Yasopp's feelings were not difficult to understand.
It was like Zoro meeting Mihawk in the future—no matter how vast the difference in strength, if one doesn't even dare to draw their blade, then they aren't worthy of stepping onto a higher stage.
The World's Greatest Sniper…
Even if Yasopp suspected he wasn't a match and might even face a crushing defeat, he still dared to draw his gun and pull the trigger.
To not even dare aim down the barrel that would be the shame of a sniper.
...
Meanwhile, at the seaside, Mihawk, who had been standing with Beckman in the ocean breeze, also made a decision at this moment.
Wiping the black blade Yoru in his arms, Mihawk's eyes gleamed with a chilling sharpness, like a peerless sword about to be unsheathed.
Sensing this pressure, Beckman, who had been calmly smoking while gazing at the sea, froze slightly.
He turned to glance at Mihawk, surprise flickering in his eyes.
What's going on?
"You are…"
Mihawk heard him and looked at Beckman. His voice carried firm seriousness and resolve.
"Nothing much. I only heard that Red-Haired Shanks's swordsmanship is exceptional. As a swordsman, I've vowed to cross blades with all strong swordsmen, braving wind and rain all these years, only to fulfill the ambition in my heart"
"To possess the strongest swordsmanship in the world, to defeat every swordsman, and to become the World's Greatest Swordsman!!!"
Mihawk made no attempt to hide his ambition. Rather, the pride of a swordsman did not allow him to. That was who Hawk Eyes was.
Beckman finally understood—he wanted to challenge Shanks.
But…
Beckman frowned in thought.
Hawk Eyes Dracule Mihawk was, after all, Orin's right hand. If Orin himself wanted to duel Shanks, he would have no objection. But for Orin's subordinate to step forward and immediately seek a match against his captain… that he found somewhat unpleasant.
What, was Mihawk unable to find satisfaction by crossing blades with him, Shanks's right-hand man?
If Shanks won, it was fine.
But if he lost, word would spread that Shanks couldn't even defeat Orin's subordinate.
Beckman knew well—Shanks's ambition had always been to catch up with Orin's pace…
Perhaps sensing his concerns, Mihawk folded his arms, aloof as ever.
"Don't misunderstand. What I seek to test is swordsmanship alone. Haki and the like can be set aside."
This was an idea Orin had proposed.
After all, the title of [World's Greatest Swordsman] was not equivalent to [World's Strongest Man]. As long as one's swordsmanship itself had no equal, even if their Haki or physique were inferior, they could still claim the title.
Beckman's grip on his pistol relaxed a little.
After some thought, he realized that explained this matter well enough.
This wasn't a king-to-king, general-to-general showdown. It was nothing more than—
A duel between swordsmen.
So Beckman did not stop him, watching as Mihawk shouldered his great black blade and strode toward Shanks.
But no one expected that, at that very moment, two voices rang out simultaneously:
"Accept my challenge, [Black Emperor] / [Red-Haired]!!!"
"Eh???" ×2
The two men, who had been playfully bickering while teasing little Uta, both froze and turned their heads.
One carried a rifle, the other a sword.
Both looked dumbfounded for a moment, before each turned their gaze toward their intended opponent.
"Red-Haired, as a swordsman, draw your blade. Let me witness your swordsmanship."
Mihawk raised Yoru, issuing his formal invitation as a swordsman, intent on a high-level duel.
Shanks, after a moment of surprise, responded with composure. After all, he was indeed a swordsman too. His sword Griffin had cut down many powerful foes.
He had not feared Orin—so how could he possibly fear Mihawk's challenge?
"Of course. I too want to see for myself the strength of a swordsman who once crossed blades with Rayleigh-sensei."
Meanwhile, Yasopp slung his rifle over his shoulder, looking squarely at the slightly stunned Orin, and declared firmly:
"Accept my challenge, Black Emperor. Let me see the true worth of the World's Greatest Sniper!!!"
Yasopp, gun on his shoulder, looked at Orin with unwavering seriousness, radiating the spirit of a true man.
If Shanks had only calmly accepted a swordsman's challenge, then Orin, on the other hand—was delighted.
Being challenged by another sniper—something like this hadn't happened in eight hundred years!!!
Looking back over his career, he had almost never faced any real snipers, to the point that his title of World's Greatest Sniper carried little weight—there were no worthy opponents to highlight it.
Mihawk's title of World's Greatest Swordsman was certified through countless battles against great swordsmen.
Whitebeard's title of World's Strongest Man was forged through countless hard-fought wars.
Kaido's title of World's Strongest Creature was carved through countless attempts at suicide and slaughter.
But Orin's—his title of World's Greatest Sniper was a name bestowed by his subordinates.
In truth, one could even say this title was merely a byproduct of being among the world's strongest.
Because among those stronger than him, not a single one was a sniper.
And among those weaker than him, even those with impressive Observation Haki or excellent marksmanship lacked the courage to challenge a figure as feared across the seas as Orin.
Thus, since the day he set out to sea, Orin had never even had the opportunity to duel a truly powerful sniper.
Although he didn't mind this "uncontested race," it wasn't as if he wanted things to be so dull.
Everyone else's attitude was:
"Well, you're so strong, we won't fight you. Keep your title of World's Greatest Sniper—it's all yours, be happy."
But wasn't that a little boring?
Perfect. A duel of marksmanship with Yasopp would enrich his record.
That was great.
"Alright then. I accept your challenge, sniper Yasopp."
Orin answered with a smile.
And without further delay, under Orin's ability, the Red Force suddenly vanished from its location, instantaneously warping toward the nearest uninhabited island.
Chaos erupted across the ship.
"So this is the Black Emperor's Devil Fruit ability? Incredible!!!"
"It feels like the environment around us changes every instant!!!"
Shanks's eyes gleamed with excitement as he watched Orin warp the ship at speeds rivaling—no, exceeding—the speed of light itself.
"Hey, Orin! Since you haven't founded your own crew, why not join us!!! This way of moving—it's way too convenient!!!"
He spoke on impulse, as was his way.
The members of the Red-Haired Pirates around him were shocked at Shanks's boldness, but their hearts also pounded nervously. They looked at Orin, waiting anxiously for his reply.
"That won't do, Shanks."
As expected, Orin refused.
"I am a relic of the old era. There is no ship in the new era that can carry me…"