"Hey, hey, hey!" Gern protested from the side, rounding on Rayleigh.
"Silvers Rayleigh, you relic of the old era, quit trying to drive a wedge between us!
What the hell do you mean, living under someone else's roof? This is an alliance of powerhouses, building a brighter future together! Got it?"
Though he was cursing, his tone wasn't serious. It sounded more like old friends trading jabs.
Rayleigh looked at Gern's fiercely protective expression, then at Hawk-Eye's cold profile, entirely unaffected.
He couldn't help bursting into laughter, and the lingering doubts and tension in his heart melted away.
"Hahahaha! All right, all right, this old man misspoke." Rayleigh waved a hand, laughing. "An alliance of powerhouses. It certainly is.
Looks like you two are going to make these seas even livelier."
Just then, Shakky emerged from the wrecked bar, still holding the five million Beli the pirates had "voluntarily" paid in compensation. She shot the three men an irritated look.
"Can't you take your reunion somewhere else? Look what you've done to my bar! Who's paying for the repairs?"
Gern, Rayleigh, and Hawk-Eye exchanged glances.
Gern rubbed his chin and turned his gaze to Rayleigh. "Speaking of which, Rayleigh, did you rush back here because you'd run out of drinking money again and wanted to 'earn' a little on the side?"
Rayleigh suddenly looked embarrassed. "Ahem... well..."
Gern gave him an understanding smile and pointed at the money in Shakky's hands. "Perfect, then. Consider that five million Beli a treat from Mihawk and me.
Whatever's left can be our contribution toward... hmm, 'renovating' your bar."
Gern and Mihawk didn't linger at Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Once their not-quite-reunion with Rayleigh and Shakky was over, Gern picked up his hat, put it back on, and waved casually at Rayleigh. "We're off,