Arashi had recognized Hawkins, one of the future Supernovas, the moment he stepped out of the tavern.
What he hadn't expected was that after lying to Drake, Hawkins hadn't immediately left. Instead, he had come straight to this clothing store, clearly targeting Robin!
Although Arashi had no idea what was going through Hawkins's head, it didn't matter.
Anyone who came looking for trouble with Robin would simply be beaten down.
Hawkins loved divination, but he had failed to foresee the unfamiliar and powerful existence standing beside Robin—Arashi.
Hearing the calm words laden with boundless killing intent, Hawkins actually drew another tarot card.
"The Wheel of Fortune?"
Seeing the card he had drawn, Hawkins froze for a moment.
On the card was the Sphinx symbolizing an angel. Beneath it was a devil. Surrounding them were figures representing the various twists of fate—a goddess, a swan, a serpent, and more.
After a brief moment of surprise, Hawkins raised his head and looked at Arashi in confusion.
The upright meaning of the Wheel of Fortune was the beginning of good luck, problems being resolved, and the arrival of fortune itself.
Its reversed meaning represented setbacks, failed plans, obstacles, deterioration, interruption—
Even death.
As a diviner, he understood these meanings better than anyone.
If he handled this situation poorly, he would die here today.
If he handled it correctly, he would be blessed by fortune and step toward a brighter future.
Arashi didn't interrupt Hawkins's divination.
On the contrary, he was extremely curious about tarot readings himself.
He wanted to see what exactly Hawkins could divine.
Behind Hawkins, the pirates stared at Arashi as if facing a great enemy.
They had no idea what their captain was doing, but after sensing the terrifying pressure emanating from Arashi, they knew a battle might be unavoidable.
They all tensed, ready to act the moment Hawkins gave the order.
Thump!
Just as the Hawkins Pirates were bracing themselves for combat—
Hawkins suddenly dropped to both knees in front of Arashi.
Then he uttered words that left everyone dumbfounded.
"I was wrong. Please forgive my offense."
"Captain!!!"
The Hawkins Pirates never imagined their captain would kneel before a complete stranger.
Their eyes widened in disbelief as they cried out in unison.
"Captain, what are you doing?!"
Hearing the shocked voices of his crew, Hawkins remained kneeling and barked in a deep voice,
"All of you, kneel!"
Not even Arashi, Perona, or Robin had expected this turn of events.
Looking at Hawkins kneeling before him, Arashi blinked in confusion.
"So you've calculated that you're doomed today and decided to beg for mercy?"
"I meant no harm."
Hawkins raised his head, his expression serious.
"I was merely curious as to why Nico Robin of the West Blue had suddenly appeared in the North Blue. I only came to verify whether she was truly Robin."
"Please forgive Hawkins's earlier recklessness."
"If my actions have offended you, I am willing to bear the consequences alone."
He paused.
"Please spare my crew."
Arashi genuinely couldn't understand what Hawkins had seen in his divination.
The man had simply dropped to his knees without warning.
It was unbelievable.
Then again, Hawkins had always been a strange existence in the original story.
Whether at Sabaody Archipelago or later in Wano Country, he would always perform a reading before taking action.
Even when he intended to kill someone, he first calculated the odds.
Only when the divination showed the target was destined to die would he decisively strike.
After a brief pause, Arashi became even more interested in Hawkins's fortune-telling.
Stepping forward, he crouched in front of Hawkins and asked curiously,
"Do you really trust your divinations that much? Do you truly believe I can kill you?"
Hawkins nodded seriously.
"My divinations have never been wrong."
"Fine then."
Arashi nodded before standing up and casually waving toward Hawkins and his crew.
"Get up and talk."
Upon hearing those words, Hawkins secretly let out a long breath of relief.
Though he knew almost nothing about Arashi, he trusted his divination completely.
This unfamiliar man was the lucky star represented by his Wheel of Fortune.
Of course—
If handled improperly, that same man would instantly become a god of death and erase the newly-risen Hawkins Pirates from existence.
At that moment—
Drake finally emerged from the tavern after thoroughly satisfying his desire for alcohol.
"Hm?"
Seeing Hawkins and his crew gathered outside the clothing store, Drake's expression tightened and a cold light flashed through his eyes.
Although he hadn't intended to arrest pirates today, Hawkins's group had ignored his warning and were still wandering around the streets.
That irritated him greatly.
However, his attention was immediately drawn to Arashi, who had disappeared after paying for his drinks.
"Mr. Arashi?"
With a trace of confusion, Drake calmly walked over.
"Hawkins, are you looking for trouble with Arashi?"
The moment he arrived behind the Hawkins Pirates, Drake slapped one of the crew members to the ground.
Then he shouted at the group as they quickly turned around.
"Sorry, I've changed my mind."
"None of you Hawkins Pirates are leaving today!"
At that very moment, the Marines who had been shopping around town also arrived on the street.
The instant they saw their brigadier general knock down a member of the Hawkins Pirates, they rushed over and surrounded the pirates from all sides.
Seeing this, the Hawkins Pirates immediately assumed combat stances and glared at the Marines surrounding them.
Drake ignored them completely.
Instead, he walked straight past Hawkins and nodded slightly toward Arashi.
"Mr. Arashi..."
Before he could finish speaking, he noticed Robin and Perona standing behind Arashi.
Naturally, he didn't recognize Robin.
He merely paused for a moment before continuing,
"Leave these pirates to me."
Without waiting for Arashi's response, Drake turned around decisively and declared word by word,
"Take them down!"
At Drake's command, the surrounding Marines immediately raised their rifles and aimed them at Hawkins and his crew.
Hawkins frowned slightly.
Meanwhile, Arashi couldn't help but suppress a laugh.
A moment ago, the two sides had been getting along just fine.
In the blink of an eye, the situation had escalated into a tense standoff.
It was honestly far too amusing.
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