At the northwestern direction of the 13th Grove, a small, solitary bar sat atop a giant tree root.
Saint Gawain and Gion made their way along the path to the steps leading to the tree root when Gion frowned.
Clack!
Gion tightened her grip on the Konpira knife at her waist and used her right hand to halt Gawain's advance.
"Sir, there's a strong presence over there!"
"No need to be on guard; it's just an old man. He hasn't been a pirate for a long time."
Gawain chuckled and shook his head, then ignored Gion's hand and casually stepped up the stairs.
When he reached the top of the tree root, about twenty meters from the bar, the door finally swung open.
Shakky stepped out, a cigarette dangling from her lips, revealing a teasing smile at Gawain.
"Well, well, it's a rare guest! Saint Gawain, is it? I've run this bar for decades, and this is my first time hosting a Celestial Dragon. Do I need to kneel?"
"Shakky, your information network is always so sharp. I only left Mary Geoise yesterday, and my name has already reached your ears."
Gawain replied with a light laugh and shook his head. "As for kneeling, that's unnecessary. But if you enjoy kneeling, you might want to seek out my hooded compatriots; they'd appreciate that."
"Haha, their appreciation isn't a good thing!"
Shakky shook her head, puffing out a smoke ring, then stepped aside to gesture toward the door. "If you're here to see Shakky and Rayleigh, then come on in."
"Oh?"
In response to Shakky's invitation, Gawain tilted his head slightly. He maintained his previous smile, but for some reason, he seemed a bit dangerous at that moment. He asked softly, "But what if I want to see the Dark King and Shakuyaku?"
"Uh, being so sharp-tongued isn't a good thing, kid. But whatever—whoever you're looking for, come on in."
With a slight tilt of her cigarette, Shakky stepped back into the bar, and beside her, Rayleigh wore a bitter smile as he rubbed his cane.
Outside, Gawain paused for a moment, then turned back to Gion with a playful remark. "You see, the old-timers are always calling us 'kids.' We can't even feel offended."
With that, Gawain strode fearlessly into Shakky's bar.
Upon seeing the Dark King and Shakuyaku standing before him, Gawain lightly clapped his hands.
"You two old-timers, please don't just add 'little' before other people's names, and stop calling us 'kids.' It doesn't sound cool and just makes you both seem older."
After saying that, Gawain glanced around and took a seat at the booth closest to the bar.
Propping his hands on the bar, he didn't look back at Shakky and Rayleigh but asked, "Bring me some drinks—whatever you like. And do you have any snacks? I can't just drink while staring at your expressions."
"Of course!"
Shakky replied lazily, her brows relaxing as she returned to her usual charming demeanor. She patted Rayleigh on the shoulder and smiled. "Come on, Rayleigh, Saint Gawain is here to drink. Don't be so tense. And that little lady over there, Gawain doesn't want me to compliment your youth. That's not good for us girls, so remember to teach him a lesson."
With that, Shakky returned to the bar, swiftly popping open a bottle of rum for Gawain.
Placing the drink in front of him, Shakky quickly rummaged through a nearby fridge.
Before long, Gawain found two plates of dried fruit, a cup of herbal tea, and… a cotton candy before him.
"Here."
Shakky held out the cotton candy to Gawain, gesturing towards Gion. "This is a great gift for that girl, but you'd better deliver it yourself. Hurry, or you might notice those two looking like they're about to tear down my little establishment."
"Haha, I suppose I should listen to you on this one. Thanks!"
Gawain smiled as he took the cotton candy and waved it toward Gion, who was building up tension at the entrance.
"Gion, come sit! This cotton candy is a specialty here."
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing Gawain's words, Gion took a deep breath, gathering her Armament Haki and Observation Haki, then letting it all dissipate.
Across from her, seeing Gion relax, Rayleigh chuckled softly. "Not bad at all! I thought my old bones would fall apart today, but it turns out I can still enjoy a few more drinks. Haha!"
As he laughed, Rayleigh made way for Gion, leisurely strolling over to Gawain's right side, ready to sit down.
But just as Rayleigh was about to sit on the booth, Gion quickly stepped in and placed the sheath of her Konpira beneath him.
"This is my spot!"
With a stern face, Gion shoved Rayleigh to the right. She needed to sit between Rayleigh and Saint Gawain to effectively counter any sudden attacks Rayleigh might make against Gawain.
Seeing Gion's firm stance, Rayleigh wasn't angry; instead, he laughed and planned to switch seats. However, before he could rise, Gawain reached out and grabbed Gion's small arm.
Gion's arm muscles were taut, clearly showing that she was focused and tense.
So, Gawain gently squeezed her wrist and pulled her over to his left. "Come sit on my left; I can't let you sit next to that old pervert Rayleigh."
As he spoke, Gawain settled Gion in the booth beside him and handed her the cotton candy. "I've already said this is a rest day; work can wait. I didn't get a chance to buy you anything nice before, so here's some cotton candy. I hope it's sweet enough."
With that, Gawain turned his attention to the right, naturally placing a hand on Rayleigh's shoulder to guide him into the booth on his right.
Retracting his hand from Rayleigh's shoulder, Gawain nudged him lightly with his elbow. "You can sit too, but don't think you can sit next to Gion. I know your type, tsk tsk."
"Alright, looks like my reputation has reached Mary Geoise."
Rayleigh chuckled. "But you're thinking too much, Gawain. I'm pretty old; at my age, I can't do much anymore. Hahaha!"
Rayleigh laughed heartily and slapped the bar, then turned to Shakky. "Shakky, why are you only pouring drinks for Gawain? Don't I get a share? Although I'm old, in terms of charm, I'm still on par with Gawain. Please don't treat us differently!"
"Hehe…"
Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke and tossed a bottle of alcohol into Rayleigh's hands.
Taking advantage of Rayleigh opening the bottle, Shakky glanced at Gawain and then at the door, asking, "Should I close the door? No one wants to drink while being watched by guards, right?"
"Go ahead."
Gawain turned his head and waved to the guards outside. "Wait down the stairs."
As he spoke, Rayleigh pursed his lips. Suddenly, an invisible Conqueror's Haki swept through the air, causing the door of the bar to slam shut behind them.
At the same time—
Crash!
With a crisp sound, Gion swiftly drew her long knife.
Gawain, unfazed, casually lifted the bottle and took a small sip, savoring the flavor of the drink.
Before him, a pitch-black blade, constantly swirling with dark energy, was positioned directly at Rayleigh's forehead, its tip only an inch away from him.
That inch was the width of Rayleigh's cane, which he had raised to block the blade firmly.
Seeing this, Gawain shrugged at Shakky, who returned his gaze with an exasperated roll of her eyes.
The next second, Gawain patted Gion on the shoulder. "So this is your Konpira? It's a beautiful black blade!"
As he spoke, Gawain pinched the blade's body with his fingers and lifted the Konpira away from Rayleigh's forehead.
On the other side, once Gion sheathed her knife, Shakky extended her fist.
Thud!
With a muffled sound, Shakky's fist landed on Rayleigh's head. "Can't you just use your legs to close the door? Must you show off that little skill of yours?"
"Uh, still as painful as ever! You haven't changed, Shakky!"
Rayleigh put down his cane, using his left hand to rub his head while taking a big swig of his drink with his right hand.
After downing the drink, Rayleigh set the bottle on the bar, freeing his hand to give Gion a thumbs-up. "What a pure black blade and such skilled Armament Haki!"
"You're the same!"
Gion replied coldly. "Incredibly proficient in long-range attacks and highly skilled in Conqueror's Haki. Truly worthy of the Dark King!"