Chapter 175: Challenge
"Oh, to have the Strength of a Swordsman right out of the gate, and it looks like he's already found his Path of Swordsmanship. The rookies on the Sea these days are really getting more and more impressive."
Hearing Mihawk's Words, Nicholas couldn't help but say. This also made Dorag take another look at Mihawk. After all, reaching the level of a Swordsman at this age meant that with a little more Exercise and training over the years, he would almost certainly become a Great Swordsman.
Mihawk, hearing Nicholas' Words, subconsciously tightened his grip on the Long Sword beside him, and then his eyes suddenly became sharp. He had encountered people with decent Strength along the way, but he hadn't met anyone who could tell his level at a glance.
"Calm down, don't be so tense. If we were hostile, with your current level of Strength, you'd probably be feeding the Fish at the Port of Loguetown by now."
Nicholas waved his hand and said. This wasn't him boasting. If he and Dorag joined forces, even Eagle Eye, who would later be known as the World's Greatest Swordsman, would be feeding the Fish, let alone someone just starting out.
"Who exactly are you?"
Although Nicholas said this, Mihawk did not relax his vigilance in the slightest. After all, this was related to his Swordsmanship. If his Belief wavered, it would be like a cultivator's dao heart breaking. Unless he could regroup, he would be ruined.
"I'm just a Masked Rider passing by."
Nicholas said pretentiously.
Mihawk: ???
"Who is this guy? Since you chose to go to Sea, you should have done your homework."
Saying this, Dorag took out a stack of Wanted Posters from his chest, and after rummaging through them for a while, handed Nicholas's Wanted Poster to Mihawk.
Holding the Bounty Poster in his hand, Mihawk first lowered his head and then raised it again, not understanding how the handsome young man in the Wanted Poster had changed so much in just a few years.
"Don't be surprised, this is that guy. He just used Life Return from the Navy to change his facial Muscle."
Clearly, the reason Dorag was willing to explain so patiently was because he had taken a liking to Mihawk's talent. After all, a future Great Swordsman joining their Faction would undoubtedly be a huge boost to their Strength.
Currently, Dorag basically doesn't have many capable subordinates. You have to know that they are doing something rebellious. If they can't produce people of sufficient caliber in terms of Military Force, it's just a small-scale affair.
Not to mention overthrowing the World Government, the Navy's Combat Power alone could completely crush them.
"Hey, Dorag, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Looking at Dorag putting away the Wanted Poster again, Nicholas couldn't help but ask in surprise. This guy's Actions didn't look like those of a good person at all.
Dorag was also very candid, with no intention of concealing anything.
"Oh, this? You know, we haven't been established for long. We have no Money, no people, no Weapons, and all kinds of expenses are astonishingly high, so this is just to earn some extra Money."
Hearing Dorag's explanation, Nicholas was silent. Damn it, you could say Roger, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, himself, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido... all the famous Pirates on the Sea were in there. And it looked like if it wasn't because he was afraid of having too many Wanted Posters to carry, he would have wanted to put in even those guys with tens of millions of Bounty.
"I hope to challenge you, Your Excellency! I want to know how big the gap is between myself and the Peak of the world!"
The firm Sound, and the Aura of unwavering determination, made Nicholas, who was considering whether to give Dorag a slipper, stunned for a moment.
Looking at Mihawk's serious Complexion, Nicholas shook his head and said, "A Sword is never drawn lightly. Once you draw your Sword, you must have the Resolve to kill your Opponent or be killed by your Opponent."
After pausing for a moment, Nicholas continued.
"Moreover, your current Strength is not yet qualified for me to draw my Sword."
Hearing these Words, Mihawk's Eyes became even sharper, but there was no unwillingness in his Eyes.
The reason he went to Sea was to find strong enough Opponents on this Sea.
After all, whether it was his master or the area around the Island he was on at the time, there were no more Opponents. Now, Nicholas was the first Strongest he had encountered, and this was not the answer he wanted.
"You don't believe in my Resolve as a Swordsman!? When I challenged you, I had already made the Resolve for Death!"
Eagle Eye said in a deep voice.
"Not every Swordsman needs to draw Swords against each other to show that you are Strongest. The disparity in Strength between you and me is obvious even to a three-year-old child on the street. And you still dare to challenge me with your Sword. I don't know whether to admire you or say you are very ignorant.
Besides, you are not weak now, but not strong enough. Not strong enough for me to draw my Sword to deal with."
Nicholas said pretentiously, but at this moment, he was overjoyed in his heart. The feeling of showing off was really good.
Mihawk did not refute, but just stared directly at Nicholas.
"I want to challenge you!!"
His Sound was full of firmness, forceful and resounding. The Aura on his body was also like a sharp blade about to be drawn, sharp and aggressive.
It looked like he would draw his Sword without hesitation in the next moment.
The situation here was also noticed by the Boss, but seeing the Long Sword that Mihawk had placed there, the Boss hesitated for a long time and still didn't dare to step forward. After all, he was just a Breakfast vendor and couldn't afford to offend these Swordsmen on the Sea who would draw their Swords at the slightest disagreement.
"Must it be so?"
Nicholas shook his head, chuckled helplessly, and slowly stood up at the same time.
Seeing Nicholas's Action, Mihawk's Eyes lit up. Obviously, the other party had agreed.
Just as Mihawk was about to stand up, he was held down by Nicholas reaching out his hand.
"Wasting Food is very bad, you know. I'll wait for you outside."
After saying this, he walked towards the outside.
Mihawk was already looking astonished at this moment, and even his pupils couldn't help but dilate, because he hadn't seen Nicholas's Action at all just now.
However, he still silently picked up his Chopsticks and finished his Food. Before leaving, he also helped Dorag and Nicholas pay the bill.
"Since it's so, state your name, young Swordsman."
Nicholas said in a deep voice at the Seaside of Loguetown.
Mihawk, standing not far away, immediately had his Eyes brighten, and a hint of excitement and anticipation appeared on his face.
"My name is Dracule Mihawk!"
Then he seriously drew his Sword from his Waist.
"Hey, where's your Sword?"
Mihawk, who had announced his name and was expecting a Peak duel, looked at Nicholas standing there and couldn't help but urge him.
Nicholas's mouth curved into a smile, and he slowly drew out a single Chopstick from his Waist.
"What do you mean by this, you guy!?"
Seeing the Chopsticks in Nicholas's hand, even Mihawk, who had always been as calm and collected as water, felt the anger in his heart about to surge out.
This Action, like child's play, was simply an Insult to the solemn Thing that is a Swordsman duel.
"To deal with a small fry like you, there's no need to draw a Sword. Just one Chopstick is enough. Because we are not on the same level."
Nicholas said to Mihawk in a Tone that implied, "It's not that I'm unwilling to draw my Sword, but you are not qualified to make me draw my Sword."
"Then, let's begin!"
Mihawk was silent for a moment, then placed both hands on the Sword Hilt and said in a deep voice.
His Complexion also became somewhat serious. When dealing with the world's Top-Tier Powerhouse, even if the opponent's Swordsmanship was not their best means of Attack, he had to exert all his Energy to cope, because he could really die.
Looking at Mihawk, Nicholas was taken aback. "Damn it, you're not playing by the rules! Shouldn't you be yelling, 'Damn you, how dare you underestimate me! I'll make you die with your eyes open!' at this time, and then charge up with your Sword?"
(End of Chapter)