On the dock, Aokiji adjusted his goggles with his right hand and carefully examined the small boat.
After a moment, he nodded with a wry smile.
"It really is Tesoro! It's amazing that he would agree to travel on such a rudimentary boat, haha!"
Nearby, listening to Aokiji's laughter, Gion gently adjusted her sword.
"Sir, shall we bring him here?"
Upon hearing this, Gawain chuckled and shook his head.
"Why bother? Let him continue being a ghost. I reckon the only place that can provide him with coating services right now is the World Government's docks."
I wonder how much the Five Elders will charge him, haha.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain completely forgot about the small boat in the distance. He had no interest in dealing with the Gild Tesoro; that guy wasn't qualified to talk to him yet.
As for when he will be eligible, that depends on when Gawain needs him.
After abandoning the matter of the Gild Tesoro, Gawain quietly walked past Kuzan.
As they passed Kuzan, Gawain said this at the end.
"By the way, Kuzan, is there anything else?"
If not, please excuse my lack of knowledge; I need to catch up with my Fish-Man friends."
This was clearly a gesture to see the guest out, so Aokiji could only smile and nod.
"I won't bother you any longer, Saint Gawain. I also need to continue looking after that Tesoro."
However, Saint Gawain, do you have any free time in the next few days?
"If so, could you spare some time for me so we can chat for a bit?"
"Oh?"
Gawain paused, turned around, and looked at Aokiji with a furrowed brow in deep thought.
Across from him, seeing Gawain's thoughtful expression, Aokiji's brows suddenly furrowed.
This invisible pressure subtly seeped into his heart...
Saint Gawain's Conqueror's Haki is even stronger than the description given by the Fleet Admiral Sengoku!
After thinking for a moment, Gawain spoke softly.
"I have training tomorrow morning, so let's do it at 2 PM. As for the location, you should be able to find me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain continued walking, passing by Aokiji, and then heading towards Neptune.
Behind him, watching Gawain's retreating figure, Aokiji smiled and nodded.
"Thank you so much, Saint Gawain. See you tomorrow," he said to Gawain's retreating figure.
As he was saying goodbye, Gion happened to pass by him, so Gion drew her sword sheath and tapped Aokiji.
"Kuzan, please give my regards to Sister He."
"Ha...?"
Gion's words left Aokiji speechless with grief.
"And you even added a 'good'?!"
After word got out about what happened to you, I had a good fight with Mr. Garp!
He chased me all the way from Reverse Mountain to Alabasta, can you believe it?!
With a lighthearted laugh, Aokiji waved to Gion, then got on his bicycle and left Fish-Man's Wharf on his own.
At the same time, Gawain came to Neptune, smiled and opened his arms to hug Mjosgard first.
"How have you been, Mjosgard, for three months?"
"Haha, it feels great! The Merfolk and Fish-Man are so friendly to me, I feel like I've found home."
They've landed too! I'll build a palace here in Sabaody and continue living with them, haha!
Mjosgard laughed and patted Gawain on the back. Then he released Gawain and pulled Gawain toward Neptune.
"You don't need to worry about me, Gawain. Come and see what Neptune has prepared for you."
You have to unfold this yourself!
As they were talking, Mjosgard pulled Gawain in front of Neptune then handed over the package with a look of deep emotion.
"Gawain!"
He said it seriously and earnestly.
"This is your flag, which I brought from Fish-Man Island!"
This will be the first time the Fish-Man Kingdom has raised its flag on land, so I hope you can personally give the order to raise the flag for us!
"Raising the flag?"
Gawain narrowed his eyes, then reached out his hand to Neptune.
"Let me take a look."
Seeing Gawain reach out to take the flag, Neptune excitedly held the package with both hands and handed the flag to Gawain.
Grabbing the package, Gawain opened the outer silk bag and pulled out the fabric inside.
Grabbing a corner of the cloth, Gawain forcefully raised the flag.
Suddenly, a clear image of Dark Bird soared above the dock.
Looking at the flag in his hand, Gawain nodded heavily.
"Neptune, you've put your heart into this. Very good."
Hearing Gawain's praise, Neptune bowed his head deeply.
"As long as Gawain is satisfied, that's all that matters. My Fish-Man Island owes its current situation entirely to Gawain's help!"
From this day forward, whenever Saint Gawain commands us, my Fish-Man race will obey his every command as if it were our own arm!
As soon as he finished speaking, Neptune waved his hand, and four fully armed Neptune Army soldiers immediately approached.
They solemnly received the flag from Gawain and then raised the Dark Bird Flag to the highest point of the flagpole.
As the Dark Bird danced in the wind high above Sabaody, Gawain took a deep breath. Although he had long ago made his own flag, this was the first time he had witnessed it being raised on his own territory.
A surge of emotion welled up within Gawain, and even he lowered his eyelids slightly for a moment.
Is this what it feels like to have someone entrust your hopes to you?
Watching the Dark Bird being lifted up by the Fish-Man and then soaring high in the sky.
Gawain always felt that it wasn't just an ordinary flag, but his own heart!
Thinking of this, Gawain took a long breath, and after exhaling, he took out a cigarette from his pocket.
Hancock pulled a lighter from her breast pocket and lit it for Gawain without making a sound.
Gawain took a drag of his cigarette and nodded.
"Very good!"
He said to Neptune.
"Seeing you come ashore, seeing you enjoying the sunshine and sea breeze so freely, just like now."
I always felt that Queen Otohime's spirit was smiling down from heaven.
At this point, he patted Neptune's tail.
"However, if the Fish-Man want to fully embody Queen Otohime's smile, you will need to work hard enough!"
My banner and the alignment with Mjosgard will ensure you are not disturbed by powerful forces.
However, the Sabaody Archipelago has always been a gathering place for the new generation of pirates from Four Blues, and it has never been truly safe.
Neptune, I hope that you, as the new king of the Fish-Man who carries on the legacy and paves the way for the future, will lead your people to truly secure this corner of the land.
Don't let me down!
"Of course, my lord!"
Neptune nodded emphatically.
"Having come this far, there is absolutely no way I will retreat even half a step!"
Moreover, my lord, I was once the number one warrior of the Fish-Man Tribe, holding the title of the Great Knight of the Sea!
Although my sons remain at the bottom of the sea to maintain order and manage the Ryugu Kingdom, I, as the first warrior, lead my people.
Unless they're exceptionally strong pirate Supernova, I believe I can show them the power of Fish-Man!
If I can't even handle this little problem right now, how can I have the face to promise you that I will make the Fish-Man your strength?
As soon as he finished speaking, Neptune prostrated himself on the ground and bowed solemnly to Gawain.
At the same time, the Fish-Man seemed to have caught a contagious disease; they knelt respectfully on the ground, silently watching Gawain, and even more so, watching the fluttering Dark Bird Flag.
Standing in the center of everyone's gaze, Gawain nodded heavily.
"I'll leave it to you."
After saying that, Gawain gently raised his hand and helped Neptune up.
After Neptune got up, Gawain patted Neptune's tail again.
"I have other things to do. You guys should focus on setting up the industries that are most urgently needed right now."
Once you have fully established yourself, I will leave your people a job that allows them to interact with humans: coating.
However, that can only begin once you are fully prepared.
Also, I'm hosting a banquet for you on the Dark Bird Ship tonight, don't forget to come.
That's all.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain released Neptune and waved to Mjosgard.
"Senior Mjosgard, don't forget to check the betting situation for me later. If possible, you might as well go down and play a couple of rounds with Rosward."
As for me, I went to exercise!
"Alright, don't worry, Gawain, I'll go over after I've had dinner with the Fish-Man!"
Mjosgard nodded excitedly, then watched Gawain's departing figure, silently shedding tears of emotion.
After Gawain had completely disappeared, Mjosgard burst into tears.
"It was him, it was all his fault! If it weren't for him, I never imagined I would have the chance to fulfill Queen Otohime's dream! Waaaaah!"
"Yes, it's all thanks to you, Master. Without you, I wouldn't even dare to know who Otohime's real enemy is, sob sob sob!"
Suddenly, the tragic duo reappeared, and two more figures appeared on the dock, slurping their beers.
Gawain led everyone back to the Dark Bird Ship and continued his training.
Rayleigh and Kalifa stayed on Sabaody Island for the time being.
This old man will probably be stuck with this betting match for the next few days.
The betting game took a short one-hour break at 5:30 p. m., then resumed and continued until 1 a. m.
On the first day alone, 90% of the tens of thousands of gamblers were eliminated, and a staggering 10% of them were caught cheating by members of the Black Ice Terrace.
It's no wonder this is a world teeming with pirates; there are just too many people who don't follow the rules.
But the casino really can't completely get rid of these guys. If they all killed them, would there still be pirates who think they can get away with it and bring money to gamble in the future?
So, just like the Gild Tesoro, these con artists were stripped of all their money and thrown into the sea to fend for themselves.
At two o'clock in the morning, Kalifa returned to the Dark Bird Ship with a face full of excitement.
In the side bedroom outside Gawain's bedroom, Gion and Hancock, who were facing off, received the good news brought by Kalifa on Gawain's behalf.
After the Gild Tesoro's ship was salvaged, it contained gold worth 170 billion Beli, and his cabin also contained more than 60 billion banknotes.
Originally, there should have been around 80 billion in banknotes, but unfortunately, many were picked up by others when the Gild Tesoro was distributing the money.
However, Kalifa did not join the mob in recovering the money.
Firstly, Kalifa didn't want to rob a mob of money.
Secondly, those who come to gamble will always end up spending their money in the casino.
As for the Dark Bird Ship, after receiving this news, Hancock and Gion abandoned their intention to confront each other.
That's really good news.
After considering the issue of funding, Gion asked Kalifa with some doubt.
"By the way, Kalifa, where's Grandpa Rayleigh?"
Didn't he come back with you?
"This one."
Kalifa explained with a smile.
"Old Mr. Rayleigh's home is on Sabaody Island, and he said he wanted to go home to visit."
Of course I won't stop him, right?
The Lawless Zone Sabaody Island, outside Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
With heavy steps, Rayleigh walked past the twenty-odd corpses hanging at the bar entrance and pushed open the bar door.
Facing them, Shakky was fast asleep, her head resting on the bar counter. In her left hand she held a half-finished bottle of liquor, and in her right hand she held a cigarette butt that had long since been extinguished.
Seeing Shakky like this, Rayleigh gently took off his glasses and carefully wiped them.
At the same time, Shakky slowly got up from the bar.
She glanced at Rayleigh, then chuckled, and took a cigarette from the side to light it for herself.
Taking a drag of her cigarette, Shakky asked with a cold smile.
"So, is Dark King Rayleigh is famous Four Blues, going to leave Sabaody Island for good?"
"No, it's Dark King Rayleigh, who's been lost for too long, who wants to try surfing again, Shakky."
Rayleigh shook his head, put his glasses back on, and sat down at a booth opposite the bar.
Leaning against the bar, Rayleigh rested his chin on his hand and let out a long sigh.
"Shakky, I..."
No need for further explanation.
Shakky waved her hand expressionlessly.
"This is a place where homeless people and those waiting to die eke out a living. My little shop can't hold a dreamer!"
Don't say that.
Rayleigh forced a smile, then reached out and picked up the remaining half-flask of wine from Shakky.
He poured himself a glass, and then poured one for Shakky.
"Have a drink with me."
He said this, then raised his glass.
Upon hearing this, Shakky neither confirmed nor denied it, and bumped hands with him.
After they finished their drinks, Rayleigh looked down at the bar, while Shakky tilted her head to the side and smoked a cigarette.
They remained silent for a long time.
When Shakky's cigarette burned out again, she stubbed it out in the ashtray. But at that moment, the ashtray shattered into pieces.
Just then, Shakky let out a long sigh and asked softly.
"Are you really sure you've decided to gamble the rest of your old body for that Gawain?"
"Haven't I always been this kind of person, Shakky?"
Rayleigh chuckled softly.
"Back then, I was lying on a stolen little boat, leisurely sunbathing, when some guy who looked really silly said to me, 'Let's go find the elusive Laugh Tale together!'"
I'm always good at spotting what's extraordinary in others, just like that moment when I gave up the rest of my life that I could have lived quietly for Roger.
I'm a born wave rider; I can always sense where the highest point of the wave will appear before the tide even rises!
"So you've discovered the peak of the wave again? You really believe that guy, as a Celestial Dragon, can bring a new era to this sea?"
Shakky curled her lip in disdain. She never believed Gawain, never.
But upon hearing Shakky's words, Rayleigh became unusually resolute, tapping the table lightly with his index finger.
"Shakky, you're wrong about one thing. In my opinion, Captain Gawain is not the kind of person who will bring a new era to the sea!"
Because times are always changing, even the era created by Roger is destined to be swallowed up by the ebb and flow of the future and buried in the deepest part of the sea!
But Gawain, he has the potential to bring a new order, or even a new set of ideas, to the world—that's what I admire and why I'm determined to fuel it!
At this point, Rayleigh grinned widely.
"My past has caused too much suffering for this sea. In the last twenty years, every drop of blood mixed in with this sea must have been partly my fault."
That past keeps me up at night, you know that!
"So, your new pursuit will allow you to finally find peace of mind?!"
Shakky slammed her hand on the table.
"You're already seventy-three. Do you know what seventy-three means? You're four years older than Whitebeard. You really are an old man!"
I can see your hard work all along, but hard work can't overcome time, just as it can't overcome fate!
Do you really want to die at sea?!
"I only want to die with you, whether in this shop or by the sea, Shakky."
Faced with Shakky's increasingly irritable Shakky, Rayleigh suddenly stood up, his usually lazy eyes now filled with decisiveness and determination!
He approached Shakky step by step, his body crushing the bar counter and passing through the rotten wood chips.
He looked at Shakky silently and resolutely, and said.
"Come with me."
Faced with Rayleigh's last words, Shakky opened her mouth in surprise. She stared at Rayleigh blankly for a moment, then grinned and reached out to look into Rayleigh's eyes.
Your glasses are cracked.
As she spoke, she took off Rayleigh's glasses and turned to fix them herself.
But she was clearly repairing Rayleigh's glasses.
She was actually wiping Shakky's eyes...
Tickets, come on! Haha, keep rising! Don't let our miracle stop! We're about to be featured in the editor's picks!