Dark King True to His Name

On the enormous tree root northwest of Grove 13 stood a lonely, exceptionally small bar.

Gawain and Gion followed the path to the stairs leading up to the tree root. As they climbed, Gion frowned.

Click!

Gion gripped Kompira at her waist with her left hand while raising her right to block Gawain's path.

"My lord, there's someone very powerful there!"

"No need to be on guard. He's just an old man, and he stopped being a pirate a long time ago."

Gawain smiled and shook his head, ignoring Gion's outstretched hand as he leisurely continued up the stairs.

When he reached the top of the tree root and was only about twenty meters from the bar, its door finally opened.

Shakky emerged with a cigarette between her lips and gave Gawain a teasing smile.

"What a rare guest, little brother Gawain.

I've run this bar for decades, and this is the first time I've received a Celestial Dragon. So, do I need to kneel?"

"Shakky, your information network is as sharp as ever. I only left Mary Geoise yesterday, yet my name has already reached your ears."

Gawain replied before smiling and shaking his head.

"As for kneeling, there's no need. If you enjoy kneeling, go find my hooded compatriots. They'll surely enjoy you."

"Hehe, their enjoyment is hardly a good thing!"

Shakky shook her head and blew out a smoke ring before stepping aside from the doorway.

"If you came to see Shakky and Rayleigh, then come inside and talk."

"Oh?"

Faced with Shakky's invitation, Gawain tilted his head slightly. He still wore the same smile, but for some reason, he now seemed rather dangerous.

He asked softly.

"But what if I came to see Peony and the Dark King?"

"Ah, being so sharp-tongued isn't a good thing, brat.

But forget it. Whoever you're looking for, come in and talk. Sigh..."

The cigarette at Shakky's lips tilted as she retreated into the bar. Beside her, Rayleigh smiled wryly and rubbed his cane.

Outside, Gawain paused for a moment before turning back to Gion with a teasing remark.

"You see? Senior figures are always like this. They call people brats at the drop of a hat, yet we can't even call them rude."

With that, Gawain walked into Shakky's bar without the slightest fear.

Looking at the Dark King and Peony standing before him, Gawain lightly clapped his hands.

"You two, don't casually add 'little' to someone else's name in the future, and don't go calling people brats either.

It doesn't sound cool, and it only makes you seem old."

After speaking, Gawain looked around before taking a seat in the booth nearest the bar counter.

Bracing both hands against the counter, Gawain asked Shakky and Rayleigh behind him without turning around.

"Bring me some liquor. Whatever you two like is fine.

Oh, and do you have any snacks? Surely you won't make me drink while looking at the two of you, will you?"

"Of course."

Shakky answered lazily. Her brow relaxed, restoring her usual alluring look. She patted Rayleigh's shoulder and smiled.

"Come on, Rayleigh. Saint Gawain came here for a drink, so stop being so tense.

And you, little miss over there, Gawain won't let me praise you for being young. That's no good for us women, so remember to teach him better."

With that, Shakky returned to the counter with her cigarette still in her mouth and casually opened a bottle of rum for Gawain.

After placing the bottle before him, Shakky went to the refrigerator beside her and quickly rummaged through it.

Before long, two plates of dried fruit, a cup of chilled flower tea, and... a stick of cotton candy appeared before Gawain.

"Here."

Shakky placed the cotton candy in front of Gawain and nodded toward Gion.

"This is a nice gift for that girl, but it'd be best if you gave it to her.

Go on. Otherwise, look at those two—they seem ready to tear my little establishment apart at any moment."

"Haha, that's something I really should listen to you about. Thanks."

Gawain took the cotton candy with a smile, then waved it toward Gion, who was steadily building up her aura by the door.

"Gion, come sit down. The cotton candy here is exceptional."

"Yes, my lord!"

Hearing Gawain's words, Gion took a deep breath and withdrew all the Armament Haki and Observation Haki she had been gathering.

Across from Gion, Rayleigh smiled softly when he saw her relax.

"Very nice. I thought these old bones of mine were going to fall apart today. Looks like I can still have a few more drinks, haha!"

Laughing heartily, Rayleigh stepped aside to make room for Gion, then leisurely strolled toward Gawain's right side, intending to sit down.

But just as Rayleigh was about to lower himself into the booth, Gion flashed forward and shoved Kompira's sheath directly beneath his backside.

"This is my seat!"

Gion coldly squeezed Rayleigh toward the right. Only by sitting between Rayleigh and Gawain could she defend against any sudden attack Rayleigh might launch at Gawain.

Rayleigh did not get angry at Gion's forcefulness. Instead, he smiled and prepared to switch seats, but before he could rise, Gawain reached out and grabbed Gion's forearm.

The muscles in Gion's forearm were taut. It was obvious that she was truly focused—and nervous.

So Gawain gently squeezed her wrist and pulled her to his left.

"Sit on my left. I can't let you sit beside an old lecher like Rayleigh."

As he spoke, Gawain pressed Gion into the booth on his left and stuffed the cotton candy into her hand.

"I already told you, these next few days are rest days. The busy part comes later.

I didn't buy you anything nice before, so take this cotton candy for now. I hope it's sweet enough."

With that, Gawain turned to the right. He naturally placed a hand on Rayleigh's shoulder and pressed him into the booth on his right.

After removing his hand from Rayleigh's shoulder, Gawain bumped Rayleigh's arm with his elbow.

"You should sit too, old man. But don't even think about sitting beside Gion. Don't think I don't know what you're like, tsk tsk."

"Fine, it seems my reputation has even reached Mary Geoise.

But you're overthinking it, Gawain.

I'm old now. At my age, I can't do much anymore, haha!"

Rayleigh laughed as he slapped the bar counter, then turned to Shakky.

"Shakky, why did you only bring liquor for Gawain? Don't I get any? I may be old, but when it comes to temperament, I'm no less impressive than Gawain.

Don't discriminate, alright?"

"Hehe..."

Shakky exhaled smoke irritably and casually tossed a bottle of liquor into Rayleigh's hands.

While Rayleigh opened the bottle himself, Shakky looked at Gawain, then glanced toward the doorway.

"Should we close the door? No one wants guards watching them even while they drink."

"Fine."

Gawain turned around and waved to the guards outside.

"Wait below the stairs."

As soon as he finished speaking, old Rayleigh, seated at Gawain's right, pursed his lips. Light flashed across his lenses as an invisible sweep of Conqueror's Haki passed through the room, and the bar's door behind them slammed shut.

At the same time.

Clang!

With a sharp ring, Gion immediately drew her longsword from Gawain's left.

Gawain calmly lifted his bottle and took a shallow sip, tasting the liquor.

Before him lay a blade that was entirely black, with countless streams of black energy continuously twisting around it.

The tip of the longsword rested steadily before Rayleigh's brow, only an inch away from his forehead.

That inch was occupied by the width of Rayleigh's cane. Rayleigh was holding the darkened cane upright directly before his brow, firmly blocking Gion's blade.

Seeing this, Gawain shrugged at Shakky, while Shakky returned an exasperated eye roll.

The next second, Gawain patted Gion's shoulder.

"So this is your Kompira? It's actually a Black Blade. It's beautiful!"

As he spoke, Gawain pinched Kompira's blade between his fingers and pulled it away from before Rayleigh's brow.

On the other side, once Gion sheathed her sword, Shakky raised her fist.

Thump!

With a dull impact, Shakky drove her fist straight into Rayleigh's head.

"Couldn't you have used your legs and walked over to close the door? Did you really have to show off that little bit of skill?"

"Ah, it hurts just as much as ever. Just what I'd expect from you, Shakky!"

Rayleigh lowered his cane and rubbed his head with his left hand while using his right to scoop up the liquor and drink deeply.

After draining it, Rayleigh placed the bottle on the counter. Freeing up his hand, he gave Gion a thumbs-up.

"What a pure Black Blade. What masterful Armament Haki!"

"You're no different!"

Gion replied coldly.

"Your Emission is incredibly refined, and your Conqueror's Haki is equally masterful.

The Dark King truly lives up to his name!"

The current readership is a little poor, so I hope everyone can help by keeping up with the chapters. That'll give us more chances to get recommended.

Thank you, everyone. Love you all.