A battleship filled with orange trees.
When Uehara Naraku handed a juice to Hawk Eye Mihawk, he discreetly glanced at the cross on Mihawk's chest, then at the black sword beside Mihawk's hand.
Hmm...
Interesting.
The cross is a small knife.
The black sword is named Yoru, one of the twelve Supreme Great Blades in this world, declared to be the strongest black sword worldwide, and it is the beloved sword of the world's number one Great Sword Master, Hawk Eye Mihawk.
Hawk Eye Mihawk took a sip of the juice from the cup and couldn't help but furrow his brows: "It's really unimaginable why there are people who still enjoy drinking this children's stuff..."
"Hehe..."
Uehara Naraku curled his lips, chuckled lightly, and explained: "Perhaps it's because their family is quite strict!"
Uehara Naraku felt his personality becoming more and more amicable.
If it were the past, Hawk Eye Mihawk would've been hung up and beaten, then dragged behind a battleship...
Now...
Uehara Naraku wouldn't do that.
Uehara Naraku glanced at his system panel and softly said: "Mr. Mihawk, there are enough resting rooms in the cabin, so as not to disturb you, I didn't bring too many soldiers. We are expected to arrive at the area where the Whitebeard Pirates and Hundred Beast Pirates are fighting by tomorrow morning..."
"I understand."
Hawk Eye Mihawk slowly nodded and suddenly showed a hint of curiosity on his face: "Colonel Uehara Naraku, are you a Fruit Ability User?"
"..."
Uehara Naraku pondered for a moment, nodded seriously, and said: "You could say that, though not a complete Ability User."
Hmm...
It seems it can be said like that.
Now he can freely wield many Logia-Fruit abilities.
Compared to the Logia-Fruit ability, Uehara Naraku's Haki should be stronger now. Recently, Uehara Naraku has been quietly moving around the seas near Wano Country, even Nico Robin has been temporarily placed in Wano Country.
During this period, Uehara Naraku has been undertaking some side quests or scenic tasks while navigating the Grand Line; these ordinary maritime missions come with generous rewards.
Side Task: Continue navigating the Grand Line (281/1000), task incomplete, reward unknown.
Feels like...
It's deliberately making him travel in the Grand Line.
Perhaps that is the significance in the Pirate World? As long as he continues sailing, his power will grow stronger and eventually consume this world.
Really...
Perplexing.
Uehara Naraku (Normal Form)
World Power: 5,200,000
Life Energy: 1,215,300
Supreme King Haki: Top-level
Armament Haki: 1,215,300
Observation Haki: 1,215,300
Life Energy Recovery: 1,296/sec
Recovery of Armament Haki: 1,024/sec
Observation Haki Recovery: 1,024/sec
Remaining Gold Coins: 14,210 units
During this time, Uehara Naraku has been letting the members of the Akatsuki organization cause trouble on the seas while he quietly grows stronger in the dark.
Only now does he feel more like a legitimate mastermind...
He was indeed a bit too unserious before.
The reason Uehara Naraku came forward today is naturally because Hawk Eye Mihawk, as the number one Great Sword Master in this world, carries a few missions...
Additionally, Uehara Naraku is somewhat worried that if he sends other members, there's a possibility they might lose against Hawk Eye Mihawk.
Moreover...
This seemingly serious Great Sword Master is quite interesting.
Honestly, the members of the Akatsuki organization are too unserious; those guys often act out of whims and seriously need such a serious Great Sword Master to give the Akatsuki organization some proper style.
The sun has set.
The moonlight over the ocean gradually turns bright.
The battleship filled with orange trees continues its sailing.
Uehara Naraku leisurely raised his fingers, observing the battle between Sasori of the Red Sand's Art Pirates and Moonlight Moriah; their battle estimates to take quite a long time.
After furrowing his brows, Uehara Naraku also monitored the final battle between Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto; their battle estimates to take even longer...
Have to say...
This world greatly enhances Ninjas, their stamina is gradually becoming abundant, whether in physical endurance or Chakra Energy, both are slowly increasing.
A bit bizarre...
If it weren't for the Black Hole Skill and the tenfold enhancement of the Divine Ascension steps, just Uehara Naraku's normal state might not be assured against the combined forces of Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto.
Thinking of this, Uehara Naraku couldn't help but glance at Hawk Eye Mihawk, the world's number one Sword Master whose abilities even Whitebeard praises, confronting him wouldn't be easy either, right?
Hawk Eye Mihawk looked at Uehara Naraku with curiosity, furrowed his brows, and said: "Colonel, what's wrong, not planning to make dinner?"
"Uh, forgot to bring the chef..."
Uehara Naraku glanced at his system panel and a hint of awkward smile appeared on his face: "Sorry, only thought of preventing interruption from the soldiers for you, actually forgot to bring a chef, my skills only limit to crude grilled fish, I wonder..."
"Hmm?"
Hawk Eye Mihawk instinctively furrowed his brows and asked: "Then, does the battleship kitchen have enough food?"
"Perhaps it does..."
In the next moment, Uehara Naraku's fingers moved rapidly, the seawater suddenly surged, stirring a spiral current, delivering numerous sea fish directly onto the deck!
Uehara Naraku nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at Hawk Eye Mihawk, and spoke softly: "There should be now."
"…"
Mihawk's gaze became increasingly sharp.
Ever since he boarded this warship, the Navy Captain in front of him had been casually displaying some strange powers.
This guy…
Is really not simple!
Mihawk personally cooked dinner, watching Uehara Naraku devour the meal in the dining hall, feeling slightly displeased.
This Navy Captain…
Is his mind really sound?
Over the years, Hawk Eye Mihawk had met many people, and the more he met, the more he liked his sword.
However, a Navy Captain like Uehara Naraku with such a quirky personality, boldness, and thick skin was someone the world's greatest Sword Master had rarely encountered…
"Alright."
After dinner, Uehara Naraku contentedly wiped his mouth, looked up at Mihawk sitting across from the dining table, and slightly curled his mouth into a smile.
"As expected of the world's greatest Sword Master, your cooking skills are really quite good…"
Uehara Naraku's eyes revealed a hint of sincerity, and he seriously asked, "Let's talk business! Mr. Mihawk, would you like to join this ship and be its chef?"
"…"
The air instantly fell silent.
The dining hall of the warship began to emit a trace of killing intent.
Killing intent which a Sword Master accumulated over years in bloody battles, could easily influence the environment, let alone the world's greatest Sword Master!
Hawk Eye is the world's greatest Sword Master!
How could he possibly condescend to become a chef on a warship!
Everyone knew this was absolutely impossible, it was practically an insult to Hawk Eye Mihawk!
This guy named Uehara Naraku was provoking him!
This guy…
Either he was incredibly strong, or he had gone mad!
Dracule Mihawk calmly watched Uehara Naraku, his expression cold as he spoke: "Do you know what you're saying…?"
"Very clearly."
Uehara Naraku leisurely tapped his finger, ignoring Mihawk's killing intent, and smiled as he continued: "This ship is my ride now, and not many can board it casually, not even a chef…"
"Boring."
Dracule Mihawk interrupted Uehara Naraku, grabbed the black sword beside him, and showed a bit of impatience: "When I boarded this warship, I thought I'd meet an interesting fellow, and have an interesting journey…"
The next moment, Dracule Mihawk pointed his black sword at Uehara Naraku, coldly continuing: "You are only the second person to push my limits of patience. Just because you possess a bit of power, you want to…"
"Wait, who was the first?"
Uehara Naraku's focus was obviously different, he touched his chin and slowly said: "Was it Red-haired Shanks among the Four Emperors?"
"…"
Mihawk was silent for a second.
Clearly, Uehara Naraku guessed correctly.
The battle between Mihawk and Red-haired Shanks was something Mihawk still remembered, and he even traveled multiple times to Red Hair Sea Region to spar until that Four Emperor lost an arm and had to stop.
Even so, Hawk Eye Mihawk acknowledged Red-haired Shanks' friendship and understood his eccentricity, greatly increasing Mihawk's tolerance limit…
Uehara Naraku's question completely threw off Mihawk's train of thought and what he intended to say next…
It's not the time to mention Red-haired Shanks!
"…"
Dracule Mihawk decisively twisted his black sword, pointing it at Uehara Naraku coldly: "No-named person, let's not waste more time, reveal your true name and identity, because someone like you could never be an ordinary Navy!"
"Isn't that a bit too rushed?"
Uehara Naraku shook his head and sighed.
Yet after sighing, Uehara Naraku didn't delay further.
In the next moment, Uehara Naraku pressed against the table, slowly stood up, looked into Hawk Eye's eyes, and his expression gradually calmed.
"Akatsuki…"
Uehara Naraku's first word made Mihawk's eyes sparkle because this name had recently made quite a splash on the sea!
It was due to the appearance of Uchiha Itachi from Akatsuki that led the Navy's forces to fail in their campaign against Uchiha Sasuke!
Rumor has it…
This is a deeply hidden organization!
And recently, rumors were circulating that Uchiha Sasuke from the Whitebeard Pirates seemed to be one of the Akatsuki's defectors…
It's said that Hoshigaki Kisame of the Seven Warlords of the Sea might have unexplained ties to the Akatsuki, though it's yet to be confirmed; and Kaido, who dominates the New World's second half, appears to have already become an ally of the Akatsuki.
"An Akatsuki member?"
Mihawk gripped the black sword tighter, his gaze showing a hint of seriousness: "How did you track my whereabouts? If I remember correctly, we shouldn't have any connections…"
"No."
Uehara Naraku slightly curled his lips, raising a finger and slightly shaking his head: "Do I need to remind Mr. Mihawk?"
Uehara Naraku looked at Hawk Eye Mihawk, the smile on his face growing deeper: "Do you remember what you said to Uchiha Itachi? That Akatsuki was an unknown little organization…"
The next moment…
A trace of ferocity suddenly flashed in Uehara Naraku's eyes!
"As the leader of Akatsuki…"
Uehara Naraku slowly closed his hand, the sound of his knuckles cracking bit by bit: "I have the full responsibility, to especially come and make Mr. Mihawk understand…"
Uehara Naraku's presence gradually exuded an air of authority, his gaze becoming ominous: "Make you clearly realize what kind of organization Akatsuki really is!"