"Use thunder! Do you even know Luffy?"
Seeing that Victor didn't reply for a long time, Zoro couldn't help asking again.
Although he had read about Luffy in the newspaper, he knew nothing about his captain's specific situation.
The newspaper mentioned that Victor and Luffy had appeared together in Marineford, so they must know each other.
Naturally, Zoro was eager for news about his captain—after all, that idiot was always the most worrying.
"Roronoa! Your opponent was defeated by someone else!? Isn't that shameful?"
As soon as the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, arrived, he scolded Zoro.
Zoro gripped his swords tightly and said nothing. Hawkeye was right—this was shameful. But such shame only strengthened his determination to become stronger.
"Hawkeye! No need to be so harsh! Roronoa Zoro, don't worry about Straw Hat Luffy. He's currently training with Silvers Rayleigh on an unknown island!"
"Rayleigh? Just as I guessed. Thank you! And the one who used thunder… No, I heard Perona mention your name—Victor, right? Thank you!"
Zoro finally relaxed. Now he could train without worry.
Victor merely nodded at Zoro, ignoring him. It was indeed impossible to poach Zoro from Luffy, but the "attempt" had been completed, advancing Task (Three).
Moreover, Victor's true target wasn't Zoro—his real goal was someone else.
"Victor! What are you doing here? Are you here to continue that unfinished duel?"
Hawkeye Mihawk fixed his sharp yellow eyes on Victor. He had not expected him to appear here.
In Hawkeye's mind, there was only one reason this man—who had once amazed the world at Marineford—would show up: to continue their interrupted duel, halted previously by Whitebeard.
"Duel?!" Victor was stunned.
Duel? I had only spoken briefly with you—where did I mention a duel?
Could this Hawkeye be some kind of PK maniac?!
Still, Victor vaguely recalled that Hawkeye had been summoned to the top war mainly to test his strength against the Four Emperors, particularly Whitebeard Edward Newgate.
During the Battle of Marineford, Hawkeye had indeed unleashed the world's most powerful slash at Whitebeard, only to be blocked by Jozu, captain of Whitebeard's Third Division.
Additionally, before Red-Haired Shanks lost his arm, Hawkeye often challenged him to duels. It seemed dueling strong opponents was Hawkeye's hobby.
[Ding! Select trigger!]
[Choose 1: Deny and refuse the duel with the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, and return to Titanic X to proceed to your next destination. Reward: One homemade mine! (Specialized for destroying ships!)]
[Choose 2: Agree to fight the unfinished duel with Hawkeye Mihawk while also trying to find a way to invite him to join the pirate group. Reward: Great Blade Twenty-One Skills: Blood Cry (obtained if Hawkeye agrees to join); Supreme Swordsman-level swordsmanship (obtained if Hawkeye officially joins the ship!)]
[Choose 3: Abduct pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro and Ghost Princess Perona from Hawkeye Mihawk's presence and try to recruit them to the pirate group. Reward: Supreme Swordsman-level swordsmanship; Horror Puppet Exhibition Hall (unlocked on Titanic X!)]
After the Dali Pill incident, Victor never underestimated system rewards.
He guessed the homemade mine in Option 1 would be powerful—but it contradicted his mission plan, and the reward was weaker than the other two options.
Beyond that, gaining Supreme Swordsman-level swordsmanship was a massive temptation.
Even without the Thunder Fruit or Haki, he could potentially compete with Hawkeye using swordsmanship alone.
Of course, Option 3's rewards had nothing to do with Perona, but his primary goal was to recruit Hawkeye, not Zoro. Forcing Zoro wouldn't work, so targeting Hawkeye was more strategic.
Victor decided on Option 2.
"What's wrong, Thunder God Victor?! Aren't you here to fight me???" Hawkeye pressed.
Calm on the surface, he secretly yearned for battle. The black sword, Yoru, hanging behind him, began to hum slightly.
"Duel! Of course we'll duel! Last time, Whitebeard interrupted our fight. I'm sure you were as unhappy as I was! But don't call me Thunder God—this code name really doesn't suit me!"
"As expected, you are indeed extraordinary, Victor!"
Hawkeye finally got the answer he wanted and revealed his fighting spirit. He didn't seek ordinary battles—only the strong could challenge him.
Victor had impressed Hawkeye during Marineford. He had fought admirals and helped destroy Navy Headquarters.
This super rookie, with a bounty of 2.1 billion berries, met every expectation of strength.
Hawkeye drew the black sword, Yoru, first.
Zoro's eyes widened in shock. He had fought Hawkeye before and knew the meaning of drawing Yoru first: absolute respect—and even fear—for the opponent.
Against ordinary enemies, Hawkeye often used the cross knife hanging around his neck. This choice signified Victor's exceptional strength.
"Roronoa! Watch carefully. This battle will benefit your training. Though he is of the same generation as you and Straw Hat Luffy, his strength far exceeds yours. Observe the gap, then begin your own training!"
Before the duel began, Hawkeye specifically instructed Zoro.
Victor, in his hand, held the famous sword Thunderstorm(Raiu)
...
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