Chapter 399: Old Friends Reunited
Golden Lion looked at the person in the mirror.
Brilliant golden hair flowed down from his head. The hair was thick, the quality excellent—looking as radiant as flowing gold.
He couldn't help raising his hand to touch his head.
That ship's wheel that had troubled him for over a decade, that shackle binding him—now completely vanished.
He could feel long-dormant power slowly reviving.
Too long. So long he'd almost found it unfamiliar.
"How does it feel?"
Behind him came a certain brat's interested inquiry.
"Fantastic!"
Golden Lion turned around. His lips curved high. An incredibly brilliant smile appeared on his face. "Haven't felt this good in many, many years!"
"Can you use Haki again now?" Brett asked.
Golden Lion raised his right hand. He began working to mobilize that power starting to revive within.
About several seconds later, invisible waves began wrapping around his palm.
Naturally—Armament Haki.
Several more seconds passed. The Haki wrapping his palm began collapsing. Finally adhering to the palm's surface, becoming a layer of black substance.
Then waves spread from the black substance again. A faint golden color.
The Haki flowed.
Finally, Golden Lion furrowed his brow, grunting.
Pitch-black, very fine lightning spread from his palm.
Conqueror's Coating.
"Oh, looks like the recovery is going well."
Brett nodded.
"Though over a decade has passed, I naturally haven't forgotten these techniques."
Golden Lion snorted. "But don't pretend you can't see—right now it's just for show. Too long unused. The strength has weakened tremendously."
Naturally—Haki only evolved through fierce battles with strong enemies.
If not exercised through real combat over long years, Haki would degrade.
The most vivid examples were Crocodile and Moria.
"However—"
Golden Lion forcefully clenched his fist. The black lightning wrapping his hand simultaneously amplified and swelled, radiating in all directions. "Before long, I'll return them to their peak levels!"
"I'm very much looking forward to seeing what the Flying Lion at full strength looks like." Brett said with a smile.
"Don't be too shocked when the time comes, kid."
Golden Lion-senpai laughed heartily.
His mood was excellent.
Hadn't felt this exhilarating in nearly twenty years.
"Kid, I'll count this as owing you a favor."
Golden Lion looked seriously at Brett.
"Then I'll wait for you to repay it, senpai."
Brett chuckled softly.
"Alright then—want to tour Fish-Man Island next?"
Brett stretched. "The current Fish-Man Island is completely different from when you came back then."
"Not interested."
But the old veteran decisively shook his head. "Didn't you say you'd take me to see Rayleigh? Let's go."
Quite swift and decisive.
Well, then let's go. So Brett immediately departed Fish-Man Island again with Golden Lion-senpai, heading toward Sabaody Archipelago.
The two quickly burst from the water. Dawn had just broken.
"Rayleigh's been hiding here all these years?"
Looking down from the sky at this island made somewhat hazy by morning fog, Golden Lion felt somewhat odd.
Wasn't this Sabaody Archipelago? Navy Headquarters was right next door.
Were the Navy all incompetent? Couldn't even investigate that Rayleigh was hiding here?
Brett didn't answer, instead diving downward. "Let's go—time to see Rayleigh."
Golden Lion followed.
Having come here countless times, Brett didn't even need to deliberately check directions, already landing skillfully before Shakky's bar.
He raised his voice. "Rayleigh! I brought an acquaintance to see you!"
Initially no reaction from inside the bar. Only after several seconds did sounds of moving tables and chairs ring out. Then several more seconds—a bleary-eyed old man finally came over, yawning continuously as he opened the door.
"Brett—you brat, can't you come when I'm not sleeping?"
Rayleigh rubbed his eyes.
Just speaking released strong alcohol fumes. Looked like he'd drunk quite a bit last night too.
This stinking old man's life had been quite degenerate lately.
Shakky was a tightwad. Originally she'd absolutely never provide him sufficient alcohol. So when this old man lacked money, he could only sell his body to scrape together drinking money.
But could only say he'd taken on a good disciple.
Brett didn't worry about this old man's health deteriorating from drinking. After all, even four years later, this old man could cross the Calm Belt bare-handed.
"Can't help it—"
Brett spread his hands somewhat helplessly. "Your old friend was really too impatient to see you."
"Old friend?"
Rayleigh raised his hand, rubbing his head, trying to wake himself from his hangover.
Then the next second he'd completely awakened.
"Jihahahaha! Rayleigh! After so many years, your hair and beard have all gone white!"
Loud laughter came from above.
Rayleigh suddenly raised his head, eyes widening in shock.
He naturally saw that figure descending from the sky. Hence his current astonishment.
"Shiki?"
Rayleigh couldn't help crying out in surprise. "You bastard's still not dead?"
You two are really kindred spirits.
Brett couldn't help chuckling. When hearing he'd take him to see Rayleigh, Golden Lion-senpai had said the same thing first.
"You're still not dead—how could I so easily leave these seas!"
Golden Lion grinned. "Roger's already gone. If I left too, wouldn't these seas be too lonely?"
"If you put it that way, these seas have been lonely for over a decade."
Rayleigh chuckled. "But I still find them quite lively."
Golden Lion-senpai had indeed vanished for over a decade. And the seas were indeed quite lively.
After all, the seas would never fall silent just because someone left.
"But my return will only make the seas even livelier!"
Golden Lion-senpai completely ignored Rayleigh's teasing, laughing confidently.
"Perhaps."
Rayleigh shook his head. This guy hadn't changed from back then—still as annoying as ever.
"So Brett—how did you get mixed up with him?" Rayleigh was very curious.
"Well, Golden Lion-senpai attacked Totto Land, so I went and beat him up."
Brett's answer was concise.
Golden Lion's expression stiffened.
"Hahahaha! I see."
Rayleigh laughed heartily. "Then this can be called not knowing each other without a fight, right?"
Though Brett kept calling him a good friend, Rayleigh had no friendship with Golden Lion back then.
With the Whitebeard Pirates they could still drink together cheerfully. But with Golden Lion—only crossing swords.
So knowing his disciple had beaten up Golden Lion, Rayleigh laughed quite happily.
"So Brett—why did you bring this guy to see me?"
Rayleigh asked.
"Well—"
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