Alone and Infinite.

Chapter 624 Rayleigh's Shock (He's Sick Again.)

The tables and chairs in the restaurant had all been moved aside, making the entire restaurant unusually empty.

On a square table in the middle, various foods were laid out. In addition to the usual snacks to accompany drinks, there was a pot that was bubbling away. With the rising steam, a unique aroma began to waft out, carrying a spicy scent.

When the aroma of the wine in the glass mingled with it, Rayleigh couldn't help but move his throat up and down.

But the scene before him still left him somewhat bewildered. He had received news that two admirals had suddenly appeared at Shakky's restaurant, and he thought that the World Government and the Navy had finally lost their patience and were about to take action against him.

After preparing for a major battle, Rayleigh rushed over, only to find that the scene before him was completely different from what he had imagined.

Where is the tense standoff? Where is the hostage situation? Where is Xia Qi looking at me with teary eyes as if I were her savior?

What does it mean that the three of you are sitting at the same table, drinking one cup after another?
Rayleigh pondered for a while, but still had no clue about the scene before him. However, it seemed unlikely that he would take action immediately.

That's true. If a war really breaks out, I'm afraid a large part of the Sabaody Archipelago will be destroyed.

"Rayleigh! Come quick, we're waiting for you—"

Shakky turned to the side and waved to Rayleigh incessantly, her expression as if she were attending a friend's gathering.

Rayleigh remained silent for a moment, then cautiously walked over. As soon as he got close, his attention was drawn to the strange thing on the table.

This is a small pot with a small flame heating it up underneath. The spicy-looking red broth is bubbling away, releasing a unique aroma with each boil.

Next to the pot were rows of pretty white plates, filled with neatly cut vegetables, all of which were raw.

"Rayle, you should try it, it tastes really good."

Shakky picked up a slice of beef, as thin as paper, with her chopsticks and put it into the boiling soup. In just a few seconds, the thin slice of beef curled up and changed color. Then, Shakky dipped it in a small dish of mixed sauce and held the chopsticks to Rayleigh's mouth.

Rayleigh frowned, his mind filled with more concern about what the two naval generals' purpose was in coming here.

But seeing Shakky's smiling face and the barely perceptible worry and fear in her eyes, Rayleigh felt a chill. He understood what Shakky meant—avoid conflict if possible.

Releasing a reassuring look to Shakky, Rayleigh took the meat Shakky offered him but didn't eat it right away. Instead, he poured himself a full glass of wine.

"I've been here for many years."

Rayleigh raised his glass to his lips, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"I thought I had reached an understanding with the Navy, but I never expected that two admirals would come to visit me in person today."

He took a big gulp, letting the wine stains slide down his chin and onto his messy stubble. This old man, who was becoming more and more like a dangerous old lion, slammed his wine glass heavily on the table with an air of arrogance.

"So let's stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want from this old man."

Li Xia picked up a piece of fatty lamb roll, dipped it in the sauce, and watched as Kizaru across from him didn't even want to say a word. His thick coat was already hanging on the back of a chair not far away, and most of the buttons on his suit jacket were undone. His sunglasses were pushed up to his forehead as he ate, sweating profusely, yet he couldn't help himself.

"We're here to eat."

Li Xia didn't even look up, continuing to cook her hot pot. The broth was made by herself from charcoal bought from the palace.

He used the large bones of the Sigma Demon Bull, and even the chili peppers he stir-fried were grown in his own extraordinary garden in his personal space. He also added many spices from other worlds, making the flavor incredibly fragrant. So, a large part of his purpose was indeed for the meal.

Watching the two generals engrossed in their food, and even Shakky constantly reaching for her chopsticks, Rayleigh said with some suspicion:

"Are you really just here to eat?"

"How terrifying. Now, even eating makes people suspicious?"

Kizaru raised his ice-cold beer, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp, then comfortably squinted his eyes.
"A retired old man like you, as long as you don't cause any trouble, no one will be interested in you. We're only here because Xia said he'd treat me to a nice meal?"

Kizaru happily picked up a few more slices of fatty beef, dipped them in the hot pot to warm them up, and then stuffed them into his mouth.
"Although I don't really understand what 'pretty food' means, it was indeed very delicious."

Looking at the two generals who were completely unpretentious and seemed to not even take him seriously, Rayleigh remained silent for a while, then suddenly couldn't hold back anymore.

He had considered many possibilities, but he never thought that these two were really just here for a meal. As for why they were here, Rayleigh had already come up with a reason for them.

Because in the entire Sabaody Archipelago, only Shakky has a unique beer, a secret recipe passed down for a long time and unique to the Kingdom of Women.

As the former Queen of the Women's Kingdom, Xia Qi naturally knew how to brew beer.

Despite his ability to understand, Rayleigh felt incredibly disappointed. When he learned that the two generals had come to visit, he felt not only nervousness and confusion, but also a subtle yet undeniable sense of pride.

Although Rayleigh is old, he still has an undeniable reputation and deterrent power, which is why he has to send two admirals. Looking at the whole world, no other pirate can enjoy the pursuit of two admirals at the same time!

But now Kizaru and Natsu have told him personally—don't overthink it, it has nothing to do with you. We're just having a meal together. The reason we came here is because your wife has good wine.

It's like a lazy high school boy sitting in the back row by the window who mistakenly thinks the school beauty is interested in him, only to find out when he confesses that she's only interested in his family's small restaurant.

Even though Rayleigh was already an old man in his seventies, he was still quite annoyed by this.

He remained silent for a while before picking up the meat that Xia Qi had cooked earlier from the bowl, glancing at it with a hint of disdain.

Think of Rayleigh, the Dark King, the right-hand man of the Pirate King. He's eaten the finest meat, drunk the strongest liquor, and even slept with Shakky, the beauty who drove the world crazy. And yet, this mere...

He put the meat into his mouth with a somewhat disgusted expression.

Raleigh: (っ)
Rayleigh: (￣～￣) Chew!
Rayleigh: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ

What a rich flavor! The spiciness is so intense, it should have covered up all the other flavors, but the spiciness here is like a raging flame, blending the other flavors together and then boiling them up together!
Rayleigh was shrewd. He didn't utter a word, his expression remaining calm, but his hands moved much faster, piling up the plates around him.

Kizaru even went out twice to replenish his meat supply. As expected of the Glint-Glint Fruit, he was incredibly fast, returning almost as soon as he left, carrying a fat sheep that was grazing. So, Li Xia slaughtered the sheep, and Rayleigh cut the meat.

It must be said that the Pirate King's right-hand man's knife skills were superb; he sliced ​​the mutton as thin as paper, almost all of them the same thickness. Later on, everyone loosened up considerably, and the clinking of wine glasses filled the air as they quickly became flushed from drinking. These three powerful figures, each with the strength of an admiral, also had enormous bellies. Shakky counted, and it seemed that the three of them had probably eaten at least seven cows and sheep.

Finally, the three of them put down their chopsticks, leaned back in their chairs, and let out a long sigh.

Comfortable----!
Rayleigh squinted, a toothpick dangling from his mouth. Combined with his simple shirt, beach shorts, and flip-flops, he looked like a grumpy old man.

"We've eaten and drunk, so tell me, what brings you here?"

At first, Rayleigh was stunned and really thought the two were just there to eat. But as they ate, he gradually realized that if they were just there to eat, they wouldn't have needed to clear the room or invite him to eat with them.

Shakky has private rooms here, and it's not uncommon for Marines to come here to eat, so Rayleigh was certain that they were here to see him!
Kizaru once again put his sunglasses over his eyes, covering his probing gaze. He was also quite curious as to why Li Xia insisted on bringing him along. Although Xia was relatively young, Kizaru felt that Xia would definitely not lose to Rayleigh in a real fight, unless he really wanted to capture this retired old pirate.

But you have to put in at least 80% of your strength to fight over a single meal.

Wow! Xia really knows how to do business.

"It's nothing important, I just wanted to ask you for some information."

Li Xia picked up the hot tea, blew on it to cool it down, took a sip, and casually remarked as if asking for gossip:
Thirty-eight years ago, in the Valley of the Gods.

Rayleigh's smile suddenly froze. He had thought that this young general would be like the others before him, trying every means to find him and find out what the legendary treasure was.

He had even prepared to tell the young admiral that asking about such a secret directly would spoil the fun, and that it would be better to go out to sea and find it himself. But no matter what, Rayleigh never expected that the other party would ask about the Valley of the Gods!

Kizaru's pupils contracted behind his sunglasses as he looked at Li Xia.

Even he didn't know much about the Valley of the Gods; the specific details were sealed away by the world, and accessing them required numerous procedures, even the permission of the Five Elders.

Even generals are no exception!

"God Valley, haha, Light Sha, the ban on God Valley was jointly issued by the World Government and the Navy. Even Garp, who experienced it firsthand, was put on a gag order."

I'm afraid he wouldn't dare say it, would he?

Rayleigh poured himself another glass of wine, his gaze softening as he looked at Shakky, who was trembling violently with her head down, as if some terrifying memory had been evoked within her. He took her hand:
"What happened in God Valley is something even a general couldn't withstand. Once you know the truth, what you'll face will be beyond your imagination."

Believe me, even that stubborn old man Garp gave in, didn't he? Don't try to find the truth, just hold your position, uphold your justice, and when the real tide turns, see your heart clearly. That's enough.

Looking at Li Xia's young face, Rayleigh, perhaps for some reason, or perhaps sensing that even if such a young man possessed strength, he was still lost in thought, added an unusually poignant remark:
"You are still young, and you will definitely have a place in the future. You are different from most of the navy. Live well and don't die."

Li Xia suddenly chuckled softly:
“I met with Shanks just two days ago, and we formed an alliance.”

Kizaru's gaze suddenly sharpened, but he quickly returned to his lazy demeanor, raising one hand and waving it:
"Xia, this is not a good thing. You're trying to shut me up with just one meal. That's not enough. You need to have at least a few more meals."

"But you're a Marine Admiral now, you can't just contact pirates as freely as before, hmm, some people will be angry."

Li Xia paused for a moment, then looked at Kizaru:

"I'm sorry, Borsalino, I'd really like to find an opportunity to discuss this with you, but I don't think it's necessary."

Kizaru instinctively sensed something was wrong. He hesitated whether to leave first and not listen to what Li Xia had to say, because many things are rumors unless you hear them with your own ears, but if you do hear them, you will have to do things you don't want to do.

But Kizaru was too late; Li Xia had already calmly spoken, as if it were a trivial matter like deciding where to eat tomorrow:
"I have already made an appointment with Shanks to declare war on the World Government at the appropriate time—no, to be precise, to declare war on the Celestial Dragons."

These words were like a thunderclap, and the entire restaurant fell into an eerie silence. Even Rayleigh and Shakky stared wide-eyed at Li Xia, who sat in her chair seemingly completely unaware of the earth-shattering news she had just uttered.

"How scary!"

In the past, Kizaru said "How scary!" countless times.

But none of them were as fitting as this one.

Kizaru stood up, his three-meter-tall body looking down at Li Xia, his hands seemingly gathering a faint light. This time, Kizaru's voice held a hint of seriousness:

"Xia, are you planning to betray the Navy?"

Sensing the terrifying power gathering around Kizaru, Li Xia acted as if he hadn't seen Kizaru's actions, waving his hand again to signal Kizaru to sit down.

"No, I'm prepared to lead the Navy in declaring war on the Celestial Dragons!"

Li Xia continued, noticing Kizaru's increasingly strange gaze: "The Navy should not be an army that upholds this distorted system, but one that shoulders true justice."

Or I could put it another way.

Li Xia stood up, his body seemingly containing an aura and power even more terrifying than Kizaru's:
"I am prepared to join forces with Shanks, uniting all the powers on this sea to declare war on Im!"

"Bang!"

Rayleigh slammed his glass on the table, the liquor seeping through the crack and quickly staining the surface. He paid no heed to anything else, his gaze fixed intently on Li Xia.

"Where did you learn this name from?"

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

P.S.: My mom came home yesterday and said she seemed to have a fever. I knew something was wrong, and today I started having a terrible sore throat and a splitting headache.

I'm speechless. I've only been better for a month!

Sigh. I'm going to sleep now.
(End of this chapter)