Chapter 352: Melee!
The small boat swayed gently as it docked at the island's shore. The man calmly disembarked at a leisurely pace, setting foot on this island's soil.
His height was ordinary—among the sea's many powerhouses, somewhat unimpressive even.
Nothing like Kaido or Charlotte Linlin—those whose mere appearance made one instinctively recognize them as monsters.
But he possessed very special eyes.
Golden, sharp pupils like those of an eagle soaring across the heavens.
Simply being watched by these eyes evoked deep-seated fear—as if one had become a helpless rabbit caught in an eagle's gaze.
He walked slowly. Right now, no one had even seen him yet.
But his presence, news of his arrival—the entire island already trembled in response.
"Finally here."
On the island, Ben Beckman—currently tangling with King the Wildfire—curved his lips slightly.
Opposing two Pirate Emperors simultaneously, even the Red-Hair Pirates absolutely couldn't achieve victory.
Fortunately, though Brett wasn't willing to intervene directly, he'd certainly recommended the best possible ally for Shanks.
"This is completely beyond expectations!"
In the sky, Doflamingo unconsciously adjusted the sunglasses on his nose bridge. His mouth had already sunk downward. Fine lines creased his forehead.
"Another monster enters the stage!!"
What was happening? Why did the situation suddenly feel somewhat unfavorable?
At the island's central battlefield, Charlotte Linlin burst from the smoke. She turned her head toward the distant shore. That gradually approaching figure could now be faintly distinguished.
The world's strongest woman nearly gnashed her teeth. "Hawkeye!!"
The man dragging his great blade as he approached leisurely indeed possessed the nickname Hawkeye. Dracule Mihawk—people called him thus because he possessed eagle-sharp pupils.
His more widely known title was: World's Strongest Swordsman.
The strongest black blade combined with the strongest swordsmanship—he was the pinnacle of this world's swordsmen. Like Kaido, a man possessing the title of "strongest."
Even powerhouses as arrogant as Kaido and Charlotte Linlin absolutely didn't dare underestimate this man's arrival.
Hawkeye didn't walk quickly, but this island's area wasn't particularly large to begin with. Before long, he'd already reached the edge of the monsters' battlefield.
He stopped. The man with eagle-sharp pupils curved his lips. "How lively. You don't mind if I join in, do you?"
"Hawkeye! You kid—"
Charlotte Linlin had already begun shouting. "Do you mean to oppose us?! I never imagined your relationship with that Red-Hair bastard was this close!"
Kaido glared viciously at Shanks.
That damned red-haired brat—if I hadn't already called Linlin for reinforcements, wouldn't you have gotten the better of me this time?
Shanks smiled.
How to put it—you didn't play fair first, Kaido-senpai.
"Pirate Emperors—monsters who reign over the New World like royalty."
Hawkeye chuckled softly. "Don't misunderstand. Though I was indeed invited by a certain someone, the more important reason is—"
"Being able to cross swords with people like you is exactly what I desire."
"Worororororo!!"
Kaido shouldered his spiked club, sneering coldly. "Marine Hunter Mihawk—seems even after the government recruited you, you kid still haven't settled down!"
Marine Hunter.
This was Mihawk's title before becoming a Warlord.
Plenty of people in this world dared attack the Navy—after all, ordinary Naval forces weren't particularly formidable.
But someone like Hawkeye who openly hunted Marines, ultimately leaving the government with no choice but to recruit him—should be unique.
"I'm someone who enjoys excitement."
Hawkeye's lips curved slightly. "So then, enough idle talk. Who will be my opponent next?"
"Bastard brat!!"
Charlotte Linlin flew into a towering rage. "Just because people praise you a few times, you truly think you can stand on equal footing with us?!"
"Do you think you know who ruled these seas before this?!"
Compared to the two of them, Shanks and Hawkeye were indeed from the new era.
These two kids were only in their thirties—just entering their prime.
But brats like these now wanted to stand as equals? Charlotte Linlin's displeasure continuously accumulated.
"Then let me see!"
Hawkeye raised his blade. This world's strongest black blade aimed at distant Charlotte Linlin. "Just what kind of power you used to rule these seas!"
"Brat!!"
Charlotte Linlin roared. What more was there to say at this point?
Fight!
Only the victor had the right to speak freely!
"Zeus! Prometheus!!"
With Charlotte Linlin's roar, the white cloud she rode turned pitch-black. Between flashing lightning, a dazzling sun coiled around her blade, transforming the great sword into a flaming edge.
"Excellent!"
Hawkeye's golden pupils blazed with fervor. This was exactly the kind of opponent worth facing!
He laughed loudly. His earlier laziness and casualness had completely vanished this instant. He transformed into a pitch-black afterimage, in the blink of an eye already streaking across the battlefield.
"Let me see your blade! Big Mom!!"
CLANG!
The next instant, one large and one small blade collided.
Two bottomless chasms instantly spread outward from the colliding pair at the center. The entire island was torn apart.
"Ah, truly worthy of you, Mihawk."
Shanks shook his head somewhat helplessly.
The process of inviting Hawkeye for assistance had been far easier than imagined.
This guy had only teased him a few times. After learning he'd face two Pirate Emperors, he'd rushed over here impatiently.
Truly a complete battle maniac.
However, he'd certainly been a huge help.
Shanks grinned and charged toward Kaido.
"Come on!! Worororororo!!"
Kaido—who'd initiated the schemes first—showed no anger now.
Rather, crossing swords with Shanks was something he desired.
Moreover, he wasn't particularly worried. After all, Hawkeye was alone—unlike Shanks who had powerful subordinates.
Just one person couldn't completely reverse the battle situation. After all, Linlin had essentially brought her full force this time—all her officers.
Once they joined the battlefield, the situation would instantly change.
Only—why hadn't they closed in yet?
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