If Mihawk had never seen how vast the world truly was, that would be one thing.
But now that he knew Wano still had two towering mountains standing in his way—especially Tenma, the peak he must someday climb, looming right before his eyes—
If he were to lose the qualification to challenge them, then for someone who lived and breathed the sword, that would be worse than death.
This wasn't generosity at all.
It was a nakedly open scheme.
"…Fine. I'll join, just as you said."
Mihawk stopped hesitating and made his decision on the spot, intending to settle in Wano for the long term and use this sacred land of swordsmanship to temper himself.
Time flew by like a white steed passing through a crack, and soon it was the end of Sea Circle Calendar 1509.
Under Tenma's banner, the sword faction had expanded to an unprecedented scale, commanding three top-tier Great Swordsmen.
Especially Mihawk—his future achievements, even if they didn't match Tenma's, were certain to stand shoulder to shoulder with Gion and Koshiro.
Not to mention the rapidly growing Zoro, Kuina, and Snow Samurai Yaoya.
In the realm of swordsmen, Tenma's absolute dominance was already a foregone conclusion.
At the same time, with the maturation of alloy mechanical legion technology, Tenma's demand for ordinary strong fighters began to drop sharply.
It was much like how the World Government, after developing the Seraphim, had impatiently abolished the Seven Warlords system.
In the future, if he could acquire Charlotte Linlin's bloodline factor and mass-produce monster-grade alloy machines, then even the combat power of the Seven Warlords would be nothing more than cannon fodder in Tenma's eyes.
The foundation brought by mechanical ascension was enough to let him look down on the vast majority of forces across the seas.
Of course, truly exceptional talents like Mihawk—or holders of rule-type Devil Fruits—remained firmly on Tenma's radar.
For example, Baccarat, the user of the Luck-Luck Fruit.
Tenma had already ordered the Shadow Guards to cast an inescapable net across the seas.
A rule-type ability that could bend probability to one's will, even siphoning luck from others, was practically cheating.
Tenma even wondered—
if this fruit were used to absorb the "Conqueror's Luck" of Buggy, what kind of absurd chemical reaction would occur?
But for now, the priority was simply to secure the fruit.
If the user refused to cooperate, Tenma had no qualms about using the Munch-Munch Fruit to strip the ability away.
Ever since mastering deeper layers of this technology, his methods of acquiring talent had become increasingly unrestrained.
This was the composure—or rather, the arrogance—of someone holding trump cards.
The same principle applied to dealing with Uta, the songstress destined to destroy a nation.
The Tenma who had just set sail years ago might have schemed painstakingly to win her over.
But now—especially when it came to top-tier Devil Fruit users—if absolute loyalty couldn't be guaranteed, then the fruit would simply be extracted and given to someone more obedient.
After all, for an emperor poised to rule the New World, cultivating a world-class songstress was no more than a trivial matter.
After Mihawk moved to the sparsely inhabited Ringo to live in seclusion, time quietly crossed into Sea Circle Calendar 1510.
This year was destined to leave a heavy mark on history.
The Sing-Sing Fruit revealed its terrifying power, wiping out the music kingdom of Elegia overnight, shocking the world.
Red-Haired Shanks sacrificed an arm in the East Blue to save a straw-hatted boy, making a wager on the future.
But to Tenma, these were nothing more than side notes.
His focus was now entirely on the upcoming World Summit.
After years of covert maneuvering, the conflict between the World Government and Fish-Man Island had reached the brink of eruption.
Not long ago, the Sun Pirates ran into terrible luck, colliding head-on with one of the Navy's highest combat powers—Aokiji, Kuzan.
Those fish-men who were usually as slippery as eels in the sea finally encountered their absolute nemesis.
With Ice Age, the ocean froze solid, and not a single one escaped.
They were all neatly packaged and sent to Impel Down.
That act was like tossing a lit match onto the powder keg known as Fish-Man Street.
Spurred on by agitators—and years of pent-up resentment from being trapped beneath the sea—Fish-Man Island erupted in massive protests, openly calling for resistance against the World Government.
Queen Otohime's lifelong efforts to move Fish-Man Island to the surface shattered completely in that moment.
Relocation required the World Government's approval.
Now that relations had collapsed and Fish-Man Island openly appeared rebellious, there was no room left for compromise.
All of this was well within Tenma's expectations—and the World Government was equally aware.
But the Five Elders couldn't care less.
Leaving aside the Celestial Dragons like House Roalbe who were eager to watch the spectacle, the World Government itself didn't see Fish-Man Island as a threat at all.
Simply by posturing to expel Fish-Man Island from the allied nations, they could squeeze out more Heavenly Tribute and impose even harsher "reasonable" demands.
Once stripped of allied status, a nation ten thousand meters beneath the sea would face only annihilation.
That was the confidence of the World Government.
Of course, they wouldn't actually kill the goose that laid golden eggs—Fish-Man Island's tribute was astronomical.
This was merely a warning blow, to remind Fish-Man Island of its lowly position.
When intelligence arrived from the Shadow Guards embedded in Mary Geoise, Tenma's lips curled into a cold smile.
The game on Fish-Man Island—it was time to close it out.
Sea Circle Calendar 1510.
The once-every-four-years World Summit approached.
All allied nations received gilded invitations—
except Fish-Man Island.
Neptune was like an ant on a hot pan. When he called to inquire, all he got was a frosty response:
"Special circumstances. Fish-Man Island will not be participating this time."
"Bastards! This is outrageous!"
With a sharp smack, the call was cut off. Neptune trembled with rage, smashing his fist into the table.
Documents scattered everywhere, mirroring his shattered state of mind.
Queen Otohime bent down silently, picking them up one by one with gentle movements.
Seeing his wife like this, Neptune's anger melted into helplessness. He slumped back onto the throne.
Otohime floated to his side and softly patted his thick arm.
"It's alright. There will be a way."
Normally obedient to her every word, Neptune now shook his head in exhaustion.
"This time is different. Fish-Man Island may truly be doomed."
Being shut out all but confirmed the rumors—Fish-Man Island was about to be expelled.
Without that protection, as the mandatory gateway to the New World, the island would face unimaginable plunder.
This wasn't something Whitebeard's flag alone could solve.
Since that incident years ago, they had paid massive tribute and endured endless humiliation—only to end up here.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Urgent footsteps shattered the silence as a minister burst in, panting.
"King Neptune! Disaster! A massive group of pirates has broken through the gates! And—and someone spotted the flag of the Big Mom Pirates in the corridor!"
"What did you say?!"
Neptune's pupils contracted violently as icy fear surged up his spine, his mind going blank.
If ordinary pirates were sharks drawn by blood, then the Big Mom Pirates were a deep-sea leviathan capable of swallowing the entire island whole.
The ministers turned deathly pale.
Veins bulged on Neptune's forehead as his fists clenched.
"Damn it… do they all think Fish-Man Island is soft prey?!"
Pressured from the front by the World Government, invaded from behind by a Yonko crew—this was being driven into a dead end.
Compared to Neptune's panic, Queen Otohime displayed astonishing composure.
"Quickly! Go welcome them! Prepare the highest-level banquet at Ryugu Palace!"
The ministers stared in disbelief—why appease those who clearly meant harm?
Otohime explained rapidly,
"The Big Mom Pirates are emperors of the New World. As long as Whitebeard's flag still flies, they won't act recklessly. They must have another purpose!"
Whitebeard's deterrence still stood. Lesser pirates might loot and flee, but a Yonko crew would never act without intent.
Neptune snapped back to reality, forcing down his fear.
"Prepare at once! I'll greet them personally!"
No matter their goal, they couldn't give such monsters an excuse to rampage.
At the same time, Mermaid Cove.
This once-dreamlike paradise was now occupied by vicious-looking pirates.
"Hahaha! We've struck it rich! Over a dozen mermaids in one go! Fortune really does favor the bold!"
On the black market, these beauties were priceless—enough to fund generations of debauchery.
"Enough talk. Finish counting and leave. If the guards arrive, we're done."
The speaker was a burly man with a massive execution cleaver on his back, wild red hair dancing—
Silgan, captain of the Berserk Pirates, bounty 215 million.
Beside him was the greedy-faced Pence, bounty 170 million.
Several capable pirate crews had formed a temporary alliance to force their way through Fish-Man Island's defenses.
Pence licked his lips, leering at the sealed mermaid dormitory.
"What's the rush? I heard the World Government's abandoning Fish-Man Island. Might as well grab more while we can."
"Stop dreaming. Until it's confirmed, I don't want trouble," Silgan snapped.
Even if Celestial Dragons bought mermaid slaves, bounties on pirates wouldn't disappear.
Just as they argued and prepared to retreat, a thunderous roar of water erupted at the gates.
"Oi… don't tell me competitors are here to steal our business?"
Pence cursed and turned—then froze.
Silgan broke into a cold sweat, legs trembling.
That flag belonged to Yonko Big Mom.
As the coating shattered, a terrifying presence swept the area.
At the bow stood the towering figure wrapped in a scarf—
the greatest masterpiece of the Charlotte Family, first of the Sweet Commanders:
Charlotte Katakuri.
Beside him stood Smoothie, another Sweet Commander of the Longleg Tribe.
Just standing there, the pressure was suffocating. Several small-time pirates collapsed on the spot.
"Oh? How convenient. What should we do with these insects?" Smoothie asked.
"No rush. Let's see how Ryugu Palace responds first," Katakuri replied coldly.
He then turned to Baron Tamago.
"Make them understand their situation."
Tamago leapt down onto the dock. No one laughed at his comical legs now.
"Submit to the Big Mom Pirates—or die!"
Silgan grit his teeth.
"We'll hand over all the loot and leave immediately!"
"Then you've chosen refusal," Tamago said icily.
Before Silgan could react, Tamago struck.
Silgan roared as his muscles swelled, activating the Sugar-Sugar Fruit, his body glowing red-hot.
"Pathetic."
Tamago sneered, calmly predicting the move with Observation Haki. Armament Haki coated his leg as he kicked—
Boom!
The pirate captain worth over 200 million died instantly, not even able to scream.
"Captain Silgan!"
Before the others could flee, Katakuri flicked his wrist.
Sticky mochi masses expanded midair, instantly binding every pirate who dared resist.
This was the absolute dominance of a Yonko's commanders.
Moments later, Neptune arrived atop a whale, frantic.
"Welcome, honored Big Mom Pirates! Ryugu Palace has prepared a banquet!"
He bowed deeply, abandoning all royal dignity.
Katakuri nodded slightly and was about to disembark—
When his expression suddenly changed, as if glimpsing an utterly horrifying future.
He whipped his head around, staring at the sea beyond the gates.
Almost simultaneously, the ocean boiled again.
A leisurely-looking passenger ship surfaced, the massive letters "M" and "D" emblazoned on its sides, gleaming in the sun.
Neptune's face went bloodless.
Katakuri's expression turned unprecedentedly grim.
That was a Wano ship.
The man who had once brought unspeakable humiliation to Totto Land—to Mama herself—was on board.
"F-Flying General!!!"
Fear spread like a plague. Not only the captives, but even Big Mom's own pirates began trembling.
That was a man with the power to destroy the world—
the uncrowned king of the New World.
"K-Katakuri… brother…" Smoothie's voice shook.
"Smoothie, take Brûlée and run!"
Katakuri made a snap decision.
"Mama's plan has completely failed!"
Before the words finished, blinding lightning exploded from the passenger ship.
It was Yamato.
She transformed into thunder itself, crossing the sea in an instant, kanabo swinging straight for Katakuri.
Katakuri swung Mogura, their weapons colliding midair.
BOOM!
Two Conqueror's Haki collided head-on, shockwaves erupting violently.
Smoothie's mind rang as if struck by a hammer, her legs nearly buckling.
Black-red lightning tore through the air, the ground cracking inch by inch.
Fish-Man guards and pirates alike dropped unconscious in waves.
"This is… top-tier Conqueror's Haki?!"
Smoothie stared in disbelief. Yamato was so young—yet she could contend with Katakuri?!
"Go! Into the mirrors!"
Katakuri roared as the deck beneath his feet writhed, transforming into countless massive black mochi fists that rained down on Yamato.
Yamato flashed like lightning through the barrage, thunder exploding around her as she shattered each mochi mass.
ZZZT—!
The screech of electricity colliding with Armament Haki was ear-piercing. The ship itself began to fall apart under their clash.
Fighting while maintaining his future sight, Katakuri's heart churned.
This woman's Haki and Devil Fruit mastery were terrifyingly refined!
Then—
Katakuri felt weightless.
The entire ship began to rise into the air as seawater formed towering walls that pressed inward.
That man had acted.
"K-Katakuri brother!"
Brûlée popped out of a mirror, shouting desperately.
Katakuri disengaged instantly, erupting with full power to knock Yamato back, his body flowing like mochi as he slipped into the mirror.
Whoosh!
In the next second, he vanished—mirror and all—leaving devastation behind.
Yamato stared at the empty deck, dumbfounded.
"He ran?! What kind of freak ability is that?"
"Charlotte Brûlée. The Mirror-Mirror Fruit—free travel through the mirror world."
Tenma descended slowly from the sky, Robin following on wings formed by the Flower-Flower Fruit, explaining softly.
"Didn't expect them to have that card."
Tenma glanced at the shattered mirrors, unconcerned.
That debt would be settled with Charlotte Linlin sooner or later.
After the brief interlude, Tenma finally turned his gaze toward Mermaid Cove below.
The legendary dreamland now looked desolate.
Coral reefs lay crushed, battle scars everywhere. The once-bustling shore was completely deserted.
This was the World Government's method—
without sending a single soldier, mere pressure of power could drive a nation into despair.
"So this is Ryugu Palace?"
Robin's intelligent eyes swept the surroundings, gazing through the coating into the deep sea, her tone calm and assured.
"It's… quite different from the fairy tales."
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