Grand Line.
A small boat was slowly sailing across the sea.
This small boat was tiny, and only one person could sit on it. It looked like this little boat couldn't withstand any storms on the Grand Line.
However, no one would doubt that this small boat might encounter trouble at sea.
Because the person steering this boat was none other than Hawk Eye Mihawk, the world's greatest sword master. His strength and excellent sailing skills were enough for him to easily navigate through the storms.
On his journey, Hawk Eye Mihawk sailed this little boat toward the waters near Fishman Island, intending to witness the world's top battle between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Kaido Pirates, and perhaps see if there was anything he could do to help the Navy...
Just as Hawk Eye Mihawk was sailing smoothly, with closed eyes pretending to nap, he sensed someone approaching his boat, seemingly targeting him.
It was a warship loaded with citrus.
This warship...
Mihawk slowly raised his head, revealing a pair of sharp eyes beneath the wide brim of his hat. He stared at the warship in front of him, a hint of confusion crossing his face.
"Hmm? A warship sent by the Navy?"
"Indeed!"
A man standing on the deck of the warship, smiling with squinted eyes, spoke in a crisp voice that reached Hawk Eye Mihawk's ears: "Mr. Dracule Mihawk, I am Uehara Naraku, a Navy Headquarters Colonel sent by Vice Admiral Yakushi Kabuto to welcome you!"
"That's not necessary."
Hawk Eye Mihawk shook his head calmly, his cold voice carrying a hint of unquestionable authority: "I will find the battlefield myself, traveling on a Navy warship might invite some trouble."
If he remembers correctly...
Hawk Eye Mihawk recalled that this Uehara Naraku was once under former Warlord Crocodile's command, and Crocodile ended up imprisoned...
So this guy was a spy sent by the Navy among the Seven Warlords?
Such people...
Hawk Eye Mihawk disliked them completely!
Moreover, this Uehara Naraku had an ominous aura that made Hawk Eye Mihawk feel somewhat repulsed.
Perhaps this Uehara Naraku...
Was also one of those annoying World Government CP Agents?
Thinking of this, Mihawk impatiently closed his eyes: "You lead the way ahead, I will follow behind..."
But before finishing his sentence, Hawk Eye Mihawk suddenly thought of something!
In the next moment, Hawk Eye Mihawk's Observation Haki instantly enveloped the entire warship, and his gaze subtly changed...
Why was Uehara Naraku the only Navy personnel on this warship?
In that case, it seemed rather wasteful!
It didn't make much sense...
How did Uehara Naraku know he, a Warlord, had accepted this secret naval summon, and how did he know it was Vice Admiral Yakushi Kabuto who invited him to these waters?
Dracule Mihawk's eyes suddenly opened again, his gaze fixed intently on Uehara Naraku standing on the warship deck, seemingly trying to see through him completely!
Uehara Naraku, the Navy Headquarters Colonel, had no idea what Hawk Eye was thinking, nor did he care about Hawk Eye's attitude. He continued smiling with squinted eyes.
"Mr. Mihawk."
Uehara Naraku persevered in his persuasion: "Traveling on our warship would be quicker, and we've already monitored the conflict between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Hundred Beast Pirates. Admiral Kizaru is also awaiting your arrival..."
"Don't block my path."
Hawk Eye Mihawk lowered his head slowly, interrupting Uehara Naraku's words.
Uehara Naraku's face showed a hint of hesitation. He continued to explain in a low voice: "I came all the way here from afar specifically to welcome you..."
Clang!
Mihawk slowly stood up and drew the black sword from his back!
Since he couldn't understand the situation at hand...
And, right now, he didn't want to bother with this Navy Colonel, or perhaps a fake Navy Colonel, little agent before him... then there was no need to keep wasting time!
According to Hawk Eye Mihawk's method, he naturally intended to directly destroy this obstructive warship with one strike and continue his route.
As for killing Uehara Naraku...
Hawk Eye Mihawk did not consciously think about doing such a thing; he just wanted to destroy the warship to avoid wasting more of his time.
"Mr. Mihawk, this is..."
Uehara Naraku, standing on the warship's deck, looked slightly shocked, as if scared stiff while staring at Hawk Eye Mihawk who had drawn his black sword!
"Because you're too verbose."
Hawk Eye Mihawk swung the black sword in his hand, sending a powerful slash right at the warship, aiming to split it in two!
"That's too much!"
Uehara Naraku's face flashed with a hint of anger. He leapt into the air from the deck, and kicked the strong slash apart!
Uehara Naraku landed back on the warship, angrily gazing down at Hawk Eye Mihawk on his small boat: "Dracule Mihawk, you're merely one of the Seven Warlords and dare challenge the Navy..."
He seemed to speak...
As if he himself were the Navy Admiral.
Hawk Eye Mihawk's gaze once again fell on Uehara Naraku, a peculiar expression passing through his eyes, surprised at Uehara Naraku's ability to kick apart his slash...
This...
Is this really something a Navy Colonel can do?
Even a Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters couldn't possibly withstand his slash head-on!
At least from the current perspective, this Uehara Naraku should be a Navy Captain with extraordinary status and strength. No wonder the Navy sent this guy to greet him...
Hawkeye Mihawk looked at Uehara Naraku, expressionless as he sheathed his black blade, and coldly spoke: "Just a mere test... Even if you are Navy, you shouldn't casually break agreements between the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Help me pull up the boat!"
After finishing, Mihawk carried his black blade, leaped onto the deck of the warship: "Alright, quickly deal with it, let's go!"
"Yes!"
Uehara Naraku still glared at Hawkeye Mihawk with rage, gritting his teeth in resentment, seemingly still unhappy with Hawkeye Mihawk's previous actions.
Uehara Naraku stared at Hawkeye intensely, still with anger on his face, and spoke: "Then please Mr. Mihawk take a short rest, I will handle it immediately!"
Uehara Naraku glanced at Hawkeye Mihawk's coffin boat, showing a hint of disdain on his face, and pulled the rope to drag that coffin boat behind the warship.
"Hmm?"
Hawkeye Mihawk was surprised to see Uehara Naraku's method of handling the towing, his expression involuntarily changed: "Hmm? You're handling it like this?"
"What else?"
Uehara Naraku speechlessly snapped his fingers.
The next moment, sea wind instantly whipped up from the ocean surface, driving the sails of the warship and making it sail swiftly!
Hawkeye Mihawk looked at this scene with astonishment.
He could actually control the sea wind out of thin air, is this Navy Captain for real?
Just as Hawkeye Mihawk wanted to ask something, he suddenly remembered his dragged vehicle, reaching out to stop Uehara Naraku: "Hey, wait..."
Unfortunately, it was already too late...
As the warship sailed rapidly, the coffin boat just dragged by the warship instantly capsized, floating in the seawater like a plank...
What kind of supernatural Navy is this?
Does this guy even know how to handle boats and ships properly?
Even though Hawkeye Mihawk usually dealt with things calmly, not easily swayed by external matters, his expression turned a little unpleasant as he saw his small boat being roughly treated...
Hawkeye Mihawk felt that ever since he encountered this Navy, his mood had become somewhat unsettled.
Uehara Naraku was completely oblivious, looking at the overturned boat dragged by the warship, finally feeling a bit better, and smiled again at Hawkeye Mihawk.
"Mr. Mihawk, the journey will be long, would you like a glass of fruit juice?"
"..."
Hawkeye Mihawk shook his head, showing Uehara Naraku a cold face: "Just bring me a bottle of red wine."
Lately, the seas are filled with people drinking fruit juice...
Last time, after participating in the encirclement of Uchiha Sasuke, Hawkeye Mihawk incidentally visited Red-haired Shanks, only to see the Vice Captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Benn Beckman, sipping a juice straw, not touching alcohol...
Moreover, Hawkeye Mihawk vaguely recalled that Hoshigaki Kisame and Doflamingo, those former Seven Warlords of the Sea, also often drank fruit juice...
When did this trend start...?
Why is the sea now filled with people drinking fruit juice, is beer not bold enough or red wine not elegant enough, it's like kids fond of fruit juice?
Uehara Naraku's face still bore a smile, just shook his head and said: "Sorry, strict rules at home, there's no red wine on the ship, only fruit juice."
"..."
Hawkeye Mihawk was at a loss.
What kind of broken warship is this, is it really here to entertain him?
Any Navy officer receiving a Seven Warlords of the Sea should at least know that his favorite is red wine!
Uehara Naraku seemed to feel a bit rude, hesitated for a moment, then explained: "However, the fruit juice on the ship is freshly squeezed from oranges."
Mihawk fell silent for a while, then found a chair to sit down, glanced at the orange tree on the warship, and calmly said: "Alright then, I'll have one!"
"Okay."
Uehara Naraku nodded seriously, casually took a cup from the table in the cabin, and placed it by Hawkeye's hand.
The next moment, a breeze blew.
A few oranges fell down from the tree, floating over the cup.
Uehara Naraku spread his fingers towards the oranges, and in the next second, those oranges were instantly sliced into pieces!
Uehara Naraku then suddenly clenched his fist, a great force appeared out of thin air, slowly crushing the orange fragments.
Orange juice dripped into the cup...
"Hmm?"
Hawkeye Mihawk's gaze fixed on Uehara Naraku's actions. This Navy Headquarters Captain is indeed not simple; even this technique alone is somewhat astonishing...
Uehara Naraku, like a waiter, picked up the cup and walked to Mihawk's side, smilingly continued to ask: "Mr. Mihawk, would you like some ice?"
"..."
Mihawk remained silent for a while, observing the smile on Uehara Naraku's face, slowly nodded: "Sure."
"Alright."
Cold air seeped from Uehara Naraku's palm, instantly causing an ice cube to appear in the cup filled with juice.
Uehara Naraku slowly placed the cup of fresh icy juice before Hawkeye, smilingly said: "Please enjoy, I hope Mr. Mihawk can have a pleasant journey on this warship."
Because...
The future of this world's greatest Sword Master...
Perhaps, might, likely, will not be particularly pleasant.