Bonus Chapter .
[2300 Words]
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The building housing the tavern featured a unique and eye-catching design that beautifully combined rustic charm with nautical elements, perfectly reflecting the atmosphere of the One Piece world.
The exterior was comprised of a single floor topped with a massive, semi-spherical green dome, lending it a distinctive and unusual character that captured attention from afar. This vibrant green dome stood out as one of the most prominent features, its radiant color breaking the monotony of the structure and evoking a sense of nature and the greenery surrounding it.
Beneath the dome, a classic circular ceiling extended, adorned with arched windows framed in traditional wood, which provided a warm and inviting feel.
The stone walls encircling the building displayed earthy tones, blending shades of gray and light brown, partially covered by creeping vines that cascaded down the walls, enhancing the sense of age and making the tavern seem like a natural part of its environment. It appeared as if this establishment had been constructed decades ago.
The main entrance was robust and prominent, topped with a large wooden sign displaying the tavern's name in bold letters, flanked by simple decorations that added a traditional and cozy touch. Small stone steps led up to the entrance, harmonizing with the overall design and creating an aesthetic balance between sturdiness and warmth.
"Captain, is the interesting person you mentioned earlier here?" Mikita asked softly as she ascended the stone steps, while Kalifa remained silent, waiting for a response from Ren like Mikita, both curious about the identity of the individual in question.
"Yes, he is a legendary figure who has been out of sight for a long time…" Ren replied calmly as he pushed open the wooden door of the tavern.
*Creek~*
Ren glanced around; the tavern showcased a warm interior and a cozy atmosphere that echoed classic and rustic styles. The ceiling was made of wooden planks, slightly sloped to add a touch of quirkiness, while soft lights danced over the wood, imparting a comforting and serene ambiance. The walls were painted in a light wood color with some exposed stone, evoking a sense of simplicity and warmth that reflected traditional vibes. The arched windows, framed elegantly in wood, lined the back wall, allowing natural light to flood the space and adding a gentle brightness.
In the center, a long, polished wooden table stretched out, showing signs of frequent use that hinted at the stories and memories shared within this space. Behind the bar, wooden shelves displayed an array of neatly arranged glass mugs, adorned with a few small paintings and menus, adding a personal touch and making the tavern feel like a beloved refuge for visitors.
On the walls, simple decorations such as a circular rescue sign contributed to the tavern's understated nautical charm. The arrangement of furniture and colors struck a perfect balance between simplicity and elegance, with each piece appearing as if it were part of the rich story and history of the place.
Unfortunately, appearances can be deceiving.
At first glance, this tavern seemed like a safe haven for pirates and outlaws in the Grooves numbered 1 to 30, but an intriguing scene was unfolding at that moment.
A woman exuded confidence and allure, with short black hair and sharp features. She wore a distinctive outfit combining black and pink, with a belt adorned with a heart cinching her waist and white fabric tied around her hips.
Holding a cigarette in one hand and gripping the neck of a massive, bloodied man who was unconscious with the other, she exhaled a puff of smoke and said cheerfully, "How many times have I told you fools not to fight in my tavern?"
Her words were directed at the defeated pirate's companions, who stared at her in terror and shouted in unison, "W-we're sorry, ma'am! We won't do it again!"
The woman tossed the unconscious man at them and said coldly, "Get out of my tavern now, but first, pay for the mess you made!"
Her icy words pierced the hearts of the pirates, sending chills down their spines. In fear and submission, they pulled out every Berrie they had and handed it over with ugly smiles on their faces.
"Now get lost." It seemed the woman's mood had improved, and she allowed the troublesome pirates to leave.
"Yes! Yes! We'll leave immediately! Shakuyaku-sama!" they exclaimed joyfully, seemingly unconcerned about losing their money, with one of them grabbing the unconscious man as they hurried to the exit.
Ren, Mikita, and Kalifa watched this scene with varying expressions. Ren, familiar with Shakuyaku's character from the original work and her method of dealing with troublesome pirates, was not surprised by the unfolding events. Meanwhile, Mikita and Kalifa exchanged mild glances of surprise at the older woman. Is this the one Captain Ren is interested in?
'But she's not that strong…'Mikita thought internally, her hidden eyes beneath the cloak fixed on Shakuyaku.
"Hey! You blind fool, get out of the way!"
The group of pirates who had previously been pardoned shouted at Ren, who stood blocking the doorway. This drew Shakuyaku's attention, causing her to furrow her brow in annoyance.
"Are you still trying to cause trouble? It seems you haven't learned—"
*Boom~!*
Before she could finish, a focused wave of Conqueror's Haki emanated from Ren, knocking the four pirates to the ground.
"…"
Shakuyaku fell silent, recognizing what had just happened. She glanced at Ren, her curiosity mixed with caution.
Just then, an elderly man with white hair emerged from one of the tavern's rooms and regarded Ren calmly.
"Hahaha, what is someone like you doing in this humble tavern?" The old man looked at Ren with a small smile, though a hint of caution flickered in his eyes.
After a brief pause, Ren replied, still looking at the old man, "That question should be directed at a legendary figure like you, right, Dark King Rayleigh?"
"!!!"
The girls behind Ren widened their eyes, but Shakuyaku and Rayleigh remained oblivious, their faces obscured.
Immediately after Ren spoke, Rayleigh regarded him in surprise. "Oh? So you recognized me; the new generation is indeed frightening~"
"But I'm just a simple coating mechanic , I am not the person I once was. You should remember that well."
Ren sensed a shift in Rayleigh's tone from friendly to something resembling a veiled threat. His Observation Haki picked up on the change, yet he remained unfazed, smiling coldly as he removed his hood, revealing his identity. He stared directly at Rayleigh and said, "So what if I do this?"
Shakuyaku, who had been curious about the identity of the cloaked figure, now observed him cautiously. She sensed the atmosphere growing tense as she glanced at Rayleigh from the corner of her eye.
Rayleigh remained silent, studying Ren, seemingly lost in thought.
"…"
Even Mikita and Kalifa, standing behind Ren, were on high alert, their battle instincts kicking in. Although they knew they wouldn't stand a chance against the legendary Dark King, they were ready to protect Ren or at least confront the woman who was calmly smoking her cigarette.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Rehahahaha!"
To the girls' shock, however, Rayleigh and Ren suddenly burst into laughter, the tension evaporating and replaced by a casual ease.
Ren turned to Shakuyaku and said, "Consider me just an ordinary customer; please serve me and my companions your best drinks."
Shakuyaku smiled, maintaining her professional demeanor, as if she had anticipated the outcome of their earlier confrontation. Puffing out smoke, she replied, "Of course~ but let me warn you, our prices are quite steep."
"No problem."
Ren responded in a friendlier tone before addressing the two girls beside him, "Mikita, Kalifa, come sit with us."
The two girls nodded, removing their hoods. Before sitting down, Mikita tossed the unconscious pirates out of the tavern and joined Kalifa and Ren at the table.
Rayleigh approached and sat across from Ren, while Shakuyaku went to prepare their drinks.
Ren studied the legendary old man with keen interest. This individual knew many secrets of the world, including truths that even Ren was unaware of, such as the mystery of One Piece, the Void Century, and the Joy Boy legacy along with its enemies.
'Should I ask him?' The thought crossed his mind, but would Rayleigh truly answer? Unlike his friendly interactions with Luffy and his crew in the original story, Ren doubted Rayleigh would divulge the secrets he and Roger's crew had uncovered after years of hardship gathering the Poneglyphs.
While Ren might not seem interested in a title like the Pirate King, that didn't mean he would ignore the history and reality of the World Government. His goal was to rule this world and overthrow the powerful entity known as the World Government, so knowing their history was essential.
"You seem lost in thought, huh?" Rayleigh's voice broke into Ren's reflections. He looked at the old man and replied, "Don't mind me; I'm actually curious about something."
"Oh? What is it? Go ahead and tell me." Rayleigh regarded the pirate before him calmly, but internally he was stunned by a specific detail.
'This person… he has grown stronger since that war… much stronger. This is strange. Did he hold back before and not reveal his true strength?' Though Rayleigh had retired to live a peaceful life in the Sabaody Archipelago, he couldn't overlook any unknown individual who emerged from obscurity and displayed significant power and deep plans.
He suspected that Ren had concealed his strength during the war because his aura felt different from what it had been at the Paramount War. Even though Rayleigh hadn't been present at Marineford, he could still gauge a person's power and skill from their aura alone. After all, his title as Dark King wasn't just a remnant of the past!
'If my guess is correct, this person is more dangerous than I initially thought!'
Unaware of Rayleigh's thoughts, which were masked by a calm exterior, Ren quickly posed his question: "Did you know that Fire Fist Ace is the son of your captain?"
Immediately after Ren finished speaking, the atmosphere in the bar shifted. Shaki entered, carrying five glasses of wine—three placed in front of Ren and the two girls, and one for the silent Rayleigh, who seemed lost in thought.
After a few moments of silence, Rayleigh spoke in a slightly heavy voice:
"That's true... that kid had a kind heart. Unfortunately, he met you. This makes me wonder something: Did you know Ace's identity when you decided to hand him over to the Marines? Or did you just think he was merely the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and believed handing him over would earn you the World Government's favor?" Rayleigh's tone changed at this moment; his words felt extremely cold.
Rayleigh knew that Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger and had recognized this truth before Ace's execution. He clearly saw the resemblance between Ace's features and Roger's, which heightened his suspicions about Ace's true identity. However, Rayleigh remained silent and respected Roger's dying wish that his former crew not interfere in Ace's life, allowing him to live on his own terms. This knowledge weighed heavily on him, creating an internal struggle between his desire to protect Ace and his loyalty to his friend's request. In the end, he decided not to intervene, leaving Ace's fate to destiny—unfortunately.
Returning to Ren, his expression remained unchanged as he looked at Rayleigh, who seemed to be in a different mood again, unlike the two girls who felt a bit tense. After all, they were in the presence of the legendary Dark King—anyone would feel anxious!
'If I lie, will his Observation Haki pick up on anything? If I get nervous while lying, that could happen... but...' Ren pondered mentally, then smiled coolly, a smile that both Rayleigh and Shaki noticed clearly. The next moment, he activated his "Cold Heart" skill and replied in an icy voice.
"Yes, I knew that... and that's why I handed him over to the Marines. What will you do about it, Dark King Rayleigh?"
"!!!!"
Shaki's and the girls' expressions shifted behind Ren; no one expected him to respond that way. They glanced at Rayleigh, but to their surprise, there was no anger on his face.
"Ah... you really surprised me."
Rayleigh sighed, took a sip of his drink to refresh his throat, then looked at Ren again.
"I think Roger didn't want his former crew to interfere in Ace's journey." He sighed sadly, appearing to reminisce about the man he considered one of his closest friends, then continued: "Ace was a pirate and lost because he was weak. I'm sure Ace was aware of the risks associated with choosing that path."
"As expected from you, Dark King; you're truly unpredictable," Ren remarked as he sipped his cold wine and gazed at Rayleigh with a different look than before.
"But it makes me wonder, with that mind and the power you still possess, have you really decided to retire for good?"
Under Ren's inquisitive gaze, Rayleigh smiled and replied, "As I mentioned earlier, I'm just an old man wanting some peace..." He looked at Shaki, who winked at him while smoking her cigarette. Then he turned his attention back to the pirate and asked, "Now it's my turn to ask you, what is your Dream?"
Silence fell over the bar once again as everyone looked at Ren, four pairs of curious eyes eagerly awaiting his ambition and goals.
Everyone has a dream they strive to achieve, don't they? So, what is the Dream of this pirate who rose to prominence in just three months?
These were the thoughts of Rayleigh and Shaki.
It took less than half a minute before Ren opened his mouth and said:
"My dream is... to unify this world....to unify this world under my grip!"
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To be continued...
-In fact, we haven't reached the 1000 PS, but I've published the Bonus chapter. This is the least I can do in appreciation of your loyalty. See you on Monday.