As right-hand men to two legendary pirates—
They shared similarities and differences.
The difference: Mihawk was far colder than Rayleigh's easygoing, approachable nature.
But both were reliable, powerful second-in-commands. Both had devastating swordsmanship and Haki.
And one more thing...
Both were pure swordsmen. No flashy, over-the-top technique names.
Which meant during their blade clash, neither shouted attack names.
The words were in the steel.
Clash!!!
Rayleigh had sailed the seas for decades. Faced the world's strongest. His swordsmanship was so refined even Mihawk had to acknowledge it.
When Rayleigh traded blows with Mihawk, shadows of many fighters flickered in his blade.
Roger. Golden Lion Shiki. Aus...
This meant Mihawk's swordsmanship absorbed nutrients at lightning speed. Drawing from a hundred schools to forge the world's strongest technique.
What others struggled to unleash as full-power slashes—in Hawkeye Mihawk's hands, just casual swings.
Hundreds of strikes in an instant.
Using the blade's flexibility, redirecting attacks with precise force.
His swordsmanship and combat awareness skyrocketed. This growth rate reminded Rayleigh of an old friend.
A satisfied smile crossed his lips—the smile of a good teacher. His glasses reflected the heroic figure of young Hawkeye Mihawk.
"A monster's companion is also a monster, huh..."
"How flashy. Fighting the Pirate King's right hand..."
Grand Line, first half.
Paradise.
A figure held a newspaper, reading with a smile.
Whoosh...
With a slow exhale, smoke drifted on the wind. She held the cigar in her hand.
In the blink of an eye, the newspaper weathered and crumbled to dust.
"Then I'll take down a Marine monster Vice Admiral. Sharpen my skills a bit."
On the distant coastline, a Marine warship sailed past. Crocodile had somehow obtained intel—Vice Admiral Sakazuki was leading Marines through this area.
She was here to ambush him.
She'd heard Aus once fought three monster Vice Admirals alone. If she, Crocodile, fought one—that should be reasonable, right?
Just a Marine.
"Hey, you lot! Sail toward that Marine warship!!!"
This was a pirate ship she'd captured on a whim. Mostly small-timers. A quick beating, and they became her crew.
But when the pirates heard Crocodile's order, fear aside—they hesitated at the thought of engaging the Marines.
Especially the lookout. He saw clearly the cold-faced man standing at the warship's bow, arms crossed. Terror flooded his voice:
"That... that's a Marine Vice Admiral!!! I recognize him—Marine Headquarters monster Vice Admiral Sakazuki! The man who fought the Black Emperor!!!"
Hearing this, the crew panicked even more.
Meeting someone like that—they'd definitely die!
Seeing these no-name pirates' pathetic display, Crocodile's contempt showed. Cigar clenched in her teeth, her expression turned terrifying.
Paradise pirates had such shallow vision.
Just Aus's defeated opponent, that's all...
Never having witnessed—only heard of—Aus's battle with the three Vice Admirals, Crocodile naturally assumed she could handle at least a third of what Aus could.
With that thought, facing this bunch of trash, her expression turned ice-cold:
"Who the hell do you think I am?!! Bring this ship alongside!!!"
Black coat draped over her shoulders. A boss-like aura radiated from her. Only lacking Conqueror's Haki as the finishing touch.
Hair slicked back. A scar cutting across her cold face. Eyes like a mafia godfather's—ruthless and venomous. The golden hook gleamed with cold light.
She was gunning for the title of world's strongest woman. A boss among women.
Sand Crocodile Crocodile!!!
"...Yes!"
"Understood!!"
The no-name pirates didn't dare disobey. Hearts filled with prayers not to die, they steered the pirate ship toward the warship.
No choice. Might makes right.
They'd thought finding a lone woman at sea was their lucky day. Were already cackling with wicked grins.
Then a sandstorm to the face sobered them up.
Blades, bullets—nothing worked. Instead, one wave of her hand and she drained grunts into mummies one by one.
Later someone recognized her. Pulled out a wanted poster with trembling hands. The captain saw that ten-digit bounty and nearly pissed himself.
What else could they do?
Obey.
"Only someone this strong is worthy of my attention!"
Crocodile stood at the bow, domineering gaze locked on the distant warship. Obviously they'd spotted her immediately too.
A Marine recognized Crocodile's figure. His face went pale.
He rushed to report to Vice Admiral Sakazuki.
"What did you say?"
Sakazuki was reviewing wanted posters. When his subordinate rushed in with the report, his brow furrowed.
After hearing who it was, his expression darkened further.
The wanted poster crumpled in his fist. Sparks flew from his body uncontrollably.
He didn't ask why Crocodile was here. Didn't ask about her forces. Instead, he asked a strangely serious question:
"Is Doctor Aus on that ship?"
"Uh..."
The lookout thought back. He hadn't spotted "Black Gun" anywhere.
He was about to respond—
But Sakazuki waved him off. His stern face, eyes closed.
"Forget it... Doesn't matter if he's there or not. We'll pretend we didn't see anything."
The messenger froze.
That Sakazuki—who never let a single pirate escape, who embodied "Absolute Justice," the iron-blooded soldier—when had he ever shown this attitude?
But a soldier's duty is obedience. True for both the messenger and Sakazuki.
The soldier saluted, about to return to deck to relay orders—
Then heard the howl of wind and sand.
"Sandstorm!!!"
Sakazuki: ???
Messenger: ???
Regular soldiers: "Enemy attack!!!"
In the massive spinning sandstorm, the warship rocked violently under continuous strikes.
Soldiers manned cannons, firing toward the enemy. But the cannonballs were shredded to nothing mid-flight.
"Pushing your luck!!! Sand Crocodile!!!"
"Inugami Guren!!!"
A roar erupted from the warship. Following it—a massive magma hound dripping molten lava, jaws wide open.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki!!!"
"Thank god, it's Vice Admiral Sakazuki! We're saved!!!"
The Marines cheered. But the very next second after their cheer—a sand blade appeared on the warship.
SHING—
From waist upward.
Sakazuki.
Cut clean in half.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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