"That alone demonstrates his talent," Gion remarked while looking at the newspaper. "First he beat Shiki, then he beat Mihawk. If we don't stop him soon, the Navy is going to face a very troublesome opponent in the future."
Gion also took this chance to nudge Garp—hoping to convince him not to personally hunt for Makino right now, but rather to join her in pursuing Arton. Garp wore a deeply troubled expression, furrowing his brow. After a while, he finally nodded and looked at his adjutant.
"I'll leave the ship in your hands. Take some men and try to track down Whitey Bay. If you find them, please bring Makino back if you can. Meanwhile, I'll carry on with Gion and continue searching for Arton."
At that moment, Garp regretted having let Arton slip away before. He could already picture Sengoku chewing him out over this. But what really weighed on him was the thought that he might have let slip a man who could potentially have contributed greatly to the Navy.
Hearing Garp's decision, Gion quietly let out a sigh of relief. She was glad Garp's adjutant would focus on intercepting Whitey Bay, preventing her from finding Arton too quickly. Saluting, the adjutant then swiftly moved out to carry out Garp's orders. Garp and Gion set off again in pursuit of Arton.
Just then, Garp's Den Den Mushi rang. No sooner had he picked up than Sengoku's furious voice roared from the other end of the line.
…
In the New World — Red-Haired Pirates
"Boss! Big news—there's more big news!"
A rotund Lucky Roux, dressed in green and clutching a drumstick in one hand, came running from the stern to the bow of the ship, waving a newspaper.
"Big news? What is it?" Shanks looked up curiously.
"It's about Arton!" Lucky Roux said, panting. He handed the newspaper to Shanks, pointing to a section of it. At that, the Red-Haired Pirates—hearing it involved Arton—immediately gathered around. After all, thanks to the previous news story, they all knew Uta was traveling aboard Arton's ship, so none of the senior crew could afford to ignore Arton's activities.
"That Arton guy… what kind of fuss has he kicked up this time?"
"Yeah, seeing how worked-up Lucky Roux is, it's bound to be some major progress."
"Arton only recently defeated Shiki. Whatever else he's done, I wouldn't be too surprised."
"Well, how about if Arton actually beat a Marine Admiral this time? Would you be surprised?"
As they speculated, Shanks spread the newspaper so everyone could see.
"No—Lucky Roux is right. Arton didn't take down Shiki again, but this is even bigger. Arton fought Mihawk… and won. He's apparently the new 'Greatest Swordsman in the World.'"
A stunned silence fell over the entire crew. It took a moment before they finally reacted.
"Lucky Roux, you've got to be joking. How could Arton possibly beat Mihawk?"
"Right—Mihawk is strong enough to spar with our boss here, and he's in his prime!"
"Mihawk's no old-timer like Shiki. He's at his peak."
While everyone was voicing their doubts, Shanks displayed the newspaper. "Lucky Roux isn't kidding. It says here Arton indeed defeated Dracule Mihawk, and it quotes Mihawk himself acknowledging Arton as the stronger swordsman. There's no photo—just some illustrations from the article—but it seems likely to be true."
He pointed out the article. The paper featured high-quality photos—actually the detailed illustrations Stussy had given Morgans.
Ben Beckman frowned slightly, scanning every line, every picture. After a short time, he exhaled a puff of smoke.
"This is from the World Economy News Paper—the same agency that released the story of Arton defeating Shiki. That story proved true, so this one probably is as well—they just failed to get actual photographs. Still, these drawings give some idea of Arton's fight with Mihawk. Didn't think Arton had a transformation ability as well. This Unlimited Blade Works apparently has a variety of uses. Mihawk must have learned quite a bit the hard way."
Shanks nodded. "The report says Mihawk didn't go all-out at first, which allowed Arton to keep powering up with each new transformation. That might explain Mihawk's defeat. Either way, Arton's no pushover. He's bound to become the target of every swordsman in the world now. Though I'm curious about Arton beating Mihawk, what really draws my attention is… this."
He tapped another picture in the paper.
"Ben, take a look at this—Uta using some power to destroy a tsunami."
Beckman nodded. "Of course I noticed. If these illustrations are accurate, Uta's become extremely powerful. But I figure the point you're making is about Uta's current appearance, right, Shanks?"
"Exactly," Shanks said, tapping the page for emphasis. "We know Uta ate the Sing-Sing Fruit. But from these drawings, although she does seem to be using song-based powers, it's like she's 'transforming' the same way Arton does. And we saw how Nami fused with Arton. All these clues point to Uta's new form somehow involving Arton."
"How about you—what's your take?" Shanks asked. Uta was the apple of his eye, so any changes in her condition or powers were of great concern. He worried something might put her in danger.
Ben Beckman thought for a moment, then said, "Arton's transformations might come from his Devil Fruit. Perhaps that same power can affect the companions around him, including Uta, enabling them to partially transform through their own abilities. Afterward, Arton can temporarily fuse with those he's influenced."
Hearing that, Shanks frowned. "That makes sense. So Arton might also be able to fuse with Uta?"
Ben Beckman nodded. "Yes, I think that's how it works. Judging from Nami's example, merging doesn't seem harmful. Though we don't really know how Arton's power functions, at least from what we can see, Uta's grown very strong. More importantly, Shanks, she's smiling, right?"
Shanks paused, then started laughing. "Yeah, if Uta's got a smile on her face, that's all that matters. Hahaha, this Arton is not bad at all. Now I get why Uta was willing to join his crew."
"Though I'm sad Arton snatched away our musician, it's certainly cause for celebration that Uta's chosen partner managed to defeat Mihawk. So, let's have a banquet, lads!"
With Shanks's announcement, his crewmates cheered at once.
…
The New World – Dressrosa
Inside the palace gardens.
"Mihawk lost?" Doflamingo muttered as he read the newspaper. "And again, it was that Arton?"
He sounded rather surprised.
"So that Mihawk turned out to be a letdown, fufufu," chirped Pica in his shrill voice. "I wonder if the World Government will strip him of his Warlord title."
Pica was referring to the possibility of Mihawk losing his title after the defeat.
"You haven't met Mihawk, Pica, so you don't understand," Doflamingo said, shaking his head. "He's not that easy to gauge. Of all the Warlords, he's the one I can't read. That man can even cross swords with Red-Haired Shanks—he's no Shiki well past his prime."
Still, he kept that thought to himself. Deep down, Doflamingo felt a faint sense of dread toward Mihawk's skill.
"Strangely enough, though, Arton's crew still isn't wanted," said Trebol, another top officer of the Donquixote Family. "Isn't that odd?"
Doflamingo nodded. "It is."
Just then, a small Den Den Mushi on the table began to ring. Doflamingo's eyes narrowed as he picked it up. Before long, Vergo's voice sounded from the other side.
"It's me, Young Master. I have news about the Flame Blade Pirates you asked me to keep an eye on."
Hearing that, Doflamingo straightened. "Go on, Vergo."
Vergo explained: "Arton defeated Shiki but hasn't been given a bounty because the Navy wants him on their side. Right before he killed Shiki, Arton had already met Marine Hero Garp. Garp tried to recruit Arton, but since he wasn't exactly a pirate then, Garp didn't make a serious move against him—just tested his crew's strength."
Doflamingo's brows furrowed tighter. "They want him on the Navy's side… So, are they aiming to make him a Warlord?"
Vergo replied, "Actually, high-ups in the Navy still want Arton to join them fully—become a Marine, not just a Warlord."
Doflamingo froze, caught off guard. "Arton's already formed a pirate crew, yet the Navy still wants him? Is there really something that special about him?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Vergo admitted. "But Garp and Gion in particular see enormous potential in him. Gion's convinced that if Arton's left to grow unchecked, he'll rise to the level of an Emperor—maybe even beyond. She's pushing the proposal to bring Arton in, and apparently Fleet Admiral Sengoku agreed. Word is Sengoku also chewed Garp out for not detaining Arton earlier."
After Vergo finished, Doflamingo looked more astonished than ever.
About that time, Monet and Sugar appeared in the palace garden.
'Vergo even got all that intel?' Monet thought, eyes gleaming. 'Now that Young Master has such information, maybe he'll let me leave Dressrosa to find Arton!'