East Blue, somewhere on the sea. A pirate ship sailed onward.
It was a caravel with a triangular lateen sail on the mizzenmast and a central rudder, easily identifiable by its sheep figurehead.
Most conspicuously, the main sail proudly displayed a Jolly Roger featuring a skull wearing a straw hat.
After acquiring an official ship, Usopp, with his artistic talent, had designed the Straw Hat Pirates' flag.
Seeing their official Jolly Roger, Luffy was overjoyed. Perched on his special seat—the sheep figurehead at the bow—he frequently turned around just to admire their crew's flag.
Meanwhile, Rowen, leveraging his now enhanced physique, had put Luffy and Zoro through a grueling training regimen for two days. Now, he methodically continued enhancing his Conqueror's Haki and physique using Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) and Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple).
With a proper ship came proper storage facilities, allowing them to stock meat, unlike their previous voyage sustained solely on apples.
Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple) could now continuously function, bolstering Rowen's physical development.
"Hooo... Haaa..." Having just finished swimming, Rowen now reclined on a deck chair inside the second-floor cabin, absorbing the sea's energy from the air.
Even inside the cabin while sailing, the ubiquitous energy of the sea could be felt, allowing him to 'digest' the 'Disposition' gained via Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) and continuously strengthen his Conqueror's Haki.
His body was also digesting food, fueling his physical enhancement through Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple).
Nearby, Nami sat at a table, drawing charts. She occasionally glanced over at Rowen, smiled faintly, then returned her focus to her work.
Rowen, sometimes opening his eyes, would look at Nami, and then at the specially prepared drink she had placed beside him, a slight smile touching his lips.
The drink was perfectly refreshing after a swim.
A beautiful woman nearby, constantly growing stronger... life couldn't get much better than this.
WHOOSH! BOOM! Suddenly, a loud explosion interrupted the peaceful moment.
"What are those two idiots up to now?" Zoro grumbled, waking up on deck and rubbing his head.
These past few days, Zoro's training regimen had been demonic.
He already pushed himself hard, but after sparring with Rowen and Luffy a few days prior, Zoro was shocked to discover Rowen's physique was significantly stronger than his own.
Consequently, Zoro had intensified his already demanding training schedule even further, sleeping only three hours a day and spending nearly every other waking moment training.
He had been resting his eyes just now, recovering from the muscle aches and strains of his workout.
"Shishishi! We were testing the cannon! Usopp's a really good shot! Hit that rock on the first try! From now on, he's our crew's sniper!" Luffy announced cheerfully, entering the cabin with Usopp.
"Oh yeah! We've got a sniper now! But before we enter the Grand Line, there's still one more position we need, right?" Luffy added with a grin.
"True. We do have this nice kitchen now. If you're willing to pay, I could handle it," Nami chimed in, glancing around the galley with a smile.
"Exactly! That position is absolutely essential!" Zoro agreed with a grin.
A cook—a vital role on any pirate ship.
Nutritious food was paramount during long, arduous sea voyages, and delicious meals could soothe the crew's fatigue.
Furthermore, for training purposes, having a cook plan meals could significantly enhance the quality and results of their workouts.
"See? Everyone agrees this role is needed on every pirate ship!" Luffy declared, holding up a finger with a wide grin.
"A musician!" Luffy exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with longing.
"ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!" Even Zoro couldn't help but yell this time.
"What do you think sailing is, you moron?! Rowen, say something to this idiot!" Nami transformed into her sharp-toothed angry mode.
"But pirates are supposed to sing, right?" Luffy argued stubbornly.
"A cook and a musician... why not have both?" Rowen suggested with a smile, seeing everyone looking at him.
After acquiring a ship, what Rowen needed most now was a cook.
Only with a cook—especially a skilled one—could he fully utilize the potential of his Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple) Trait.
The One Piece world definitely had concepts like nutritional enhancement through food.
The Okama recipes from Kamabakka Kingdom, for instance, were known to greatly benefit physical training and development. Combined with Rowen's Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple), the effects would be even greater.
However, Rowen had no desire to visit that island to obtain those recipes. Fortunately, there was a perfect candidate elsewhere...
Sanji—the brave soul who had the audacity to infiltrate Kamabakka Kingdom in the original story.
Most importantly, who didn't love delicious food? Rowen had been curious about Sanji's cooking skills since his time on Earth; now that he was in this world, he naturally wanted to taste them firsthand.
Although Luffy was currently obsessed with finding a musician and hadn't realized the importance of a cook yet... the best thing about being part of the protagonist crew was that often, just when you needed something (like a pillow when sleepy), someone conveniently delivered it.
Soon, someone's firsthand experience would vividly demonstrate to Luffy the importance of a cook while sailing.
Crucially, along with that lesson would come news of that man—one of the absolute pinnacles of combat strength in the One Piece world.
News of the World's Greatest Swordsman, Dracule 'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk.
A faint smile played on Rowen's lips.
CRASH!
"Get out here, pirates!" A loud shout echoed, accompanied by the sound of the ship's water barrel being smashed.
"Who are you?" As captain, Luffy stepped out of the second-floor cabin first.
"Who cares who I am?! You nameless pirates! Trying to take my partner's life, were ya?!" The newcomer didn't waste time on words, immediately launching an attack at Luffy.
Only to be instantly subdued by Luffy's powers and slammed onto the deck.
"What the heck?" Luffy was still completely bewildered by the situation.
"Hey... aren't you Johnny?" Hearing the familiar voice, Zoro emerged from the cabin. He stared wide-eyed upon recognizing the man lying on the deck.
"B-Big Bro Zoro?!!!" Johnny stared back, equally wide-eyed, then scrambled to his feet.
"Big Bro Zoro! What are you doing on this nameless pirate ship?!" Johnny exclaimed in utter astonishment.
"I stopped being a bounty hunter a while ago. This is Johnny; he used to work with me back when I was hunting bounties," Zoro explained.
"What do you mean, nameless pirate ship?! You jerk!" Luffy immediately took offense.
If Zoro didn't know this guy, Luffy would have definitely given him another beating.
"Looks like our crew's reputation needs some more work," Rowen commented, stepping out of the cabin and looking at Johnny, a slight smirk on his face.
"Sk- 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?!!!" The moment Johnny saw Rowen, he gasped out loud in shock.
~ 18 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
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"Sk- 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?!" Johnny stammered, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he stared at Rowen.
Unlike Zoro, who set out to become the world's greatest swordsman but temporarily took up bounty hunting due to lack of funds, Johnny and his partner Yosaku were professional bounty hunters.
And for bounty hunters, gathering intelligence was paramount.
At the very least, they needed to know every pirate's bounty and gather intel on their combat strength to choose targets they could defeat for a good reward.
Newspapers of all kinds were a primary source of pirate intelligence for bounty hunters.
As the world's largest newspaper, the World Economic News Agency's publication was essential reading.
Although most of its reports focused on the Grand Line, with little coverage given to the East Blue—often called the weakest sea—reading it was still valuable for broadening one's knowledge.
But recently, the World Economic News Agency had dedicated an entire section to the normally overlooked East Blue.
'Sky Sovereign' Rowen! That was the name of the super rookie featured in that report!
The article described him with the incredible phrase: 'A new King is about to be born upon the seas'.
Such an exaggerated assessment naturally left a deep impression on Johnny.
"'Sky Sovereign'? SUGEEE! Your title is so awesome, Rowen!" Usopp exclaimed, looking at Rowen with admiration.
Usopp's father, Yasopp, had left to become a pirate long ago, and his mother had passed away from illness during his childhood, leaving the family with little savings.
Plus, Usopp loved inventing things, which required money.
The World Economic News Agency newspaper wasn't cheap, so Usopp couldn't afford every issue. He bought one occasionally to broaden his horizons and, admittedly, to gather better material for his tall tales.
He happened to miss the issue featuring Rowen.
"And he's even more famous than Luffy—the captain," Nami added with a smile.
For some reason, Nami felt happy hearing about Rowen's fame.
After the incident with Kaya, Nami was slowly starting to understand why.
She glanced at Rowen, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, her gaze almost... tentative.
Actually, before entering the Grand Line, Zoro, known as 'Pirate Hunter', was also much more famous than Luffy.
"I'll definitely become famous! And get a super high bounty!" Luffy declared, fists clenched, full of fighting spirit, not jealous of his comrade in the slightest.
"Captain?" Johnny turned his head, looking blankly at Luffy.
"What? Don't I look like a captain?" Luffy puffed out his chest, hands on his hips.
Nami, Zoro, and Usopp collectively shook their heads.
An idiot prioritizing a musician over a cook right before entering the Grand Line? How does that resemble a captain at all?
"..." Luffy immediately went to sulk in a corner, drawing circles on the deck.
"Unbelievable... That 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen and Big Bro Zoro actually chose you as their captain," Johnny muttered, his perception of Luffy completely overturned.
"By the way, where's Yosaku? Why isn't he with you?" Zoro asked, looking around, finding it strange.
Johnny and Yosaku were partners, always inseparable.
"Yosaku! He...!" Johnny's expression instantly turned grief-stricken.
"What happened?" Seeing Zoro's concerned expression, Johnny carefully pulled Yosaku up from the small boat tethered alongside.
Yosaku's face was deathly pale, looking like he was on the verge of dying.
"Yosaku was perfectly fine just a few days ago! Then suddenly he turned pale white and passed out for days! I have no idea why! His teeth are falling out, old wounds are bleeding again... I don't know what to do anymore!" Johnny cried, looking at his partner's dire condition.
"I took him to that nearby rock island to rest, and then a cannonball suddenly shot over from this ship!" Johnny started sobbing.
"!!!" Luffy and Usopp's jaws dropped.
Oh crap! That was the cannonball they fired!
"S-Sorry!" Luffy and Usopp immediately bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
"If apologies actually worked, we wouldn't need the marines!" Johnny wailed as Yosaku coughed up more blood.
"Right, partner?! Big Bro Zoro, He's not gonna die, is he?!" Johnny shook Yosaku frantically.
"You'll actually kill him if you keep shaking him like that," Rowen and Nami interjected, walking over.
"Relax. It's just common scurvy. Luffy, I told you when I stocked those apples, didn't I? Sailing on the sea without enough vitamins... well, you wouldn't understand anyway. Basically, if you don't eat enough fruits and vegetables, you get this disease," Rowen explained, looking at Yosaku.
"Eh? Did you say that?" Luffy tilted his head, trying to recall, but his mind drew a complete blank.
"Big Bro Rowen! Since you know what disease this is, you must know how to cure it, right?!" Johnny immediately looked at Rowen, tears streaming down his face.
"He just needs some fresh fruit. Luffy, Usopp, go get those oranges," Rowen instructed.
"Aye!" Luffy and Usopp immediately complied, grabbing a pile of oranges and desperately stuffing them into Yosaku's mouth.
A short while later, Yosaku miraculously bounced back to his feet, singing and dancing with Johnny again.
But their joy was short-lived. Yosaku quickly collapsed again. Although Yosaku, being a native of the One Piece world, had decent recovery abilities, he didn't possess a Trait like Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple).
Instant full recovery was impossible, and all that jumping around just aggravated his condition.
Fortunately, with a few days of rest, he would make a full recovery.
Johnny finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Let this be a lesson, Luffy. Never underestimate sailing," Nami said sternly, writing in her logbook while glancing at Luffy.
Luffy wanting a musician before a cook was simply idiotic from a practical sailing perspective.
"I didn't realize there were dangers like this during voyages," Zoro commented thoughtfully.
Although Rowen had mentioned the disease when preparing the apples, Zoro hadn't paid much attention at the time. Seeing Yosaku's condition firsthand was a significant lesson.
He had assumed just eating enough to feel full was sufficient while sailing.
"Meaning we have to consider nutritional balance with the limited ingredients onboard during long journeys?" Usopp mused, understanding dawning.
"Think about it. Isn't that an essential skill for sailing?" Nami pointed out.
"An essential skill?" Luffy, gnawing on a piece of bread, suddenly yelled.
"Alright! Then it has to be a cook! Let's go find a cook!" Luffy stood up, looking determinedly at Rowen and the others.
"That is the most needed role on our ship before we head into the Grand Line," Rowen smiled.
No amount of talking beats firsthand experience for Luffy and Zoro.
Growth wasn't just about power; mental maturity was also required to become truly strong.
Luffy and Zoro... their future strength was crucial for Rowen's plans to plunder high-tier Traits and utilize Faction Fortune (Apex Gold) by taking down iconic Pirate Faction figures.
Especially when eventually challenging the Four Emperors, their developed combat power would be invaluable to Rowen.
An Emperor's crew represented a complete force. The more numerous and powerful allies one had, the better.
Facing a group assault alone could overwhelm even a peak Emperor/Admiral level fighter.
Kaido's defeat after being worn down by multiple opponents on Onigashima was the perfect cautionary tale.
Rowen wouldn't make that mistake.
"Speaking of cooks, I know just the place!" Johnny grinned.
"Alright! That's where we're going! Where is it?!" Luffy beamed excitedly.
"It's close to the entrance of the Grand Line. And... there are rumors circulating there about that Hawk-Eyed man Big Bro Zoro has been looking for," Johnny added.
Johnny's words made Zoro's eyes sharpen instantly.
And Rowen's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Course set... North-Northeast!"
"To the Sea Restaurant—Baratie!"
<
The Sea Restaurant, Baratie.
An ocean-going restaurant located in the Sambas Region of the East Blue.
Its exterior resembled a giant ship, with fish-shaped figureheads at both ends.
Many people journeyed here specifically to savor the delicious cuisine prepared by the owner and head chef, Zeff. Even high-ranking Marine officials were known to dine here.
After their voyage, this distinctive floating restaurant finally came into view for Rowen and the crew.
"SUGEEE! What a huge ship!" Luffy exclaimed, drooling as he stared at the unique design of the Baratie. Just looking at it whetted his appetite.
Beep! Beep! Just as they prepared to approach the Baratie, a horn blared.
"M-Marines?! A Marine warship?!" A vessel, much larger than the Merry, rapidly closed in on them, the prominent Marine insignia clearly visible on its main sail.
The moment he saw the warship, Usopp broke out in a cold sweat and cried out in alarm.
"Tch. Annoying guys showed up," Zoro muttered, sensing trouble.
"Hm?" Rowen was observing the approaching warship with interest, then noticed Nami hiding behind him, amused.
"Uh... force of habit," Nami murmured, realizing Rowen was looking at her. She blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Ever since Orange Town, whenever danger arose, Rowen had consistently protected her. Nami had unconsciously grown accustomed to seeking shelter behind him.
The moment she saw the Marine warship, her instincts kicked in, and she automatically moved behind Rowen.
But she had to admit... she felt incredibly safe behind him.
Nami watched as Rowen subtly shifted his stance, positioning himself to shield her even better, and pressed her lips together.
Safety... For Nami, who had witnessed Bell-mère's murder firsthand and whose hometown, Cocoyasi Village, was still suffering under Arlong's tyranny, that feeling was unbelievably precious.
"Never seen that Jolly Roger before," a voice called out from the deck of the Marine warship. A man wearing a white patterned suit, with pink hair, dark skin, and iron-ringed gauntlets, appeared before Rowen and the crew.
He squinted at the Straw Hat Pirates' flag.
"I am Marine Lieutenant 'Double Iron Fist' Fullbody! Who's the captain?! State your name!" Fullbody demanded, raising his fist.
"I'm Luffy!" Luffy stepped forward and yelled back.
"I'm Usopp!" Usopp chimed in, joining the commotion.
"I'm the captain! We just decided on the flag!" Luffy glanced at Usopp, then yelled again, asserting his captaincy.
"I drew the flag!" Usopp added proudly.
Rowen watched Luffy and Usopp's antics with a strange smile. He wondered if Luffy did it intentionally—when facing obviously weak opponents, Luffy simply introduced himself as 'Luffy'. But against stronger foes, his introduction became, 'I am Monkey D. Luffy'.
"Luffy? Never heard of you. Just some small-timer," Fullbody sneered dismissively.
Like Morgan before him, Fullbody was a Marine who believed titles were everything.
"A nameless pirate crew... What an eyesore. Maybe I should just sink you," Fullbody's gaze swept over the rest of the crew on the Merry.
Then, his eyes landed on Rowen, standing not far behind Luffy.
"!!!" Fullbody rubbed his eyes, then stared intently at Rowen's face, widening his eyes.
Cold sweat began to form on his brow.
"Sk- 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?!!!" Fullbody gasped, certain his eyes weren't deceiving him.
"A small fry like you dares call himself 'Iron Fist'? Same title as the Marine Hero?" Rowen asked, looking at Fullbody with amusement.
Taking the same epithet as the Marine Hero—Monkey D. Garp, and parading it around Garp's home sea, the East Blue... This Lieutenant certainly has guts.
"SUGEEE! Your reputation is amazing, Rowen! Even Marines from Headquarters know you!" Usopp exclaimed, looking at Rowen with reverence.
As expected of a real pirate!
"..." Hearing Rowen's mockery, Fullbody's eye twitched, but he didn't dare retort.
He only dared use the 'Iron Fist' title here in the East Blue, the weakest sea, to stroke his own ego. Back at Marine Headquarters, he was just an insignificant lieutenant with no title whatsoever.
But this man before him—'Sky Sovereign' Rowen—was entirely different!
A user of Conqueror's Haki! A super rookie who had burst onto the scene!
Normally, a Lieutenant like Fullbody wouldn't know much about the power of Conqueror's Haki.
After all, since the formation of the 'Three Great Powers' balance between the Emperors, Marines, and Warlords, major clashes between Conqueror's Haki users had become rare.
But the World Economic News Agency's report on 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen had caused quite a stir even at Marine HQ.
Although Fullbody was unimportant at HQ, being stationed there had its advantages—access to far more information than available elsewhere.
The disposition of a King! Anyone who awakened it was destined to become a renowned powerhouse on the seas!
Rumor had it that even the three esteemed Marine Admirals didn't possess this power.
Rumor also had it that anyone who awakened this power was immediately marked for grooming as a future Marine Admiral.
At worst, they'd become an Admiral Candidate.
Awakening Conqueror's Haki at such a young age... Even though this man arrogantly called himself 'Sky Sovereign', no one within the Marines who understood the true value of Conqueror's Haki dismissed him as merely overconfident.
Arrogance was expected from someone possessing the disposition of a King.
Word was, HQ was already discussing what bounty to place on this man's head. Some whispered it would be an unimaginably terrifying number.
These rumors filled Fullbody with intense envy. If he could awaken Conqueror's Haki, he wouldn't need to borrow the 'Iron Fist' title just to feel important in the weakest sea!
A Marine Admiral! Imagine the glory! The power!
Why did someone awaken such incredible power... only to become a damn pirate?!
But... if I could capture this guy... maybe I could skyrocket through the ranks?
Fullbody sometimes entertained such fantasies.
And now, he had actually encountered this super rookie.
Looking at Rowen's faintly mocking smile, Fullbody felt countless beads of cold sweat form.
This man... just standing there... radiated terrifying strength.
Now that he was face-to-face with him, Fullbody realized he didn't even have the courage to attack.
He remembered now! Damn that World Economic News Agency!
In their report, they had only emphasized the surname 'Monkey' and the mysterious initial 'D' for the kid named Luffy, heavily bolding them.
Fullbody, his attention consumed by the name 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen, had completely forgotten the name 'Luffy', failing to recognize the kid's identity immediately.
What now?! Didn't he just... say he was going to sink the pirate ship 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen was on?!
More cold sweat dripped down Fullbody's forehead.
"Marine Hero? Who's that?" Luffy suddenly tilted his head, the title sounding vaguely familiar.
"You don't even know the Marine Hero? Garp the Hero! That's common knowledge across the seas!" Nami exclaimed, exasperated with Luffy.
At the World Government level, the initial 'D' was an absolute taboo. Compounded by the existence of Garp's son, the Revolutionary Leader Monkey D. Dragon...
Official propaganda handled Garp similarly to how Gol D. Roger was changed to Gold Roger.
Garp was publicly known only as 'Garp the Hero' or 'Garp the Fist'.
The full name 'Monkey D. Garp' was known only to a select few across the seas.
"Oh! You mean Gramps!" Hearing the name, Luffy shivered, unpleasant memories flooding back.
"GRAMPS?!!!" Nami, Usopp, and even Zoro stared at Luffy with expressions of utter disbelief.
Johnny and Yosaku hugged each other tightly, gaping at Luffy in shock.
"W-Wait... My brain feels scrambled," Nami clutched her head, shaking it slightly.
"Garp the Hero is your grandfather?! Your actual grandfather?!" Nami asked Luffy incredulously.
"Yeah! Gramps is super scary!" Luffy recalled Garp's 'training' methods, a flicker of genuine fear crossing even his normally carefree eyes.
Rowen watched Luffy, amused.
This family... truly is full of extraordinary individuals.
Garp's son, Monkey D. Dragon, became the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
And Luffy... Garp, wanting him to become a Marine, subjected him to ridiculously harsh training.
Throwing him into bottomless ravines, abandoning him in jungles teeming with ferocious beasts at night, tying him to balloons and letting him float away...
All while yelling at Luffy to become a strong Marine! It was no wonder young Luffy developed such a deep-seated psychological aversion to the idea.
Even if Luffy hadn't met Shanks, becoming a Marine under those circumstances would have been impossible.
"Regardless of who Luffy's grandfather is, he's a pirate now. The man who will become King of the Pirates," Rowen interjected, summarizing the situation for the still-stunned crew.
"That's right! Shishishi!" Luffy instantly snapped out of his Garp-induced funk, grinning broadly and yelling.
——
—[Bond increased. Trait equipping progress increased.]—
——
Handling Luffy... easy peasy.
Rowen smirked, then turned his attention back to the now slack-jawed Fullbody on the warship opposite them.
"I hear... you were planning to sink our pirate ship?" Rowen asked, smiling faintly at Fullbody's stunned expression.
"!!!" Fullbody was now completely frozen, utterly dumbfounded.
Fullbody's expression was a spectacular mess of emotions as he stared dumbfounded at the ship opposite him.
Did his ears deceive him?!
That brat named Luffy... was Vice Admiral Garp's grandson?!
But then, meeting Rowen's steady gaze snapped him back to reality. Cold sweat beaded densely on his forehead.
Fullbody knew with certainty—he hadn't misheard!
What in the unholy hell?!
He had planned to bring the woman accompanying him to the famous Sea Restaurant Baratie, impress her with his wealth and charm...
Encountering a pirate crew, Fullbody had intended to show off his strength too.
But the pirate crew he encountered turned out to be the very one harboring 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen!
And their unremarkable captain... was Vice Admiral Garp's grandson?!
Was this really the East Blue, the weakest sea?! What kind of cruel cosmic joke was this?!
"Eh? Why are you sweating so much? Are you afraid of a bunch of pirates?" Unfortunately, the clueless woman beside him chose that moment to speak up.
Fullbody glanced at Rowen's teasing expression on the opposite ship and grit his teeth.
"O-Of course I'm not scared! It's just... before such a fine dinner, getting things too bloody would ruin the appetite, wouldn't it?" Fullbody forced himself to say, trying to save face.
He had his pride, after all.
No matter what, he was still a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant. As long as he didn't provoke them further, Rowen probably wouldn't make things too difficult for him... right? Probably...?
"Oh? Bloody? Planning to use your 'Iron Fist'?" Rowen asked, smiling as he glanced at the iron-ringed gauntlets on Fullbody's fists.
Seeing those things reminded Rowen of the knuckle dusters some teenagers liked to play with back on Earth.
Using something like that as a weapon in the One Piece world and calling yourself 'Iron Fist'... it was utterly comical.
"!!!" Seeing Rowen looking like he might actually make a move, Fullbody's sweat started pouring down like a waterfall, completely unstoppable.
This guy... wasn't giving him any face at all!
But there was nothing he could do.
Fight a monster rumored at HQ to be future Admiral material if he were a Marine? He wouldn't even know how he died!
Besides, he had felt the man's terrifying presence firsthand. Just standing there, Fullbody lacked the courage even to throw a punch.
If he got killed here, it would be for nothing!
And that damn brat Luffy was Vice Admiral Garp's grandson!
Fullbody's forehead was drenched in cold sweat.
"W-Wait! Hold on!"
"Today's meal is all on me!" Fullbody threw up his hands, blurting out in panic.
Face? Who cares about face when your life is on the line?!
"Free meal?" Hearing this, Nami, still hiding slightly behind Rowen, instantly brightened.
"Really?! Wow, you're actually a good guy!" Luffy beamed, completely won over.
"Hey! In the eyes of normal people, we're the bad guys, and the Marines are the good guys," Usopp couldn't help but point out.
"Oh yeah! That's right!" Luffy yelled, clutching his head.
"Well then... we won't hold back," Rowen chuckled, looking at Nami's sparkling eyes.
Whenever something was free, Nami's enthusiasm skyrocketed.
But Rowen didn't blame her. Since she was ten, she had carried the heavy burden of earning 100 million Beri to buy back her hometown.
To Nami, money represented hope for her village. Years of this struggle had ingrained the habit deeply.
Compared to Nami's excitement, dealing with a small fry like Fullbody wasn't even worth unleashing Conqueror's Haki for Rowen.
Rowen had already checked Fullbody's Traits earlier—not a single one above Purple tier. Completely worthless to him.
"Heehee," Nami stuck out her tongue playfully at Rowen, looking utterly adorable.
Rowen prioritizing her mood like this warmed Nami's heart.
"O-Of course! My treat!" Fullbody stammered, then quickly grabbed his companion and scrambled onto a small boat, rowing hastily towards the Baratie.
Consider it the cost of escaping disaster!
Luckily, their crew isn't that big... it shouldn't cost too much... Fullbody thought desperately.
"Let's head over too! Free food! Free food!" Nami cheered cutely, pumping her fist.
"Shishishi! Someone's treating! Let's hurry up and eat!" Luffy grinned, already drooling.
"Gomu Gomu no——!" Just as Nami was about to instruct Zoro and the others to dock the ship, the impatient Luffy grabbed onto the Going Merry's sheep figurehead, stretching his arms back dramatically.
"ROCKET——!" Luffy launched himself directly towards the Baratie.
BOOM! With a tremendous crash, Luffy blasted a large hole straight through the side of the Baratie.
"That... idiot," Zoro sighed, covering his face.
"Forget Luffy; he'll figure things out himself. Let's go order," Rowen, already accustomed to Luffy's antics (even without the excuse of dodging cannon fire this time, Luffy's impatience for food still led to property damage), chuckled and turned to Nami.
"May I have the pleasure of dining with you, my beautiful lady?" Rowen extended his right hand gracefully.
Nami felt a momentary sense of déjà vu, time seeming to rewind to her first encounter with Rowen.
On the luxury liner that day, Rowen had extended his hand just like this, elegantly inviting her to dance.
"Of course," Nami replied, smiling sweetly as she placed her slender hand in Rowen's right hand.
But the feeling... is completely different now.
Feeling the warmth of Rowen's palm against hers, Nami pressed her lips together thoughtfully.
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"Welcome, esteemed guests! Do you have a reservation?" As they entered the restaurant, a chef wearing a black uniform with a pink scarf around his neck approached them, a wide, exaggerated smile plastered on his face.
"Our meal... that gentleman is paying," Rowen gestured towards the already seated Fullbody.
"Honored guests! Right this way!" Seeing the Marine Lieutenant didn't deny it, and even seemed somewhat afraid of this group, Patty the chef instantly smelled a big spender. His smile widened until his face nearly cramped.
"The menu," Rowen said, taking a seat and glancing at the menu presented.
"Yes! What would you like to order? Everything here is guaranteed delicious!" Patty beamed.
"We'll start with five full-menu," Rowen stated calmly.
Pffft! Fullbody, who had just taken a sip of water, sprayed it everywhere upon hearing Rowen.
"F-Five Full-Menu?" Patty blinked, momentarily stunned.
Ordering the whole menu? He'd never encountered that before.
And the prices here were quite steep.
"What are you waiting for? Go get the food! Do you think a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant, 'Iron Fist' Fullbody, would shortchange you?" Rowen directed his gaze pointedly at Fullbody.
"..." Fullbody felt like his heart was bleeding money, but he didn't dare utter a word of protest.
He could feel a terrifying pressure locking onto him; escape was impossible!
Is this the power of 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?! So terrifying!
How could such a monster appear in the East Blue?! And why did he have the misfortune of running into him?!
While his heart bled, Fullbody resigned himself to his fate.
A massive bill was inevitable. At the very least, he had to successfully impress the woman he brought here to make it somewhat worthwhile. Fullbody forced a smile.
Just then, a man with blonde hair, wearing a black suit, and most distinctively, sporting curly eyebrows, approached Fullbody's table carrying a bottle of red wine.
It was, unmistakably, Sanji—the future cook of the Straw Hat Pirates from the original story.
"Check Traits." Seeing Sanji, Rowen prompted inwardly.
Sanji Traits: Black Leg Style (Deep Purple), Modified Exoskeleton (Adaptive) (Unawakened).
Black Leg Style (Deep Purple): As a chef, hands are considered sacred tools, so combat relies primarily on powerful kicking techniques developed through rigorous training.
Modified Exoskeleton (Adaptive) (Unawakened): A result of the Vinsmoke family's 'Lineage Factor' modifications. Upon awakening the 'Exoskeleton', the body becomes incredibly durable, possessing superhuman 'Resilience', allowing even broken bones to heal rapidly. Physical hardness becomes astonishing, rendering the body impervious to blades and bullets. Simultaneously gains modified 'Strength', significantly boosting overall power.
——
Sanji, despite being one of the Straw Hat crew's main three combatants in the original story, wasn't strictly a fighter by trade; his primary role was chef.
Zoro, in contrast, was purely a combatant.
And truthfully, before awakening his exoskeleton, Sanji's combat strength had fallen slightly behind Zoro's.
However, after awakening the exoskeleton, Sanji's power received a massive boost.
The exoskeleton could even withstand a direct sword strike from Queen the Plague, one of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars, causing Queen's blade to shatter. Its defensive and offensive capabilities surpassed even Sanji's own Armament Haki.
Even if his bones were broken, he could instantly reset them just by striking his own body.
After awakening his exoskeleton, Sanji defeated Queen the Plague, reaching the level of a Yonko Commander.
The strength of the awakened exoskeleton depended on Sanji's own power at the time of awakening, hence its 'Adaptive' status while unawakened. When Sanji eventually awakens it, the Trait tier displayed will reflect his strength at that moment.
Furthermore, this Modified Exoskeleton Trait encompassed all the Vinsmoke 'Lineage Factor' modifications.
Vinsmoke Judge subjected his children to four main modifications: 'Strength', 'Resilience', 'Exoskeleton', and 'Cold Heart'.
Sanji's modifications, however, only retained the first three; he didn't lose his emotions.
'Strength' included comprehensive enhancements to both power and speed.
Once this Modified Exoskeleton Trait awakened, Sanji would gain not only the exoskeleton but also massive boosts to his strength, speed, and resilience.
Crucially, even the unawakened Modified Exoskeleton Trait could be equipped by Rowen.
And the System could potentially force its awakening, similar to how Rowen's own Conqueror's Haki was awakened.
Rowen's eyes lit up.
The power displayed by the awakened exoskeleton surpassed even Sanji's own Armament Haki.
Combined with my future physical potential ceiling... this exoskeleton... my future physique might rival Big Mom's 'Iron Balloon' body... maybe even surpass it!
And by awakening the Modified Exoskeleton Trait, Rowen could also gain the embedded 'Strength' and 'Resilience' modifications from Vinsmoke Judge's experiments.
Based on its performance in the original story, this Trait was definitely Gold tier.
Its exact sub-level... he'd find out once Sanji joined the crew and the equipping process completed.
Sanji hadn't yet learned nutritional enhancement cooking techniques, so his culinary skills, being purely a life skill at this point, didn't manifest as a Trait.
Not that Rowen planned to become a chef anyway; he had no intention of equipping Sanji's cooking skills.
He just wanted to taste Sanji's cooking.
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Meanwhile, Fullbody, trying to show off in front of his female companion by picking on Sanji, had started a conflict.
After smashing the dishes on the table and arrogantly declaring he'd pay for everything, Fullbody had crossed Sanji's line.
"On the sea... can money fill your stomach?" Sanji snarled, his face contorted with fury. He grabbed Fullbody's face and lifted him bodily off the ground.
Having experienced starvation firsthand, Sanji knew its desperation all too well.
CRASH! Just then, the restaurant ceiling suddenly fractured.
An older man with a peg leg and a tall chef's hat fell through, along with Luffy.
"My ceiling! It's all your fault, brat!" Zeff, the owner of the Baratie, glared furiously at Luffy.
This damn kid had not only smashed a hole in his kitchen and nearly crushed him, but now he'd destroyed the dining room ceiling too!
"It was you who broke it, old man!" Luffy yelled back indignantly.
"Treating customers like this?! I'll contact the government! I'll have this place shut down!" Fullbody shrieked, his face twisted with rage.
"Then I'll just deal with you right here!" Sanji's expression turned dark as he advanced towards Fullbody.
"Boss! Stop Sanji before he causes more trouble!" The other chefs rushed forward, trying to restrain Sanji while yelling at Zeff.
"Hey! Sanji! Causing trouble again?!" Zeff turned, glaring at Sanji.
"Shut up, old geezer," Sanji retorted, calming down slightly upon seeing Zeff, though his words remained disrespectful.
"Who are you talking to?! Trying to destroy my restaurant?!" Zeff roared, striking Sanji hard across the face with his peg leg.
"Hmph." Fullbody smirked, feeling vindicated.
But then—
WHAM!
"And you! Get the hell out of here!" Zeff's peg leg struck again, knocking Fullbody to the ground.
"W-What the...? Even the owner's like this?! Are these guys really chefs? They act more like pirates!" Fullbody stammered from the floor, cold sweat dripping down his face.
"Hey! Before you leave... remember to settle your bill," a calm voice added, making Fullbody break out in even more cold sweat.
What kind of rotten luck did I have today?!
"Rowen? You guys are here?" Luffy looked over at Rowen and the others, overjoyed.
"Pay my bill too, okay? I smashed up the kitchen and hit the old man... He says I have to work here for a year to pay it off!" Luffy ran over to Rowen, pleading with clasped hands.
"Wasn't that entirely your own fault, you idiot?!" Nami snapped, instantly defensive when money was involved.
"!!!" The commotion attracted Sanji's attention. The moment he saw Nami, he instantly dashed over.
"Ah! Fate must have brought us together, my beautiful Mademoiselle!" Sanji produced a rose seemingly from nowhere, but then froze.
The beautiful lady before him had linked her arm with the handsome man standing beside her, smiling sweetly up at him.
CRACK! Sanji felt his heart shatter.
He was heartbroken. Again.
"Hey, you okay?" Usopp asked, seeing Sanji's utterly devastated expression.
"I'm fine... I just regret not meeting this lady sooner... You! You better treat this beautiful lady right!" Sanji declared, tears streaming down his face as he looked earnestly at Rowen.
He might be a flirt, but under Zeff's tutelage, Sanji held absolute respect for women.
Since this beautiful lady had clearly chosen this man, all he could do was offer his blessing.
Causing a scene wouldn't be manly.
"Of course, I'll treat her well. Right, Nami?" Rowen smiled, looking down at Nami who was clinging to his arm.
Rowen could sense Nami's feelings.
"..." The moment Sanji produced the rose, Nami had instinctively reacted.
Now, her face flushed slightly, she didn't let go of Rowen's arm; instead, she subconsciously held on even tighter.
BANG! Just as the restaurant descended into chaos, a Marine soldier burst through the doors.
"Lieutenant Fullbody! Sir! It's terrible! We let one of Don Krieg's men escape!" the soldier reported frantically, drenched in cold sweat.
"What did you say?! Impossible! When we captured him three days ago, he was starving to death! We haven't given him any food since!" Fullbody stared in disbelief.
"'Krieg's crew?'"
"'The strongest pirate fleet in the East Blue!'"
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Hearing the name, the other restaurant patrons instantly erupted in panicked murmurs.
"Strongest pirate fleet in the East Blue?" Luffy looked intrigued.
"We are terribly sorry, sir! We..."
BANG! A gunshot rang out, silencing the Marine soldier, who collapsed to the floor.
Behind him, a figure holding a pistol slowly entered the restaurant.
<
This is a restaurant, right?" A man wearing a gray coat, holding a pistol, of medium build with unkempt hair and beard, and thick lips, stumbled unsteadily into the Baratie.
He slumped down at an empty table, propping his legs up on it as if the simple action took all his remaining strength.
"Anything... Just get me something to eat," Gin rasped weakly.
"Esteemed customer, this establishment doesn't welcome freeloaders. Do you have money, sir?" Patty approached Gin, rubbing his hands together greedily, plastering on an exaggerated smile.
"If this is a restaurant, then hurry up and bring the food! Or do you want a taste of lead?" Gin snarled, his face grim, leveling his pistol at Patty.
"No money, huh?" Patty's smile vanished instantly.
WHAM! Patty crossed his fists and slammed them down, smashing Gin and the table together.
"If you're not a customer, then get the hell out of here!" He then proceeded to brutally kick and stomp on Gin.
The surrounding customers cheered, seeing one of the restaurant's chefs beat up a member of the infamous Krieg Pirates.
"I-I've had enough! What the hell is wrong with this restaurant?! I'm never coming back here!" Fullbody, still on the floor, watched in terror as Gin—a man even he feared—was pummeled by a mere chef. Cold sweat drenched his forehead.
He scrambled towards the exit.
But as he reached the doorway, Fullbody felt an immense pressure lock onto him again. He swallowed hard.
It was coming from 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen.
Fullbody immediately emptied his pockets, leaving all his money behind, then practically crawled out of the restaurant as fast as he could.
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"Wow, this guy was actually pretty loaded," Nami commented, scooping up the money with a sweet smile.
"You guys have to pay your own way, though! I only covered mine and Rowen's!" Nami then declared, looking pointedly at Zoro and Usopp.
"Huh?!" Zoro and Usopp, who had been watching the commotion, froze.
Didn't Rowen basically get that money for them?
How did it become Nami's?!
But seeing Rowen smiling indulgently beside Nami, Zoro and Usopp decided it was probably best to figure out how to pay their own bills.
Rowen watched Nami with an affectionate smile. He knew Nami often talked tough about money, but when it truly mattered, she would likely still cover for them.
"Hm?" Luffy noticed the chef with the curly eyebrows, Sanji, quietly heading towards the back kitchen alone.
"Alright folks, please continue enjoying your meals!" Having finished beating Gin, Patty plastered his exaggerated smile back on, earning another round of applause from the patrons.
He then dragged Gin out the back door and tossed him onto the outer deck.
"Don't let me see you again!" Patty sneered, slamming the door shut.
"Hey! Are you hungry?" Luffy called out from the second-floor railing, looking down at Gin lying weakly on the deck.
"Shut up! I'm not hungry!" Gin retorted weakly, still clinging to his pride despite his condition.
But his growling stomach betrayed him instantly.
Click.
The back door opened again.
Sanji emerged, carrying a plate of fried rice, which he placed gently in front of Gin.
"Eat up," Sanji said softly, lighting a cigarette and looking up at the sky, avoiding looking directly at Gin's pathetic state.
"T-Take it away! I don't accept charity!" Gin stared at the fragrant fried rice, swallowing hard despite his words.
"Whether you eat it or not is your decision. But to me, anyone who's hungry is a customer," Sanji stated, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"No one knows better than me how terrifying it is to be stranded at sea without food or water," Sanji murmured, his eyes clouded with complex memories.
He and Zeff, the owner (who was a pirate back then), had once been shipwrecked together on a barren rock, surviving for 48 days before rescue.
No one understood the horror of starvation better than Sanji. That experience had forged his core principle: anyone who was hungry, regardless of who they were, was a customer deserving of a meal.
Grudges could be settled after everyone had eaten.
"I understand if you refuse to eat out of pride... But if you eat this, you'll live," Sanji said, turning to look at Gin, a slight curve to his lips.
"!!!" The next moment, Gin grabbed the plate and began devouring the food ravenously.
"Delicious... So delicious... I thought I was really going to die..." Gin sobbed, tears mixing with the food as he ate.
"Best you've ever had, right?" Sanji asked, a genuine smile gracing his lips.
Whenever Sanji saw someone starving eat his food, it reminded him of the overwhelming emotion he felt when he ate his first meal after being rescued—the taste of hope, the taste of life itself.
Click.
"Found a suitable cook? Luffy." Just then, Rowen pushed open the door and walked over to Luffy's side, smiling as he looked down at the scene.
"Shishishi! Yep! Found a great cook!" Luffy grinned back.
"Hey! Cook! Join my pirate crew and be our cook!" Luffy then yelled down cheerfully at Sanji.
"Huh?" Sanji looked up, momentarily bewildered upon seeing Luffy.
"You're the man with that beautiful lady—So you're a pirate?" Sanji's gaze then shifted to Rowen beside Luffy, his expression turning serious.
"That's right. Name's Rowen. Luffy's comrade. How about it? Want to join us?" Rowen asked Sanji with a smile.
Rowen watched Sanji. His principle—that anyone hungry is a customer, even a potential enemy who might bring greater danger, must be fed first—Rowen didn't find it foolish at all. He admired it.
The most important duty of a chef is to feed people. That is the fundamental calling of the position.
Feeding anyone who is hungry, even strangers, even potential enemies—that was Sanji's unique core principle.
Everyone who survived on these seas had their own principles, their own lines they wouldn't cross. Some might seem foolish to others, but by adhering steadfastly to one's own nature, one could become truly strong.
Besides, Rowen, having come from Japan where food held immense significance, understood this well. Although he hadn't lived through the eras of widespread famine, resources weren't always abundant during his childhood either.
Getting to eat delicious food he craved was an occasional luxury.
And the deep-seated cultural importance of ensuring everyone was fed seemed almost ingrained in the DNA of people from his homeland.
When meeting someone familiar, the first question after initial greetings was always: Have you eaten?
If not, then eating came first.
Even if facing a major crisis, eating first was essential.
Even if preparing to fight to the death, both sides should eat first.
Just as Luffy often yelled in the original story:
If you're hungry, you eat!
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Rowen? That name sounds familiar," Sanji murmured upon hearing Rowen's name, thinking aloud.
He seemed to recall some customers discussing that name recently.
But for Sanji, his interests lay solely in beautiful women and cooking. He hadn't paid much attention at the time, and Rowen's potential other identities held no interest for him now.
Compared to any other status Rowen might possess, what Sanji envied most was that Rowen had been chosen by that beautiful lady.
"I refuse," Sanji stated flatly, rejecting Luffy's invitation immediately.
"I refuse!" Luffy yelled back, surprisingly even more vehemently than Sanji.
"Refuse what?" Sanji looked utterly confused.
"I refuse your refusal! You're a good cook, so come be a pirate with me!" Luffy declared seriously.
"Will you listen when someone's talking?!" Sanji snapped, transforming into his sharp-toothed angry state again.
What is wrong with this straw-hatted kid's brain?!
"You guys... you're pirates too? Why are you gathering comrades?" Gin suddenly asked, painful memories seemingly surfacing as cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"That's right! We're heading to the Grand Line!" Luffy announced proudly, head held high.
"..." Gin's face turned deathly pale, even more so than when he was starving moments ago.
"Since you're still looking for a cook... your crew probably isn't large enough for the Grand Line yet," Gin stated suddenly.
"He's number six," Luffy said, pointing at Sanji with a grin.
"Why are you including me?!" Sanji yelled, exasperated.
"I'm Gin, of the Krieg Pirates," Gin introduced himself formally.
"You guys don't seem like bad people. Let me give you some advice: it's best not to go to the Grand Line. You're still young; there's no need to rush. The Grand Line is just another sea, after all. You can be pirates anywhere, right?" Gin looked earnestly at Luffy and Rowen.
"Went to the Grand Line and got your spirit broken, huh?" Rowen observed, looking at Gin.
It wasn't mockery, just... pity.
The Krieg Pirates were incredibly unlucky. They had just entered the Grand Line only to immediately encounter one of the absolute pinnacles of combat strength in the world...
Warlord of the Sea, World's Greatest Swordsman, 'Hawk-Eyes' Dracule Mihawk.
And for some unknown reason, a figure of Mihawk's caliber had chased them all the way back to the East Blue.
"..." Gin couldn't refute Rowen's words.
He had been utterly terrified.
That man... wasn't human.
"You've been to the Grand Line? Do you know anything about it?" Luffy asked Gin eagerly.
"No! We know nothing! We understand nothing! That's why it's so terrifying!" Gin clutched his head in anguish.
They hadn't even truly experienced the Grand Line before their massive fleet was annihilated by that single man.
"Mah, whatever. I'm definitely going to the Grand Line anyway," Luffy said, seeing Gin's distress and deciding not to press further, offering a grin instead.
"Well, I just wanted to give you some advice," Gin sighed resignedly, then stood up.
"Well then, goodbye, Mr. Sanji. Thank you so much. You saved my life. That fried rice was truly the best meal I've ever eaten in my life. Can I... come back again sometime?" Gin hopped onto the small raft he'd arrived on, looking back at Sanji with a grateful smile.
"Anyone who's hungry is always welcome here," Sanji replied with a smile.
"Hey! Chore boy!" Just then, a loud shout interrupted them.
"Old man!" Luffy tensed up, sweating nervously as Zeff appeared behind them.
Being indebted to someone made Luffy incredibly nervous around Zeff.
"I'm really sorry, Mr. Sanji. You'll probably get yelled at for feeding someone like me for free," Gin said apologetically to Sanji.
"What are you talking about?" Sanji calmly picked up Gin's empty plate and spoon and tossed them into the sea.
"No evidence, no reason to get yelled at. Now get going, Gin," Sanji said with a smirk.
"Shishishi," Luffy grinned. He wanted Sanji on his ship more and more.
Zeff simply watched coldly. His relationship with Sanji was like father and son, and as chefs, they shared the same core principle. He wouldn't get angry just because Sanji fed a starving pirate for free.
That damn brat Sanji... he's just trying to ease the pirate's conscience.
"Try not to get caught by the Marines again, Gin," Sanji called out with a smile as Gin unfurled his sail, preparing to leave.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Sanji! I'll never forget your kindness!" Gin knelt on his raft, performing a deep dogeza bow towards Sanji.
Then, his sail caught the wind, and he drifted away.
"Say... You got invited by them, right? Sanji. Why don't you just go off and be a pirate with them? We don't need you here anymore anyway," Zeff suddenly stated gruffly.
"Huh?! What did you say, you damned old geezer?!" Sanji instantly bristled, frowning deeply.
"Alright! We got permission! Now you can come be a pirate with us!" Luffy exclaimed, overjoyed.
"I'll say it again! I'm not becoming any damn pirate! And I'm the sous chef of this restaurant, you old fart!" Sanji yelled back, his eye twitching.
Zeff didn't reply, merely glanced towards Rowen.
The moment Zeff saw Rowen, he hadn't recognized him immediately—photos were just photos, after all. Recognizing someone instantly from a picture alone wasn't always easy.
But the moment he heard Rowen's name, Zeff knew.
The new super rookie emerging from the East Blue, the user of Conqueror's Haki, 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen!
Although Zeff's own strength and experience, even having sailed the Grand Line for a year, didn't grant him full understanding of Conqueror's Haki,
He remembered the era when he sailed. The seas were chaotic then, before the current balance of Marines, Warlords, and Emperors solidified. The older generation of powerhouses hadn't fully faded yet, and news and rumors circulated widely.
The event that left the deepest impression on Zeff from that time was the legendary escape of the great pirate, Golden Lion Shiki.
Rumor had it that Shiki possessed the power of Conqueror's Haki.
If that was true, then the World Economic News Agency's assessment of this young man—that a future King of the seas was about to be born—made sense.
A captain acknowledged by such a man... this seemingly foolish kid named Luffy must be someone special too.
And although their interaction was brief, Zeff could tell Luffy was different from common thugs; he was a pirate with a dream.
Entrusting Sanji to someone like that... Zeff felt relieved.
Sanji shouldn't be chained here by guilt and gratitude—guilt over Zeff sacrificing his leg to give Sanji the remaining food when they were stranded—spending his youth accompanying an old man like him.
Sanji should pursue his own dream.
Only the Grand Line held the key to fulfilling Sanji's dream of finding the All Blue.
"No matter what you say, I'm staying at this restaurant as a cook! Until the day you die!" Sanji yelled after arguing heatedly with Zeff.
"I won't die. I plan to live another hundred years," Zeff retorted, turning and walking back into the restaurant.
Knowing Sanji's stubborn personality, Zeff understood his words wouldn't convince Sanji to leave.
His statement was merely signaling to Luffy and Rowen: He wouldn't stand in the way of Sanji leaving.
Whether they could actually recruit Sanji... that depended on their own abilities.
Rowen watched Luffy relentlessly continue trying to persuade Sanji, then turned his gaze towards the sea.
Gin's raft had gradually disappeared over the horizon.
But Rowen knew—soon, Gin would return, bringing his captain, Don Krieg.
And along with them—would come that man.
The World's Greatest Swordsman, 'Hawk-Eyes' Dracule Mihawk.
Not only does Zoro want to find Mihawk... I have some business with him too.
Rowen's lips curved into a knowing smile
Today, the fog was thick.
"When are we gonna set sail already?! Are we really gonna be stuck here for a whole year?!" Usopp complained helplessly from the deck of the Merry.
"Who knows? Look, Rowen doesn't seem worried," Zoro commented nonchalantly, polishing Wado Ichimonji.
"Rowen! Think of something!" Usopp pleaded, clasping his hands together as he looked at Rowen, who was leaning against the railing, eyes closed, enjoying the sea breeze.
"As captain, Luffy needs to solve the problems he causes himself. Besides, the cook hasn't officially joined yet," Rowen replied, opening his eyes and smiling at Usopp.
Mihawk is coming. Rowen needed to seize every moment to enhance his Haki using Born of the Sea (Apex Gold). For his own plans.
Hearing Rowen's words, Usopp deflated like a punctured balloon.
"Heave ho!" Just then, Luffy emerged from the restaurant carrying a large pile of garbage.
"Hey, Luffy! When are we finally leaving?" Usopp yelled immediately.
"Just wait a bit longer! I'm gonna go ask the old man again!" Luffy called back, his head poking out from behind the mountain of trash he was carrying.
"Hm?" Just after speaking, Luffy heard something and looked out towards the sea.
Through the thick fog, a massive ship slowly emerged.
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A black panther figurehead adorned its bow, and its Jolly Roger featured a grinning skull flanked by hourglasses.
This flag... no one in the East Blue didn't recognize it.
"It's... It's the Krieg Pirates!"
"W-Why is the Overlord of the East Blue here?!"
The restaurant customers instantly erupted in panic.
"Hey! Patty! Krieg is really here! You'll drive him away, right?!" one of the chefs yelled at Patty, his face pale with sweat.
"W-Why?! That's Don Krieg, the pirate admiral with 5,000 men under his command! Why would he come all this way just to avenge one subordinate?!" Patty clutched his head, remembering Gin whom he had beaten up earlier.
"Hey! This is bad! We gotta run!" Usopp stared at the enormous galleon, clutching his head in terror.
"How can a ship be that huge?!" Nami gasped, equally stunned. But seeing Rowen step calmly in front of her, a warmth spread through Nami's chest, replacing her fear with a sense of security.
"Whoa! What a big ship!" Luffy exclaimed, admiring the vessel.
"Think that Gin guy came back to repay your kindness?" Luffy grinned at Sanji, who had come out upon hearing the commotion.
"I don't think so... But something's strange," Sanji murmured, his eyes narrowing.
"Huh?" Luffy looked confused.
But the next moment, the colossal ship sailed completely out of the fog, revealing its full state to everyone.
"The ship is totally wrecked," Luffy observed, looking at the heavily damaged vessel.
"Doesn't look like cannon damage... but it doesn't look man-made either," Sanji analyzed, focusing on the most prominent damage near the center of the ship.
"Zoro—that gash—Doesn't it look like it was made by a sword?" Rowen asked, looking at the massive, clean horizontal slice across the ship's hull. A faint smile touched his lips, and his Haki began to stir, almost boiling with anticipation.
"Made by a sword? Impossible!" Zoro retorted instinctively. How could a sword possibly cut such a massive galleon in half?
But looking closer, Zoro fell silent.
That massive fissure... it truly did look like the mark left by a single, impossibly sharp blade.
A swordsman capable of such a feat... was...!
Remembering Johnny's words about rumors of the Hawk-Eyed man he sought being near here, Zoro gripped Wado Ichimonji tighter.
Just then, two figures descended from the massive galleon.
One was Gin, He was currently carrying a tall but extremely weakened figure.
It was the so-called Overlord of the East Blue—Don Krieg.
"Please... food and water... I have money," Krieg rasped weakly the moment he entered the restaurant.
Upon learning Krieg hadn't eaten in days and was completely drained of strength, Patty, who had been terrified moments before, instantly changed his tune, yelling for Krieg to get out. Feeding a dangerous pirate like him could lead to disaster!
But immediately after, Sanji emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of fried rice, placing it before Krieg.
Sanji demonstrated his principle through action: anyone hungry was his customer.
However, after Krieg finished eating...
WHAM!
With a swift elbow strike, Krieg slammed Sanji hard in the throat, catching him completely off guard and sending him crashing to the floor.
"Captain! That wasn't what we agreed! Mr. Sanji saved my life!" Gin cried out.
CRACK!
Gin, trying to intervene, had his arm snapped instantly by Krieg.
The restaurant customers screamed and fled in terror, but Krieg didn't stop them.
The Baratie chefs, led by Patty, tried to subdue Krieg but were swiftly defeated.
"Prepare food for one hundred men! My crew onboard is starving—!" Krieg ordered coldly.
"Never!" The Baratie chefs refused, naturally unwilling.
But then, they saw Sanji, whom Krieg had knocked down, slowly get back up and head towards the kitchen.
"What are you doing, Sanji?!" Patty roared.
"I don't have time to chat! There are a hundred meals to cook," Sanji replied calmly, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Ah!" The chefs menacingly raised their sharp kitchen knives, pointing them at Sanji.
"Are you a spy for the Krieg Pirates, Sanji?!" one chef yelled accusingly.
"I know he's a hopeless bastard! But I'm a cook! If someone's hungry, I feed them! Nothing else matters! Even if they attack this place afterward... the ones I fight will be well-fed bastards!" Sanji stated flatly.
"Here. This should be enough for a hundred men," Just as Sanji stood off against the other chefs, Zeff placed a massive bundle of food supplies on the floor.
"You're—'Red Leg' Zeff," Krieg recognized Zeff's identity, but immediately sneered.
"Hand over your logbook from your year sailing the Grand Line! With that logbook, I'll gather my men again, enter the Grand Line, take the ONE PIECE, and rule these seas!" Krieg demanded, glaring at Zeff.
"Hold on! I'm the one who's gonna be King of the Pirates!" Luffy, who had been watching quietly until now, immediately stepped forward upon hearing Krieg's claim, pointing angrily.
"Stay back, chore boy! You're no match for him!" Patty yelled urgently.
"I can't back down from this! Not this!" Luffy replied, a determined smile spreading across his face—a glimpse of his own 'Kingly Disposition'.
"Brat. This isn't playtime," Krieg sneered condescendingly.
"I'm serious!" Luffy retorted, standing his ground against Krieg.
"That's the Devil's Sea where my fleet of five thousand men was annihilated in just seven days! What makes a brat like you think you can survive there?!" Krieg roared.
"Since you want to die—maybe I should just finish you off right here!" Krieg's shoulder armor opened, revealing hidden cannons.
Luffy rolled up his sleeves, preparing to fight Krieg.
"Gonna fight him, Luffy?" Zoro's voice came from nearby.
"Need some help, Luffy?" Rowen asked, stepping forward, his lips curved slightly as he looked at Krieg.
What exactly did this guy do to get Hawk-Eyes to chase him all the way here?
"Rowen! You guys came? Nah, it's fine! Just watch from there!" Luffy replied, seeing Rowen and the others, patting his chest confidently.
Anyone who claimed they'd be King of the Pirates—Luffy would defeat them all!
"Hm?" Krieg glanced at Zoro, then at Zeff...
Finally, his gaze rested on Rowen.
This guy—his presence—feels completely different from that chore boy.
Krieg's eye twitched slightly. He retracted his weapons.
Best to let his men recover their strength first. Then, overwhelm these guys with sheer numbers.
"I'll deal with you later! I need to feed my men first!" Krieg announced, hoisting the bundle of food supplies.
"Anyone who wants to run, now's your chance! My goal is the Grand Line logbook and this ship!" Krieg turned and headed back towards his massive galleon outside.
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"I'm so sorry, Mr. Sanji! I never wanted things to turn out like this!" After Krieg left, Gin collapsed to his knees, apologizing profusely.
"You don't need to apologize—We chefs just act according to our own code," Zeff stated gruffly before Sanji could reply.
"Boss! Why are you still defending Sanji?!"
"Sanji's going to destroy this restaurant! If he hadn't fed Krieg, none of this would have happened!"
The other chefs yelled angrily.
"ALL OF YOU, SHUT UP! Do you know what it feels like to starve nearly to death?! Think hard about what makes you different from Sanji—as chefs!" Zeff roared.
The chefs looked bewildered, not understanding what Zeff meant.
"If you have time to complain, you'd better leave through the back door!" Zeff pointed towards the rear exit.
"But this is our workplace!"
"Besides, we have nowhere else to go!"
Though unsure of Zeff's meaning, the chefs still picked up their kitchen knives, ready to defend the Baratie.
"Hey! Didn't you see the Captain's power?! Why are you trying to get yourselves killed?!" Gin yelled desperately, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Hey, Gin." Just then, Sanji walked over, kicking an overturned table upright with his foot.
"Let me make this clear. Feeding the hungry is my justice as a cook. However... from now on, they are well-fed invaders. Even if I beat down all your comrades later, don't you dare complain," Sanji stated, leaning against the table, looking up with a grim expression.
"If they try to take this restaurant—even you... I'll kill without hesitation."
Gin swallowed hard, stunned by Sanji's cold resolve.
"Hmph. Saving someone just to kill them later... You're really something else, Sanji," Patty scoffed, still unable to understand Sanji's actions.
"Shut up, crappy cook," Sanji retorted, lighting a cigarette.
"See! I told you this guy was cool!" Luffy pointed at Sanji, grinning at Rowen and the others.
"Who cares if he's cool?! We need to escape!" Usopp's cowardly nature flared up, his legs shaking violently.
"Calm down, you idiot! Didn't you just get praised by Rowen back in Syrup Village? Weren't you just boasting about wanting to become a brave warrior of the sea?" Zoro tapped Usopp's head lightly with his sword sheath.
"I-I'll fight too, of course! When it really counts!" Usopp stammered, his legs trembling visibly, making his words sound utterly unconvincing.
"Then we'll be counting on you, Usopp," Rowen said, clapping Usopp reassuringly on the shoulder with a smile.
When the chips were down, Usopp really didn't fold.
"L-Leave it to me!"
Hearing the pirate he admired so much—Rowen—say that, Usopp could only stand tall, tears welling up, and force the words out.
"Hey, Gin! What exactly did you guys run into in the Grand Line?" Luffy asked, turning his attention back to Gin, who hadn't left yet.
"It happened on the seventh day after entering the Grand Line... Even now, thinking back... I can't tell if it was real or just a nightmare," Gin recounted, sweat pouring down his face uncontrollably.
"It's unbelievable... Just one man... almost wiped out our entire fleet of fifty ships."
"WHAT?!" Everyone except Rowen gasped, their faces etched with shock. Even the normally unflappable Luffy's jaw dropped.
"The moment that man appeared... our ships started sinking, one after another... If we hadn't luckily run into a storm... even the main ship would have been completely sunk," Gin clutched his head, closing his eyes in agony.
"That man... with eyes that looked like they could kill you just by looking... The Hawk-Eyed man!"
"What did you say?!" Zoro's pupils constricted instantly, his reaction extreme.
"Someone capable of doing that... It must have been Hawk-Eyes," Zeff murmured gravely.
"'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk!" Zoro gripped Wado Ichimonji tightly, his entire body trembling.
"You know him, Zoro?" Luffy looked up at Zoro, surprised. This was the first time he had seen Zoro react so intensely.
"He's the man I set out to sea to find," Zoro stated firmly.
"But... one man wiping out an entire fleet? Isn't that too exaggerated, Rowen?" Usopp asked nervously, looking towards Rowen, the most knowledgeable among them, hoping for some reassurance.
"The Grand Line... is just that kind of place. Anything can happen there," Rowen replied, the crimson-black light flickering faintly in his eyes.
"I-I think I've caught the 'I'll-die-if-I-go-to-the-Grand-Line' disease!" Usopp clutched his chest dramatically.
"Ngh..." Luffy bowed his head, his body trembling.
"Hey, Luffy! You agree we shouldn't go there either, right?!" Usopp misinterpreted Luffy's reaction, thinking he'd found an ally. But then...
"That sounds so exciting! That's exactly how it should be!" Luffy yelled, pumped up with excitement.
"Can't you consider your own safety for even a second?!" Usopp snapped, transforming into his sharp-toothed angry state.
"But now... my goal is firmly set on the Grand Line. Just like you said, Rowen... only on the Grand Line can I achieve my ambition. I can find that man, Hawk-Eyes, there," Zoro declared, a feral grin spreading across his face.
"Isn't that just foolish?" Sanji suddenly interjected. For some reason, he found this moss-headed swordsman irritating.
"You guys seem like the type to die first," Sanji added dismissively.
"You might not be wrong... but calling it 'foolish' is unnecessary," Zoro retorted, his mouth turning downwards. He found this curly-browed cook inexplicably annoying too.
"The moment I decided to become the world's greatest swordsman, I cast aside life and death. The only one who gets to call that decision foolish... is me," Zoro stated firmly.
"Me too!" Luffy immediately raised his hand.
"As a brave warrior of the sea... me too, of course!" Usopp declared, trembling all over.
"You're lying again, aren't you?" Zoro sighed, looking helplessly at Usopp.
"Seriously... so stupid," Sanji muttered, looking down.
"Hmph." Zeff smirked slightly. He could see it; Sanji was starting to feel drawn to joining their crew.
"Do you people have any idea what's going on?! Parked right outside is the flagship of that pirate fleet admiral, Don Krieg!" Patty the chef suddenly roared.
Is this really the time to be discussing dreams?!
<><><><><><><><>
Meanwhile, Don Krieg, having allowed his men to eat and regain their strength, was ordering them to seize the Baratie.
The next second—
SLICE!
Krieg's massive galleon was cleanly sliced in two.
The sinking of the huge ship created enormous waves, causing the Baratie to rock violently.
"He's here." Rowen's lips curved into a knowing smile.
Stepping outside the restaurant, they saw a man sitting gracefully on a small, coffin-shaped boat.
"He actually chased us all the way from the Grand Line to here?!" Don Krieg roared in disbelief and fury, staring at the man.
"That man is—!" Zeff's pupils constricted.
"One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The World's Greatest Swordsman. 'Hawk-Eyes' Dracule Mihawk," Rowen stated calmly, his lips still curved in a smile.
"Check Traits!"
——
Mihawk Traits: Armament Haki (Apex Gold), Observation Haki (Apex Gold), World's Greatest Swordsman (Apex Gold), Conqueror's Haki (Apex Gold).
Armament Haki (Apex Gold): Haki that enhances one's own defensive and offensive capabilities, and allows the user to strike the substantial bodies of Devil Fruit users.
Observation Haki (Apex Gold): Haki that heightens the five senses, potentially developing into preternatural perception. Allows sensing the presence and emotional state of nearby living beings, and can be used to anticipate and evade danger. At its peak, allows brief glimpses into the future.
World's Greatest Swordsman (Apex Gold): Needs no further explanation! On these seas, among all who wield a sword, he stands as the Undisputed Strongest!
Conqueror's Haki (Apex Gold): Complete mastery of Conqueror's Haki - Infusion, possessing the power to reign as an Emperor on these seas!
——
This... is a true pinnacle powerhouse of these seas!
The Traits possessed by the World's Greatest Swordsman, 'Hawk-Eyes' Dracule Mihawk!
Seeing the blinding array of Gold, Rowen's lips curled into a smile tinged with excitement.
Mihawk's strength was, without a doubt, Emperor/Admiral level!
Just as expected, this man had fully mastered Infused Conqueror's Haki.
Later in the original story, the main reason Buggy managed to become an Emperor was precisely because of this man standing before him.
Mihawk was also the only member of an Emperor's crew (Cross Guild) whose bounty surpassed that of the Emperor (Buggy) himself.
As for Crocodile. His significantly lower bounty later on clearly indicated that, in the eyes of the Marines, Crocodile's strength wasn't considered top-tier; he hadn't reached the pinnacle level of the world's strongest.
The Marines even explicitly stated Crocodile's high bounty was primarily due to acknowledgment of his strategic threat. Based on strength alone, even reaching the final stages, Crocodile wouldn't have warranted a bounty close to 1.9 billion.
Essentially, the reason the Cross Guild in the original story was recognized as an Emperor crew was solely because of 'Hawk-Eyes' Dracule Mihawk!
Without a Emperor/Admiral level powerhouse, no amount of luck would have allowed Buggy to become an Emperor.
'To finally meet one of the absolute strongest individuals on these seas after coming to this world...' Rowen felt the Conqueror's Haki within him stir, almost boiling with anticipation.
"Hawk-Eyes Mihawk!" Zoro, who had quickly moved to Rowen's side, was visibly trembling.
Not from fear, but from excitement...
And nervousness.
After all, Zoro had only just set out to sea. He lacked the 'Disposition' and experience he would gain later.
Facing the World's Strongest—the very man he had set out to challenge—Zoro couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly tense.
"Rowen! I moved the ship to a safe spot!" Nami called out, having maneuvered one of the smaller boats alongside the Baratie's outer deck where Rowen stood.
"Thanks for your hard work," Rowen replied, suppressing the simmering Conqueror's Haki within him and offering Nami a smile.
Nami, true to her developing reliance on Rowen, hadn't abandoned them like her original counterpart might have to face Arlong alone.
"Bastard! What grudge do we have with you?! Why are you attacking us like this?!" At that moment, one of Don Krieg's pirates, completely breaking down, screamed hysterically at Mihawk.
"Just... killing time," Mihawk replied nonchalantly.
"Don't screw with us!" the pirate roared, raising two pistols and firing at Mihawk.
With imperceptible speed, the black blade strapped to Mihawk's back, Yoru, was drawn. Despite being a massive sword, it moved with impossible grace in Mihawk's hands.
Clink! Clink! The two bullets instantly ricocheted, their trajectories altered.
Rowen's eyes narrowed.
Mihawk's swordsmanship... unlike Zoro's powerful, wide-open style... was a perfect fusion of hardness and softness.
Ordinary bullets without Haki infusion were like dust motes before Yoru—one of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords, renowned as the world's strongest black blade.
Especially when wielded by the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Yet Mihawk hadn't simply cut the bullets; he had used the razor edge of his blade to deflect them, subtly changing their path without destroying them.
This demonstrated absolute, pinpoint control over every inch of his blade. Capable of cleaving mountains, yet also deflecting bullets with finesse.
Such mastery of both power and precision... in close combat, it would be an absolute nightmare for any other swordsman or fighter.
Swordsmen, even Great Swordsmen, might launch terrifying flying slashes, but their true killing techniques lay in close-quarters combat.
Haki and stamina were finite, even for Emperor/Admiral level fighters. Infusing massive amounts of Haki into wide-ranging flying slashes would be incredibly draining.
This was likely why the slash Mihawk launched during the Summit War could be blocked by Diamond Jozu—it probably lacked significant Haki infusion and was merely a probing attack.
Furthermore, flying slashes, being ranged attacks detached from the swordsman, inevitably lost some power compared to a direct strike from the blade itself.
Witnessing Mihawk display such terrifying skill with just a casual flick of his wrist...
Rowen pulled Nami behind him, the crimson-black light in his own eyes beginning to simmer intensely.
<><><><><><><><>
"B-But I aimed right at him!" the pirate grunt stammered in disbelief.
"He deflected them. He used the edge of his sword to gently change the bullets' paths," Zoro stated gravely, stepping forward.
Without further words, Zoro began walking towards Mihawk.
"Hey! Who are you?!" the pirate who had shot at Mihawk yelled.
Click. Zoro drew Wado Ichimonji from its sheath at his waist. The sight of his three swords instantly drew the attention of everyone present.
"Three swords... Could it be...?!" one of Don Krieg's pirates murmured, breaking into a cold sweat.
"I've never seen such a 'soft' sword before," Zoro commented, looking at Mihawk, a feral grin spreading across his face.
"A sword wielded solely with brute force lacks depth," Mihawk replied calmly, turning his gaze towards Zoro.
"That ship... Did you cut it with this sword too?" Zoro asked, glancing at the massive galleon cleanly sliced in two.
"Indeed," Mihawk replied simply.
"I see... So you really are the strongest..." Zoro's grin widened with excitement.
"I set out to sea... to meet you!" Zoro untied the bandana from his arm and tied it around his head, signifying his intention to fight with his full strength.
"Your goal?" Mihawk asked, showing a flicker of interest.
"To be the strongest!" Zoro declared, his own unique 'Disposition' radiating from his smile.
"Hmph. How foolish," Mihawk replied, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips.
"You seem bored. Let's have a match!" Zoro pointed Wado Ichimonji directly at Mihawk.
"That guy... It's "Pirate Hunter" Zoro!" one of Krieg's pirates yelled.
"So he's Zoro?" Sanji looked surprised. This moss-headed guy was the famous Pirate Hunter of the East Blue?
"Hmph. Pirate Hunter?" Don Krieg narrowed his eyes. So that brat's crew has someone like this too.
But the feeling he got from that other man... was even stronger than Zoro.
Krieg looked towards Rowen, cold sweat beginning to form on his brow again.
W-What the hell?!
Why does this man... feel even stronger now than he did just moments ago?!
Just standing there... the feeling of terrifying power was overwhelming!
Especially when Krieg caught glimpses of the crimson-black light flickering in the man's eyes... Krieg instinctively lowered his head, unable to meet his gaze directly.
"H-How?!" Panting heavily, veins bulged on Krieg's forehead. He was the overlord of the East Blue! Yet looking at this man... he felt an absurd, instinctive sense of unworthiness, as if gazing up at something godly, something far beyond him!
<><><><><><>
"A match? You pitiable weakling," Mihawk stated flatly.
Shink! Without any discernible movement, Mihawk vanished from his coffin boat and reappeared directly in front of Zoro.
"If you were a skilled swordsman, you would grasp the disparity in our strength even without crossing blades. Pointing your sword at me now... should I call it courage? Or mere ignorance?" Mihawk asked, his golden eyes devoid of emotion.
"Ignorance, huh?" Zoro gripped Wado Ichimonji, his feral grin widening.
"Maybe before meeting Rowen, I was somewhat ignorant. But now... I have some understanding of what this sea truly holds. Luffy! Rowen! Sorry about this... I'm acting on my own here. Before heading to the Grand Line... I have to test myself against this man!" Zoro declared, his eyes blazing with wild determination as he looked towards Rowen and Luffy.
"A path you chose yourself... Walk it well, Zoro," Rowen replied, a confident, powerful curve to his lips.
"As captain, I support whatever my comrades decide! I'll be watching you right here, Zoro!" Luffy yelled encouragingly.
"Rowen? Could he be... that 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?!" Hearing Zoro call out the name, everyone's attention instantly focused on Rowen.
"'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?! It really is him!" Don Krieg's jaw clenched.
He knew about the super rookie who had recently appeared in the East Blue, of course.
But he never expected to meet him like this!
He had initially assumed the title was just empty hype... but facing the man now... Krieg found he lacked even the courage to look him directly in the eye!
Damn it! He was the overlord of the East Blue! Krieg gasped for breath, struggling to regain composure.
"Rowen?" Mihawk's sharp, hawk-like eyes turned towards Rowen. Sensing the powerful aura faintly radiating from Rowen, ready to explode forth at any moment, Mihawk's own eyes narrowed slightly.
Conqueror's Haki.
Interesting. To encounter a man possessing Conqueror's Haki of this level... in the weakest sea.
Then, Mihawk noticed Luffy's hat.
That's... Shanks's.
I see. So, Shanks... bet his arm on this boy?
Mihawk's expression remained impassive, but ripples stirred within him.
Shanks losing his arm in the East Blue had caused huge waves back in the New World.
It was also a great personal regret for Mihawk. Shanks was primarily a left-handed swordsman; losing that arm meant Mihawk lost the pleasure of sparring with his rival.
Shanks had claimed back then that he "bet his arm on the new era."
He hadn't expected Shanks to bet it on such an unremarkable-looking boy.
However...
Looking at the crimson-black light flickering in Rowen's eyes, Mihawk's gaze sharpened again.
Acknowledged by a Conqueror's Haki user of this caliber... and backed by Shanks's bet... This boy's future is certainly worth anticipating.
Well then... As a favor to Shanks... let's show this swordsman before me just how vast this sea truly is.
"Oh!" With a disdainful sigh, Mihawk drew a tiny knife—barely larger than a fruit knife—from the cross pendant hanging on his chest. Zoro's face fell.
"Unlike foolish beasts, I do not use a cannon to hunt a rabbit. Apologies, but I don't seem to have anything smaller than this," Mihawk stated calmly.
"There's a limit to how much you can underestimate someone!" Zoro roared, thoroughly enraged. Clenching Wado Ichimonji between his teeth and gripping a sword in each hand, he charged ferociously towards Mihawk.
"Three-Sword Style - Oni Giri (Demon Slash)!"
CLANG!
The next instant, Zoro's signature Three-Sword Style technique was effortlessly blocked by Mihawk using only the small knife.
"!!!" Everyone present, except Rowen, was utterly stunned.
The Pirate Hunter Zoro—blocked by a tiny fruit knife?!
"Can't move! What's happening?! How can the gap... be so vast?!" Sweat dripped continuously from Zoro's brow.
He had only had one technique blocked, yet his body felt completely immobilized.
Having learned about Haki from Rowen, Zoro had anticipated a tough fight against Mihawk, perhaps involving Haki.
But he never imagined the difference in strength would be this immense!
Forget Haki; the man hadn't even drawn a proper sword—just a small knife!
"The world's strongest can't be this far away!" Zoro roared mentally, his composure shattering. He launched a frantic barrage of attacks at Mihawk.
But his wild, disordered slashes were all parried with casual grace by Mihawk using only the small knife, as if taking a leisurely stroll.
Soon, Zoro was completely toyed with by Mihawk until he was utterly exhausted.
"Weakling. What burden do you carry? What do you aspire to achieve through strength?" Mihawk asked calmly, watching Zoro, completely drained but still swinging his swords feebly before finally collapsing from exhaustion.
<><><><><><><><>
"Calling Big Bro weak! You bastard!"
"That man is our Big Bro—!"
Seeing Zoro toyed with like this, Johnny and Yosaku couldn't hold back any longer. They were about to charge recklessly at Mihawk.
But Luffy's rubber arms shot out, grabbing them and pinning them to the deck.
"Don't interfere! Johnny! Yosaku—This is Zoro's fight!" Luffy gritted his teeth, veins bulging all over his body as he restrained them.
"Watch closely—A man like Zoro doesn't need pity," Rowen stated firmly, the crimson-black light of Conqueror's Haki almost visibly overflowing from his eyes.
"I absolutely cannot lose!" Zoro's mind flashed with images—his promise to Kuina, his pact with Luffy, Rowen, and the others.
His ambition—to become the world's greatest swordsman!
"Tora Gari (Tiger Hunt)!" Zoro roared, mustering his last strength for another attack.
Shink! The small knife pierced Zoro's chest.
"Why didn't you retreat? Did you wish for your heart to be pierced?" Mihawk's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had held back. Zoro only needed to step back slightly to avoid this wound.
"I don't know... I just felt that if I retreated... all the vows and promises I've ever made—would vanish completely," Zoro replied, looking straight at Mihawk.
"Indeed. That is called defeat," Mihawk stated simply.
"Then I definitely can't retreat," Zoro grinned.
"You'd rather die than retreat?" Mihawk's gaze intensified.
"Maybe... dying here would be better," Zoro replied, a smile reflecting his unwavering resolve.
'Such strength of heart. Rather than accept defeat, he chooses death?' A flash of admiration appeared in Mihawk's eyes. He sheathed the small knife and drew the great black blade, Yoru.
"Boy. State your name."
"Roronoa Zoro!" Zoro declared, arranging his three swords defensively, a feral grin spreading across his face.
"I will remember it. It has been long since I met such strength. As a gesture of respect between swordsmen, I shall use this strongest of black blades to send you to the depths," Mihawk replied, a rare smile touching his lips.
"I appreciate the honor," Zoro responded, gripping his three swords and unleashing his strongest attack.
"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique - Sanzen Sekai (Three Thousand Worlds)!"
"SHIIIING! "
Blood sprayed through the air. Other than Wado Ichimonji, the swords in Zoro's hands shattered upon impact.
"I lost... So this is the power of the world's strongest?" Zoro silently sheathed Wado Ichimonji, then turned to face Mihawk, spreading his arms wide, exposing his chest.
"What is this?" Mihawk looked slightly surprised.
"Scars on the back... are a swordsman's shame!" Zoro declared, laughing loudly.
"Subarashi! (Magnificent!)" Mihawk laughed heartily in response.
SLASH!
The black blade sliced deeply across Zoro's chest, sending him falling backward into the sea.
<><><><><><><><>
"ZORO—!" Seeing the outcome, Luffy could restrain himself no longer. He launched himself at Mihawk using his Gomu Gomu powers, but Mihawk easily dodged, letting Luffy crash into the wreckage of Don Krieg's galleon.
"Calm yourself. He is not dead yet," Mihawk stated calmly.
Watching Johnny and Yosaku dive into the sea to rescue Zoro,
Rowen leaped gracefully, landing directly in front of Mihawk.
"Hm?" Mihawk's eyes narrowed, focusing on Rowen.
VMMMM! The crimson-black light in Rowen's eyes solidified, seeming to crackle faintly in the air.
A similar crimson-black glint flashed in Mihawk's own eyes.
Conqueror's Haki versus Conqueror's Haki.
King versus King!