Sky Island – Open-Air Banquet Hall
Despite being covered in blood, Mihawk still sat calmly in his seat, drinking alone.
He wasn't drinking out of frustration.
After all, at only nineteen, it was perfectly normal that he couldn't defeat Kizaru, who was in his prime.
The real problem was—
Astrix had knocked out everyone on Sky Island.
There was no one left to treat his injuries.
Following Mihawk's gaze, Astrix and Kizaru stood at a distance, seemingly arguing about something.
"Brother, the world shouldn't be like this."
"Little brother… please stop talking."
Kizaru had never expected this.
A Marine Vice Admiral—on the verge of becoming an Admiral—was actually negotiating with a wanted criminal.
Worse—
This kid was trying to incite him to rebel.
It was absurd.
The truths Astrix revealed—hidden history buried by the World Government—shook Kizaru's sense of justice.
Two conflicting voices clashed in his mind.
He's been to the Final Island. This must be true. The World Government is rotten.
So what? A pirate is still a pirate.
He didn't choose piracy. He was forced into it just to survive.
Have you forgotten your justice?
Kizaru rubbed his brow.
His breathing grew heavy, matching his turbulent thoughts.
Right now—
He just wanted to leave.
To get away from this "devil" in front of him.
"Little brother… are your people reliable?"
"Don't worry."
Astrix pulled out a few photos.
"They're all here. Besides, we're not planning to return to the Blue Sea anytime soon. You can relax."
"Then speak," Kizaru said as he burned the photos to ash. "What do you want?"
Astrix smiled slightly.
"I only have one request."
Kizaru gestured lazily.
"Go on."
"You understand the nature of the World Government," Astrix said. "For the sake of these weak Skypieans… don't leak any information about Sky Island."
"…Fine. I promise."
Thinking about the gold Astrix had promised, a flicker of heat rose in Kizaru's chest.
In half a day—
He had earned enough wealth for a lifetime.
A worthwhile trip.
Of course, he could try to kill Astrix and take everything.
But—
That wouldn't be easy.
And more importantly—
He didn't want to.
Ambiguous justice… was still justice.
"Little brother," Kizaru asked, "where's the prisoner you kidnapped?"
"Ran off," Astrix replied with a shrug. "While you were fighting Mihawk, he slipped away."
"…I see."
Kizaru hesitated.
"I should still go after him. Catching one is better than none."
He wanted the gold.
But he also wanted to become an Admiral.
Their agreement was unspoken—but clear.
You don't expose me. I don't expose you.
As for those burned photos?
Kizaru wasn't naïve.
That cunning brat definitely had backups.
In the end, gold paved the way.
Astrix and Kizaru—future enemies—reached a quiet understanding.
Not killing each other on sight.
Occasional intelligence exchange.
Mutual silence.
Before leaving, Kizaru asked one last question:
"You're really planning to stay off the seas for a while?"
"Relax," Astrix said with a grin. "I keep my word."
Watching him leave, Astrix grabbed a bucket of water and began splashing the unconscious Skypieans awake.
"Gan Fall—Mihawk's injured. Get some nurses to treat him."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Gan Fall nodded immediately.
In his eyes, the terrifying enemy had already been driven off.
As expected of Lord Thunder God!
Astrix returned to his seat, lost in thought.
I should've given up on recruiting that doctor sooner…
The Ope-Ope no Mi had immense strategic value.
But now—
The man had escaped during the chaos.
If the World Government caught him again…
Sky Island could be exposed.
"I shouldn't have been soft back then."
Just as regret set in—
A shadow darted forward.
"Captain… is that guy gone?"
Astrix didn't even hesitate.
Thud.
He kicked him.
"You little idiot—you even fooled me!"
The Doctor dodged, grinning sheepishly.
"Doesn't that make it more convincing? If even you were fooled, he'd never suspect anything."
"…You've got some brains, I'll give you that."
Astrix crossed his arms.
"Now find somewhere to hide. The World Government will never stop chasing the Ope-Ope no Mi."
The Doctor's expression dimmed.
"So… you knew all along."
"Then why not turn me in? You could've cleared your bounty."
Astrix rolled his eyes.
"I'm a pirate. Pirates have their own code."
"And besides…"
"A Marine bounty is a badge of honor."
On the seas, only a few pirates ever surpassed 5 billion.
Roger. Whitebeard.
As for Rocks—
His existence had been erased.
Astrix patted the Doctor's shoulder.
"Find a place to disappear. Preferably somewhere I don't know."
"Why?"
"Because one day…" Astrix smirked, "I might not resist cashing you in."
"…Understood, Captain."
Three days later — Shandora, the Golden City
Before a massive stone tablet, Astrix gently traced the relatively fresh inscription.
Memories surfaced—
Two years ago, following Roger to Sky Island.
Beside him, Mihawk stood wrapped head to toe in bandages.
"What does it say?"
Astrix shook his head.
"I can't read the first part either. The rest was dictated by Captain Roger—and carved by Oden."
He recited slowly:
"I have come here and will guide this passage to the farthest ends of the earth. - Pirate Gol D. Roger".
Mihawk frowned.
"D?"
Astrix nodded.
"His real name is Gol D. Roger. The World Government calls him 'Gold Roger' to hide the 'D.'"
"The 'D' clan…"
"An ancient enemy of the World Government."
"They fear it. Hate it. So they erased it."
Astrix grinned.
"So even if we turn the world upside down…"
"As long as we're not 'D,' they might even try to recruit us."
Silence fell.
After a long pause, Mihawk spoke.
"I want to go down. Do you have a way?"
Even he would be crushed jumping from ten thousand meters.
Astrix spread his hands.
"Mihawk… you still won't call me Captain."
Mihawk's response was immediate.
He drew Yoru.
"Beelzebub. Draw your sword."
Astrix sighed—and smiled.
"Let's move somewhere else. Don't damage the inscription."
In truth—
Astrix had already prepared something.
A flying bamboo-copter.
Why not a flying cloak?
Simple.
A cloak cost 1,000 points.
The bamboo-copter cost 500.
And more importantly—
Astrix couldn't resist.
Just imagine it.
The cold, aloof Mihawk—
Flying through the sky with a tiny propeller spinning on his head.
…
Perfect.
After a proper clash between men—
Astrix reached into his pocket and pulled it out.
"Mihawk," he said with a grin,
"Put this on your head."