All eyes aboard turned toward Shanks.
The East Blue—the birthplace of the Pirate King, Roger. Even their own captain had once lingered there for a long time. Yet, until recently, no one had heard of another powerhouse rising from those waters. And now, suddenly, a man capable of clashing with two Admirals had emerged.
"A swordsman," Mihawk said flatly, his tone devoid of emotion.
But Shanks, who knew him best, froze for a moment.
"You're thinking of going to meet him?"
He knew Mihawk well enough—if not for the loss of his arm, Mihawk would likely still be challenging him to duels at every turn.
"A swordsman this strong… of course I'd like to see his strikes for myself." Mihawk did not deny it.
"You know where he is now?"
Shanks carefully scanned the newspaper in his hand. It mentioned Don's movements, but nothing precise. And finding someone on the vast seas without clear leads was no easy feat.
"We'll cross paths eventually." Mihawk's answer was simple.
Shanks didn't try to dissuade him. After all, his friend's greatest joy was drifting across the seas alone in that tiny coffin-shaped boat.
"This man isn't that old, yet already has such strength. I imagine we'll hear of his arrival on the Grand Line soon enough. Still… he's a Pirate Hunter. In a way, that mirrors one of your old titles."
Shanks lowered the paper. His first mate, Benn Beckman, took it and gathered the crew to look over it.
A counterpart? Mihawk's eyes narrowed slightly. Did he mean… Marine Hunter?
"Speaking of which—since you don't know where he is either, why not join us for a while?" Shanks offered suddenly.
"For what?"
"To seize some territory in the New World, of course." Shanks said with rare seriousness.
"If you do that, you'll inevitably clash with the other three."
"That's exactly what I'm hoping for." Shanks burst into hearty laughter, his crew joining in with grins of anticipation.
"This is your battle."
Mihawk thought for a moment, then declined outright.
"Pity. Truly a pity." Shanks sighed with exaggerated regret.
"I'll take my leave. Until next time." Mihawk rose, turned, and departed without another word.
"Captain, this Don is interesting."
Benn Beckman sat down beside Shanks once Mihawk was gone, tapping the paper in his hand.
"His first appearance was only about a year ago, and already the reports say he's faced Admirals. Judging by the photo, he's barely in his teens."
"And your point?"
Shanks turned to his first mate with a smile.
"My point is, we need to move faster. From the records, it seems he has some kind of tie with the Marines. Otherwise, after destroying so many islands in the Blues, there should already be a bounty on his head."
Benn Beckman tapped the newspaper again.
"Instead, all they did was send Kizaru after him. No bounty at all. That's not normal. The Marines might be trying to recruit him."
"If he does join them… the Marines will gain a top-class powerhouse."
The realization dawned on the crew.
"But what's that got to do with us? We've got our own matters to handle!" Shanks waved the paper away.
Benn Beckman sighed, helpless against his captain's carefree ways. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling this boy would one day bring them trouble.
"Ready the ship! Our next stop—Charlotte Linlin."
Shanks stood tall, his words firing up the crew.
"Are we going to war?"
Excitement erupted among the Red-Haired Pirates. Their captain was ready to make waves in the New World.
Meanwhile, in Dressrosa, Doflamingo sat brooding with the same newspaper in hand.
It was supposed to be a trivial matter—just intimidating some upstart from the East Blue. Yet that "upstart" had turned out to be this kind of monster.
Even Trebol and the other Donquixote officers had fallen silent, no longer scoffing.
"Morgans doesn't spin baseless stories. If he reported it, the information's real."
Doflamingo finally broke his silence.
"Someone who's crossed blades with two Admirals…"
He frowned, weighing his next move. From Don's havoc in the North Blue, Doflamingo was certain the man would eventually reach Dressrosa. Avoiding him was impossible.
"Doffy, maybe we should turn this into an opportunity. Kaidou might be interested in him," Trebol suggested.
The others stayed quiet, listening. Violet stood in the background, her expression unreadable.
"Lure Kaidou into handling this problem…" Doflamingo muttered.
It was a bold idea—and it could work. But if it failed, he'd find himself facing Don and an enraged Kaidou.
"Keep a close watch on his movements."
After some thought, Doflamingo gave his order.
"Yes, Doffy. With someone like him, there's no way he'll move quietly." Trebol nodded.
Doflamingo dismissed them and sank into the velvet depths of his massive red sofa.
He trusted his own strength, but he wasn't arrogant. He knew what Admirals represented. And by comparison, Don's level was already terrifyingly clear.
No—direct confrontation was not an option. That was a path to disaster.
…
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
After several days of rest, Don and Robin were ready to depart.
Koushirou stood with Kuina and Zoro at the pier, watching the small boat drift away.
"He refused to take you again?" Koushirou asked gently.
He was confident in Don's strength now, and wouldn't have objected if Kuina had followed him. But it seemed Don had declined once more.
"He told me to get stronger first," Kuina said with firm seriousness.
"Also… that I'm still too young."
Her tone carried a faint trace of indignation.
"Then work hard, and become stronger."
Koushirou smiled knowingly at his daughter and Zoro. From their faces, he could already tell they both longed for the great sea beyond.
Out on the boat
Don glanced at Robin, who was rowing with a dozen arms sprouting from her ability.
"Where to next?" Robin asked, scanning the sea chart in her hands.
"Loguetown. Then straight into the Grand Line."
Don's answer carried no hesitation.
"The paper said you stayed at East Blue's 16th branch for quite some time, killed a crew of Fishmen, even clashed with Jinbe."
Robin turned toward him curiously.
"Mm."
"Then… should we stop there along the way?" she suggested.
"Why?" Don raised a brow.
"Don't you have… acquaintances there?"
Robin asked with interest.
"Acquaintances?" Don thought for a moment, then gave a small nod. He didn't refuse.
END OF CHAPTER
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