Kizaru raised his sunglasses slightly, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes.
"So, why is Mihawk here? One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea suddenly showing up at a small branch in the East Blue Navy… could it be he intends to attack the branch?"
"..."
The nearby soldiers silently complained in their hearts. Admiral, aren't you also the strongest fighter in the headquarters—and yet you're sitting here in this tiny backwater branch too?
"Report! Mihawk Sama is actually a friend of the Captain. He often comes here to challenge him to duels."
"But they've never really fought before," one soldier admitted, "Every time they just drank together and chatted happily. But this time… they suddenly clashed."
"And they completely destroyed the branch…"
"..."
"Friend?"
Kizaru's eyes suddenly grew sharp. His pupils shrank slightly, while the corners of his mouth curved into a half-smile.
"Drink and chat, eh? A Shichibukai being friends with a branch Captain? Heh… this joke isn't very funny~"
"Reporting to Admiral Kizaru, we were shocked too," a soldier said carefully, then lifted his head with determination. "But it's true. Mihawk comes every few months with bottles of fine wine to visit Captain Yamir. All of us in the branch have seen it."
The soldiers behind him nodded in unison.
"Yes, Admiral. We even checked the old bounty lists and confirmed it—he really is 'Hawkeye' Mihawk."
"Yo~"
Kizaru lightly stroked his chin, raising his eyebrows as if intrigued by this unbelievable situation.
"If all of this is true, then, Captain Yamir… you've really given me a great surprise."
He turned slowly, his gaze fixing on the smoking ruins in the distance. His expression, usually lazy, grew serious.
Others may not know, but I do. The Shichibukai are seven pirates granted special privileges and recognition by the World Government. Before that, each one was a pirate who shook the seas with their fame. But even among them, the difference in power is immense…
And at the very top of that pyramid stood "Hawkeye" Mihawk—the greatest swordsman in the world.
If Mihawk acknowledges you as a friend, it means at the very least… you're worthy of facing his sword seriously. Otherwise, given his personality, he wouldn't even look at you.
Kizaru's lips curled slightly. You boy… what a treasure. I will never let you slip out of my palm. The position of my adjutant… it belongs to you.
At that moment, crisp and firm footsteps echoed from the ruins.
tread—
A pair of black boots stepped onto the shattered ground with steady power.
Though the entire branch lay in ruins, Mihawk himself was untouched, not a single speck of dust on his figure.
He stood tall, cloak swaying lightly, eyes sharp. A faint smile played on his lips, as if recalling the lightning-fast clash just moments ago.
"Excellent… The speed of that strike was outstanding."
"Come on—surely you've hidden something else!"
His hawk-like eyes locked onto the distant rubble.
"Today, let me see the depths of your swordsmanship!"
Mihawk raised the black blade Yoru with one hand, pouring his strength into it. A powerful aura surged outward, the killing intent sharp enough to cut the air itself.
With a single merciless swing, the black sword fell.
"Boom—!"
The blade cleaved through the air like a thunderbolt, the sky itself trembling. The shockwave swept outward, debris exploded, dust rolled, and the ruined branch seemed ready to collapse further under the weight of his strike.
Kizaru, who had been watching from a distance, wore his usual lazy smile.
"Yo~ It really is Mihawk. That slash… so fierce."
He paused, tilting his head as if some playful idea had just come to him.
"Let me earn some impression points first."
His body dissolved into countless photons, scattering like electric sparks. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared right in front of Mihawk's fatal slash. Light converged in his hands, forming a dazzling sword—Ama no Murakumo, one of his trademark weapons.
The radiant blade cut through the night sky, illuminating the darkness with its brilliance.
Clang—!
The sound of metal striking metal echoed sharply. Kizaru's blade of light met Mihawk's legendary black sword Yoru, the strongest black blade in the world. The violent collision dispersed Mihawk's slash instantly, as if it had never existed.
"Oh my, this is really scary~," Kizaru drawled, his tone relaxed, his eyes gleaming with playful disdain. Floating in the air as if the battlefield were his stage, he looked at Mihawk with a sly smile.
"Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea… what exactly are you planning to do with Captain Yamir, who will soon be my lieutenant?"
Mihawk raised a brow, clearly intrigued.
"So it's you, the Marine Headquarters' top Admiral—'Kizaru' Borsalino. Why would you appear in such a remote East Blue branch?"
"I can't help it," Kizaru shrugged, stretching lazily. "I'm just an employee. Orders are orders."
"Oh? Your leader, Sengoku, sent you here?" Mihawk tapped Yoru lightly against his shoulder, his sharp gaze never wavering. "Has the Navy finally realized this kid Yamir's potential?"
Though Mihawk's fighting spirit still lingered, he sheathed his blade. If an admiral was involved, continuing the duel here would be reckless—wrecking a Marine branch in front of Borsalino would mean unnecessary trouble.
"Really? You also think my future lieutenant is excellent?" Kizaru arched a brow, his voice carrying lazy amusement and self-assurance.
Just then, the ruins shifted, and Yamir walked out, brushing dust from his clothes. Hearing two of the strongest men in the world casually praising him, he rolled his eyes.
"No way… wouldn't it be awkward for me if you praise me like that right in front of me?" He sighed dramatically. "Don't I have any dignity? Stop praising me already!"
Ding!
[The host was praised by two great figures in the pirate world. Secretly delighted, extremely happy. Happiness value +10086.]
Yamir froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
"…Keep praising, don't stop!"