"Are you really not going to take care of the sea of fire down there?"
On the mountain peak, Dracule Mihawk looked at the flames raging across the foot of the mountain and asked Lock indifferently.
Lock, eyes closed as he felt the breeze at that height, replied calmly:
"You don't need to worry. Once we leave, this space will return to its original state."
Mihawk's sharp eyes lingered on him.
I underestimated this man before. He may very well be the strongest in the world. No… he is definitely the strongest.
His strength isn't just overwhelming—it's breathtaking.
Looking at Lock, who stood with a relaxed expression, Mihawk couldn't help but think so to himself.
"Alright, alright," Lock said suddenly, stretching and placing his hands behind his head. "It's about time we head back. Just don't go telling people I beat you when we're out there…"
He tilted his head with a grin. "Otherwise, my crew might not stay so eager to grow stronger."
Hearing this, Mihawk gave a slow nod. "I understand."
He thought that perhaps Lock wanted the Straw Hats to become stronger—or maybe he simply wanted to watch their growth firsthand.
"Although it's impolite," Mihawk said after a pause, "I still want to ask—where on earth was someone like you born?"
Lock stood, walking to the cliff's edge. He lifted his head slightly, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke with his back to Mihawk:
"The place where I was born?"
"It's somewhere no one in this world knows. And even if they did… they could never reach it."
He turned slightly, casting Mihawk a sidelong glance.
"I don't know about the others, but in that place… I was the strongest."
Lock's lips curved faintly as he finished:
"Everyone there calls me—"
"Demon."
Mihawk muttered under his breath. "A land no one can reach, and its strongest magician…"
Lock exhaled lightly. "Alright, let's leave. And remember—not a word about me winning."
"I know," Mihawk said simply.
"Before that," Lock added with a mischievous grin, pointing at his own abs, "you'll have to give me a scar. Make it look real."
Mihawk's brows twitched. If he wants to keep the scar, why bother healing it earlier?
But out of respect for Lock's request, he said nothing. With a swift swing of Yoru, Mihawk left a deep gash across Lock's abdominal muscles.
Blood flowed freely, dripping onto the ground. Lock winced, placing a hand against the wound before weaving magic to stop the bleeding.
"Hiss… damn, Mihawk!" he groaned. "I said realistic, but you didn't have to make it that real!"
Mihawk remained silent, suppressing his urge to retort.
"Retreat!"
Hum—!
A magic circle flared beneath their feet, glowing with blinding light.
Whoosh—!
In an instant, both men vanished from the subspace. The flames, the shattered terrain, and the ruined forest all faded—restoring the realm to its untouched state.
---
Thump—!
"Lock! How are you?"
The moment Lock appeared on the deck, bleeding heavily, Luffy rushed to his side.
(At this time, Luffy had already defeated Don Krieg, and Gin had left with the remaining pirates in a small boat.)
Lock coughed lightly, forcing a weak smile. "Sorry, Luffy. I was planning to beat that guy up for Zoro… but it didn't exactly go as planned."
Though Lock's wounds were real, he made it seem as though Mihawk had completely defeated him.
"Hurry, bring some medicine!"
Luffy barked at the Baratie chefs, then knelt beside Lock with a worried look. "It's okay, Lock. I'm just glad you're alive. That guy was strong… but someday we'll surpass him. We'll give him back those cuts, I promise!"
Not far away, Mihawk stepped out of the subspace and walked toward his coffin boat. He glanced at Lock and said lightly:
"You're strong. I look forward to seeing you again on the Grand Line."
Their eyes met, exchanging silent understanding.
Before Mihawk departed, Luffy shouted after him:
"One day I'll beat you up—for Lock!"
Mihawk chuckled softly. "I'll be waiting," he replied, stepping onto his boat. With that, he sailed away, vanishing into the horizon.
Lock watched silently, touched when Luffy declared he'd fight Mihawk for his sake. Yet a pang of guilt struck him too. After all, the scar was staged.
Am I deceiving their feelings? Or… am I just grateful?
---
As in the original, Zeff and the chefs put on their exaggerated act to push Sanji away.
Sanji smiled knowingly, exposing their ploy. With a determined look, he finally agreed to join Luffy, Lock, and the others on their voyage into the Grand Line—sharing his dream of the All Blue.
"I'm leaving, you old man." Sanji waved, turning with forced coolness.
Zeff only watched quietly before murmuring: "Be careful not to catch a cold."
Thump—!
Sanji dropped to his knees before Zeff, bowing his head. "Thank you… for everything. I'll never forget your kindness."
Tears welled in his eyes.
Zeff too, despite himself, shed tears of reluctant pride.
---
Later, aboard the Going Merry, Nami stood at the rail, gazing out at the sea.
"What a great bunch of people. When I see them again… can I still be their crewmate?"
Her fists clenched. Tears welled up.
She touched the pendant Lock had given her, holding it close.
"Will we meet again… Lock?"
Nami's sadness burst forth as she gripped the pendant tightly.
"I want to be free… Bell-mère…"
She squatted down, pressing the pendant against her chest, tears falling onto the deck as she wept softly.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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