White Sea — Heaven's Gate
Finally stepping onto land, Mihawk drew the Black Blade Yoru from his back.
"Beelzebub, draw your blade."
Perhaps because the nineteen-year-old Mihawk had yet to reach the pinnacle as the World's Greatest Swordsman, Astrix was spared the humiliation of being challenged with a mere small knife.
Clang~ Clang~ Clang~
The two clashed three times in an instant—a simple warm-up.
Feeling Astrix's steadily increasing strength, Mihawk offered a brief critique:
"A sword with only power lacks depth."
After a short exchange, Mihawk found himself growing more curious about the unsharpened blade in Astrix's hand, faintly glowing with purple light.
Its durability alone rivaled the Black Blade Yoru—one of the Supreme Grade swords.
A Supreme Grade blade that had never appeared before?
Then he saw Astrix wrap the blade in black-and-red Conqueror's Haki, crackling with lightning.
Mihawk's eye twitched slightly, his hawk-like gaze sharpening.
"Conqueror's Haki infusion… what a freak."
In all his years pursuing the way of the sword, Mihawk had challenged countless masters, yet he had never seen anything like this.
No Armament Haki. No Observation Haki.
Yet he could wield Conqueror's Haki at the level of infusion.
"Unbalanced" didn't even begin to describe it.
What kind of will could produce such a monster?
No wonder he had been part of the Pirate King's crew… no wonder they had reached the Final Island.
The two swung simultaneously, unleashing flying slashes—one purple, one green.
Compared to Mihawk's green sword energy, which could cleave through the sea of clouds, Astrix's purple slash appeared smaller in scale.
But it was fierce despite its size.
After all, it was enhanced by Conqueror's Haki infusion and further amplified by Musou Isshin's doubling effect.
Since Astrix had yet to awaken Armament or Observation Haki, he relied on electrical signals in the air to predict Mihawk's movements.
At the same time, he lacked the defensive and offensive boosts those forms of Haki provided.
In short—
With Conqueror's Haki infusion and his Devil Fruit ability, Astrix's offensive power had already stepped into the ranks of top-tier fighters on the sea.
As for defense…
Better not mention it.
Unless he could push his Conqueror's Haki even further—into full coating.
Before transmigrating, it seemed only Rocks had ever reached that level in the world of One Piece.
Boom~
After being blasted back dozens of meters, Astrix wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"As expected… combat really is the best training."
This fight with Mihawk not only helped him fully integrate the swordsmanship experience in his mind, but even the Thoughtless Slash he had recently acquired began to fuse with his style.
Even his swordsmanship and Rumble-Rumble Fruit abilities started to interact in subtle ways.
For example—
His flying slashes were now followed by lightning dragons.
And during close combat, he stimulated his body with electricity, pushing his adrenaline to surge and significantly boosting his strength and reaction speed.
Clang~ Clang~ Clang~
They fought from night until dawn, oblivious to fatigue.
Strangely, neither of them called out the names of their techniques.
Mihawk: If I don't name it, it's just a basic attack.
Astrix: Same here.
In the end, however, the difference in foundation showed.
After eight hours of combat, Astrix was the first to collapse, lying on the ground and panting heavily.
In this clash between a Great Swordsman and a Swordsman, Mihawk had held back considerably.
There was a four-year age gap between them. Astrix's natural physique was average, he had often gone hungry as a child, and his six years aboard the Roger Pirates had exposed him to a wide range of skills rather than focused mastery.
Reaching this level was already remarkable.
But with his system—and his unique advantages—what Astrix lacked was simply time.
Given enough of it, he could overturn the world.
Mihawk sheathed Yoru and extended a hand to pull Astrix up.
"Not bad. You've improved."
Perhaps in five years… no, two years—
This man might become a true rival.
Just as Astrix was about to deepen their "bond," an untimely voice interrupted:
"Captain, someone's coming."
A group of warriors emerged from the jungle.
Shandora had originally been part of Jaya Island, but four hundred years ago, it was blasted into the White Sea by a massive Knock-Up Stream.
The Shandians discovered this land, sparking a four-century-long conflict between them and the native Skypieans.
The group before Astrix—winged people with small feathered appendages on their backs—were Skypieans.
One of them, seemingly their leader, asked hesitantly:
"Astrix?"
An acquaintance?
Astrix looked at the man, and memories from two years ago surfaced.
"Kalpara? Long time no see."
Kalpara was a descendant of the legendary Shandian warrior Calgara.
Two years ago, when the Roger Pirates arrived at Sky Island, they discovered the poneglyph detailing information about the Ancient Weapon Poseidon.
There, Astrix had met Kalpara—and also Gan Fall, the then God of Skypiea.
After a warm embrace, Kalpara asked eagerly:
"Did you find the great treasure? Where are Captain Roger and the others? Why are you alone?"
Astrix briefly and selectively recounted what had happened after leaving Sky Island.
"I didn't expect a man like Captain Roger would actually turn himself in…"
"We respect his choice," Astrix replied calmly. "What about you? Still fighting Gan Fall?"
Kalpara shook his head.
"It's been quiet lately. Come—we're heading back for a banquet."
At the mention of food, Astrix's eyes lit up.
"Now that you mention it… I'm hungry again."
In the world of One Piece, holding a banquet was like celebrating festivals back in his previous life—
Happy? Banquet.
Sad? Banquet.
During his journey with the Roger Pirates, Astrix had made countless friends.
And the main reason he was so memorable?
His cooking.
As the crew's chef, he had conquered not only his crewmates but people from all walks of life with his food and drink.
Passing by the site of the golden pillar, Astrix feigned shock.
"Where's the pillar?!"
Kalpara's face darkened.
"Don't even mention it. It was stolen last night."
"Nani?!"
Astrix gestured dramatically.
"That thing was huge—how did anyone move it?"
"Who knows?" Kalpara grumbled. "We all blacked out several times last night. It must've happened then."
Hearing this, Mihawk glanced at Astrix thoughtfully.
Too much of a coincidence.
Astrix arrived last night.
The pillar vanished last night.
The truth… seemed close at hand.
But judging from the marks left behind, the pillar had indeed been enormous.
So how had Astrix taken it?
And where had he hidden it?
Mihawk found himself growing more intrigued by this mysterious man.
Cloud Village
After their homeland was taken four centuries ago, the Shandians had built a new village atop island clouds, preserving their tribal traditions—tents, totems, and all.
At the grand banquet, Astrix resumed his role as chef, once again conquering the Shandians with his cooking.
"Astrix! I finally get to taste your food again!"
For a long time after the Roger Pirates had left, the tribe's chefs had suffered endless complaints.
After all—
Once you've tasted perfection, everything else feels lacking.
"Astrix, what brings you here this time?"
Astrix set down his drink.
"I plan to speak with Gan Fall about ending the war between your people and the Skypieans. You're both descendants of the Moon People—this conflict is meaningless."
Immediately, a warrior shouted:
"Impossible! We will never acknowledge him as God!"
Astrix smiled calmly.
"I understand."
Then he added—
"How about… I become your God instead?"
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