."
"Ah...."
Rayleigh's eyes twitched, and he wondered what he should do at this moment.