This is a mansion in the latter half of the Grand Line, located on Kuraigana Island in the New World. The owner of the mansion is elegantly seated at the head of the table, slowly savoring a glass of red wine, seemingly deep in thought.
He has neat, short black hair, sharp, eagle-like yellow eyes, and a short beard. His bare upper body displays beautifully sculpted muscles.
A crucifix hangs on his chest, making him appear religious, but it is actually a small cross-shaped knife.
This person is none other than "Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk, known as the "World's Strongest Swordsman" and possessing "Emperor"-level strength.
When Hawkeye goes out, he likes to wear a black top hat adorned with white fur, a wine-red patterned shirt, a black trench coat, white trousers, and black short boots.
On his back, he carries the world's strongest black blade, Yoru (one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords).
Hawkeye's personality is calm and composed; even in battle, he rarely shows significant emotional fluctuations.
He is a law unto himself, acting according to his whims. Once, merely because his sleep was disturbed, he annihilated the pirates who woke him.
Although he holds the title of the strongest, he never refuses a challenger. In his daily life, when Hawkeye resides on the island, he also Cultivates vegetables and personally cooks his own food.
Twenty-two years ago, a young Hawkeye (19 years old) made a brief appearance in Loguetown in the East Blue. He was one of those who witnessed the execution of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Due to his sharp, eagle-like gaze, he was called "Hawkeye," the man with eagle eyes. The young Hawkeye traveled extensively to Cultivate his swordsmanship and once had fierce clashes with Red Hair. Their battles were described by Whitebeard as spectacular, "as if they happened yesterday."
Later, after Red Hair lost an arm in the East Blue, Hawkeye, citing "no interest in fighting someone who has lost an arm," never sought to spar with Red Hair again. After that, he became one of the Shichibukai.
Red Hair often spoke to Hawkeye about Luffy, so Hawkeye had a slight interest in Luffy.
Hawkeye once attacked the "Krieg Pirates" in the Grand Line, single-handedly annihilating most of their 50-ship fleet, then pursued the "Krieg Pirates" from the Grand Line to the East Blue.
He happened to track them down to the "Baratie Sea Restaurant," where he also encountered the Straw Hat.
Upon learning that the person before him was the "World's Strongest Swordsman," Zoro immediately challenged him. Hawkeye initially had no intention of fighting, but Zoro persisted, forcing Hawkeye to retaliate. Against Zoro's furious assault, Hawkeye only used the "toy-like" cross-shaped knife hanging on his chest to parry.
Zoro unleashed his full power with the "Profound Truth of Three-Sword Style: Oni Giri," which Hawkeye also deflected with his cross-shaped knife. Seeing Oni Giri nullified, Hawkeye finally stabbed him in the chest with a single strike.
During his conversation with Zoro, Hawkeye sensed his unusually strong will and was deeply moved by his spirit. He specifically drew the world's strongest black blade to show him respect and asked Zoro to state his name. Zoro then used his Three-Sword Style Profound Truth: Three Thousand Worlds, but ultimately fell short and was cut into the water by Hawkeye, though he was not killed.
After Johnny and Yosaku rescued Zoro, Hawkeye told him that he would always be waiting for him on the throne of the strongest.
After his duel with Zoro, Hawkeye felt there was no point in staying longer. He ignored Krieg's provocation and then left. He considered Zoro a promising swordsman and encouraged him to surpass himself.
Hawkeye has been a close friend of Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, for many years. Red Hair often tells Hawkeye about Luffy. When Luffy's bounty reached 30 million Berries, Hawkeye specifically sought out Red Hair and personally delivered the news to him.
Red Hair was overjoyed to hear about Luffy and ultimately kept Hawkeye on the island for another banquet.
After Red Hair and Hawkeye's meeting, the Shichibukai meeting was convened. Hawkeye, as one of the Shichibukai, went to Holy Land Mary Geoise to attend a meeting with high-ranking Marine officials (including Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Staff Officer Tsuru, etc.) to discuss the follow-up arrangements for revoking Crocodile's Shichibukai title.
Due to Hawkeye's presence, Donquixote Doflamingo remarked, "The person least likely to attend actually showed up." Hawkeye himself stated that he was merely interested in the newsworthy figure, Monkey D. Luffy.
Hawkeye was summoned by the World Government to participate in the Marineford War. Later, as the Marineford War was nearing its end, the Red Hair Pirates suddenly appeared at Marineford and intervened in the war.
Upon seeing Red Hair arrive, Hawkeye stated that Red Hair was not part of their agreement, and thus he had no reason to assist the Marines. He withdrew and turned to leave. Marine soldiers who intended to stop him dared not do so when they saw Hawkeye's eyes.
After the Marineford War ended, "Hawkeye" returned to his residence on Kuraigana Island. His arrival scared away a group of baboons that were attacking Zoro, indirectly saving Zoro.
He relayed news of the "Marineford War" to Zoro and Perona, who had been sent to the island by Bartholomew Kuma, and lent Zoro a small boat to leave the island, but the boat was destroyed in a confrontation with the baboons.
Later, after Zoro read a "message that only his crewmates could understand" in the newspaper, he sincerely knelt and begged "Hawkeye" to teach him swordsmanship.
Initially, "Hawkeye" was quite disdainful of Zoro kneeling and asking for swordsmanship instruction, expressing his strong dislike for Zoro's subservient posture. He declared that he would not agree to the request unless Zoro dealt with the "human imitators" on the island.
However, upon learning that Zoro had eliminated all the "human imitators" on the island, "Hawkeye" also recognized Zoro's sincerity and determination to become stronger for important people, even at the cost of his pride.
Finally, "Hawkeye" agreed to Zoro's request, taking responsibility for teaching him swordsmanship, and asked Perona to treat Zoro's injuries.
During the Cultivate process, he taught Zoro the use of Haki and once said that the punishment for not learning it was no drinking. Two years later, Zoro had achieved mastery and left Hawkeye.
After Perona took Zoro to Sabaody Archipelago, she returned to Hawkeye's residence. Perona told Hawkeye that she had cooked several times over the past two years.
Hawkeye responded that he had cooked more often. Perona again stated that she had also helped plant vegetables, to which Hawkeye replied that he was the one who had taken Perona in. Perona got angry and prepared to leave, and Hawkeye casually said, "Be careful on your way."
Perona said Hawkeye was "too gentle" and thanked him for his hospitality over the past two years. A helpless Hawkeye then brought up the topic of the "Levely" with Perona, telling her that perhaps leaving was a good option.
Now, due to Donquixote Doflamingo and Trafalgar Law, the end of the Shichibukai system has been accelerated. The Shichibukai system no longer exists, and all its members have lost their status as Shichibukai.
Just yesterday, Kuraigana Island, where Hawkeye resides, was besieged by the Marines.
Hawkeye, who enjoys a quiet life, was annoyed after driving away these "flies." If he lost his Shichibukai status, he would face continuous harassment from the Marines. Although Hawkeye was not afraid, he would find it very troublesome.
And just ten minutes ago, Hawkeye received a call from Akainu, stating the World Government's stance, which was the reason Hawkeye was deep in thought.
Not long after, after finishing a glass of wine, Hawkeye seemed to have made a decision. He stood up, got dressed, and set out to sea...
To be continued...