"Haah—"
Mike stretched luxuriously, stepping out of his cabin feeling refreshed and invigorated.
A ten-hour nap had left him in excellent spirits, ready to face the grueling task of... well, avoiding any further tasks.
[Ding!]
[Host enjoyed a satisfying, high-quality nap. Mood: Pleased. Happy Points +20.]
As soon as he emerged onto the sun-drenched deck, he spotted Commander Hayes waiting for him.
The Commander promptly saluted.
"Captain."
"Hmm? Where are we now?" Mike asked casually, waving a dismissive hand.
"We've just passed the Gecko Islands, sir. Since we're maintaining minimum cruising speed, it should take about a day and a half to reach Loguetown," Commander Hayes replied crisply.
He then added, with a knowing glint in his eye, "Should we notify Captain Smoker in Loguetown of our impending arrival? So you can... inspect the local conditions?"
Mike raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest in his eyes.
"Oh?"
"As a Marine Headquarters Captain, your rank is equivalent to a Branch Commodore. Inspecting branch operations is a perfectly reasonable duty," the Commander continued smoothly.
"And of course, any official expenses—such as dining out on the public budget—are a non-issue. It's only natural for Headquarters Marines on deployment to stop for resupply and rest."
"Not bad, Commander. Not bad at all," Mike mused, stroking his chin.
Loguetown, the biggest Marine branch in the East Blue, was definitely worth a visit.
He might as well enjoy the sights and local cuisine on the government's budget.
It was practically a paid vacation.
But... Gecko Islands? Why did that name sound so familiar?
A flicker of doubt crossed his mind before he turned back to the Commander.
"We just left the Gecko Islands, you said?"
Commander Hayes nodded.
"Yes, sir. The archipelago where Syrup Village is located."
"Syrup Village?" Mike's eyes brightened, a slow, cunning smile spreading across his face as a brilliant idea clicked into place.
Syrup Village.
Wasn't that the home of one of the key "tools" he had been contemplating for his Grand Slacker Plan? 'Thousand Plans' Kuro, the supposedly retired captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
By his estimate, Luffy should have already dealt with Kuro by now, leaving the man's future wide open.
But even if he hadn't, it didn't matter.
For the sake of his future carefree life at Headquarters, he could always "persuade" Kuro himself.
Kuro was a man of exceptional strategic ability, a master of planning and manipulation.
Once properly... recruited... Mike's future at Headquarters would be even more comfortable than Kizaru's!
With that thought, Mike's mood grew even lighter.
He looked at Commander Hayes and gave a sharp, decisive order.
"Change course. Head to Syrup Village."
"Huh?" The Commander was momentarily stunned but quickly snapped back to attention, his mind already formulating a reason for the logbook.
'The Captain wishes to make an unscheduled stop to further slack off and kill time. Understood.'
"Yes, sir!" he saluted, turning swiftly to relay the orders.
The massive warship began a slow, deliberate turn, its bow pointing toward Syrup Village.
Mike walked to the railing, gazing at the distant sea with a meaningful, almost predatory smile.
He murmured to the wind, "Kuro, my friend, your quiet retirement is officially over. It's time for you to toil and hustle for my glorious, carefree lazy life."
****
As Mike's warship charted a course for a quiet recruitment, a storm was brewing at the sea restaurant, Baratie.
The atmosphere, once filled with the cheerful clatter of cutlery, had grown thick with tension.
"Oh my god, that... that's the flagship of the Krieg Pirates! The overlords of the East Blue!" a customer cried out, pointing a trembling finger into the distance.
"But... it looks like it's about to fall apart," another muttered, his voice thick with unease.
All eyes were fixed on the battered, skeletal remains of a galleon drifting toward them like a ghost ship.
Having been utterly decimated by Mihawk, the remnants of the Krieg Pirates had fled in disarray, their shattered flagship a testament to their crushing defeat.
Thud, thud, thud—
With heavy, exhausted footsteps, Don Krieg and his loyal subordinate Gin led the few surviving pirates onto the Baratie's deck.
Krieg was covered in wounds, his golden armor cracked and bent, his expression a mask of weariness and feral brutality.
"Hey! Prepare food and water for hundreds of men! Fast!" Krieg barked, oblivious to the terrified stares.
"That damn Hawk-Eyes is still on our tail! We don't have time to waste!"
He turned his head, his greedy eyes landing on the Baratie's sturdy hull.
"This ship's not bad. I'm taking it!" he declared arrogantly. "You've all got ten minutes to get the hell off my new ship!"
"Hey! I'm not done eating yet," a voice mumbled through a mouthful of meat.
Luffy, his cheeks stuffed, showed no trace of fear.
He was the man who would become the Pirate King; what was there to be afraid of?
"Hawk-Eyes?"
At that name, Zoro's head snapped up.
His entire demeanor changed in an instant.
His expression turned deadly serious, his eyes burning with an intense, almost fanatical light.
In this entire world, only one man was known by that title.
Just then, a dazzling green slash tore through the air from afar, like a bolt of lightning splitting the sea. It passed cleanly through Krieg's flagship.
BOOM—!
With a deafening crash, the massive vessel was severed in two, its hull groaning as it finally surrendered to the sea, sinking beneath the waves.
In the distance, a coffin-shaped boat drifted closer, a man exuding an aura of overwhelming power seated calmly upon it.
"The World's Greatest Swordsman... 'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk," Zoro breathed, his voice low and trembling with raw excitement.
His blood was boiling, his breath growing ragged.
Slowly, deliberately, Zoro raised his hand and tightened the black bandana around his forehead.
The moment the knot was tied, all distracting thoughts vanished, leaving only the man before him and the insurmountable goal he had chased his entire life.
"Let's have a duel!" Zoro roared, his voice filled with the weight of his ambition.
He gripped his two swords, his knuckles turning white.
The duel he had dreamed of for years was finally here.
Mihawk gazed at the young swordsman, a flicker of amusement and appreciation in his golden eyes.
He met Zoro's fiery gaze, his own hawk-like eyes seeming to pierce through to his very soul.
"Not bad, boy. Those are the eyes of a true swordsman."
He recalled Mike's unique power, the sheer force and elegance of his Sun Breathing.
This "duel" with a novice would be a good way to pass the time.
"Very well," Mihawk said, a faint, dangerous smile curling his lips.
He drew the small cross-shaped dagger from his necklace.
"You have courage. Let's see if your will is as strong as your eyes."