"So the ones guarding that sea area now are…"
"Enel and Tiger??"
The Den Den Mushi with sharp eyes blinked, face serious.
"Yes, I've witnessed both of their abilities. Together, they can unleash a truly terrifying power, which is why I felt safe leaving."
"Enel and Tiger working together?"
Hearing this, Orin showed a hint of interest.
"Controlling seawater and lightning?"
Conductive?
One could imagine: after enduring the powerful currents controlled by a Fish-Man, a completely exhausted and soaking wet enemy would then be hit by a solid thunder strike…
Truly a 1+1>2 combination attack, huh?
However, this also meant Enel would have to stay in the New World, so the story of King Luffy on Sky Island would inevitably be a little more subdued.
But that was fine…
Now, with Enel mastering dual-colored Haki and, with his observational powers unleashed, having further developed the improved Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he was no longer an opponent King Luffy could defeat.
It was, in a way, an adjustment in difficulty.
With the lab arrangements temporarily settled, Mihawk asked Orin about his upcoming plans, in case they could travel together.
"As for me… I plan to return to the Sabaody Archipelago to rest for a while. It's been a long time since I went back, and I kind of miss the massage services in the red-light district~"
"Sabaody Archipelago?"
Perfect, not far from Marine Headquarters.
"Then I also—"
"No, no, no, Little Hawk, why are you going back so soon?"
"???"
Mihawk's words were cut off by Orin.
"I'm going back partly to rest, and also to educate the kids. You probably have your own little ones to take care of as well."
Mihawk frowned.
"You mean?"
"Moria, that guy will soon follow in Crocodile's footsteps. Little Perona will be lonely then, so you can go pick her up."
Hearing this, Mihawk's eye twitched.
"Perona, huh…"
Come to think of it, he hadn't visited the little girl in a long time.
Ever since years ago, when Orin asked him to look after Perona, it was like a divorced household; little Perona would occasionally stay at his castle for a while, and he had acted like a half-father, watching her grow.
But after so many years, he was no longer the fair-skinned young Mihawk adventuring the seas with Orin, and Perona was no longer the small child who couldn't reach his knees.
"So, Moria is also going to be defeated by these young ones?"
Thinking of the little girl who used to cling to her doll, afraid of being alone, Mihawk closed his eyes and sighed.
"After all, that child fears loneliness the most. I'll make a trip."
The Den Den Mushi hung up, and the two went their separate ways.
…
Sabaody Archipelago,
The lawless zone, Shakky's extortion bar.
After swiftly dealing with a customer who wanted to drink King's sake, the former "Number One Beauty of the Sea," Shakky, returned to the bar counter with the money.
Wiping the glasses, she looked at the swaying old Rayleigh returning.
She raised a smile.
"Back so early today, Rayleigh? Usually, if it weren't for Orin's tavern giving free drinks until night, you wouldn't be back this early, right?"
Hearing Shakky's teasing, Rayleigh could only smile awkwardly.
"Can't help it. Everyone at Sammi's place is busy now; they don't have time to entertain an old man like me."
Sitting at the counter, Shakky poured Rayleigh a drink and lit herself a cigarette.
"What's going on?"
"Ah… Orin is coming back."
"Is that so? Then it makes sense."
Shakky exhaled slowly, a faint smile on her face.
"After all, Little Orin is very popular with the girls. Not to mention all the girls in the Sabaody Archipelago who rely on his protection and meals."
Even Shakky's own bar had to admit it benefited greatly from Orin's presence.
"Handsome and strong. I heard even the Marine Vice Admiral stationed at Sabaody, Doll, came because of him~"
This news surprised Rayleigh.
"A female Marine leader came because of Orin? Really?"
"My information can't be false," Shakky said, blowing a smoke ring at Rayleigh, then jokingly added,
"If Little Orin had been born in the era of Rocks and Roger, maybe I wouldn't be here in Sabaody with you now~"
"Uh… hahahaha!!!"
Rayleigh laughed as well.
Now an old man, he was past the age of youthful jealousy and rivalry.
"That's not certain. After all, Orin is really easy to like…"
Shaking his glass, Rayleigh fell into thought.
"Honestly, after all these years without seeing Orin in action, I can't gauge his true strength. Perhaps even the current Shanks wouldn't match up."
Shakky's eyes narrowed slightly, though her expression remained calm.
"Shanks, huh? Now, he's probably not much weaker than Roger was. Could it be that…"
"Mm, Orin is different."
A few sparks flashed in Rayleigh's eyes.
"Roger once told me, every era will have a supreme figure who surpasses all others. In our era, there was only one…"
"This…?"
Shakky's mind conjured the image of someone who had once admired her.
"Yes… Rocks. Orin is like him, but even more mysterious, stronger, and trickier."
"Honestly, with my current Haki level, I probably can't face Orin head-on."
"If you used pure gold, you could maintain your peak strength and probably be able to fight someone like Rocks, right?"
"Why use it?"
Shakky's words reflected in the wine glass, showing an old man with graying hair and beard.
"The fate of a pirate isn't maintained by such things. Roger and I never cared about that. If you used pure gold, you could maintain your beauty as the world's number one beauty too, right? Even the current Empress Hancock would step back in respect."
Shakky smiled, seemingly unbothered by Rayleigh's old idea of giving her the gold.
"I'm just like you."
They chatted idly until footsteps echoed in the bar. Both looked up with surprise.
"Yo, you two, I heard everything you were discussing about me~"
"Oh? Isn't this Orin!!!"
…