Hiss,
Everyone across the One Piece world watching the live broadcast collectively sucked in a breath of cold air.
Was this really something a human would say?
Kaido's dragon claw stamping down was enough to sink a whole island, yet a mere Warlord actually dared to threaten Kaido?
Even if Mihawk had wounded him, wasn't this a bit too arrogant?
"Never thought you'd be able to say something so outrageous… you really exceeded my expectations."
In midair, Shanks fully blocked Kaido's dragon breath. Mihawk's off-hand remark almost made him twist his back mid-air.
Given the situation, anyone who could injure a monster like Kaido would already earn Shanks' respect.
But to then announce he would cut off Kaido's dragon claw… was Mihawk completely unaware of the situation?
Though… it wasn't impossible to understand.
If they couldn't stop Kaido, intimidating him with bravado wasn't a bad tactic.
If Kaido had even the slightest hesitation, maybe, just maybe, he might back off.
A slim chance, but still a chance.
"Ma~ma~ma… this Warlord is interesting.
Perospero, if he really does chop off Kaido's dragon claw, figure out a way to purchase it.
I've always wanted to taste roasted dragon claw."
Big Mom lounged at her Tea Party, watching the broadcast with great interest.
Perospero's face stiffened in terror, his entire brain filled with dread.
Eat Kaido's dragon claw?
This was giving him a headache… and a heart attack.
If Mama's eating disorder flared up, what kind of catastrophe would follow?
And honestly, could a Warlord really chop off Kaido's claw?
Wasn't this just posturing?
"Understood, Mama. If he truly chops off Kaido's claw, I'll get it one way or another and roast it for you."
Perospero forced himself to respond.
He and his siblings feared Big Mom far more than outsiders ever could.
"Good boy. With all of you as my children, Mama is truly blessed. Ma~ma~ma~…"
His fear even triggered hallucinations.
What if Mihawk really did it?
No, impossible.
He was overthinking… right?
But in case it did happen, he had to fulfill Mama's wish.
Otherwise… death.
What terrified Perospero most was Big Mom's sudden craving syndrome.
Ever since Kaido transformed, she had repeatedly mentioned wanting to eat roasted dragon claw.
Even if she didn't get it today, she might one day snap, and then the whole world might plunge into chaos.
"Brother, how could you promise that? If you upset Mama, she might drain your lifespan instantly!"
"Charlotte Pudding is a perfect example… You must be careful, Perospero!"
Perospero swallowed hard.
He could already imagine Mama destroying all of Totto Land during an outbreak.
Unimaginable.
Back at Marineford, Sengoku was no longer excited.
He just stood aside with a helpless, embarrassed expression.
He never expected Mihawk to say something this outrageous.
This was overdoing it.
Hurting a Yonko was one thing, but boasting you'd cut off his dragon claw?
That was insanity.
"I told you all to stop Kaido, know when to quit!
Now look at you, every threat harsher than the last.
How will you clean this up when it backfires?"
"Bwahaha! That brat Mihawk reminds me a bit of myself in my younger days. Not bad!"
Garp laughed, recalling the days he chased Roger.
Roger! If you resist arrest, I'll punch your ship to the bottom of the sea!
Hot-blooded memories indeed.
"Sengoku, if we can recruit Mihawk into the Marines, I'd be all for it.
He's been a pirate for years, but he's never done anything truly evil.
Give him freedom and he might walk away from neutrality."
Sengoku only sneered.
"You old fool. If it's that easy, you try it."
Garp instantly shook his head.
If it were that simple, Mihawk wouldn't still be a Warlord.
"Then spare me your nonsense. I have my own plans."
Sengoku shot him a look of pure disdain.
But the one who felt Mihawk's words most deeply… was Kaido himself, swirling above the clouds.
"You're different from the other Warlords… but you dare provoke me like this?!"
Kaido roared, the furious bellow shaking the sky.
Mihawk's expression remained calm, indifferent even.
Everything seemed in his control.
Kaido saw that look, and his rage doubled.
A mere Warlord dared ignore him?
This was an insult to his title as Emperor of the Sea!
Yes, the Thousand Slash-style attack was still raging inside his claw, but he could endure it.
Cut off his dragon claw?
Ridiculous.
"Fine! I'd love to see you try!
If you can do it, kill me! Hahahaha!"
Kaido only wanted to crush Shanks and Mihawk beneath his claw.
Whether the island sank or not wasn't his concern.
As for the islanders, or even his own crew, they could only pray.
"A frog in the well. Let me show you how big the world really is."
Shanks was completely speechless.
Mihawk was usually composed, elegant, and dignified…
But sometimes he really overdid the theatrics.
Today was one of those days.
But when Shanks met Mihawk's unwavering gaze…
A wild idea crept into his mind.
Maybe… Mihawk really could back up this bravado.
To avoid drawing too much attention to his own power, Shanks chose to withdraw and let Mihawk take the spotlight.
He landed beside Mihawk without a word.
His expression seemed to say:
"Go ahead. I, a Yonko, will stand here quietly and watch you show off."
Mihawk nodded at him.
Then, he retracted the Ryuo-coated fragments of his Thousand Slash technique.
He sheathed his sword.
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