"Hey, hey, hey!"Gern immediately bristled, turning on Rayleigh with mock outrage.
"Silvers Rayleigh, you relic of the old era—cut it out with that instigating nonsense!What do you mean 'living under someone else'? Don't spout that crap!This is called a union of the strong, joining forces to build a bright future together! Got it?!"
Despite the scolding, there was no real anger in his voice. If anything, it sounded more like playful ribbing between old acquaintances.
Rayleigh looked at Gern's blatantly protective stance, then glanced at Hawk-Eye's sharply chiseled profile—utterly unmoved, as cold and aloof as ever.
For a moment, Rayleigh froze—then burst out laughing.
"Ahahahaha! Alright, alright, my mistake." He waved his hand dismissively, laughter still echoing."A union of the strong, indeed. A true union of the strong.Looks like this sea is about to get a whole lot livelier because of you two."
At that moment, Shakky emerged from the wrecked bar, stepping over debris with practiced ease. In her hand was a thick bundle of banknotes—the five million Beli that the pirates had "voluntarily" paid. She shot the three men an annoyed glare.
"If you're going to reminisce, could you at least do it somewhere else?" she snapped."Look at the state of my shop. Who's paying for the repairs?"
Gern, Rayleigh, and Mihawk exchanged glances.
Gern rubbed his chin and turned toward Rayleigh."Come to think of it, Rayleigh—why were you rushing back like that earlier? Run out of money for booze again and planning to 'earn' some extra on the side?"
Rayleigh coughed awkwardly, his old face stiffening."Ahem… well… that is…"
Gern flashed an I-know-exactly-what-you-mean smile and pointed at the money in Shakky's hand."Perfect timing, then. Let's say this five million is on me and Mihawk.The rest—consider it sponsorship for your bar's, uh… 'renovation.'"
...
Gern and Mihawk didn't linger long at the Knocking Bamboo Bar.
Once their barely-counted-as-a-reunion with Rayleigh and Shakky ended, Gern picked up his hat, settled it back on his head, and waved casually at Rayleigh.
"We're heading out, old man. Take care of yourself—don't let the next time we meet be the day you're too old to swing a sword."
Mihawk was even more direct.
Without saying a word, he pulled the Black Blade Yoru from the ground, slung it back over his shoulder, and turned away—never once sparing Rayleigh or Shakky a glance—as he followed Gern out of the ruined bar.
Their figures quickly vanished into the labyrinthine streets of the Sabaody Archipelago, as though they had never been there at all.
All that remained was devastation—and a group of shaken pirates scrambling to pay compensation.
Inside the shattered bar, the only sounds left were the soft drip of spilled liquor and the rough breathing of those still recovering.
Rayleigh walked over to the only counter that remained more or less intact and sat down on a barstool.
Silently, Shakky dug through the wreckage, retrieved a surviving glass and an unopened bottle, and poured him a drink.
Rayleigh lifted the glass—but didn't drink right away. Half his face was swallowed by shadow, his expression heavy and contemplative, devoid of the lazy humor from before.
Shakky lit herself a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled slowly.
Her gaze swept over the bar, which looked as though it had been ravaged by a hurricane. She let out a cold chuckle, her voice sharp with clarity.
"He was warning you, old Ray."
Gern may have joked around—and even paid compensation in the end—but the very fact that he chose to appear here, bringing Mihawk with him, and crushed any possibility of resistance with overwhelming force…
That alone was a silent yet unmistakable act of deterrence.
Rayleigh gave a quiet laugh, though it carried a complex weight."Yeah… a warning. His strength has grown far beyond what it was back then—so deep it's unfathomable.And did you notice? Aside from Bullet, now even someone like Hawk-Eye Mihawk has openly acknowledged him and joined under his banner…"
He drained the glass in one go, his eyes unfocused."I honestly didn't see it back then. Thought the kid was just strong and reckless.Didn't realize he also had this kind of… charisma.Or maybe it's better to call it the kind of presence that makes people unable not to follow."
Setting the empty glass down, Rayleigh turned to Shakky, who was cleaning the counter. His tone sharpened.
"He was alone with you for a bit earlier. Whose information did he take?"
Shakky paused mid-wipe. Without lifting her head, she answered flatly:
"North Blue. Dias Island.The Donquixote Family.Doflamingo."
Rayleigh's brow immediately furrowed."'Joker'? That fallen Celestial Dragon brat? Why would Gern suddenly take an interest in him…?"
"No idea."Shakky tossed the rag aside and crushed her cigarette into the ashtray with force. Her expression hardened as she looked straight at Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh—seriously.If earlier… those two had chosen to fight you…"
She didn't finish the sentence. She didn't need to.
Rayleigh was silent for a moment. Then he poured himself another drink. His eyes were calm, unwavering—no hesitation whatsoever as he gave his answer.
"I would die."
He downed the liquor in one gulp, his throat bobbing as his voice dropped low, firm, unmistakably clear.
"The current me has zero chance against him going all out.And with Hawk-Eye Mihawk watching from the side… I doubt I'd even have a real chance to escape."
He admitted it plainly—without bitterness, without resentment—only clear-eyed acceptance and a gravity that couldn't be hidden.
"This sea…" Rayleigh murmured, gazing at the illusory sunlight outside Sabaody,"…is about to be swept up in a storm unlike anything before."
Gern's rise—its ferocity, its ambition—had already surpassed what remnants of the old era like them could have imagined.
"A storm…" Shakky echoed softly.
"Suspend all intelligence work," Rayleigh said, turning to her, his voice calm but absolute."Especially anything related to G-10 Base.And tell Shanks…"
He paused, his words cutting through the silence like a dull blade.
"Once he enters the New World, under no circumstances should he try to carve out even a single share from G-10's sphere of influence."
Shakky raised an eyebrow."Aren't you the one who always believed in him? Said he was the most qualified to become the next—"
"The prerequisite for being qualified," Rayleigh said quietly, lifting his eyes—
A flash of lightning passed outside the window, reflected in his aged pupils.
"Is staying alive."
...