"Na-ni!!!"
In that instant, Smoker didn't even know when the blade had appeared—
But its edge was already pressed coldly against his throat, gleaming with a chilling light.
Before he could even move toward Orin, Mihawk had somehow appeared right beside him, standing tall and proud with Yoru in hand.
The wide brim of Mihawk's hat cast a shadow that hid most of his face, leaving only those sharp, ringed eyes visible—cold, layered, and unblinking as they locked on Smoker.
Though Smoker couldn't clearly see Mihawk's movement or how he drew his blade, he clearly had no intention of surrendering.
A bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead as he gritted his teeth hard.
For the people of Loguetown, he couldn't allow himself to yield here.
Smoke began to billow from his body as he activated his Logia powers, intending to slip past Mihawk's blade using his elemental form.
"I will never allow you to cause chaos in Loguetown!!!"
"Pathetic... such a pitiful display of weakness."
As Smoker attempted to pass through with his smoke form, Mihawk's expression didn't change in the slightest.
The black blade in his hand sliced lazily through the air, almost as if he were toying with a child.
Pssht...
Smoker froze mid-charge, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
He looked down to see his prized jitte—made of Seastone—cleanly severed in half.
A moment later, blood gushed from his chest, a long but shallow slash across his torso, sending him flying backward.
He grimaced, reforming into smoke to cushion the impact, and drove the broken end of his weapon into the ground to steady himself.
Panting, Smoker looked up at the aloof figure holding that black blade, meeting those cold, mysterious eyes.
"Logia powers aren't invincible."
Smoker hadn't even been able to touch the hem of Orin's coat before Mihawk casually struck him down.
Though the injury wasn't fatal, it was enough to make him understand the vast gulf between their power.
Orin drained the last of his drink and set down the cup. Then he left a small bag of money on the counter.
"Sorry. Consider this compensation for the little mess we caused."
The old bartender didn't care much—after all, Orin was once a member of Roger's crew, and a few damages to a tavern meant nothing.
But Orin just waved his hand lightly.
Then he turned to look at Smoker, smiling faintly.
"Just a joke, you know. I'm not some world-destroying villain."
"And rather than wasting time on a passerby like me, shouldn't you be chasing your real target?"
With a snap of his fingers, a wanted poster appeared in the air.
A grinning boy in a straw hat was printed on it.
"This one should look familiar, right?"
Smoker's eyes widened.
Wasn't that the same kid who had just asked him for directions earlier?!
...
"You seem... quite interested in that Straw Hat crew?"
On the road toward the execution platform, Mihawk finally voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind.
"Maybe a little," Orin said, glancing ahead at the swelling crowd.
"Every era has its protagonists—the ones who stir up the tides of the world. You could say that times create heroes, or perhaps heroes create the times..."
He brushed back the loose strands of hair on his forehead, revealing a handsome, mature face.
"I have a feeling these young ones will bring plenty of excitement to the world. Otherwise, wouldn't things be far too dull, don't you think, Hawk Eyes?"
Mihawk was reminded of a certain green-haired swordsman who would rather die than lose.
"Yeah... I suppose so."
Before the execution platform, people crowded from every corner—locals and travelers alike.
The sight brought Orin back to memories of that special day twenty-three years ago.
"Back then, there were crowds here too... just like this."
"..."
Mihawk could tell that Orin's mood had shifted. There was a quiet melancholy in his tone—as if he were reminiscing.
"Hey!!! You two! Don't stand in the middle of the road!!!"
A sharp, impatient voice cut through the air, ruining the heavy atmosphere.
"Hm?"
Both men turned to see a green-haired punk with a ridiculous pompadour staring at them. His clothes were garish and colorful, his pointed teeth making him look like a street thug.
"What's with those looks, huh?!"
Both Mihawk and Orin looked at him with the same calm, almost bored expression—utterly indifferent.
"Damn it!!!"
"I'm the boss of over a hundred streets! Remember the name—Bartolomeo!!!"
Spreading his arms dramatically, Bartolomeo declared his title, fully expecting them to be shocked.
But instead...
"Let's get a little closer, Hawk Eyes. Things are about to get interesting."
"Did you see that with your Observation Haki?"
The two simply turned away from him, continuing their quiet conversation as if he didn't exist.
"..."
A vein throbbed on Bartolomeo's forehead as anger rose inside him.
He wasn't someone you could just ignore!!!
"You bastards!!!"
Crossing his fingers, he made a gesture—green, glass-like barriers shimmered into existence before him, forming instantly.
Like an unbreakable wall, it stood before him, ready to advance at any moment.
"Don't underestimate me! I've eaten the Barrier-Barrier Fruit! My barriers are absolutely unbreakable—uh—!!!"
Before he could even finish, Orin lazily waved his hand through the air.
In an instant—
Bartolomeo was sent flying like he'd been slammed by a Sea King. His eyes rolled back, his stomach dented inward from the impact.
He tumbled backward, skidding across the ground before collapsing in a heap, bile spilling from his mouth.
He stared dazedly at the two men walking past him, questioning reality itself.
M-my invincible barrier... how?! How is that even possible?! What kind of monster is this man?!
As the two approached the platform, a commotion unfolded atop it.
A figure stood there, curious and defiant.
When someone tried to drag him down, a series of chaotic scenes played out—first Alvida's sudden transformation into a beautiful woman, then Buggy disguised in black, and finally the absurd "execution."
"Sorry, but could you let me go now?" said Luffy.
"You bastard!!! Who'd ever let you go?!" Buggy roared.
"I'll execute you right here—for daring to offend me!!!"
"If you have any last words, say them now!!!"
After a brief silence, the boy grinned and shouted—
"I'm the man who will become the Pirate King!!!"
The entire crowd froze in shock, staring at the two figures on the platform.
Only Orin smiled faintly, glancing toward Mihawk.
"Seems like there really is a future Pirate King standing on that platform right now."