In terms of physical strength, Mihawk simply could not compare to Roldi.
It wasn't a matter of effort—it was reality.
Mihawk's body could be called monstrous by ordinary standards, but Roldi's dual bloodline—Mink and Giant—gave him an overwhelming advantage.
As for Haki?
They weren't even in the sa league.
Even Roldi's weakest area—Observation Haki—was already on par with Mihawk's. And Mihawk was still too young.
When it ca to Armant Haki, however, Mihawk was completely outclassed.
In swordsmanship, Roldi's Dual Sword Style was not inferior to Mihawk's current level—in fact, it was slightly stronger.
Perhaps the only area Mihawk surpassed him in was his weapon.
He wielded Yoru, one of the Twelve Supre Grade Blades (Saijō Ō Wazamono).
Roldi's Black Crow and White Dragon were rely among the 21 Great Grade Swords.
But at their level, the quality gap between blades mattered far less than the one between their wielders.
Roldyhad replaced his old swords not because they were weak—
But because he couldn't bear to stain them.
These new blades were made for battle.
In the end—
Mihawk lost.
The compounded disadvantages were too great.
Even lasting a full day and night had pushed him to his limits.
Yet his eyes remained bright.
He had learned much from Roldi's Dual Sword Style.
That alone made the defeat worthwhile.
Mihawk knelt on one knee.
Two vicious slashes crossed his chest.
Roldysheathed his swords with a grin.
"Looks like the result's clear."
He walked forward and casually picked up Yoru, which had been knocked aside.
An exceptional blade.
One worthy of Mihawk's ambition.
"You are strong. I lost."
"Take my life."
A duel between swordsn was sacred.
A vow made before battle was inviolable.
Mihawk's only regret was that he would never have the chance to refine what he had just learned.
His road toward the title of World's Greatest Swordsman—
Might end here.
"Your life? Why would I want that?"
Roldylooked genuinely confused.
Ignoring Mihawk's pride entirely, he grabbed him by the collar and hauled him to his feet.
"Because I lost."
Roldyburst out laughing.
"You foolish brat. Don't be so eager to die."
"Let that young strength of yours grow."
"As you've seen, I may be a swordsman—but my true strength lies in my fists."
"If the title of World's Greatest Swordsman were to fall to soone like —who treats swordsmanship as a secondary path—that would be a waste."
"Better that it belong to soone who truly walks the path of the blade."
He gripped Yoru by its spine and extended the hilt back to Mihawk.
"Beco my companion."
"You'll gain countless chances to challenge the strong."
"Including ."
"You will reach the summit."
"As a swordsman."
Mihawk paused.
Then, without hesitation, he accepted Yoru.
He had no reason to refuse.
Standing beside such a monster—
Challenging even stronger opponents—
This was precisely what he desired.
"Then… I look forward to your guidance, Captain Roldi."
He placed a hand over his chest and gave a formal swordsman's salute, like a knight of old.
Roldylaughed loudly.
"I guarantee this will be the best decision of your life!"
He turned toward the lbis.
"What are you waiting for?!"
"To celebrate our new companion Mihawk joining—"
"Party ti!!!"
Cheers exploded across the ship.
Wine.
at.
Barrels rolled out.
Sheen welcod Mihawk enthusiastically.
Crocodile gave a small nod of acknowledgnt.
He approved of Mihawk's strength.
But if one looked closely—
Crocodile looked slightly irritated.
"Hey, Boss."
"When this guy joins, we get a party."
"When I joined, nothing happened?"
Roldyblinked.
"…Right."
"Then we'll and that!"
"To celebrate our new companion Mihawk—and our slightly-less-new companion Crocodile—"
"Party ti!!!"
Roldyhad spent too long at sea.
He had inevitably absorbed certain pirate habits.
But feasting after victory?
That tradition dated back to his Marine days.
The Marines held banquets after great victories too.
Who taught him that?
Don't ask.
Ask the nose-picking Vice Admiral.
After the brief detour—
They returned to their base:
The Kingdom of Tia.
The sea had turned violent after the Pirate King's death.
But Tia remained stable.
Roldi's status as a New World hegemon was already recognized.
No fools dared challenge him.
And if any did—
Sheen likely fed them to the sea before word spread.
Life in Tia was simple.
Monotonous.
Yet fulfilling.
For Sheen, Crocodile, and Mihawk?
It was hell.
Because Roldydecided—
They would grow stronger.
And he was once the First Deputy Chief Instructor of the Marine Headquarters Recruit Training Camp.
Did he actually teach much back then?
Irrelevant.
The title still counted.
His training regin was brutal.
Even Mihawk, who considered himself battle-crazed, suffered.
Who fights ten full-scale battles in a single month?
Each battle lasting two full days and nights?
Swordsmanship was not enough.
Haki training was mandatory.
Of the three:
Crocodile possessed Conqueror's Haki.
But his Armant and Observation were the weakest.
Roldyfollowed the most primitive—
And most effective—
thod of Haki growth:
Getting beaten senseless.
Repeated, rciless sparring.
All three improved rapidly.
Once—
Roldybeca so engrossed in combat—
He forgot it was a full moon.
Mid-battle, Mihawk sensed sothing wrong.
Roldi's aura changed.
His slashes carried murderous ferocity.
If Mihawk hadn't been strong enough—
He would have been torn apart.
Even so, he barely survived.
But in that desperate mont—
Mihawk awakened Conqueror's Haki.
And just like that—
Five years passed quietly.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comnt!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon/Sagamaster789
User Comments
0 comments from readers