Surrounded by the Oathblood Royal Guard, Mihawk still dared to openly challenge Rosinante. To the onlookers, this was both shocking and worthy of admiration. But to the Oathblood Royal Guard, it was naked provocation.
Thus, the moment Mihawk spoke those words, every member of the Oathblood Royal Guard revealed expressions of extreme fury.
"Your Majesty, let me handle this!" Enel said with a darkened expression.
He himself was a core member of the Oathblood Royal Guard. As such, he could not allow the Guard's dignity to be completely trampled.
"Your Majesty, leave him to me," Daolang said. "An interesting swordsman like this really makes the blood boil. I request that Your Majesty hand him over to me."
"Interesting. Truly interesting," Rosinante said with a smile. "To still have the courage to challenge me face to face under these circumstances. You are a swordsman with resolve."
"But why should I accept your challenge?" Rosinante added calmly.
"As a swordsman, one should not fear another's challenge," Hawk-Eyes said flatly, his words carrying clear provocation.
"Bastard, who do you think you are? What right do you have to challenge our Majesty? If you want to challenge His Majesty, you'll have to get past us first!"
He had been responsible for intercepting Mihawk earlier, only to be completely ignored as Mihawk directly attacked Rosinante. That had cost him all face.
"There are countless people on the seas who want to use our Majesty's fame as a stepping stone to rise," Ryan sneered. "If His Majesty accepted every challenge, wouldn't he be annoyed to death?"
"So that means, to challenge the Dragon King, I must first defeat all of you?" Mihawk said calmly. "Then come."
"Such arrogance. Who do you think you are?"
"You actually dare challenge the entire Oathblood Royal Guard?"
"He must be taught a lesson!"
At that moment, the entire Oathblood Royal Guard erupted in anger.
As the Gray Kingdom's strongest military force, they had built an awe inspiring reputation over the past three years protecting No Night City. Never had they been so openly scorned.
At that moment, Rosinante raised a hand, signaling everyone to stop.
"Stand down. I accept this challenge," Rosinante said calmly.
"Your Majesty!"
Hearing those words, the expressions of every member of the Oathblood Royal Guard changed, and they all cried out anxiously.
"It's been a long time since I last fought," Rosinante said lightly. "You should at least let me stretch my bones a bit. Or has my word stopped carrying weight?"
"We wouldn't dare!"
Hearing this, everyone's expressions turned solemn, and they stepped back in perfect unison, retreating a certain distance.
"Wow, that's really imposing. Setting everything else aside, this Dragon King's ability to command his subordinates is truly terrifying. To have so many powerful people obey him without question," a Supernova pirate said.
"It's nothing more than relying on his ability," another pirate scoffed. "I've heard the Dragon King can place a seal inside people's bodies. If anyone disobeys his orders or betrays him, the seal will activate and they'll die without a burial!"
"That's a truly despicable ability, controlling subordinates like that," another pirate said. "This Dragon King is nothing special."
Although he said that, deep envy was visible in his eyes.
"You're talking about the Dragon King's Healing Seal, right? I've heard that this ability is actually meant to protect his subordinates, not threaten them."
"I've heard similar rumors. Even if it's said not to threaten, the threat is still there. There's no real difference," another pirate said. "But that Healing Seal really is incredible. Even severe injuries can recover in an instant. Dealing with members of the Gray Kingdom who have that seal is extremely troublesome."
The surrounding pirates whispered among themselves.
...
"Still, I only accepted your challenge because of your courage," Rosinante said calmly. "But I don't like acting for nothing. If you lose, how about joining the Gray Kingdom?"
Hearing this, the Oathblood Royal Guard all showed expressions of realization. So that was it. His Majesty had taken a liking to Hawk-Eyes Mihawk and was trying to recruit him.
"If I lose, you can take my life," Mihawk said flatly.
"Heh, what would I want your life for?" Rosinante replied. "Since you're unwilling to join the Gray Kingdom, then if you lose, I'll take something else from you."
"If I lose, as long as I have it, you can take whatever you want," Mihawk said without hesitation.
"Good. Since everything is settled, make your move," Rosinante said, making an inviting gesture. "You should treasure this opportunity. Otherwise, you may not get another chance to strike."
Hearing Rosinante's words, Mihawk's expression turned solemn. He raised his blade with both hands and swung it fiercely toward Rosinante.
The moment the blade fell, the air twisted. An incomparably massive slash tore forward at high speed.
Where it passed, the ground split apart, the air and wind were ripped open, and the chilling sharpness of the sword intent alone made even the spectators feel their hearts tremble.
Yet facing such a terrifying slash from Mihawk, Rosinante still stood there.
He did not dodge.
He did not counterattack.
He simply stood there, a look of appreciation on his face.