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Chapter Serial: Lovesick Serialization Paused Temporarily 12 – Self-Hypnosis
The damn Grand Line finally had a rare spell of good weather. George and Tilda collapsed, utterly exhausted, on the deck soaked by sea spray, and rested for a while. George struggled to his feet to take the helm, but Tilda pulled him back, a sudden idea striking her.
"If we used hypnosis," she said, "couldn't we turn ourselves into Masters? That way we wouldn't have to go through all this sailing trouble…"
…
Amidst the host's booming voice and the gaze of countless live and on-screen viewers, Mihawk silently drew a lot.
Number One.
Liam stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Should I have the Stand sneak into the drawing box and switch out a Number Two for me?"
Thinking this, Liam stepped up and drew a lot without bothering to ask B.I.B. for help, and sure enough, he didn't get the number he wanted.
"Yesterday, with a special Devil Fruit ability, contestant Chopperna Giorno created a stunning rain of swords. It's speculated that his Devil Fruit power allows him to control metal, or perhaps magnetism, which makes him a natural nemesis for all swordsmen! Since swords are forged from metal, the other seven, or perhaps six, contestants will no doubt find themselves at a natural disadvantage against Giorno!"
Number Seven.
Liam looked at the number in his hand with deadpan disinterest. A staff member filled in one of the two empty slots in the fourth matchup with his name.
'What lousy luck.' Liam looked at his palm as he walked away, thinking bitterly, 'Should've cheated, damn it…'
Mihawk stood with arms crossed, the massive cruciform Black Blade strapped to his back, aloof from the rest of the eight contestants.
"Well, you'll get a shot at him eventually…" Robin patted Liam's arm comfortingly as she stepped forward to draw. Just then, a bloody aura swept past them.
Shiryu of the Rain walked up to draw, chomping a cigar as he casually reached into the box.
"A powerful swordsman known as Shiryu of the Rain, he is a member of the World Government's Holy Land Security Forces! There isn't much public info about Shiryu, but without question, he possesses terrifying strength comparable to that of Hawk-Eye Mihawk or Charlotte's Amande. He's certainly a strong contender for the ultimate title, 'World's Greatest Swordsman'!"
Number Six.
Shiryu looked at the number in his hand. 'Just one off. If it had been one number lower, I could've chopped that Giorno punk into pieces…'
Too bad.
He bit down on the cigar and walked back, casting a glance at Giorno, who was still chatting quietly with his female captain, barely acknowledging Shiryu's existence.
"Next up is contestant Jolyne Kujo, the powerful captain of Chopperna Giorno. Her strength is not to be underestimated! In the preliminaries, she stunned the crowd by instantly subduing over 40 swordsmen sharing the stage with her. What kind of incredible power is that? Truly a once-in-a-million terrifying talent!"
'Another subtle way of suggesting I've got Haoshoku Haki…' Robin was used to this sort of commentary. Calmly, she stepped forward to draw her lot, and checked the result.
Number Two.
"Kujo… Jolyne…" The staff member/judge wrote her name next to "Dracule Mihawk" in the first of the quarterfinal matchups.
"…" Under the brim of his massive hat, Mihawk slightly lifted his head, revealing his cold, eagle-like eyes.
"What awful luck, to go up against that man in the first round," lamented a great Swordsman from the New World.
"Whew…" Another swordsman from the New World exhaled in relief. "That woman pulled Mihawk, so I won't have to face him in Round One."
"Heh…" Shiryu of the Rain grinned around his cigar.
Robin was a little stunned by her draw, this was definitely unexpected.
Far off from the others, Mihawk glanced her way. 'This woman… she's the only one whose strength I can't quite read.'
The entire arena erupted in excitement at the upcoming match!
A mysterious lone wolf versus a mysterious female captain, two enigmatic powerhouses facing off in the very first match! Crowds watching on the giant screens outside were abuzz with discussion. Among them, the Red-Haired Pirates were chatting and laughing at the result.
"'Kujo'…" The vice-captain mused, still smoking. "Sounds like that surname from the Wano Country legends…"
"Kind of does…" Under his straw hat, Shanks gave a faint smile, looking at Robin's face on the big screen. "'Kujo Jolyne'…"
Robin walked back to stand next to Liam, watching the rest of the contestants draw their lots, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was staring at her.
She glanced up, and sure enough, Liam was eyeing her with envy written all over his face.
"So childish..."
'So cute.'
Robin raised her hand and gently touched his face. She winked at him with a smile. "Actually… this is pretty much the same as you fighting him, don't you think?"
"..."
Liam suddenly came to his senses, slapping his fist into his palm. "You're right!"
Naturally, there were some sharp-eared folks nearby who overheard a bit of their conversation.
But both Liam and Robin were smart, exceptionally so. Their exchange was veiled in terms only the two of them could understand. Outsiders would never be able to deduce the secrets of "Hana Jizai (Flower Clone)"'s ability from just those few words.
Robin was especially cautious, sharp and clever to a fault. In situations where they might be overheard, she never called Liam by his real name.
Before long, the matchups for the Quarterfinals were all drawn and finalized.
Morning Matches:
Match 1: Dracule Mihawk vs. Jolyne Kujo
Match 2: Charlotte Amande vs. Pathser Wen
Afternoon Matches:
Match 3: Bai Tour vs. Shiryu of the Rain
Match 4: Chopperna Giorno vs. Charlotte Monde
In the fully packed stands and in front of countless broadcast screens all over the world, the audience waited in anticipation. Soon, it was time for the first match to begin.
From the sidelines, the man known as Hawk Eyes, with the massive Black Blade on his back, slowly walked to the left side of the arena. From the opposite side, Jolyne Kujo, holding an iron staff in her hand, stepped up to the ring from the right, one firm step at a time.
The two stood facing each other in the center of the arena, locked in a silent standoff.
"I thought you would still be unarmed," Mihawk said, lowering his arms from across his chest. The hem of his long coat swayed as his strange eyes glanced at the iron staff peeking out from under Robin's wide sleeve. "That's Giorno's weapon, isn't it…"
"Even he wouldn't be arrogant enough to face you empty-handed," Robin replied, her hair done in a true Jolyne Kujo style bun, her wide sleeves flowing. She radiated an ethereal blend of Eastern and Western charm. With a calm smile, she added, "So I borrowed it."
Mihawk slowly drew the Black Blade from his back. "Sounds like you admit your own strength is inferior to your crew's."
Robin smiled and nodded. "Mhm!"
Mihawk let out a small chuckle. "Such modesty, not bad. No wonder you're the captain. Very good."
The match begins!
(End Of This Chapter)