However, at this stage, no one cared about Smoker's bewildered expressions or confused antics anymore. All eyes were fixed on Rowan and Hawkeye Mihawk, their faces flushed with excitement.
"Indeed!" Hawkeye Mihawk's expression was exceptionally serious. "I ask that you accept my challenge, sir!"
Under the expectant gaze of the thousands gathered, Rowan slowly lowered his tobacco pipe. Finally, he shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, but the Old Man does not accept your challenge."
"I do not accept!"
Rowan's resonant voice echoed across the entire small plaza.
Instantly, the spectators—who had convinced themselves they were about to witness a historic, era-defining duel—were stunned into silence. Everyone maintained their previous expressions of thrill and agitation, but those expressions were now frozen on their faces, making the crowd look utterly ridiculous.
The boisterous plaza fell into a sudden, deathly hush.
Clatter.
Someone's wine jug slipped from their hand, shattering on the ground. The fragrance of spirits wafted through the air, the sound of the breaking clay piercing through the silence like a gunshot.
"What is the Old Man doing..."
Smoker scratched his head once more. He truly felt as if his brain had ceased to exist. Hawkeye Mihawk challenges the Old Man, and the Old Man rejects him with a flick of his wrist? What kind of script was this?
Tashigi stood frozen in place. She never imagined that a challenge issued by Mihawk, staking his very honor as the World's Greatest Swordsman, would be so bluntly refused by Mr. Rowan.
As a swordsman, she knew full well that to be deemed worthy of such a challenge by Mihawk was the ultimate glory, regardless of the outcome. Yet, the Old Man had said no. And he had said it with the righteousness of someone refusing a nuisance.
Even Mihawk himself, his hawk-like eyes wide with confusion, was at a loss. In his heart, he had already prepared for a magnificent, peak-level battle with this unknown senior. He never dreamed his solemn declaration would be met with such a flat rejection.
What does he mean?
Is he afraid of fighting me? Impossible. Mihawk saw not a single trace of fear in Rowan.
Does he look down on me? Also no. Rowan didn't have the expression of someone who belittled others.
Then what was the reason? Why would a Grandmaster—someone whose Sword Intent was pure beyond measure and whose understanding of techniques was at the absolute pinnacle—refuse a heart-racing duel with the man who held the title of World's Strongest?
"Mr. Rowan?"
Tashigi opened her mouth to speak, but before she could get a word out, Rowan waved a hand to stop her.
He knew exactly what the girl was going to ask. Why not? That's the World's Greatest Swordsman! After all, even though she wasn't a master, she was a swordsman at heart. To see two legends of this caliber clash was a dream for any practitioner of the blade.
But Rowan didn't want to!
Sure, he had once dreamed of wandering the world with a sword. But he wasn't a "career" swordsman. Why should he bother with Hawkeye-boy's challenge?
Besides, who was Hawkeye? He was a top-tier powerhouse who could trade blows with Red-Haired Shanks. While Rowan's current strength was certainly not inferior to Mihawk's—and perhaps even a step above—what was the benefit of accepting? If he won, he'd just get more famous (which he didn't need). If they fought for hours and ended in a draw, it was a total waste of time and energy.
Furthermore, Rowan relied on Faith Points to maintain his edge. After maxing out his swordsmanship, he only had 8,000 points left. He didn't want to burn through his reserves too early.
His primary mission right now wasn't wasting time on these "boring" duels. It was rising to the rank of Marine Admiral to secure the Main Quest rewards. Once that was done, maybe then he'd have the leisure to play with Hawkeye-boy.
"Huh? Wh-what happened?" Zoro, lying on the ground, suddenly shivered and woke from his trance. He looked disappointed; in his dream, he had just stepped over Mihawk and challenged Rowan to become the World's Strongest. Waking up at the climax was quite annoying.
"Senior! This challenge is a matter of the utmost sincerity for me! Please, do not evade—accept my duel!" Hawkeye Mihawk took a deep breath and spoke loudly once more.
He wasn't giving up! He was issuing the challenge a second time!
The crowd gasped. They say things should not exceed a count of three, but Mihawk had practically begged for a fight three times in a very short window.
Who was this mysterious old man? What kind of existence was he in Mihawk's eyes that the World's Greatest Swordsman would be so humble, just for the chance to cross blades? Was he some ancient sword legend from a forgotten era?
Recalling the heaven-shaking sword aura Rowan had released earlier and the mystical way he made the Wado Ichimonji glow, the onlookers didn't dare guess further.
Zoro, having just woken up, wasn't surprised by Mihawk's reaction. To him, Mihawk was the mountain at the peak of the sword, but the Rowan who could mentor him was certainly at an equal height.
However, neither Tashigi, Zoro, Smoker, nor the crowd understood what Rowan truly meant to Mihawk. Every time Mihawk recalled that Sword Intent he felt earlier, his blood began to boil. Standing at the peak for so long, he had forgotten what this feeling was like.
Especially just now, sensing that familiar aura from Rowan again, Mihawk felt like the first time he had ever held a blade. The joy. The excitement.
He felt that meeting Rowan today was a gift from the heavens. He had to have this duel!
...........BONUS CHAPTER IS COMING...........
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