Chapter 28 - He's Not Fake?

"Oh? Did I say that much? You must have misheard." In response to Gion's question, Gawain chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't overthink it. Since you've agreed to come aboard my ship, just focus on staying by my side, Vice Admiral Gion."

With that, Gawain glanced around at the broken dock, the turbulent yet gradually recovering sea, the crushed stones and wood debris scattered by the Haki, and the stunned vice admirals more than seventy meters away. He started walking towards the group of vice admirals, and as he stepped forward, Gion naturally placed her left hand on the hilt of her Kinpira and tucked her right hand into her pocket, following closely behind Gawain.

A light cough broke the silence from the Vice Admirals in the distance.

"Cough!"

At the sound, the Vice Admirals froze momentarily, then quickly parted to make way for the source of the voice.

Unlike the burly, muscular Vice Admirals, the figure stepping out was a short, thin old woman with a face full of wrinkles but exceptionally deep-set eyes.

Though she was just a Vice Admiral, as she passed by Admiral Kizaru, the admiral respectfully nodded.

The old woman ignored Kizaru and walked directly to the side of Sengoku.

"Sengoku," the old woman said slowly, "we've witnessed the potential of Gawain. Since that's the case, he's a good choice for Gion, isn't he?"

"You're right, Tsuru," Sengoku replied sternly without moving. "With Gawain's Conqueror's Haki potential, he's destined to challenge the Elders' positions in the future. If he succeeds, then with Gion by his side, perhaps our generation of the Navy can enjoy an even more lenient development environment than that of Old Kong's era! Moreover, she's still our Navy's Vice Admiral."

After saying this, Sengoku stepped forward to approach Gawain.

Seeing the Fleet Admiral move, Tsuru, Kizaru, and the other Vice Admirals all followed suit, converging towards Gawain.

As they drew closer, Sengoku stood about four meters in front of Gawain, offering him a wry smile.

"Gawain, your arrival has certainly resulted in significant losses for us. Gion isn't just a Vice Admiral; she's also known as Momousagi, a candidate capable of assuming the position of admiral in the absence of a higher-ranking officer!"

"If Gion didn't possess such strength, how could I trust her with my safety?" Gawain replied with a smile, then turned to look at Gion. Meeting her calm and beautiful expression, he continued, "Moreover, I need more than just protection. Although I've awakened my Conqueror's Haki, I have no idea how to use this power effectively. Beyond that, I also need an exceptionally skilled and powerful combat mentor to guide me on the path to enhancing my abilities."

"I'm honored!" Gion's eyes sparkled with excitement at the mention of being a combat mentor. Teaching someone was a significant role, especially teaching a Celestial Dragon who was not only the strongest wielder of Conqueror's Haki but also a strong contender for a high position in the World Government!

She pursed her lips, seriousness returning to her expression as she continued, "Gawain, while I lack Conqueror's Haki, I'm exceptionally proficient in the Navy's Six Styles and their derived techniques, as well as both the Armament and Observation Haki. If you truly have the determination to grow stronger, I believe my guidance will not betray your resolve!"

"Very well!" Gawain nodded in affirmation of Gion's words, then turned back to Sengoku. "That concludes my intentions. I've achieved what I came for. As for the troubles I caused during this time…"

"Haha, Gawain, you haven't caused any trouble at all," Sengoku interrupted. "On the contrary, the dilapidated dock of the Navy caused you to accidentally fall into the water. I hope you don't hold that against us."

"What do you mean by 'hold against'?" Gawain replied. "Isn't the reason your dock is in such disrepair due to the World Government and us nobles? Once Gion and I return to Sabaody and go to Fish-Man Island with Mjosgard, I'll take the time to provide funds to the Navy specifically for reinforcing your dock and compensating the poor Marines who fainted from heat exhaustion!"

With that, Gawain, still wearing soaked shoes, walked towards the part of the dock that hadn't been destroyed.

As he walked, Gawain spoke without looking back at Gion. "Gion, get ready for departure. We'll continue our journey back to the Sabaody Archipelago on Doberman's ship. If you need to prepare anything or say goodbye to anyone…" He paused and waved his hand lightly. "Then take your time; just make sure everything is in order. I'll be waiting for you at the dock."

"Understood!" Gion nodded and gazed sentimentally at Gawain's back as he gradually moved away, finally standing on a section of the dock that was still intact. His pants were soaked, and every step he took splashed water. Yet, he looked anything but disheveled; instead, he resembled a straight sword sheathed in its scabbard, evoking anticipation for the brilliance hidden within!

Noticing the thoughtful glint in Gion's eyes, Vice Admiral Tsuru stepped out from beside Sengoku and patted Gion's shoulder. "Gion, if you're not fond of this arrangement, I'll later discuss with Garp about proposing to the Elders to retract Gawain's decision regarding you." Tsuru glanced at Sengoku. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku will surely join us in that, right? Or do you think Gion is worth less than the Berries Gawain is about to bring?"

"No need for that, Sister Tsuru!" Gion quickly shook her head before Sengoku could respond. "Although Gawain's sudden appearance has disrupted all my career plans, this isn't a disaster. In fact, it's much more interesting than my current life, isn't it? The wielder of the strongest Conqueror's Haki will inevitably become a key player stirring the seas and the next era, even if he's not a Celestial Dragon. And I…" Gion tightened her grip on the hilt of her Kinpira. "I guess I'm standing at the peak of this wave, right?"

With that, Gion burst into hearty laughter, extending her fist towards the approaching Chaton. "Boom!" Their right fists lightly collided, and Chaton made a lewd expression, teasingly saying, "It seems I'll find it hard to confess to you again, Gion. My record of failed confessions will probably remain at eighty-six!"

"Stop joking, Chaton. Now that I'm by Gawain's side, you don't have to worry about competing with me for the position of admiral in the future."

"But Gawain doesn't seem like a good person; he even rejected my self-recommendation. I'd bet one hundred million Berries that what he's interested in is your looks!"

"Haha!" Chaton's teasing made Gion laugh out loud, and while laughing, she pointed at Gawain's distant figure. "He's not that superficial!"

"How do you know he's not? Though he's a bit more handsome than the Celestial Dragons, he's not dressed like them and doesn't wear their headgear. In the end, he's still a Celestial Dragon, one of those world nobles who marry dozens of wives without a second thought! It's… it's simply enviable!"

"Well, take a closer look at Gawain's back!" Gion countered seriously. "He's moving towards his goals without hesitation, even unwilling to change his soaked clothes and opting to head straight to the next destination! Do you think such a decisive and determined person would be as you described, indulging in superficial matters?"

After saying that, Gion bowed to Tsuru. "Sister Tsuru, since Gawain is so resolute, how can I delay his progress? Please help me say goodbye to Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Aokiji."

"Don't worry, little Gion. They'll be pleased for you; of course, that's Aokiji. Garp will just grumble and want to punch Gawain."

"Haha, maybe one day the Gawain I mentor will be able to pin Garp down!" Gion declared, ready to leave.

"Hmm, farewell, and may your ship always have fair winds, Gion."

"And may your ship always have fair winds, Sister Tsuru!" Gion replied before striding towards Gawain. She stopped behind him and tapped the hilt of her sword, saying, "This sword is all I have, and those people are my only friends. Gawain, I'm ready for departure now; we can…"

"No, you're not ready!" Gawain bluntly interrupted her, leaving Gion momentarily stunned.

Meeting Gion's puzzled gaze, Gawain said softly, "If you were truly ready, why would you still refer to me as 'Gawain'?"

Upon hearing this, Gion's eyes lit up. The words of the man she followed carried such weight! She nodded vigorously, excitement bubbling within her as she exclaimed, "I understand, Saint!"