Hawk-Eye's sudden attack even left Don slightly stunned.
What the hell was this guy doing?
The black blade Yoru, wreathed in Armament Haki, swung down hard. A longsword of condensed golden light met it in midair, the clash splitting the entire house clean in two.
Don narrowed his eyes, watching the sword of pure light in Kizaru's hand.
Impressive. A sword formed purely from light, yet sturdy enough to block a Haki-imbued black blade.
Then again, that made sense. Once an element is materialized, Haki can touch it—but that doesn't mean it can dispel the elemental form.
"You're paying for the house!"
Don's words broke through the growing tension between the two.
The air froze instantly.
"What you said earlier—better not let the Marines hear it."
Mihawk turned his head slightly, his tone serious.
Anything involving the Celestial Dragons wasn't to be taken lightly—even for a Marine Admiral.
"It's fine. I was planning to tell the Marines in advance anyway."
Don waved it off.
At that, Kizaru's expression finally shifted.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
To him, Don's nerve was absurd—saying he'd attack the Celestial Dragons right in front of an Admiral.
"You already know what."
Don stepped forward. Kizaru retreated a step back as Mihawk sheathed his blade once more.
Kizaru eyed Don, then casually tossed over a Den Den Mushi.
"Someone wants to talk to you."
With that, he turned around and dissolved into motes of golden light, vanishing on the spot.
Don stared at the Den Den Mushi in his hand. He could already guess who was calling. After all, there weren't many who could order around an Admiral.
"Buru buru buru…"
It didn't take long before the snail's eyes opened.
Don sat down, glanced at Mihawk, and answered.
"This is Sengoku."
The deep, steady voice of the Fleet Admiral came through.
Mihawk's pupils tightened, silently watching the snail in Don's hand.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku. What business do you have with me?"
Don asked calmly, unsurprised.
"If I tell you to leave Sabaody Archipelago right now, I assume you won't agree."
"Oh? What if I said I might?"
Don raised a brow.
"So, you agree to leave Sabaody now?"
"Nope."
Don replied flatly.
A long silence followed. Sengoku seemed to be adjusting to Don's conversational style.
"I'm not here to joke around."
Sengoku's tone hardened.
"Then what is it you want from me?"
Don asked lazily.
"My bottom line—you can't touch the Celestial Dragons. Anything else, I'll overlook."
"Well, that's not something I can promise."
"I've spoken to Garp about you before. Don the Pirate Hunter—perhaps you don't understand the consequences of attacking a Celestial Dragon."
"Oh, I understand perfectly."
"If they're harmed, the entire Sabaody Archipelago will pay the price."
"So… you're threatening me now?"
Don blinked, his voice full of mock surprise.
"Why would you think I care about that?"
"What about your Hunter Guild, then? If they're wiped out because of this?"
"Then I chose the wrong people. I'll just find new ones and build another guild somewhere else."
Don's voice was calm and matter-of-fact.
Sengoku's "warning" had clearly backfired. Don saw right through it—he knew Sengoku wasn't saying these things without intent.
The old man had another plan in mind.
"If that's how it is, then I'll send Admiral Sakazuki and Admiral Borsalino. If you can handle both, be my guest."
The line clicked dead.
Don stared at the Den Den Mushi, thoughtful.
So that's his play. Sengoku had another agenda here.
His opponents this time… only two Admirals?
Mary Geoise wouldn't be sending anyone.
Closing his eyes briefly, Don pocketed the snail and rose to his feet.
"Night's fallen. I'm going out."
Outside, the skies had dimmed—but on Sabaody, light still shimmered everywhere, glowing softly from the bubbles of the mangrove trees.
Mihawk silently watched Don's back as he left. The conversation with Sengoku had raised more questions than answers.
Soon after, Don found Rayleigh.
"So, you want me to coat your ship tomorrow, but you're not leaving?"
Rayleigh asked, frowning slightly.
"I'm not. Still have business here."
Don waved toward Shakky, who slid a glass of juice down the counter toward him.
"The coating's fine, but you're really going after the Celestial Dragons? That's not your real goal, is it?"
Rayleigh's sharp gaze probed him.
He'd always thought Don was a rational man—but right now, he didn't seem like it.
"Since I came to this world, there are some things I have to do. But this time, no—attacking them isn't the real objective."
Don looked at him and smiled faintly.
"Not this time."
Rayleigh's expression twitched.
So maybe next time, then?
He gulped down a swig of wine, frowning in confusion.
"…So, tell me," Don suddenly said, "what kind of title do you think sounds cool?"
"Huh?"
Rayleigh blinked, thrown completely off track.
"'Dark King' Rayleigh, 'Beast' Kaido, 'Pirate King' Roger—see? All their epithets are bold and memorable."
Don rubbed his chin, musing aloud.
"You don't get to pick that yourself. People give you those titles."
Rayleigh shook his head.
"Oh, I can decide it."
Don said confidently, eyes gleaming in thought.
"What should I pick, though? Can't exactly call myself the 'Hunter King'—that's so tacky."
Shakky and Rayleigh exchanged looks.
This guy's insane.
Maybe we should back away slowly.
"…Why do I feel like you're both thinking something rude?"
Don glanced between them.
"No, no," Rayleigh said quickly, "a name just needs to be memorable. What matters is the person behind it. Even a simple title becomes great when it represents someone powerful."
"That's true!"
Don nodded in surprise. "Decades on the seas haven't dulled your wisdom, old man."
Rayleigh: …
You never praised me when I helped you master Conqueror's Haki… but this earns a compliment?
END OF CHAPTER
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