I've Seen People Wanting to Die, But Never Anyone Seeking Death Like This!

When Ron's story ended, Ace's face instinctively flashed in Rayleigh's mind, followed by Rouge's!

The same freckles.

One disappeared last year, one was born last year.

Both of them had the surname: Portgas!

The reason they took their mother's surname was to evade the navy's pursuit?

After connecting all the dots, boom!

Rayleigh's mind was like a grenade had been thrown into it.

The subsequent explosion shattered his soul into pieces, ground his consciousness into powder, leaving only emptiness.

Buzz...

Instantly, a surging aura enveloped the entire tavern.

This old man was venting his power to the fullest.

Killing intent and regret in his heart merged into a flame.

Black and red lightning flashed wildly in the air!

Why.

Why didn't that bastard Roger entrust Rouge and her child to him, but to Garp instead!

Could it be that after the pirate crew disbanded, there was no longer any connection between us...

Carrying a pregnancy for a full twenty months, the suffering in that was simply unimaginable.

Sengoku's heart sank, "What are you going crazy for?!"

Gion stood behind him, extending her hands to release Armament Haki.

A moment later, an invisible but unbreakable barrier formed in front of Sengoku, blocking the violent shockwave.

Sengoku frowned slightly, vaguely feeling that something was wrong, not just Rayleigh's loss of control, but also Ron's story.

It was both unfamiliar and extremely familiar.

At this moment, Rayleigh was immersed in endless grief, his emotions completely out of control.

Under the impact of Conqueror's Haki, Rem and Ram's small faces turned pale. Even though they had entered combat mode, they felt a wave of powerlessness.

Not only that, under this violent impact, the tables and chairs in the tavern were ruined, and even the floorboards under their feet were flipped over.

"This is getting out of hand," Ron frowned slightly, his finger gently tapping the bar counter.

With a soft "thud", a violent surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Ron's body.

The two Conqueror's Hakis instantly clashed.

The violent shockwave swept through the tavern, causing the white clouds floating in the sky to instantly split apart.

At this moment, Ron was like a ruler of heaven and earth.

The world lost its color, and everything had to surrender at his feet.

At the same time, a voice wrapped in Armament Haki transmitted into Rayleigh's ears:

"If you've guessed it, then calm down. Your loss of control will only arouse Sengoku's suspicion."

Only then did Rayleigh slowly raise his head, his bloodshot eyes gradually returning to normal.

The two Conqueror's Hakis also dissipated in the air.

Rayleigh was in no hurry to ask about everything, but immediately shifted the topic, "The tavern owner also possesses Conqueror's Haki?"

Sengoku and Gion also looked at Ron, their faces filled with shock.

"It's just a self-defense method," Ron shook his head slightly, squinting his eyes as he said, "Otherwise, I wouldn't dare open a tavern in a chaotic place like the Sabaody Archipelago."

"....."

Sengoku, Gion, and Rayleigh's faces darkened.

Are you kidding?

Who calls Conqueror's Haki a self-defense method?!

Although in the New World, those who possess this ability are as numerous as crucian carps crossing a river, those who can retract and release it naturally are absolutely few.

And Ron was currently only in his early twenties.

Thinking of this, Sengoku also decided to raise the conditions to persuade Ron to join the navy:

"Join the navy. If you agree, I can make an exception and promote you to a Rear Admiral candidate of the navy."

"In a few years, when I retire..."

Then, Sengoku pondered for a moment before speaking, "When one of the current three Admirals becomes the Fleet Admiral, I guarantee you can take office as a Navy Admiral."

Originally, Sengoku's bottom line was only Vice Admiral.

But before entering the tavern, he had seen the deep crater left by Tokikake being knocked unconscious.

To be able to do that with a single strike, the power was immense, yet it only left minor injuries on Tokikake.

Such terrifying control of power, in the navy, other than Garp, probably no one could do it!

Coupled with the Conqueror's Haki just shown, with just a little training from the navy, a second Garp would soon appear.

No... a presence that completely surpassed Garp in strength and all aspects!

Because of this, Sengoku directly raised his limit by another level.

Gion's eyes beside him were filled with admiration.

She had strived in the navy for so many years, yet she couldn't compare to Ron fighting one battle with Tokikake...

But Gion didn't feel it was unfair.

Navy Headquarters was a place where talented people were valued.

"Uh..." Rayleigh rubbed his hands, his face red as he asked, "Sengoku, do I still have a chance?"

"The gates of Impel Down's Level Six are always open for you," Sengoku glanced at him.

"Tch~ you are truly too rigid, no sense of humor at all," Rayleigh teased, taking a sip of Tiger Whip Wine, his eyes staring intently at Ron.

As long as Ron dared to agree, this old man would dare to run!

It couldn't be helped, Sengoku offered too much.

Rayleigh was also afraid Ron wouldn't hold his final line of defense and agree under some spell.

If he hadn't boarded Roger's pirate ship back then, and the navy had offered such conditions, Rayleigh would have absolutely joined the navy!

"That is indeed a generous offer," Ron smiled.

If there was no Myriad Worlds Tavern System, he would have really agreed.

After all, to live safely and stably in this world, joining the navy was absolutely the wisest choice.

Because the navy was the largest force in this world.

"Sorry, I have no interest in the navy. Regarding this, I can only..."

Before Ron could say the word "decline", Sengoku directly interrupted, "I can give you more time to think. There's no need to rush your answer now."

Gion beside him was secretly surprised.

She had thought this negotiation would end smoothly, but she didn't expect Ron to refuse so bluntly.

Nor did she expect Sengoku to be so patient.

Everything that happened today had far exceeded Gion's expectations.

"Sigh..." Ron sighed somewhat helplessly. "If you want peace on the seas, recruiting a tavern owner is not the best strategy."

Sengoku looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Ron smiled, "If there was no Heavenly Tribute, and all nations reduced taxes, and the Celestial Dragons didn't have so many privileges, pirates would decrease, and the seas would experience unprecedented peace."

Although the Great Pirate Era was opened by Roger, the root cause was still the terrible operations of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.

After all, if ordinary people were well-fed and clothed, who would want to live the starving life of a pirate?

Of course... except for adventurers and ambitious people.

"Haha," Sengoku gave a bitter laugh, "The navy's funding relies entirely on the World Government. Even though I am the Fleet Admiral of the navy, I have no authority to manage the Heavenly Tribute. I also know these things are wrong..."

Gion's face changed drastically, and she hastily interrupted Sengoku, not daring to let him continue, "Lord Sengoku, you've had too much to drink. We should head back."

I've seen people wanting to die, but never anyone seeking death like this!

If Sengoku's words were heard by the World Government, his position as Fleet Admiral would be over.

The Five Elders would not allow such "rebellious" thoughts to appear in a Fleet Admiral.

"Indeed, we should head back," Sengoku glanced at Rayleigh and slowly stood up, "I'll trouble you another day. Rayleigh, you'd better be honest and not meddle in other people's business."

Picking up the bottle, drinking the rest, Sengoku walked out of the tavern.

Gion also left a stack of Berries, swayed her slender waist, and followed behind.

Boarding the warship back to Navy Headquarters, Sengoku stood on the deck and softly instructed, "Gion, you are a woman, which gives you a certain advantage."

"When you have no missions, visit the tavern often for a drink. The navy will cover the expenses."

Although he couldn't get Ron to join the navy, at least he knew Ron's attitude was that he only wanted to run a tavern well and wouldn't join any pirate crew or force.

Gion nodded quietly, "I will try my best to win Ron over."

"However, wasn't Rayleigh's reaction a bit too large?"

Sengoku frowned slightly, carefully recalling the story, and then his eyes widened, "Ace... is Roger's son! Garp, you bastard!!"