Windless Zone.
This area is located on both sides of the Grand Line.
Due to the existence of the Windless Zone, the Grand Line and the four seas are separated into two distinct regions; the Grand Line is a gathering place for the world's strong, whereas the other sea areas are quite peaceful.
As the name implies.
The Windless Zone has no wind at all.
This means any ship trying to sail through the Windless Zone loses its propulsion due to the lack of wind and becomes immobile. Furthermore, the presence of countless Sea King Species, and even gigantic Sea Kings thousands of meters long, makes the Windless Zone a forbidden land for humans.
However…
The strong never complain about the environment.
For the World's Number One Sword Master, Hawkeye Mihawk, this sea area might be less dangerous than his own island, as a single attack could kill a Sea King.
This time, Hawkeye Mihawk came from the Grand Line to the East Sea just to meet a small fellow named Monkey D. Luffy, who was favored by his friend, Red-haired Shanks. Unexpectedly, this trip led him to something even more interesting.
Beside that Straw Hat Luffy was a fearless young swordsman following him, a green-headed swordsman named Zoro, who also possessed a remarkable strong spirit!
But…
They weren't the most interesting ones.
This World's Number One Sword Master sat on his small boat, slightly raising his head to look at the massive ship ahead, and saw several figures standing on the deck!
This Pirate crew was his greatest find on this journey to the East Sea!
Just the people on this ship alone, Mihawk saw two men with the spirit of the strong, with his eyes, known as Hawkeye, sharp enough to see through what many cannot, seeing the extraordinariness of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara!
One of the men appeared simple and unsophisticated, yet had the unwavering qualities of certain royal saints, a person destined to be strong by nature;
The other man's gaze held arrogance and confidence, and even his walk carried an air of disdainful dominance, clearly different from the average pirate!
Such a powerful pirate crew…
Even in the entire world, they are extremely rare!
Moreover…
This is just the mere East Sea…
Hawkeye Mihawk extended his hand, lowered the brim of his hat, concealing his eyes as he had been following them for two days…
Any pirate crew seeing the World's Number One Sword Master could not ignore him, not even the strongest of the Four Emperors' Pirates, yet they treated him like he was invisible.
But…
They should soon show a reaction, right?
The wind stopped.
The sea was silent.
Inside the Konoha Pirates.
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara watched the small coffin boat trailing them, having finally reached a deserted area where their battle wouldn't be noticed.
"Let me try first!"
Uchiha Madara's eyes suddenly turned crimson red!
No matter what, sooner or later, they would clash with others from this sea; might as well use this opportunity to test the strength of the opponent!
Just as Hawkeye Mihawk on the coffin boat wanted to continue following them, a figure suddenly jumped down from the pirate ship ahead, landing on the sea's surface and single-handedly halted his coffin boat!
"!!!"
Hawkeye Mihawk's eyes turned serious!
Because he saw the person truly standing upon the sea, an ability very few in this entire sea could achieve, requiring marvelous Devil Fruit abilities, even more rare than flying!
This means…
The entire sea is his battlefield!
"Followed us for two days…" Uchiha Madara's lips curled into a slight smile, gazing at those keen eyes, grinning, "You've got some nerve, don't you…"
"But…"
"This shouldn't be surprising…"
Uchiha Madara showed a hint of crimson in his eyes, with words full of provocative battle spirit: "Heard you're the World's Number One Sword Master…"
"..."
Mihawk's eyes narrowed.
Since he ascended to the position of the World's Number One Sword Master, he had always been the one evaluating the world's strong, never had anyone so openly and blatantly evaluated him…
However…
The man before him may indeed have the strength to do so!
Knowing full well he is the World's Number One Sword Master, yet disregarding his title, could only mean he is either an ignorant fool or holds absolute confidence!
Clearly…
The man before him must be the latter!
Mihawk could practically see the aura of danger emanating from his opponent, the crimson appearing in those eyes, even making him somewhat hesitant to meet their gaze!
Very strong!
This man must be very strong!
Mihawk always trusts what his eyes perceive!
Mihawk lifted his head to forcibly meet Uchiha Madara's eyes, proactively speaking: "Your Excellency is powerful yet unknown on the sea, even staying in this weakest sea, naturally arousing curiosity, so I followed to see for myself…"
"Young one, curiosity can be deadly…"
Uchiha Madara's lips were still curled into a smile, his eyes flashing a red light: "But I'm also a bit curious, just how strong is the so-called World's Number One Sword Master…"
The next moment!
A shadow descended within Mihawk's mind!
This World's Number One Sword Master suddenly felt an enormous pressure, only to see the sky darkening in an instant, with gigantic shadows looming over his body!