Novel Chapter
Kai raised his arm.
Zanka no Tachi descended.
The blade fell slowly.
Almost lazily.
But the moment it moved—
WHOOOOOOOM.
Flames erupted.
Not toward Mihawk—thank god, not toward Mihawk—because fifteen million degrees would've vaporized him instantly. Black blade and all. Nothing would remain but ash.
The strike angled away.
Hit empty ocean.
And the world screamed.
White mist exploded across the horizon—a wall of steam that stretched for miles. The ocean didn't boil.
It vanished.
Thousands of meters of water—gone. Evaporated in a heartbeat.
The seabed lay exposed. Cracked. Dry as bone.
Sea Kings—massive creatures that could swallow ships whole—were now nothing but charred skeletons, their flesh burned away in an instant.
Silence.
Then—
"The—the sea—"
"It's gone!"
"I'M DREAMING!" Usopp's voice cracked. "This isn't real! Luffy, I've got a disease! A fatal disease! If I stay on a pirate ship, I'll die!"
He grabbed Luffy's shoulders, shaking him.
"I don't wanna be a pirate anymore! I quit!"
Zoro stared at the empty ocean.
His face—already pale from blood loss—had gone white.
"Is this..." His voice was hollow. "...still human?"
Even Luffy, melted across the deck like warm rubber, managed to lift his head.
"Brother Kai..." His eyes were shining. "...so cool..."
Mihawk felt it most of all.
That strike had passed right by him—close enough that the heat had seared his skin even through his Armament Haki.
If my instincts hadn't kicked in—
If I hadn't covered myself in Haki at the last second—
The residual heat alone would've killed me.
Even now, with his entire body wrapped in second-stage Armament, his skin was cracking. Dry fissures spreading across his arms, his neck.
He tried to swallow.
No moisture. His mouth was a desert.
"I..." The words came out rough. Quiet. "...am defeated."
He sheathed Yoru.
The click of the blade sliding home felt like a door closing.
His eyes met Kai's.
No fighting spirit remained. Not because he was afraid.
Because he understood.
Challenging him is like an ant challenging an elephant.
Pointless.
Laughable.
Kai's expression softened.
"So you get it now." He tilted his head. "Some gaps can't be closed, Mihawk. Not with talent. Not with effort."
A pause.
"But you're impressive." His smile was genuine. "You defeated your own swordsmanship. That takes guts."
He pointed Zanka no Tachi at the horizon.
"Someday, you'll be the strongest swordsman in the world."
Mihawk's eyes widened slightly.
"Of course—" Kai's smile turned wry. "—that doesn't mean surpassing me. Because I'm not just a swordsman."
Mihawk froze.
"Wait." His voice sharpened. "You're saying there are swordsmen in this world stronger than me?"
Impossible.
He'd spent five years perfecting his craft. Fought everyone worth fighting. Even Shanks—in pure swordsmanship—couldn't match him anymore.
He was Yonko-level. Solidly.
Who could possibly—
"Of course there are." Kai's tone was matter-of-fact. "I haven't seen him myself, but I'm certain he exists."
He met Mihawk's eyes.
"The wielder of the First Generation Kitetsu."
Mihawk's breath caught.
"One of the Five Elders. The World Government's highest authority."
Silence.
"His strength exceeds yours." Kai's smile was small. "Not by as much as mine does—you won't feel despair—but enough to make it interesting."
"Where?" The word came out sharp. Hungry. "Where can I find him?"
Kai laughed.
"Patience, Mihawk." He waved a hand dismissively. "You're one of my Seven Warlords now. Sooner or later, you'll face him."
His eyes gleamed.
"What you need to do is train. Hone your blade. Because when that day comes—"
He leaned forward slightly.
"—if you lose, you'll embarrass me."
Mihawk's pupils dilated.
Sooner or later, you'll face him.
One of the Five Elders.
The World Government's highest authority.
The implication was clear.
He's planning to go to war.
Not with pirates.
With the World Government itself.
Mihawk's mind raced.
This man—
He's not aiming for the Grand Line.
He's aiming for the entire world.
But strangely...
He didn't care.
Justice? Evil? Politics?
None of it mattered.
The only thing that mattered was the blade on his back.
And the chance to sharpen it.
"I understand." His voice was steady. "You mentioned earlier—there's something you need me to do?"
"Oh. Right." Kai smacked his forehead. "Almost forgot."
He straightened, expression turning serious.
"Marine Headquarters is summoning the Seven Warlords soon. Support for an upcoming operation."
Mihawk nodded.
"Before you go—" Kai's tone dropped. "—I need you to deliver two messages. In the New World."
"First: Find Kaido. Tell him it's my order—he's to secretly assist Whitebeard in the coming conflict."
Mihawk's eyes widened.
Kaido?
He has influence over Kaido!?
"Second—" Kai's smile turned cold. "—tell Shanks that the World Government is planning a public execution at Marineford."
He paused.
"Portgas D. Ace."
Another pause.
"Roger's son."
"WHAT!?"
The word exploded out of Mihawk before he could stop it.
"The Pirate King had a child!?"
Kai nodded slowly.
"The World Government worked hard to uncover that little secret." His voice was soft. Dangerous. "Roger nearly toppled their entire regime twenty years ago."
He met Mihawk's eyes.
"Now they know he left an heir. You think they'll just let that slide?"
Mihawk's mind spun.
Sengoku—
He has a life-and-death bond with Garp.
Garp, who was Roger's friend.
Why would Sengoku execute Ace?
Unless—
"The World Government is forcing his hand," Kai said quietly, as if reading his thoughts. "They want this execution. Even though it'll bring Whitebeard's entire fleet crashing down on Marineford."
He smiled.
"The disadvantages far outweigh the benefits. Sengoku knows that. He's called 'The Resourceful General' for a reason."
A pause.
"But he has no choice."
Mihawk was silent for a long moment.
Processing.
Kaido.
Whitebeard.
The World Government.
Roger's son.
All of it connected.
All of it orchestrated by the man standing in front of me.
"I'll deliver the messages." His voice was steady. Certain.
Kai's smile widened.
"Good."
He turned away, Zanka no Tachi dissolving into motes of light.
"Oh, and Mihawk?"
Mihawk looked up.
"When you face that Elder—" Kai's eyes gleamed over his shoulder. "—don't hold back."
A pause.
"I want to know if he's worth my time."
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