New World, Navy G-1 Base
"Admiral Aokiji, why are you still sleeping? The agreed time is almost here! Please prepare carefully!"
A navy soldier found Admiral Aokiji still asleep.
Clenching his fists, he looked extremely disappointed. Such an important matter—why wasn't Aokiji anxious?
"Ah la la! Is it already so late? Have I missed lunch already?"
Admiral Aokiji casually tossed his eye patch aside, stretching his body lazily.
"What lunch? Admiral Aokiji! This is a battle for the position of Marine Admiral! Wake up! Admiral Akainu has already left for Punk Hazard!"
"Ah, Sakazuki's gone already? That fits his character. He believes in absolute justice, right?"
A hint of coldness flashed in Aokiji's lazy eyes. The upcoming showdown with Akainu would determine the Navy's future.
"I understand. I'll take it seriously. Where's Borsalino?"
"Admiral Kizaru? He left two days ago on a mission—supposedly to escort an important Celestial Dragon."
"Ah, so he's avoiding this mess, as usual. Escorting Celestial Dragons, huh?"
Aokiji smiled helplessly. Kizaru always excelled at taking advantage of situations.
During the Battle of Marineford, the Navy failed to execute Ace, the posthumous son of Pirate King Gol D. Roger.
Even Navy Headquarters was destroyed, making the Navy a laughingstock across the seas.
After the aftermath, Admiral Sengoku resigned.
Of the three admirals eligible to take over, only Akainu and Aokiji competed, while Kizaru voluntarily gave up.
The battle between the two admirals for the title of Grand Admiral would take place on Punk Hazard—a clash that could redefine the Navy and the concept of justice itself.
Grand Line, Kraikana Island
Pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro and ghost princess Perona stared at the two in front of them, not wanting to miss a moment of the action.
The duel between super rookie Thunder God Victor, bounty 2.1 billion, and the world's number one swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, was about to begin.
Zoro observed intently, hoping to gain insights to improve his own swordsmanship.
Perona, floating with her burgundy umbrella, simply wanted to watch two annoying men fight—ideally until they were both beaten!
Dark Wind Loli cursed in her heart.
"Hawkeye, an ordinary duel is too boring. It doesn't suit your status as the world's number one swordsman! We should set up a prize—that way it'll be more interesting!" Victor smiled sinisterly.
He had been planning how to trick Hawkeye onto his ship. Subduing the world's greatest swordsman wouldn't be easy, but he had a preliminary plan.
"Bet? What bet?" Hawkeye held his black sword Night, alert and cold. Could Victor have come here for another purpose?
"Hahaha, don't worry, Hawkeye! I have no ulterior motives. The prize is simple: if I win, you buy me a drink. If you win, I'll buy you a drink. Plenty of wine, and we don't leave until we're drunk!"
Hawkeye's vigilance noticeably dropped.
Victor thought: Hawkeye, as the world's number one swordsman, is powerful and clever. If I presented the prize as a typical "loser obeys winner" bet, it would trigger his distrust or even make him attack me outright.
Instead, treating the prize as a friendly drinking challenge eliminates suspicion and brings us closer—perfect for tricking Hawkeye into joining later.
This is a tactical detour!
"What if it's a draw?" Hawkeye asked.
Victor grinned. Hawkeye's initiative confirmed the plan was working perfectly.
"It's a draw? Of course it's your treat!"
"Why?"
Hawkeye blinked, confused. Shouldn't the reward be split equally?
"Because this is your territory. Why not come with me to Amazon Lily?"
Victor acted casually, as if it were obvious. Hawkeye accepted the premise—that the "prize" was just a drink.
"Amazon Lily? The country of Pirate Queen Boa Hancock? Men aren't allowed in there!"
"Boa Hancock, the Emperss of Amazon Lily, is my wife! Naturally, this is my home. Anyone I permit can enter."
Hawkeye Mihawk: …
Roronoa Zoro: …Amazon Lily? Really?
"Hey, hey! Are you two going to start fighting or what? Talking about drinking instead! Men are no fun! If you don't fight, I'll go back to playing with dolls!"
Perona floated angrily above them. Neither man had moved, and the feeling of stalling was maddening.
"Ghost girl, you come and be our witness. The loser buys the winner a drink!" Hawkeye instructed Perona.
Victor thought: The fish has taken the bait!
"Hey! Ordering people again! No! Ordering me!" Perona scowled at Hawkeye.
But no one responded—because the duel had begun.
Swish!
Hawkeye swung the black sword Night. A world-class slash, like a bright moon rising, cut toward Victor.
Rumble!
Swish!
Thunder rumbled, lightning exploded.
Thunder overflowed from Victor's body, transmitting into the blade of his sword, Lei Yu.
Thunder x Swordsmanship: Thunder Slash
A slash wrapped in lightning cut through the air, meeting the world's number one swordsman's attack.
Buzz! Boom! Sizzle!
The world's greatest slash collided with the thunder slash.
A violent wind, accompanied by thunder and lightning, erupted.
Moments later, both slashes were knocked high into the sky, flashing dazzling light before disappearing.
The impact forced Zoro and Perona to retreat hastily.
Is this really the battle between the world's number one swordsman and a super rookie with a 2.1 billion bounty?!
Zoro shouted, "Fuck! I'll be this strong in two years! Come on, Luffy! Chopper! Nami! Robin! Idiot cook… everyone!"