Paradise — waters near Jaya Island
Mihawk held a chilled sweet drink in one hand and a porcelain-white teacup in the other. The faint sound of laughter drifting from above made him glance up at the night sky.
"Truly an enviable ability."
The Great Swordsman Mihawk, having never consumed a Devil Fruit, did not possess the ability of sustained flight.
As for the source of that laughter—
It was Astrix, leaping down from Sky Island. When he was about a hundred meters above sea level, he instantly transformed into a bolt of lightning and landed steadily on the deck.
His long silver hair stood on end.
At that moment, Astrix finally understood why Kaido enjoyed jumping from Sky Island so much—it was exhilarating.
Not only did it trigger an adrenaline rush, but it also left one feeling refreshed, as if all worries had been blown away.
From the moment Astrix landed, Mihawk's gaze was drawn to the Musou Isshin hanging at his waist.
"This blade…"
Like a beast guarding its prey, Astrix quickly turned sideways to shield it.
"Mihawk, this is my beloved. Not for loan."
Mihawk replied calmly, "Let me take a look."
"No."
Mihawk drew the Black Blade Yoru and pointed it straight at Astrix.
"Come, Captain. Let me gauge your progress."
He also wanted to see how Astrix had earned the recognition of such a mysterious and precious blade.
"Hey… you two big brothers…" The Doctor gathered his courage and stepped between them. "Before you spar, could you help me remove these handcuffs first?"
"And… our ship won't survive the flying slashes you two would unleash."
Mihawk sheathed Yoru and turned back toward the cabin.
This kid had grown stronger again—while he himself had remained stagnant. After seeing Shandora, it would be time to resume his training.
Astrix yawned.
"Doctor, keep watch tonight. Tomorrow, your captain will help you remove those Seastone handcuffs."
"Yes, Captain."
As if remembering something, Astrix suddenly grabbed him.
"Wait—did Mihawk just call me Captain?"
"Yes, Captain."
Hearing that, pride nearly overflowed from Astrix's face. He waved his hand with a grin.
"Carry on. If you encounter a giant whirlpool, wake me up."
"Understood, Captain."
Having successfully recruited his first crew member, Astrix was in high spirits. With his hands in his pockets, he hummed a tune as he returned to his room.
"Next, I need to build a better rapport with Mihawk."
Before Sky Island, Astrix hadn't even been worthy of standing as Mihawk's opponent.
But now, with the Supreme Grade Blade Musou Isshin, which amplified Haki, along with the Thoughtless Swordsmanship experience, he was barely qualified.
After a quick wash, Astrix fell asleep clutching Musou Isshin.
Soon, he was dreaming.
In the dream…
Captain Astrix led Vice-Captain Hawkeye Mihawk, Helmsman Jinbe, Combatants Kuma, Fujitora, Rocks, Roger, Whitebeard…
Punching Marine Hero Garp.
Stomping Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Defeating Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru with a single strike each.
Finally, he overthrew the World Government, defeated Imu, created a world where everyone could eat their fill, ascended the throne as King—
And built a vast harem.
"Captain! Captain!"
Just as his dream reached its peak, urgent knocking shattered it.
Astrix sat up, annoyed.
"Couldn't you let me finish that?"
He hung Musou Isshin at his waist and opened the door irritably.
"Did you find a whirlpool?"
"Captain… a giant whirlpool."
Astrix rushed to the helm.
"Quick—wake Mihawk! If it doesn't turn into a Knock-Up Stream, we'll have to rely on him completely."
Why had Shandora remained undiscovered for over four hundred years?
On one hand, Knock-Up Streams were extremely rare.
On the other, entering one carried a fifty-percent chance of total destruction.
"Nani?!"
Cold sweat poured down the Doctor's forehead.
"Hurry up!"
Astrix had already turned the bow toward the massive whirlpool ahead.
The Doctor rushed to the cabin—but before he could knock, Mihawk opened the door and, with a single strike, sliced through the Seastone handcuffs and shackles.
By the time they reached the deck, Astrix was gripping the helm, grinning.
"Mihawk—hold on tight!"
A man who smiles often usually doesn't have bad luck.
The ship surged into the whirlpool, hovering for a split second—
Then—
Amid the Doctor's hysterical screams, a massive cylindrical Knock-Up Stream erupted from below, blasting skyward.
The ship landed on the stream and shot upward at an impossible speed.
"Mihawk—raise the sails!"
Even with only two crew members, Captain Astrix issued his orders with confidence.
As they ascended—
Astrix howled with excitement.
The Doctor turned pale.
Mihawk remained sharp and composed.
"If you don't want to fall to your death, use your ability," Astrix shouted.
"Let me catch my breath!"
"Move! The stream might not reach Sky Island!"
Thinking of plummeting to his death, the Doctor finally acted. A white halo formed around his hand, enveloping the ship.
Whoosh!
They teleported dozens of meters forward.
"Again!"
With the Knock-Up Stream and the Doctor's ability combined, they soon approached the White Sea—ten thousand meters above the ocean.
"One more push—we're almost there!"
But just a few hundred meters from Sky Island, the stream began to weaken and collapse.
Seeing this, Mihawk stepped off the ship, using the air as footholds, and leapt onto the island.
The Doctor teleported himself at the last second.
Astrix transformed into lightning and landed beside Mihawk effortlessly.
Behind them, the stolen ship fell—destined to shatter upon the sea below.
The Doctor collapsed to his knees, trembling.
"Captain… that was a death trap…"
Astrix rested his hand on his blade and waved casually.
"Let's go. We're heading to Shandora."
Two days later — near Jaya Island
A flash of yellow light streaked across the sea.
As it passed a piece of drifting wreckage, a figure in a yellow-and-white striped suit appeared.
Marine Admiral Kizaru.
He had left Marineford and circled Alabasta and Jaya multiple times.
"Even the ship is gone…"
He took out a Den Den Mushi, snapped a few photos, and frowned slightly.
"Who could've done this?"
The World Government… or pirates?
After searching for a long time without finding any bodies, he finally contacted Sengoku.
"...Kizaru?"
"Sengoku-san, the target ship has been destroyed. No bodies found. Someone may have intervened."
"Understood. Return."
"Roger."
As he hung up, thunder rumbled overhead.
Kizaru looked up at the lightning-filled sky.
"How scary…"
"…So they're up there?"
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