At this moment, Issho still didn't know that Don intended to make him lift an entire island into the sky.
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, he turned to Rayleigh.
"He's back. Should be here soon."
Once the snail phone was tucked away, Issho faced the old man again.
"Don's on his way."
Rayleigh nodded slightly.
He hadn't gone out these past two days—not to coat ships, not to auction himself. With Hawkeye and Issho both present, he couldn't bring himself to relax.
Oh, and that strange kid with a few screws loose—the one who just so happened to be a Logia-type user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
What a crew…
Rayleigh honestly had no idea how Don managed to gather people like this together.
But one thing was clear: with this lineup, they could stir tsunamis across the seas—figuratively and literally.
"Seems your ship's finished. When are you heading for the New World?"
Rayleigh set down his bottle, voice steady but tinged with curiosity.
Behind the bar, Shakky kept busy, pretending not to listen—but her ears were perked.
"After all, people like you stand out too much here in Paradise. Whatever you do, you'll draw attention. The New World's where you belong."
"Sorry," Issho said, shaking his head. "That's not up to us."
"So, it's that young man's call, huh?" Rayleigh smiled faintly, sighing. "Guess I really am getting old."
"Here they come."
Rayleigh's tone suddenly shifted. Rising from his seat, he turned toward the door—his Observation Haki already sensing Don and his group approaching via bubble car.
Boom!
Without warning, a wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Rayleigh's body.
And then—another powerful wave clashed against it from afar.
The air crackled with electricity.
Issho and Hawkeye both exchanged startled glances.
What's this? They're not even face-to-face yet, and it's already a showdown?
Rayleigh's expression hardened.
He hadn't meant to start anything—but Don's Haki had flared instinctively, and his own had reacted in kind.
The collision of their wills swept across Area 13, bending the very air.
As the bubble car touched down, Don patted Robin's shoulder lightly before stepping off and walking toward Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
The pressure between their Conqueror's Haki grew sharper—until Don pushed open the bar door.
At that moment, both men withdrew their Haki simultaneously.
"Any damaged furniture gets billed ten times the cost."
Shakky, cigarette between her lips, eyed the newcomer coolly.
"Deal."
Don grinned, his gaze meeting the old man's.
"I've heard plenty about you, Dark King Rayleigh."
Rayleigh's expression remained serious as he studied the tall young man before him.
Such overwhelming presence…
He'd met plenty with Conqueror's Haki in his lifetime—some stronger, some weaker—but the way Don's will shook the air itself…
That was rare.
Monsters really do come from the East Blue, he thought.
"I'm just a humble ship-coater these days," Rayleigh said with a faint shrug.
"Even so, your past glory can't be hidden," Don replied, smiling. "After all—you're one of the few who's reached the Final Island."
The bar fell utterly silent.
Behind Don, Robin and the others froze mid-step.
"So that's your goal too, huh?" Rayleigh asked after a long pause, his tone unreadable.
"Not really," Don said with a chuckle. "I'm not interested in that."
He took a seat beside Issho and the others.
"For now, you'll stick with him," Don said, pointing at Crocodile. "Once things are settled on Skypiea, you'll oversee the examination grounds."
Enel blinked, following Don's finger toward Crocodile.
Crocodile, who had been glaring at Rayleigh a moment ago, turned back at the sound of his name and met Enel's gaze.
The thunder god nodded eagerly—relieved to be assigned anywhere away from these three.
Ever since descending from Skypiea, he hadn't been beaten again—but just standing near them kept triggering flashbacks of his old beatdowns.
"Been a while, Rayleigh."
The fishman Tom stepped forward, smiling wistfully.
"It really has," Rayleigh replied. "Never thought I'd see you here. Roger invited you back then, and you refused to leave Water 7."
"Yeah," Tom said, eyes distant. "I thought I'd die there… but fate had other plans."
He turned, glancing meaningfully at Don.
"So, you're sailing under him now?" Rayleigh asked.
Tom shook his head—then nodded.
"He's invited me to join his Hunter Guild. So, what about you, Dark King? Care to join us?"
Don's grin widened as he posed the question.
"The Hunter Guild, huh?" Rayleigh mused, smiling faintly. "Sorry, but I'm retired. My sword's long since dulled."
"That won't do," Don said lightly. "I was hoping to see the legendary Dark King draw his blade again."
Rayleigh froze for a moment, then smirked knowingly.
So that's how it is. Can't dodge this one, huh?
"But before that," Don said, standing up, "there's someone else I need to deal with first."
The people inside the bar exchanged puzzled looks as Don strode toward the exit.
At the edge of Area 13, high in the sky
Kizaru watched the aftermath of the Haki clash from above. The thunderous pressure, the silence that followed… just the thought made his head ache.
That Fleet Admiral really loves throwing me into trouble.
That man below was no easy customer.
Kizaru still remembered their encounter in the North Blue—the look in Don's eyes said it all.
He'd already refused the government's invitation once.
And now… they'd sent him to ask again?
What a dangerous errand.
Thinking of Don—and the terrifying company likely with him—Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses and peered downward.
From afar, he could see Don emerging from the bar, looking straight up at him.
With a sigh, Kizaru's body turned to light, streaking down from the clouds in a brilliant flash.
"Something you need from me?" Don asked casually, watching him reform. "You don't look like you came just to say hello."
"If there were any other choice," Kizaru sighed, "old me wouldn't have come at all."
At that moment, several figures filed out of the bar—each one radiating lethal presence.
Kizaru froze.
Hawkeye. Issho. Dark King Rayleigh. Crocodile.
A bead of sweat rolled down his neck.
"Y'know," Crocodile said with a dry smile, "if you want instant fame… taking down a Marine Admiral right here would do the trick."
Kizaru: "…"
END OF CHAPTER
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