The Shadowed Cliffs fortress buzzed with activity as Raizer Phoenix prepared for one of the most significant moments in his burgeoning empire. His peerage—his hand-picked team of legends—had been summoned to the throne room.
The chamber itself was a masterpiece of power and prestige. A grand circular table had been installed at its center, crafted from black obsidian and inlaid with veins of glowing gold. Around it were twelve unique chairs, each designed to reflect the personality and presence of its occupant.
Garp's chair was rough and sturdy, carved from volcanic rock as if to shout, this guy punches cliffs for fun. Mihawk's chair was elegant and sharp, made of polished black steel that gleamed faintly in the firelight. Shiki's seat floated slightly off the ground, because of course it did.
And Raizer? He sat in a throne of carved phoenix feathers, flames flickering along its edges. Subtle.
He leaned back and sighed, staring at the table. Knights of the Round, huh? I just wanted to call it 'Council of Badasses,' but nooo, everyone said it had to sound classy.
Gathering the Team
The first to arrive, predictably, was Garp. His heavy footsteps echoed in the chamber as he strode in, grinning ear to ear.
"BAHAHAHA! You actually did it! A round table! What's next, you gonna pull a sword out of a rock?"
Raizer raised an eyebrow. "Funny you say that. I did summon Shodai Kitetsu recently. If you want me to stab it into a rock and pull it out for effect, I could arrange it."
Garp slapped his knee, laughing loudly. "You really are full of surprises, kid!"
Before Raizer could respond, Whitebeard entered, his booming voice cutting through the noise. "Garp, quit yapping. I'm here for the wine you promised, Raizer."
Raizer rolled his eyes. "You didn't even wait for the meeting to start."
"I'm a simple man," Whitebeard replied, settling into his massive chair, which creaked under his weight. "Give me wine and a good fight, and I'm happy."
Next came Gol D. Roger, grinning like a man who had never once thought about responsibility. "So, what's this about, Raizer? Another grand plan to take over the underworld? Or are we forming a band?"
Raizer smirked. "Depends. Can you play an instrument?"
Roger laughed as he plopped into his chair, tossing his hat onto the table. "I'll figure it out. How hard could it be?"
A Full House
The room gradually filled as the rest of the peerage arrived. Mihawk entered silently, his piercing gaze briefly scanning the table. He claimed his seat with the dignity of someone who clearly thought this was all beneath him.
"Nice table," Mihawk remarked dryly. "Very dramatic. I assume you'll have us swear oaths next?"
"Only if you're feeling sentimental," Raizer replied with a grin.
Shiki floated in next, his chair rising to meet him as he entered. "A round table, huh? Guess it suits you, Raizer. Always playing at being noble and mysterious."
"Glad you approve, Shiki," Raizer said. "I wasn't sure if it was dramatic enough for you."
Shiki grinned. "I'd have gone with a floating table myself, but hey, you do you."
Yubelluna followed shortly after, her elegant stride a contrast to the chaotic energy of the room. She glanced around at the assembled legends and sighed. "You could have at least waited until the meeting started before turning this into a circus."
Finally, the remaining Admirals—Akainu, Kuzan, Greenbull, and Fujitora—arrived. Akainu's stern presence immediately quieted the room, though Kuzan's lazy smirk did its best to counteract it.
"Are we here to talk or just exchange jokes?" Akainu growled, taking his seat.
"Both," Kuzan replied, slipping into his chair with a relaxed sigh. "It's good for morale."
Greenbull grinned as he leaned back, vines curling lazily around his seat. "This is definitely the most colorful group I've ever seen."
Fujitora nodded politely, his cane sword tapping lightly against the floor. "It seems we've gathered quite the council."
The Plan Unveiled
Raizer stood, his golden eyes sweeping over the assembled group. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. This was his team—an unstoppable force that would shape the future of the Shadowed Cliffs.
"Thank you all for coming," Raizer began, his voice calm but firm. "We've achieved much already. The Shadowed Cliffs are no longer just a fortress—they are the foundation of an empire. But if we're going to build something lasting, we need more than strength. We need structure."
He gestured to the table. "This is the Knights of the Round Table. Each of you will take on a specific role, overseeing a critical aspect of our empire. Together, we'll ensure that our territory thrives, and that no one can challenge us."
The room fell silent for a moment before Roger broke it. "Wait, so does that make you King Arthur? Should we start calling you that?"
Raizer sighed. "No, Roger. Just… no."
Assigning Roles
Raizer pointed to Garp and Sengoku. "Garp, Sengoku, you'll oversee our defense and troop training. Garp, I want our troops tough enough to stand against mid-level devils without flinching. Sengoku, you'll handle discipline and strategy."
"BAHAHAHA!" Garp roared. "No problem! I'll whip them into shape in no time. A few punches should do it."
Sengoku frowned. "Punching isn't a training strategy, Garp."
"It's worked for me!" Garp countered, laughing harder.
Raizer moved on quickly, before Sengoku could argue. "Akainu, Kuzan, Greenbull, Fujitora—you'll lead our elite units. Each of you has unique strengths, and I expect you to use them to train troops that can match even high-level devils."
Akainu nodded, his expression hard. "Consider it done. I'll ensure they're disciplined and ready for war."
"Great," Kuzan said, yawning. "I'll make sure they don't get too uptight."
Greenbull smirked. "And I'll handle the ones who don't cut it."
Fujitora's tone was calm but firm. "Strength and purpose must go hand in hand. I'll make sure they understand both."
Raizer turned to Yubelluna and Beckman. "Yubelluna, you'll continue overseeing our trade and diplomacy. Beckman, you'll assist her. Your combined expertise will keep our alliances strong."
Beckman raised an eyebrow. "So I'm her assistant now?"
Yubelluna shot him a sharp look. "Unless you'd rather negotiate with naga queens yourself."
Beckman chuckled, raising his hands. "Fair point."
Raizer addressed Roger and Shiki next. "Roger, you'll lead our expansion efforts. Shiki, you'll assist him. I want new territories secured without drawing unnecessary attention."
Roger grinned. "Who says we can't make a little noise?"
Shiki laughed. "I'm with him. Subtlety's overrated."
Finally, Raizer turned to Whitebeard and Mihawk. "Whitebeard, you'll serve as my advisor, guiding our long-term strategy. Mihawk, you'll focus on analyzing threats and opportunities."
Whitebeard nodded. "You've got ambition, Raizer. I'll make sure it doesn't blind you."
Mihawk smirked faintly. "And I'll make sure nothing catches us off guard."
Final Words
With the roles assigned, Raizer stepped back, his golden eyes burning with determination. "This isn't just a council. This is the heart of our empire. Each of you brings something unique to the table, and together, we're unstoppable. The underworld will come to respect and fear the name of the Shadowed Cliffs—and the Knights of the Round."
Roger clapped his hands. "Alright, speeches are done. When do we start conquering stuff?"
Raizer chuckled. "Soon, Roger. Soon."
As the meeting ended, the room filled with banter and laughter, the camaraderie of the peerage as unshakable as their combined strength.
And so, the Knights of the Round Table began their work, united under Raizer Phoenix's vision—a force that would change the underworld forever.
This casual and interactive version of Chapter 18 adds humor and personality to the characters while maintaining the strategic focus. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to expand or adjust!