A month later, the salty air of Branch 186 was thick with anticipation.
The handover had gone smoother than anyone expected.
With Mike's full cooperation (and Kizaru's intimidating presence), the new base commander was settled in, and all the necessary paperwork was signed.
Today was the day Mike would officially depart for Marine Headquarters.
At the newly repaired dock, one of Kizaru's massive warships waited, its imposing sails bearing the Admiral's name rustling in the sea breeze.
Marines in dress whites moved with crisp efficiency, making final preparations.
Mihawk had, to everyone's surprise, decided to linger for the month, enjoying the quiet island and Mike's company before seeing him off.
Now, the three of them—a slacker Captain, a stoic Warlord and a lazy Admiral—stood together on the dock, an unlikely trio enjoying a final moment of tranquility.
"I won't say much," Mihawk began, his sharp eyes fixed on Mike.
His tone carried a rare hint of genuine admiration.
"Congratulations on finally getting the promotion you deserve."
His words were simple, but coming from the World's Strongest Swordsman, they were a profound acknowledgment of strength.
Mike just smiled. "Technically, I still have a month of travel before reporting. I'm only officially a Headquarters Captain when I set foot in Marineford." He stretched lazily, the very picture of relaxation.
"But thanks, Mihawk. I appreciate it."
Being acknowledged by a man like Mihawk was damn good.
[Ding!]
[Host receives sincere recognition from the Warlord of the Sea, "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk. Mood: Happy. Happy Points +5000.]
"There is no need for thanks. I will simply visit you at Marine Headquarters directly in the future," Mihawk nodded, a faint smile touching his lips.
"We still have much to discuss about your 'Breathing Styles'."
"Come anytime," Mike shot back with a grin. "Just don't forget to bring gifts. Preferably liquid and aged in an oak barrel."
"Hmph, you brat." Mihawk let out a soft snort before turning and striding toward his own vessel, the sleek, coffin-shaped boat.
He stood at its prow, his posture was straight.
Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, his solitary figure looked as profound and unshakable as a mountain.
"Then, I will be leaving."
The sails trembled faintly as the sea breeze rustled his ornate robes.
Mike chuckled softly at the dramatic sight.
"Hey, Mihawk, you're not leaving yet?" Mike teased, his voice carrying across the water.
Kizaru, standing to the side, observed everything with an amused grin, his Observation Haki sensing the playful tension in the air.
'Ooh, this is going to be fun~'
"...You head back to the base first. I will enjoy the view for a while," Mihawk's voice came back, as cool and composed as ever.
"Now how could I do that?" Mike's mischievous smirk widened.
"I have to see you off personally. You're my 'honored guest,' after all. And we made a bet, remember?"
"You... brat." A vein throbbed on Mihawk's temple.
'(╬ò?ó)'
"Since when in the hell have you ever seen anyone off?!"
"Hehehe, today's the day! A bet's a bet, Hawkeye!"
Mihawk snorted sharply.
A man of his stature always honored his word, no matter how infuriating it was.
With a final, withering glare at the laughing Marine, he suddenly turned around.
In one fluid, imposing motion, he drew the legendary Black Blade "Yoru" from its sheath.
Then, with a movement so absurd it was majestic, he plunged the supreme-grade blade into the water and began to row, slicing through the sea with steady, powerful strokes.
"Whoosh—"
The Coffin Boat began to drift slowly away from the dock, propelled by the world's most expensive oar.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Mike exploded with laughter, slapping his thigh and nearly doubling over.
"You're so skilled Hawkeye! Looks like you've done that plenty of times before!"
The sight was just too perfect, a priceless moment of utter comedy.
[Ding!]
[Host witnesses Mihawk's ultimate comedic moment: Using the Black Blade as an oar. Mood: Overjoyed. Happy Points +5000.]
"..."
On the Coffin Boat, Mihawk's grip on Yoru tightened.
With a cold snort, he abruptly swung the blade, not to row, but to attack.
A flick of his wrist sent a terrifying, emerald-green slash tearing through the air, screaming directly toward the laughing Mike.
"Oh, crap!" Mike yelped, the laughter dying in his throat.
"That's Hawkeye's full-power 'I'm super pissed off' slash!"
His survival instincts took over, and he immediately dove behind the tallest, most durable object nearby: Kizaru.
"Admiral, save me!"
"Yo~" Kizaru, who had been thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, simply smirked at the incoming wave of destruction.
"What a terrifying attack~ But I'm just a poor, innocent bystander, you know. You two should really settle this yourselves~"
Before the words even faded, Kizaru's body dissolved into a swarm of golden light particles, vanishing into thin air and leaving behind only a faint, humorous chuckle.
"DAMN IT, KIZARU!" Mike roared at the empty space.
"Abandoning your subordinate at a critical moment! What kind of leader is that?!"
There was no time to curse him further.
The green slash was upon him.
Gripping the hilt of his Kusanagi sword, Mike's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by deadly focus.
He took a single, deep breath.
The sunlight seemed to bend around him, casting a blazing radiance upon his form as waves of oppressive heat began to radiate outward.
His breathing became rapid, yet perfectly rhythmic.
"Sun Breathing!"
With a low shout, an overwhelming surge of heat erupted from Mike's body, enveloping him in a crimson aura as if he were a living flame.
As he exhaled a scorching breath, a violent torrent of fiery air swirled around him, shaking the very ground.
"Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance!"
He moved, a blur of motion and fire.
He swung his blade with lightning speed, each slash accompanied by the thunderous sound of splitting air.
Countless arcs of flaming sword energy erupted from Kusanagi, weaving together to form a colossal, coiling dragon made of pure fire.
The scorching beast danced through the sky, roaring silently as it met Mihawk's attack head-on.
"BOOM—!"
A deafening explosion rocked the entire island as Mihawk's peerless green slash collided violently with Mike's fiery dragon.
The shockwave was immense, a physical wave of force that kicked up a tidal wave and cracked the stone dock beneath Mike's feet.
The fierce winds howled, threatening to tear him from his footing.
Mike staggered back two steps, digging his heels in before steadying himself, his arms vibrating from the sheer power of the impact.
"Tsk tsk tsk, to only be pushed back two steps after taking a full-power strike from 'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk..."
A familiar, lazy voice cooed from right beside him.
A cluster of light particles rapidly coalesced, and Kizaru's figure reappeared, his usual lazy grin plastered on his face.
"My dear future Admiral, you've been hiding quite a lot of power, haven't you~"
"Old Man!" Mike snapped, his face full of exasperation.
"You have the nerve to show your face? You're so unreliable at the worst times!"
"???" Kizaru froze, utterly bewildered by the sudden demotion.
'First 'Admiral Kizaru,' then just 'Kizaru,' and now 'Old Man'?'
'Where is this young man's manners?'
Meanwhile, far out on the water, Mihawk stood at the bow of his Coffin Boat, his sharp gaze locked on Mike.
Seeing his earth-shattering strike blocked so magnificently, a look of deep, profound admiration spread across his face.
"HAHAHAHAHA! MAGNIFICENT!" His powerful laughter rang out like a triumphant symphony, echoing across the sea.
"Mike, that move! is EXQUISITE! Wait for me at Marineford!"
"You better not come!" Mike yelled back.
"Ten crates of top-tier red wine!"
"Honored guest of the Marine Headquarters, please come as you please, sir!"
With one last booming laugh, Mihawk used Yoru to push off one last time, the Coffin Boat gradually retreating toward the horizon.
As Mihawk's boat became a speck in the distance, it passed by a fleet of ships so large it looked like a moving island.
A massive, three-decked galleon with a menacing black panther figurehead led the charge.
The pirate flag flying from its main mast depicted a skull flanked by two hourglasses, exuding an air of menace.
At the bow stood a towering man with light purple hair and dazzling golden armor.
His booming laughter echoed like thunder.
"Listen up, men!" he roared, his sharp, confident gaze sweeping over the sea.
"We're heading for the Grand Line!"
His voice cut through the sea breeze, filled with unshakeable arrogance.
"We will conquer it! Let the entire world know my name! The ruler of the East Blue, with a bounty of 17,000,000 Berries—'Admiral' Don Krieg!"
The pirates on board roared in unison, their morale soaring.
Yet, one man among them stood apart.
He was of average height, with unkempt hair and a scruffy beard, the deep dark circles under his eyes betraying a profound exhaustion that contrasted with the crew's fervor.
He was the Man Demon—Gin.