Staring at the black blade resting against his neck, Dracule Mihawk froze for a brief moment, then exhaled a long, heavy breath.
His right hand, which had been gripping Yoru, finally loosened.
He had lost. And it wasn't even close.
"Hahahahaha!"
Mihawk struggled to his feet, turned to face Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and suddenly burst into laughter. The despair on his face vanished, replaced with bold defiance as he spoke loud and clear:
"A mighty swordsman!"
"To lose to you, I have no regrets."
"Marine, kill me. My sword is now your trophy!"
He spread his arms wide, lifted his chin proudly, and shut his eyes, ready to accept death.
Seeing Mihawk like this, Yoriichi smiled faintly and slowly shook his head. He gently returned his blade to its scabbard.
The cold touch vanished from Mihawk's neck. He opened his eyes, eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.
"What are you doing?! Why won't you kill me?!"
"A defeated swordsman has no right to live!"
"Are you pitying me? Do you intend to strip me of my final honor as a swordsman?!"
Mihawk growled as he saw Yoriichi sheathe his blade, his voice full of indignant fury. His dramatic flair made Yoriichi glance at him a few more times in curiosity.
Was this guy from Wano or something? All this talk about swords and honor… is he one of Kozuki Oden's diehard fans?
Mihawk's personality was a bit more over-the-top than Yoriichi had expected, but that didn't mean he was going to let it slide.
In truth, the moment he'd recognized Mihawk, Yoriichi had already considered bringing him aboard. And since Mihawk struck first against Issho, Yoriichi now had a perfect excuse to make his move.
And for a proud swordsman like Mihawk, Yoriichi had no plans to persuade him with kindness.
A brutal, straightforward method was far more effective.
Though in hindsight, maybe his approach had hit Mihawk a little too hard.
"The honor of a swordsman, huh?"
"I've never seen any glory in someone insisting on dying after a loss."
"Before I am a swordsman, I am first and foremost a Marine."
"Killing you does nothing to serve the Navy's interests."
"Dracule Mihawk, you attacked a Marine. That crime won't go unpunished."
"As a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, I have the authority to pass judgment and issue your sentence."
"And I believe… prison labor suits you perfectly."
Yoriichi smiled as he spoke, then gestured to Issho and Kyros in the distance.
Once the two approached, Yoriichi said, "Bring the prisoner aboard the ship. When we head for the New World, he'll come with us, working off his sentence on board."
He pointed at Mihawk.
Although Mihawk had managed to stand up, the pain in his waist still hadn't subsided, leaving him visibly uncomfortable.
But upon hearing Yoriichi's words, his expression darkened further.
Prison labor?!
He'd rather die!
Even if Yoriichi were to end his life right now, Mihawk would accept that far more readily than this insult. This was a disgrace, utter, naked humiliation!
Face twisted with rage, Mihawk didn't even bother retrieving his fallen blade. In his current state, his heart brimming with despair, he prepared to charge at Yoriichi.
He figured that if he attacked, these Marines wouldn't hold back again. They'd surely kill him.
But just as he lifted his foot to make that final dash,
Yoriichi suddenly turned his head and asked, out of nowhere:
"By the way, Dracule Mihawk, what is your dream?"
Mihawk froze.
His expression flickered with confusion. Even Issho and Kyros glanced over, puzzled by the strange question.
But Yoriichi had a very simple reason for asking.
He wanted Mihawk to turn around, to change paths and join his crew. And, of course, maybe even grab a few headlines while he was at it.
"...?!"
"To become the world's greatest swordsman!"
Mihawk blurted it out without thinking, startled by the question, but his answer came instinctively.
Yoriichi, unsurprised, nodded slightly with a look of quiet satisfaction.
Then he said clearly:
"Dead men don't become the world's greatest swordsman, Mihawk."
"From now on, follow me. The day you surpass me, your sentence ends."
"Don't take it as an insult. If you truly surpass me one day, then that means you will have become the world's greatest swordsman."
"Because in the future, that title belongs to me, Yoriichi Tsugikuni!"
"Mihawk, carry that dream in your heart. Stay by my side, and challenge me again and again!"
With that, Yoriichi turned his back and walked calmly toward the tavern without looking back.
Mihawk watched his retreating figure in silence. Under the watchful eyes of Issho and Kyros, he finally bent down and picked up his sword.
He stared at the ornate black blade for a long time, saying nothing.
Then, slowly, he lifted his head. The defeat and hopelessness in his eyes had vanished.
"The world's greatest… he said that so casually."
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni, I will defeat you with my own hands!"
A smile unexpectedly broke across Mihawk's face.
After strapping Yoru back onto his back, he turned to Kyros and Issho and said simply, "Let's go."
Then, shockingly, Mihawk took the first step forward, following Yoriichi.
Issho scratched the back of his head, completely bewildered by Mihawk's sudden change in tone. Kyros, however, seemed to understand something in Mihawk's expression and followed after him with a thoughtful gaze.
Yoriichi had returned to the tavern, and after placing some money on the bar counter, he called over a local Marine from the branch office.
The Marine, spotting the Vice Admiral's shoulder epaulets on Yoriichi's coat, stiffened and quickly saluted.
Yoriichi waved kindly, signaling that there was no need to be so nervous. He then took a few more Berries from his pocket and handed them over.
"Make sure all damages from the battle are compensated to the townspeople."
"And take credit for catching the criminal. When you file the report, no need to mention us."
He finished speaking and turned to Bell-mère, smiling warmly.
"You're a brave and kind-hearted Marine. You did well."
"Would you be interested in joining my unit?"
As he spoke, Mihawk, Issho, and Kyros stepped back into the tavern.
Sensing Mihawk's arrival, Yoriichi's smile widened.
Bell-mère, now seated and supported by her comrades, blinked in surprise at the sight of Mihawk calmly returning… seemingly at peace with the Marines.
Hearing Yoriichi's offer and glancing at the epaulets on his shoulder, she thought for a moment, then gently shook her head.
"Thank you for your offer, sir. But I don't think I'd be a good fit for your unit."
"I'm sorry."
She stood and gave Yoriichi a deep bow.
"Thank you… all of you. If you hadn't intervened, Capo might have killed us all."
"Thank you!"
She bowed again, full of gratitude.
"Refused, huh?"
Yoriichi nodded slightly. A little disappointed, perhaps, but he didn't push it.
Just as Bell-mère had said, his unit wasn't for everyone. Yoriichi greatly admired her courage, but since she'd made her choice, he respected it.
Besides, today had already been an incredible harvest.
As Yoriichi turned to leave the tavern, he passed by Mihawk. His lips curled into a smirk as he clapped Mihawk's shoulder and said,
"Come on. You'll thank yourself one day for the decision you made today, Mihawk."
"The world will remember you as… number two."
With that, Yoriichi walked out of the tavern. Kyros and Issho nodded at the other Marines in the room and followed closely behind.
Mihawk watched their backs, the word Justice fluttering on their cloaks.
He stared for a long while, then finally stepped forward to follow.
A gentle breeze blew through the street, carrying Mihawk's quiet whisper back into the tavern,
"What an arrogant swordsman..."
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
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