"You sand crocodile… are you really trying to provoke me right in front of my face?"
"If we were anywhere else, I'd have already dealt with you myself!"
Kizaru's gaze swept coldly across Crocodile's face.
But the cigar-chomping Crocodile didn't even flinch under that look.
In the past, he'd never have dared to provoke a Marine Admiral—certainly not face-to-face—unless he was already committed to open hostility.
"If you put it that way, I suppose you're not wrong."
Hearing that, Don's eyes flickered with a thoughtful gleam before he nodded slightly.
"Thinking of fighting, are we?"
Mihawk's hand was already on the hilt of his sword as he spoke, voice calm but edged with curiosity.
He'd been wanting to test himself against a Marine Admiral anyway.
"Hey, hey! I'm just here to deliver a message!"
Kizaru took a quick step back, hands raised in mock surrender, his usual sleazy grin forced but shaky.
"I was only joking," Don said with a chuckle. "After all, it's not that easy to make you stay."
"So if you could make me stay… you'd really do it, huh?"
Kizaru sighed inwardly. What a lawless kid.
"The matter in Water 7—the Fleet Admiral blocked the World Government from issuing a bounty, and… he hopes you'll join as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Kizaru decided not to waste time—better deliver the message and get out of here fast.
This place was dangerous.
Every single person here looked like they were ready to take a swing at him.
"So what? I think I've already made my position clear."
Don raised an eyebrow.
He'd already stated his stance quite plainly to Garp.
"The last time was one thing, but this time involves officials of the World Government," Kizaru said, eyes narrowing.
"So what you're saying is, if I refuse, the Marines or the Government will come after me?"
The moment Don spoke, everyone turned to look at Kizaru.
Even Rayleigh knew—Don didn't have a bounty yet.
If the Marines or the World Government really issued one now, it would mean Don was officially their enemy.
"I… couldn't say for sure," Kizaru muttered, shaking his head.
Exactly as expected. He'd known this would be the answer before coming here.
"In that case," Kizaru said quickly, "I'll take my leave."
No sooner had the words fallen than his body turned into golden light and shot into the sky.
"Ran off fast, didn't he? Guess he really didn't want to get hit."
Even his usual sleazy remarks were gone this time—just pure flight.
"Becoming a Warlord might have its advantages," Crocodile suddenly said.
"Oh?"
Don turned to him, smiling faintly.
"You trying to teach me how to handle my affairs now?"
Crocodile froze for a moment, then quickly shook his head.
"You're one of the Seven Warlords yourself, aren't you? Since they haven't stripped you of the title yet, might as well make the most of it."
Don smiled lightly, then turned toward Rayleigh.
"This time, I came to ask you for a favor."
Rayleigh, who had been about to turn and head back inside after Kizaru's departure, stopped mid-step and looked back at him.
"I'm just an old, retired man. There's not much I can help you with," Rayleigh said, shaking his head.
"You can help," Don replied, his hand slowly moving to the hilt of his sword.
Thin arcs of lightning crackled faintly along his hand—flickering, unstable, almost ephemeral.
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed, his guard rising instantly.
But when he saw the black lightning of Conqueror's Haki flickering around Don's blade, his pupils widened in surprise.
"You've already reached that level?"
"Not yet," Don said quietly, shaking his head.
Issho and Mihawk both understood what Don meant immediately.
Crocodile, however, only frowned, confused.
"That's something that can't be taught," Rayleigh said slowly. "You have to realize it for yourself."
"I know," Don replied calmly. "That's why I just need an opponent who can use it. With a fight like that, I'll learn soon enough."
Rayleigh's face darkened.
So he did mean to fight after all!
Kids these days… no respect for their elders!
"Don't say no," Don added with an easy smile. "After all, I'm not sure what I might do otherwise."
"…Haven't felt this kind of tension in years," Rayleigh said, adjusting his glasses with a dangerous glint in his eye. "Fine. If that's what you want, I'll teach you how to respect your seniors."
"I'm not a pirate," Don said, shaking his head lightly.
"Then think of me as your elder sailor," Rayleigh shot back with a grin. "I've been on the sea longer than you've been alive."
With that, he turned and walked back toward the bar.
Don glanced sideways at Crocodile.
"You can go handle your work for now."
Crocodile frowned—he'd wanted to watch this fight.
But seeing Don's tone left no room for argument, he reluctantly turned toward Enel and Tom.
"I'll update you when there's progress."
With that, he led the two of them away.
Enel's steps were noticeably lighter this time.
It seemed tagging along with Mihawk and Issho earlier had been… more pressure than fun.
"I'd like to master that skill as well," Mihawk said suddenly, eyes locked on Don.
"You have Conqueror's too?" Don blinked, then nodded in realization.
"Once I've learned it, I'll teach you."
"I'd rather test myself against him personally," Mihawk said with a rare seriousness.
"Sure. After I'm done, he's all yours."
Don's cheerful reply made Rayleigh stumble slightly inside the bar.
What am I now, a punching bag?
Kids these days really have no sense of respect!
"You alright?" Shakky asked, a trace of concern in her eyes.
"I'm fine," Rayleigh replied, shaking his head.
He didn't sense any malice from Don or Mihawk.
It really did seem they only wanted to learn.
Still, what Don said earlier was true
That kind of technique couldn't just be "taught."
Conqueror's Haki was, at its core, the manifestation of one's will.
No amount of words could impart its use; even understanding it didn't guarantee mastery.
But Rayleigh couldn't help feeling curious about Don's strength.
For someone that young, his level was absurd.
Then again… the sea was full of monsters.
Meanwhile
"Fleet Admiral, he refused."
Kizaru hadn't returned directly to Marine Headquarters. After leaving, he first called Sengoku.
"I see."
Sengoku's tone carried no disappointment—almost as if he'd expected this.
Kizaru sighed inwardly. If you knew that already, then why send me in the first place?
"Stay there," Sengoku's voice continued through the Den Den Mushi. "After Don's group leaves, come back."
Kizaru felt a bad premonition rising.
"I've already warned them, but you know how they are—they won't listen. So, to avoid unnecessary incidents, if those people start heading toward Don, stop them or redirect them elsewhere."
"This is gonna be a pain…" Kizaru muttered.
"It's an order."
"I'll do my best," he replied with a weary sigh, hanging up.
Watching over the Celestial Dragons—what a nightmare.
END OF CHAPTER
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