"Guess I'll be off, then. Seems like you're not exactly thrilled to have me here anyway."
Don shrugged, catching Rayleigh's speechless expression, then rose to his feet.
"Oh, right—if you ever leave Sabaody Archipelago, you should consider heading to Sky Island."
He turned to Shakky as he said that, then strode toward the door.
But just as he reached it, Don suddenly turned back.
"Has Boa Hancock left Sabaody yet?"
Rayleigh froze for a second, then nodded.
"What a shame. I was planning to get her autograph."
Shaking his head with a regretful sigh, Don walked out.
Rayleigh watched him go, staring blankly for a long while before muttering,
"He's just like Roger."
Shakky blinked. "What do you mean?"
"A man who acts purely on his will—doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants. No one can stop people like them."
Rayleigh said quietly.
"You're not wrong."
Shakky thought about it, then nodded in agreement.
"But this time… I doubt he'll walk away unscathed, even with that technique of his."
Rayleigh's voice softened as he recalled their recent sparring matches.
He respected Don's strength and talent.
But for one man to cause chaos here—when the Marines were clearly prepared this time—it was bound to end dangerously.
Don might shake the world with this act, but whether he could survive it, Rayleigh couldn't say.
"You're not thinking of getting involved, are you?"
Shakky eyed him sharply.
"Of course not. I'm retired. It's not my era anymore."
Rayleigh immediately shook his head.
A man of the sea makes his own choices—and bears the consequences.
As that thought surfaced, the image of Roger leaving all those years ago flashed in Rayleigh's mind.
It had already been… more than a decade.
"Almost two years now, huh?"
Don muttered as he strolled through the streets of Sabaody Archipelago, sword in hand, a wistful look on his face.
Back then, he just wanted to live quietly in this world.
But as his power grew, that desire slowly changed.
"I said I'd be cautious… yet here I am, doing the opposite."
He spoke to himself softly.
Still, within the limits of his ability, taking action wasn't necessarily wrong—as long as he left himself an escape route.
He hadn't experienced a true life-or-death battle yet, nor did he particularly want to.
Turning his gaze toward the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, Don's eyes sharpened.
If that man decided to make a move this time, he'd test the extent of his power.
If not… he'd wait until he was certain of victory.
After all, [Unyielding] didn't last long enough yet.
"Come out."
Don stopped walking.
From the shadows emerged Crocodile, cigar in mouth, and behind him—Enel, the thunder god himself.
"Is your business done?" Crocodile asked, noting Don was alone.
"Issho and Robin will leave first—they're heading to Fishman Island."
Don turned to face them.
"They're leaving first? So what are you planning?"
Crocodile frowned.
"Something big. You already know that."
Don's tone was calm.
"I thought you were joking."
Crocodile's expression stiffened as he gave Don a wary look.
"I never joke."
Don's reply was simple.
Crap, Crocodile thought grimly.
"If you go too far this time, the Marines will retaliate hard. Be ready for that."
Don warned.
"I'm starting to wonder if joining you was a mistake."
Crocodile muttered dryly.
"Well, it's too late now."
Don smirked, then looked toward Enel, who was standing straight like a soldier.
"So, how is it? The colorful, chaotic 'Blue Sea'—more exciting than Skypiea?"
"Exciting!" Enel answered immediately, eyes sparkling.
"Then… do you still want to go back?"
"Go back!"
Enel nodded again without hesitation.
"So decisive? Not even a moment's doubt?"
"Not at all!"
His answer came as fast as lightning.
Don chuckled helplessly.
"Jinbe's here too—at the auction house in Area 1. The slaves being sold include Fishmen. What's our move?"
Crocodile didn't seem particularly concerned about Don's warning of Marine retaliation.
After all, back when he wasn't a Warlord, he'd faced similar situations before.
"You don't need to interfere. This one's on me. You'll just have to brace yourselves for the aftershocks."
With that, Don turned and started walking again, Crocodile following a few paces behind.
"Area 16—it's completely under your control now?"
"Yeah. Not hard. This part of Sabaody's basically lawless, so I've got plenty of methods to use."
"I helped a lot too!"
Enel puffed out his chest proudly, clearly fishing for praise.
"Keep your power under wraps for now. Don't show it."
Don shot him a sidelong glance.
The [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] was infamous—just like the [Flame-Flame Fruit]—and far too eye-catching.
While Enel could annihilate weaker foes with ease, his flaws were glaring against true monsters.
"Teach him to use Armament Haki as soon as possible."
"Understood."
Crocodile nodded.
Enel was a useful ally—and an easily manipulated one at that.
The stronger he got, the better it was for everyone.
"Let me remind you again—this time, it's my fight alone. Don't get involved."
Don halted and looked back at the two.
"Got it."
Crocodile's tone turned serious as he nodded.
"Oh, right. The slave ships—have they arrived?"
"They have. And according to my intel, the people behind the auction are going all out this time. The shipment includes three Devil Fruits."
Crocodile's gaze sharpened.
"Oh?"
Don's brows rose.
"Yeah. Three fruits—all from the same owner, apparently. One Zoan, one Paramecia, and the last—a Mythical Zoan. No word yet on what exactly they are, but they'll reveal that once the auction begins."
"A lavish move indeed."
Don nodded lightly.
Looks like the pressure he'd put on Doflamingo was working—forcing him to pull out something this grand.
"If those three fruits are real, I'll take them. They'll serve nicely as prizes for the first exam."
He waved dismissively.
"Don't follow me. Call me when the auction starts."
Don strode off into the night, leaving the two behind.
Enel watched his retreating figure, sparks flickering around his temples.
"So he's planning to steal them?" he asked excitedly.
"He said not to interfere."
Crocodile's voice carried a warning edge.
The man beside him might be strong—but his mind worked in strange ways.
END OF CHAPTER
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