All three Supernovas who challenged these legendary pirates ended in defeat. When Crocodile challenged Whitebeard, only members of the Whitebeard Pirates were present, so the incident remained unknown to the world until long after Crocodile had fled from the New World.
As for the battle between Grimm and Kuma, it took place on a remote, uninhabited island, so neither the general public nor the Navy had any knowledge of it whatsoever.
The only event that immediately drew the attention of the Navy and the entire world was the challenge issued by the swordsman Supernova, Dracule Mihawk, against the man recognised by Shiki the Golden Lion as the World's Greatest Swordsman—Yasuo, known by his title the "King of Intimidation".
The confrontation took place in Spring Queen City, a prosperous port town. Though defeated in their first encounter, Mihawk refused to be satisfied. He challenged Yasuo time and time again; despite losing every single time, he grew stronger and sharper with each battle.
On an island located very close to the Sabaody Archipelago, the Golden Lion's fleet had anchored temporarily. Plank walked in through the main entrance holding a bottle of rum and made his way over to Yasuo, who was sharing drinks with Shiki. "Hey, Happy Wind Man… that kid is here again!"
"Plank, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? That title is nothing but an insult and a disgrace to me!" Yasuo said, pulling the scarf around his neck down lower over his face.
"Then what should I call you instead? The Fumbling Swordsman?" Plank asked dismissively.
Yasuo fell silent for a moment before asking, "…Who exactly has come?"
Seated upon his throne, Shiki wore a cunning smile. It could only be Mihawk, he thought to himself. If he hadn't given that utterly useless title of "World's Greatest Swordsman" to Yasuo in the first place, he would probably be the one being pestered and challenged to death by now.
Just then, another man stepped through the main doors. It was none other than the Supernova swordsman Dracule Mihawk, who had already challenged Yasuo a total of one hundred and eighty-three times—each time ending in defeat.
His signature floral shirt was now dotted with tears and holes, while bruises marked his face and a thin, pale scar ran across his chest; every mark left behind from his previous encounters with Yasuo.
Yasuo pushed himself up from where he had been sitting on the ground, narrowed his eyes, and spoke in a tone filled with boredom. "I was out drinking late again last night and I've got a splitting headache. Can't you just leave me in peace for once?"
"I simply want to surpass you—that is the very reason I draw breath and live!" Mihawk replied, his tone as if stating a simple fact. "If a swordsman does not constantly seek out those stronger than himself and strive to surpass them, then he has lost all meaning in wielding a blade!"
"Has the person who taught you the way of the sword never told you that choosing this path means you could die at any moment?" Yasuo picked up his jug of wine and took a sip.
"The moment I decided I would take your place, I cast aside all thoughts of life and death long ago!" Mihawk declared. He drew his black blade from his back, gripped it firmly with both hands, and held it horizontally at shoulder height, ready to strike.
Puff… Puff… Puff…
However, just as the atmosphere grew tense and solemn, a ridiculous, heavy shuffling sound echoed through the hall. Shiki, seated in the main seat, twitched his brow repeatedly in irritation, and even Mihawk paused his movements, no one noticing the single bead of cold sweat that rolled down from his temple.
Indigo walked in from the side chamber into the main hall, moving his body in strange, erratic gestures like some sort of court jester. As everyone stared at him in confusion and bewilderment, he finally spoke: "My research… it is almost complete!"
Keh… Keh… Hahahahahaha!
After a brief moment of surprise, Shiki seated on the throne could no longer contain himself and burst into loud, wild laughter. He placed his cigar back between his teeth and turned to look at Yasuo. "Yasuo, let's go. The plan begins now!"
In an instant, a gust of wind swirled around Yasuo, and he rushed straight toward Mihawk. The two clashed so fast they were nothing but blurs to the eye. In less than ten strikes, Yasuo found an opening in Mihawk's defence, and as his blade flashed with the force of a gale, he called out:
"HASAGI!"
A massive tornado swept forward, lifting Mihawk right off his feet and hurling him down onto the ground of the island far below.
Mihawk struggled back up to his feet, only to see Yasuo slowly sliding his sword back into its scabbard. Standing tall at the bow of the ship, Yasuo called down with overwhelming presence: "I am heading for the New World now. If you still wish to challenge me, you are welcome to try at any time. But right now… your strength is still far from enough. Go train and grow stronger for a few more years!"
As soon as Yasuo finished speaking, Shiki activated his powers. One by one, the dozen large warships rose into the sky and sailed off toward the clouds, where the legendary Island of Miracles was concealed from sight.
Long after they had gone, Mihawk gently ran his fingers along the edge of his black blade and murmured to himself, "I still have far too much to learn…"
---
Mary Geoise, the Holy Land!
"Report! Several hours ago, our surveillance devices clearly detected massive energy fluctuations above the Red Line. Based on our previous observations of Shiki's abilities, it is highly likely that the Golden Lion's grand fleet used the powers of the Float-Float Fruit to cross over the Red Line and head straight into the New World!"
Inside the office of the World Government's highest authority, the Five Elders, a senior officer of CP Organisation delivered his report.
"Hmph… So you are finally making your move and returning to the New World once again, Shiki?" The Elder with curly hair moved his lips slightly, then continued, "If that is the case, then there are now five major powers dividing control over the New World. For the time being, order the Navy to withdraw their forces and simply wait for them to turn against one another!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"I concur!"
"+1!"
No sooner had the curly-haired Elder spoken than the other four voiced their approval one after another.
Pirates were arrogant and self-centred beings who respected no authority and refused to submit to anyone. Rather than deploying massive naval forces to hunt them down, it was far wiser to simply wait and let them destroy each other.
The Elder who carried a sword adjusted his glasses and said, "Pass this order on to Kong. Withdraw as many naval forces from the New World as possible, and adopt a policy of complete indifference toward any conflicts breaking out there."
"Understood!" The CP officer bowed respectfully and quickly left the room.
Suddenly, the Elder with long hair spoke up, "What news is there of Nico Robin, that remaining survivor of Ohara?"
"Rumours have it that she has infiltrated the Grand Line and appears to have joined one of the pirate crews."
"Then send troops immediately to hunt down and destroy that crew! Leave no survivors—not a single one!"
"But given Nico Robin's capabilities, at least a Rear Admiral would need to be dispatched…"
......
February of the Year 1503 in the Marine Calendar.
Two and a half years after their last meeting, the Golden Lion's fleet and Grimm met once again in the New World.
Now free from the Navy's surveillance and restrictions, and aided by Shiki's powers, even the Navy themselves had not been able to learn of this meeting immediately.
Inside the main hall of the Golden Lion, Shiki sat upon his throne just as he had done three years earlier. Seated along both sides of the red carpet leading up to him were his core subordinates—some were veterans who had followed him since the early days before the Great Pirate Era began, while others were new recruits who had joined him simply out of respect for his fearsome reputation.
Meanwhile, Grimm had simply taken a chair out from his system inventory and placed it directly opposite Shiki, sitting down casually.
"You have already reviewed the research documents Indigo handed to you earlier, have you not?" Shiki looked toward Grimm and said, "All that remains now is for you to use your abilities and infuse your power into those creatures, and our plan will finally be fully realised!"
"This shall be a grand and glorious ceremony! The Holy Light will bring divine judgement and punishment upon all these sinners and scum!" Grimm declared, spreading his arms wide in a dramatic, almost prophet-like gesture.
Shiki raised an enormous, shallow wine cup nearly the size of a washbasin, brimming full of strong liquor. He raised it high and called out to everyone present: "We will either succeed in this endeavour or die trying! Among those gathered here today are my oldest and most trusted comrades, as well as new followers who have pledged their loyalty to me. However, because what we are about to do is something no one else has dared to attempt in the hundreds of years since the foundation of the World Government, I have only called upon the most elite and capable forces I have at my command!"
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