Rayleigh could already sense something off in Shakky's gaze.
Turning to look at her, he confirmed his hunch — her eyes were fixed on him, an odd glint flickering within them.
Her hands, however, didn't stop moving.
"Take this over."
Placing a freshly prepared dish on the counter, Shakky gestured toward the table.
Without complaint, Rayleigh carried the tray over to where Mihawk and the others were seated.
"Shanks mentioned you once," Mihawk said as Rayleigh turned to leave. "But you don't quite look like the Dark King Rayleigh who once sailed under the Pirate King's flag."
"Oh? That brat Shanks mentioned me?"
Rayleigh paused, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Nearby, Enel and Issho were eating quietly while listening in, and Rayleigh helped himself to some food without hesitation.
"I'm retired now," he said between bites. "Let this old man enjoy a proper retirement."
The conversation continued naturally.
From behind the counter, Shakky, cigarette between her lips, watched the four of them gathered around the table. Shaking her head, she walked over and poured their drinks herself.
"That's not for me to decide," Mihawk replied calmly. "And meeting you here—it's pure coincidence."
"If it's a coincidence, then just pretend you don't know me."
"I told you, I don't get to decide that. Besides, if Don made this his meeting point, it means he already knows you're here."
Mihawk's sharp eyes flicked toward the sheathed blade Shakky had yet to put away behind the counter.
"Shanks said some of his swordsmanship came from you. I'd like to see it for myself—the skills of the great swordsman who once ruled the seas."
Rayleigh waved his hand immediately.
"No, no. Whatever Shanks learned, he picked up from Roger. I only showed him a few basics."
But Mihawk's expression didn't change.
Rayleigh sighed inwardly.
This guy's as stubborn as they come.
"Forget it. Enough about that." Rayleigh leaned back slightly. "Tell me—this Don fellow of yours. What's his goal?"
From what he'd seen so far, this small group had immense strength, but their core clearly revolved around the man who hadn't even shown himself yet.
"That's something only he knows," Mihawk said after a pause. "We met by chance, fought once, and ended up traveling together."
"You fought him?"
Rayleigh's curiosity piqued.
"So who won?"
"I lost," Mihawk admitted without hesitation. He recalled the final technique Don had displayed, and his voice carried no shame.
As expected.
So Mihawk was following Don because he'd been defeated. That explained a lot—and confirmed the rumors of Don's strength weren't exaggerated.
A fascinating man has appeared on the seas again… though it seems he's heading straight for me.
"So where is he now?"
"He went to Water 7—to have a ship built," Issho replied between bites.
A new ship, huh?
Hearing that, Rayleigh's mind drifted back to the old days, to the ship that had once carried them across the Grand Line—also built in Water 7.
Water 7.
"So, have you decided?"
Don looked across at the fish-man shipwright, Tom, and the crew gathered behind him.
Tom nodded. "Yeah."
Given the options Don had laid out, this one clearly made the most sense.
Though his student, Iceburg, had refused to abandon Water 7's shipyard, Tom didn't press him further.
"Then let's set sail. We're heading for the Sabaody Archipelago. Once we get there, I'll introduce you to someone."
Don turned and gave the order.
Tom nodded again and told Franky and the apprentices to get moving.
They were excellent hands—well-trained and familiar with every corner of the ship.
Still, Don didn't intend to keep too many people aboard.
The ship slowly drifted out of the dock.
Iceburg stood on the pier, watching until the vessel disappeared beyond the horizon.
He knew the World Government would come looking for trouble soon—but perhaps there was still room to maneuver.
Meanwhile, the CP Four Strike agents Don had confined finally relaxed after confirming his departure.
"I really thought we were dead this time," Bruno exhaled.
"No kidding. That guy fought Admirals and lived to tell about it," Kaku said, nodding quickly. "But he's not a pirate, remember."
"Let's report this in. This one's above our pay grade," Lucci said, glancing at Kalifa.
Spandam might not mean much to the Celestial Dragons, but he was still a government officer. His sudden disappearance in Water 7 was bound to raise questions.
Kalifa nodded and stepped out to contact headquarters.
Moments later, she returned—with an unreadable expression.
"What is it?" the others asked.
"Orders from above," she said. "We're to continue tracking down the blueprints."
"And Don?" Lucci asked, though he already suspected the answer.
"No response regarding him," Kalifa said.
"I see."
Lucci frowned.
"What does that mean?" Bruno asked.
"It means the higher-ups are taking this one into their own hands," Kaku muttered.
Lucci looked around at the team. "Don doesn't have a bounty."
That made the others pause. Then it clicked.
The World Government wanted to recruit him.
The Chamber of Power.
"Sengoku opposes the decision," Saint Nusjuro, holder of the First Kitetsu blade, said gravely.
"The Marines tried recruiting that man several times, but he refused each offer."
"The Navy's stance on him remains… ambiguous."
"Indeed. But despite his talent, he's not a D."
Silence filled the room.
"Then have Sengoku reach out to him again. There's still an open seat among the Seven Warlords."
"Agreed."
A few curt nods followed before quiet returned.
If he wasn't a "D," the Five Elders saw no need for further concern.
Meanwhile, Sengoku—who'd received the order—could only rub his temples in frustration.
A CP division chief had gone missing, likely tied to Don.
He'd personally opposed putting a bounty on Don's head, citing the man's previous interactions with the Navy and earlier recruitment attempts.
The situation wasn't catastrophic… but it was far from good.
As long as Don hadn't declared himself a pirate, the Navy didn't want to label him one.
And even if they did… two Admirals might not be enough to subdue him—not with two top-tier fighters, one of them a Warlord, at his side.
Sengoku sighed and leaned back in his chair.
There was only one option for now—delay.
Sooner or later, Don would leave Sabaody for the New World.
And once he did… he'd no longer be the Navy's problem.
END OF CHAPTER
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