A nameless island somewhere in the New World.
The air was thick with the scent of iron and gunpowder. Dense jungle surrounded a massive shipyard where workers hammered and welded, sparks flying like fireflies.
Inside the cavernous structure stood Golden Lion Shiki, his mane of hair swaying like a flame in the wind.
He stared down at a stack of ledgers in his hand — the latest accounting of funds being poured into rebuilding his Flying Armada.
Then his eye caught the front page of a fresh newspaper.
"Doflamingo Crowned Emperor of the Underworld."
The paper crumpled in Shiki's grip, his fingers digging into the newsprint until it wrinkled and tore. His sharp grin twisted into a murderous snarl.
"That arrogant brat... thinks he can monopolize the underworld's weapons trade?
Daring to block my profits?
Heh… seems I'll have to remind the seas who the true ruler of the New World is."
Meanwhile — Inside the World Government Headquarters
The conference hall was silent and tense.
The Five Elders sat behind a long table, the same newspaper spread open before them.
Each wore an expression of disbelief.
The man who'd just seized control of the underworld…
was none other than the same traitorous Donquixote boy —
the one who'd murdered his own father in an attempt to reclaim his long-lost Celestial Dragon title.
"Unthinkable," muttered Saturn, brows furrowing.
"That whelp — once nothing but a cruel, attention-seeking upstart with mediocre talent — now stands atop the underworld itself?"
After a long, heated discussion, the Elders reached two conclusions.
First:
Doflamingo's bounty would be raised to 1.56 billion Berries, marking him as a top-tier threat worthy of the World Government's full attention.
Second:
they would consider recruiting him.
After all, as a former Celestial Dragon, Doflamingo understood the inner workings of the Government — and might serve as a useful pawn to keep other forces in check.
The Virtue Pirates — Setting Sail Again
Having secured Doflamingo's throne and integrated his organization as a formal vassal of the Virtue Pirates, Shiro's crew prepared to leave the North Blue behind.
But this voyage had yielded more than just political victory — it had sparked something extraordinary.
Dracule Mihawk, who had witnessed Shiro and Doflamingo's clash of Conqueror's Haki, had broken through a long-standing barrier in his own spirit.
He had awakened the Conqueror's Haki.
When Shiro heard the news, he clapped Mihawk on the shoulder, grinning from ear to ear.
"So you've finally done it, Hawk-Eye! Then let me show you how to really use it."
He began teaching Mihawk everything he knew — how to compress the Haki's density, how to lock onto a target with precision, how to restrain or release it at will.
When Mihawk's control grew steadier, Shiro introduced him to an even greater secret — the technique of coating one's weapon in Conqueror's Haki.
He even demonstrated it several times, his aura crackling with black lightning.
But no matter how hard Mihawk tried, the blade of Yoru refused to obey.
Whenever he attempted to channel his will, the energy either scattered before reaching the edge, or dissipated the instant it made contact.
Watching from the side, Shiro scratched his head awkwardly.
"What the hell? I went over every step! Even showed him over and over — the guy's a natural-born genius, so why can't he get it?
...Don't tell me I've turned into a Rayleigh type — good at doing it myself, lousy at teaching others."
Resigning himself with a sigh, Shiro patted Mihawk's shoulder.
"Don't stress over it. Maybe what you need isn't more explanation — it's the right environment.
Let's go find someone who can push you past your limit."
He raised a palm — and with a gentle pop, the two vanished, launched skyward by the Paw-Paw Fruit.
Wano Country — Onigashima
Their bodies sliced through the mist surrounding the island, landing atop the cliffs of Onigashima.
Shiro turned, his expression calm but eyes glinting with purpose.
"Mihawk… Kaido's here.
If you want to sharpen your blade — there's no better grindstone in the world.
Go. Cross swords with a Yonko."
Mihawk's head rose slowly, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Yoru gleamed coldly in the sunlight as his aura sharpened to a lethal edge.
"Understood."
In a flash, he was gone — streaking toward the island's heart.
Within minutes, the Beast Pirates' fortress trembled with the sound of two monsters colliding.
Kaido, now in human form, stood with thunder crackling around his shoulders, his Conqueror's Haki roaring like a storm.
Mihawk's blade clashed against that overwhelming might, sending shockwaves ripping through the sky.
Each swing of Yoru carried the power to cleave mountains.
Kaido met them head-on, laughing madly, his kanabo sparking against the black blade.
For thirty minutes, the two titans battled — Haki against Haki, thunder against steel.
Then Kaido roared, his voice shaking the island.
"Not bad, Hawkeye!
But you're still a hundred years too early to scar me!"
He gathered his full strength, crimson lightning wrapping around his arms as he swung his kanabo downward.
"Conqueror of three Worlds — Ragnarok!"
The attack struck like an earthquake.
Mihawk raised Yoru to block, but the impact was too great.
The blast sent him flying, blood bursting from his mouth as his body hurtled backward.
Before he could crash into the ground, Shiro appeared behind him, catching him midair.
His palms glowed with the soft shimmer of the Paw-Paw Fruit's energy, cushioning the force.
With a quick pulse of power, Shiro redirected Mihawk's body — flicking him gently toward the Virtue, far beyond Kaido's reach.
Back aboard the ship, Mihawk lay resting in the cabin as Shiro placed his hand over the wound.
A soft light radiated through Mihawk's chest — torn flesh knitting back together, color returning to his face.
When his eyes opened again, he sat in silence, fingers brushing the hilt of Yoru.
He could still feel it — that raw, crushing pressure from Kaido's Haki.
Somewhere in that sensation, a spark of understanding flickered.
"No… it's not enough," he muttered.
"I only glimpsed the surface. I can't truly reproduce it yet."
Shiro, who had just entered the room, chuckled knowingly.
"I figured as much.
When I was with the Roger Pirates, I watched Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban use their Haki up close.
I had the luxury of seeing it every day, learning through sheer exposure.
I only had to fight Kaido once before I got it."
He smirked, crossing his arms.
"But you, Mihawk — you've always been a loner.
You've barely ever seen others use advanced Conqueror's Haki in person.
Just one fight with Kaido won't cut it."
Then his grin widened, mischievous and daring.
"So what? Once isn't enough?
Then we'll just make it twice."
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