boyutpedia Chapter 153 Rayleigh, the King of the Underworld
Chapter 153 Rayleigh, the King of the Underworld
Chapter 153 Rayleigh, the King of the Underworld
Bonnie led Kuroro through the streets and alleys, sometimes stopping to frown and figure out the direction, and sometimes quickening her pace to follow a particularly enticing fragrance.
Kuroro noticed that she wasn't aimless; she seemed to always manage to avoid the most crowded and troublesome routes.
About twenty minutes later, they turned into a relatively quiet back street.
The buildings here are old and covered with vines and colorful patches formed by solidified bubble resin.
The noise seemed to be shut out.
"This is it." Bonnie stopped in front of an inconspicuous two-story wooden building.
The building looks old, with blackened wood, but the doors and windows are clean.
A simple wooden sign hangs by the entrance, with a wine glass and a Pele image pierced by an arrow painted on it in faded paint, below which is a line of small print:
Xiaqi's Bamboo Bar.
It has no fancy decorations, no loud music, and is completely different from some of the brightly lit bars in the area that try to attract customers.
But as Bonnie said, a warm aroma, a blend of ale, stew, and a hint of tobacco, was wafting out from under the door.
"Can you smell it? Fine beef stew, seasoned with black pepper and bay leaves—and freshly baked whole wheat bread!"
Bonnie's eyes lit up again, and she almost drooled again.
Kuroro's gaze sharpened slightly as he carefully sensed his surroundings.
The Observation Haki spread silently, like invisible tentacles.
There were about four or five people inside the tavern, all with calm auras, without any obvious hostility or strong energy fluctuations.
However, one of its auras, despite being deliberately concealed, still resembled a dormant volcano, harboring immeasurable depth and weight.
"Looks like we've found the right place," Kuroro murmured.
He stepped forward and, without hesitation, pushed open the somewhat heavy wooden door.
The door hinges made a soft "creaking" sound.
The indoor lighting was dimmer than the outdoor lighting, the air was warm and calm, and the aroma of the food was more intense.
Behind the bar, a mature woman with short black hair, a cigarette dangling from her lips, and still exuding charm—Xia Qi—was slowly and methodically wiping a glass.
Hearing the door open, she looked up, her gaze calmly fixed on the doorway. Her eyes lingered on Kuroro and Bonnie for a moment, especially on Kuroro's unique aura and the faint spider pattern on his black coat, which made her pause almost imperceptibly as she wiped the cup.
In the shadows of a corner of the tavern, an elderly man with a full head of silver hair, wearing glasses and a casual floral shirt, tilted his head back and drank the last drop of wine in his glass.
He put down his cup, let out a satisfied sigh, and then, as if sensing something, slowly turned his head.
His gaze met Kuroro's in mid-air.
In that instant, Kuroro felt as if two long-dormant stars suddenly shone with a sharp, all-seeing light deep within the old man's seemingly cloudy eyes.
Hades, Silvers Rayleigh.
He found it.
Rayleigh's gaze lingered on Kuroro's face for a moment, his eyes, weathered by time yet still clear and sharp, narrowed slightly, and a half-smile curled at the corner of his lips: "The leader of the 'Supernovas'—no, the captain of the Phantom Pirates who stirs up the world's storms, Kuroro Lucilfer—"
Unexpectedly, he is such a gifted and unfathomable young man.
"Liberating Alabasta from Dancing Pink" and the shadow of internal strife;
Ring the golden bell on the Sky Island to end the absurd war and racial division that has lasted for four hundred years;
In the Kingdom of Magnets, thwart Walbourne's plot and restore freedom to the enslaved will;
Even in that ghostly sea shrouded in thick fog and spirits, the curse that had bound souls for hundreds of years was broken—
'
Rayleigh recounted the story slowly and deliberately, as if reciting a familiar tale. With each point he made, his eyes gleamed with admiration. "No wonder—the people privately call you the Drum of Liberation." Truly—
A stunning achievement.
This intelligence clearly did not come entirely from newspapers.
Kuroro's opinion of this legendary figure rose even higher.
His expression remained calm, and he merely nodded slightly: "It was nothing more than a chance encounter during my travels, and I did something that suited my mood. I am unworthy of the title 'Liberation.'"
"Do what you want?" Rayleigh chuckled and shook his head. "There have been very few people throughout history who could make 'doing what you want' create such a huge ripple effect."
"Sit down, young man, and that hungry little girl too."
He pointed to the empty seat next to him, then gestured with his chin to Xia Qi, "Xia Qi, bring the guests some food and drinks, it's on me."
Bonnie's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this. She cheered and ran to sit on the bar stool by the bar, gazing longingly at Shakky.
Xia Qi smiled helplessly and stubbed out her cigarette. "Okay, old man. Stewed beef with bread, right? Coming right away." She turned and went into the kitchen.
Kuroro walked to the seat opposite Rayleigh and sat down, his posture relaxed yet polite.
Rayleigh picked up the bottle, poured some amber liquid into the empty glass in front of Kuroro, and pushed it towards him.
"So, the famous Kuroro, with your companions, specifically sought out this old man's secluded tavern, surely it wasn't just for a drink?"
Kuroro picked up his glass, but didn't drink; instead, he gently stroked the rim of the glass with his fingertips.
"We have a ship, a very large one, and it's quite special. It needs a coating to go to Fishman Island."
"Oh?" Rayleigh raised an eyebrow, seemingly unsurprised. "Let me guess, an ordinary coating craftsman, seeing your ship, — is utterly powerless?"
"Yes," Kuroro said frankly, "so, we found you."
If there's anyone in this world who could perfectly handle our ship, I think it's only the legendary right-hand man of the Pirate King, "Dark King" Rayleigh.
"Haha, 'Pluto' — it's been a long time since I've heard anyone call me that."
Rayleigh laughed and waved his hand. "Coating no problem. Considering what you've done, and—" He gave Kuroro a meaningful look, "you're quite to my liking, so it'll be free."
Kuroro was slightly taken aback, not expecting the other party to be so agreeable.
"This—I feel so bad. As for the compensation—"
"I said it's free, so it's free." Reilly interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Consider it—my investment in the new era, or rather, a bit of curiosity."
He took a sip of his drink. "Where's your boat? Show me. Shakky, you mind the shop!"
Xia Qi brought out a plate of fragrant stewed meat and bread, and rolled her eyes at Rayleigh upon hearing this: "I know, go on, don't delay the guests' business."
Bonnie, oblivious to everything else, buried herself in her food and waved vaguely to Kuroro to leave her alone.