One Piece: Starting from Awakening the Cosmo at Marineford

Aaron breathed a sigh of relief when Rayleigh's figure completely disappeared. He felt a bit exhausted, and his domineering aura was almost completely depleted.

Rayleigh is Rayleigh after all, the Pirate King's right-hand man, possessing the combat power of an Emperor.

Even though I'm already over 70 and my physical strength is a bit weak, it won't be that easy to really win him over.

Enduring the dull pain in his chest, Aaron sheathed the knife and regulated his breathing.

Yun Que then walked over: "Senior Aaron, are you alright?"

Fombardier laughed, "Of course the boss is alright! It was Rayleigh who fled in disarray! Boss, now that you've defeated Rayleigh, you must already have the strength of an admiral, right?"

Aaron said, "Admiral level strength? Not that easy. Rayleigh has already achieved his goal, so there's no need for him to stay here any longer. What happened just now wasn't exactly a life-or-death battle, and Rayleigh may not have even used his full strength."

"I don't think he's done for," said Fombardy. "Boss, you only used swordsmanship and Haki just now; you didn't use the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power, nor did you wear that armor."

Aaron looked in the direction where Rayleigh had disappeared and said slowly, "Alright, you don't need to flatter me anymore."

Hibari said, "Senior Aaron, I also think that if you put on the armor, you should be able to defeat Hades Rayleigh."

Aaron didn't deny it, but changed the subject: "How are those pirates doing?"

"Don't worry, it's all taken care of," said Finbdi. "I have to say, those newbies were really crazy. I thought they'd be timid and scared since it was their first time killing someone. But they were like wolves seeing sheep, showing no mercy whatsoever."

Hibari added, "Rear Admiral Kadakōbo's troops and Sentōmaru's troops each captured several hundred people. On our side, apart from a few captains with bounties over 5000 million, we didn't capture anyone else."

Aaron stroked his chin: "Bring those bastards over."

Several new recruits brought over a group of unconscious pirates: "Reporting, Instructor! We've captured the great pirates Caribou and Kribb, the seriously injured Alberto, and the waiter Lip Dottie!"

Aaron beckoned over to a few veterans who came over: "You guys, lock them up in the ship's jail."

"Yes, Major General Aaron!"

Aaron said, "Call the others over."

With a shout from Finbdi, the remaining veterans and new recruits quickly assembled and lined up in front of Aaron.

Aaron glanced around. Although many of the recruits had bruises and were covered in blood and mud, they couldn't hide their excitement.

Aaron nodded in satisfaction: "You fought well just now. I'm very satisfied."

"Thank you for the compliment, instructor!"

Aaron said, "There are still quite a few pirates gathered on the Sabaody Archipelago. These people have probably forgotten the rules I set out. Go and remind them."

A female soldier raised her hand: "Instructor, what rules did you establish in the first place?"

Finbuddy laughed and said, "Pirates passing by are not allowed to stay on the island for more than three days."

"Wow! This is a good rule!"

Aaron said, "Now, you will split into groups of ten and go in four groups to wipe out the pirates on the island."

"Yes, instructor!"

"Do you know what a cleanup means?" asked Finbdi.

The same female soldier excitedly replied, "I know! The sweep means leaving no one alive!"

Aaron nodded and smiled, "Very good. Be back on the warship by 6 p.m. tomorrow night."

"yes!"

"Let's call it a day."

The 40 new recruits immediately formed their own teams and, as if having a blast, split into four groups and scattered towards the surrounding GR.

Aaron said, "Finbuddy, Bernard, and you veterans, follow them. If necessary, lend them a hand. They are the future elites; we can't let them die in a place like this."

"Yes, boss!"

Finnbusy, Bernard, and the other twenty-odd bosses immediately went their separate ways.

The lark asked, "Senior Aaron, what about me?"

"Come with me to a place."

Aaron, with Lark in tow, headed towards GR 13, following the numbers on the mangrove trees.

Xiaqi's Bar is located on GR13.

Years ago, the bar she ran on Beehive Island also had this name.

She seemed completely unconcerned, unafraid of old acquaintances coming to her door.

Rayleigh claimed to be living in seclusion here, but it seems he couldn't stand the loneliness and helped Luffy several times. He even stayed with Luffy for a year and a half, teaching him Haki.

Aaron felt that the former members of Roger's pirate crew, now scattered all over the world, probably all carried some kind of mission.

Rayleigh is stationed at Sabaody Archipelago, the last stop on the Grand Line before entering the New World.

The ship's doctor, Crocus, is stationed at the entrance to the Grand Line from the Four Seas, at the Twin Capes of Reverse Mountain.

There's also Jabba, stationed in Elbaf.

After passing Elbaf, the final island is practically within reach.

Lost in thought, Aaron had already boarded the No. 13 GR.

The entire GR appears to consist of only one building, a tower-shaped structure with a sphere on top.

"Knock on Bamboo Bar? That's a weird name."

Hibari looked up at the sign above. "Aaron-senpai, this bar is closed. Did you come here to have a drink?"

Aaron said, "This is Rayleigh's residence here."

"Rayle?" Hibari was startled and immediately moved the gun he was carrying to the front of him, gripped it tightly with both hands, and pointed the muzzle diagonally to the left front, ready to switch stances and enter combat mode at the fastest speed.

Aaron suddenly sighed, "They've already run away."

"They escaped? They?"

Aaron said, "Railley and his wife. Raleigh just left like that, so decisive. Was he really that afraid?"

Yun Que didn't immediately lower her gun, but remained vigilant, looking around: "Senior Aaron is so powerful, of course we have to be careful. It would be better to continue our seclusion somewhere else."

Aaron chuckled self-deprecatingly. "He's not necessarily afraid of me. He's worried that headquarters will send a general."

Hibari said, "If you weren't so strong and threatening the safety of Hades Rayleigh, he wouldn't have left so quickly."

Aaron said, "Let's go in and take a look."

With a creak, Aaron pushed open the door. The room was dimly lit but decorated in a stylish manner.

The bar was quiet and tidy, with no chaotic scene of people rushing to leave.

Aaron walked into the bar, found a good bottle of wine on the wine cabinet, uncorked it, and stood by the bar to drink it.

Lark looked around the room: "Rayle left in a hurry and didn't have time to pack up."

Aaron swallowed his drink: "They're fleeing, not going on vacation."

"Hmm." Hibari came over, picked out a bottle of sweet wine, opened the cap, and took a sip.

"Ha...it's still a bit spicy. Senior Aaron, where do you think they'll go?"

Aaron shook his head: "No matter where they go, as long as they behave themselves from now on and stop meddling in other people's business, I won't bother with them. I'm just afraid they won't be able to stand the loneliness."