The Dark King

Jackson POV

They seem surprised. I understand that 'dark king' Rayleigh is a big name and in front of you is his wife but after going on an adventure with Rayleigh's late captain's son, the late pirate king's son himself, shouldn't they be more relaxed about this revelation?

"Well Tom didn't tell us you knew each other. By the way, is Shakky fine or should I call you Shakuyaku?"

!

Hearing my question, her eyes widen in bit as she looks at me in surprise.

"Hoh... I didn't expect to hear that name from you. How do you know it?"

"Curious? Why don't we have a little chat then?"

Shakky, as easy going as she is, agreed without thinking and joined us with a few drinks.

"Fine, let's chat. Why don't we start we our both's acquainted, Tom?"

"Me? Hahahaha, if only you knew!"

We then indeed started to chat. Just some stories fitting to be told in a bar. Tom told her, how we helped him and why we are bringing him to fishman island, at least for a while. Enel soon joined in once I mentioned the sky islands and Sabo, the MVP for reaching the sky islands didn't stay out of the fun either.

With a bit time and a few more drinks, everyone joined in. Shakky told stories about the new world and how she was once hunted by a crazy dog, who is being revered as the Navy's hero.

Knowing that she was talking about grandpa almost caused me to spill my drink from laughter but while Sabo just started laughing without caring.

"Jackson-nii that old man is just as we know him. He really didn't change."

"You know Garp in person?"

"Hahahaha. I too, didn't know about that."

Tom and Shakky got curious once Garp was mentioned.

"Oh yeah... He is something like our grandpa? Well I at least call him that. Hahahaha!"

"..."

"PFFFt! Ahahaha! Got me good boy, I didn't see that coming."

Though the chat is nice, I was starting to wonder where the dark king is. At first me wanting to meet him was because I am a fan of his character, or was in my old world. I got to learn that now they aren't just characters after meeting Kuina and the rational and not crazy Enel made that clearer to see.

Still, even when we ignore the fan part, we need someone to make the coating for our ship. It might be a sub-marine but It can't withstand the huge pressure below a certain depth so why not meet a living legend while at it?

"...and then the captain refused my refusal and forced me under his will abusing his strength."

PFFT!

"Uh, so Jackson-boy is a bad one?"

"What the hell Jackson?! Is this how it was?"

"Not cool captain."

"Robin please! Don't say such easy to misunderstand stuff out loud!"

Why is the first thing I hear, after shifting my focus back to the conversation this shit?! Now Shakky, Kuina and even Sachi and Penguin are giving me the stinky eye.

Not wanting to let the matter rest so easily, various explanations started taking form in my head but before any could leave through my mouth the sound of steps filled the small bar.

Without me noticing, an old man, with long messy white hair and a sleepy look on his expression entered from a door in the back. It looks like the man just woke up as he entered.

Everyone else also stopped talking to take a look at the newcomer.

"Finally awake? Took you long enough."

"Long time no see, Rayleigh."

"Hmm? That voice... Tom?"

Caught by surprise, Rayleigh looked over. First at Tom, then at my friends and finally at me.

"You... Go- Portgas D. Jackson."

"Since you know just go ahead and say it. The others already know anyways."

"...Gol D. Jackson. Who would have thought, the kid Shanks told me about, would appear here in front of me so early."

Surprise. He looked really surprised that we suddenly popped up here in front of him. Taking a bottle of sake from the bar and a chair from in front of the counter, he joined our fun corner while opening the bottle.

"Shanks? Are you speaking about red hair shanks?!"

"Who is red hair Shanks?"

"..."

It was Law who reacted to Shanks being mentioned while Enel was absolutely clueless. Augur took it upon himself to explain to him.

"He is one of the strongest pirates. A few days before I joined the captain, red hair Shanks was acknowledged as one of the emperors of the sea."

"Really? I didn't know that the guy who competed with Jackson-nii a few years ago became such a big shot."

*Spurt!*

"What the hell do you mean he competed with Jackson?" (Kuina)

"Exactly what I said. One day he arrived at our island and started having fights with Jackson-nii. It was crazy and always incredible close. In the end Shanks has one or two wins more in total. Though Jackson-nii became ridiculously stronger since then."

"Don't spout nonsense Sabo. I am sure he is a lot stronger than the current me. Do you know how many people he has to fight to be acknowledged as an emperor?"

"Bahahahahaha"

"Ehehehehe"

"Hahahahaha"

Rayleigh, Shakky and Tom started laughing out of nowhere.

"Hahaha. He never mentioned he lost to a, how old were you back then? 10?"

"I think I was around that age. Ah! Mentioning old acquaintances, Crocus sends his regards."

"So you met him! How is that old man doing?"

"Pft. The kettle calling the pot black at it's finest!"

The lighthearted chatter continued for a bit after Rayleigh joined but it was time to get to the point.

"Rayleigh, can you do the coating for our ship?"

"Coating? Are you going to enter the new world already?"

It sounded like a casual question but I didn't miss his gaze at those who don't know any haki yet.

"No. We will take a rest on fishman island for a few years."

!

"HUH?!"

"Jackson?! You never mentioned that? Why now?"

"This... Please explain."

As expected my dear crew mates were totally caught by surprise after hearing me but there is no way I can enter the new world and expect everyone to survive there.

Over there, the sea is crawling with strong bastards even for my standards. Though they have become strong it's too much.

Sabo, who developed his devil fruit powers to a frightening degree in the last 6 months and his mastery in rokushiki together with observation haki... To be honest the Sabo then was no comparison to the Sabo now, to the point that he would probably count as strong even in the new world. But is that enough?

Same for Enel and Augur. Enel with an overpowered logia and Augur, who hasn't mastered any haki yet but has that broken sniper, which just so conveniently happen to be his preferred choice for a weapon.

'...'

Kuina and Law are still a bit lacking in comparison but this girl mastered soru and geppo even better than Sabo. A sword genius who mastered the technical part and is now training her body to the point of madness. She even learned to use the flying slash attack on Birka...

'Albeit slower than me, but they are incredible. Almost feels like I am no longer the only one with a cheat.'

As for Robin and Bepo. While Robin can deal with a larger number of enemies more efficiently, Bepo is better at dealing with a single, slightly stronger foe. As for Sachi and Penguin... They are Jack of all trades but master of none right now. Honestly These four have the highest chance of dying in the new world.

"...Captain?"

"Ah? Sorry this must have been surprising to all of you but my decision on this is final. We will make a stop to increase our strength. Deep under sea might not seem like the best place for devil fruit users but even that is a weakness that needs to be addressed at some point."

This was practically me telling them, that they are not strong enough yet so a bit of gloom is understandable but It is what it is.

"So? Will you do it Rayleigh?"

"Hmm. Yes I can do that much but it won't be for free."

"Wouldn't want it any other way. How long do you think will it take?"

"Depends. If your ship isn't huge I alone can finish it in about 3 days but if Tom helps then it can be finished by tomorrow evening."

"Guess I can do that much." (Tom)

"Wait! Tom you know how to coat a ship?"

"Of course. Didn't I mention that?"

I feel like facepalming myself now. Whatever, what's done is done. Since this has been taken care off we were free to wander around and return to the ship for the night. Little did I know about the disaster that was about the storm that was about to hit us.