Mihawk had, of course, already recognized Gecko Moria. That sudden slash earlier was simply a warning—telling Moria to get lost.
Seeing that Moria got the ssage and promptly retreated into Thriller Bark, Mihawk nodded in satisfaction, sheathed his Black Blade, and continued speeding toward the port.
The obstacle had been cleared.
What remained… was a long-awaited battle against a worthy opponent!
"Hm?!"
Suddenly, Mihawk—who had been completely focused on reaching the port—abruptly turned his head and looked back toward the waters where Thriller Bark had been monts ago.
"Wah… help!!!"
Although Thriller Bark had already drifted far away, several figures were left struggling in the sea.
Clearly, they were unlucky souls who had fallen overboard when the front gate was destroyed.
If they were just ordinary victims, Mihawk wouldn't have cared.
But that cry for help… was different.
Even though he was eager for battle, Mihawk changed course without hesitation and sped toward that area.
"H-help…"
As his coffin boat entered the waters, a small figure imdiately ca into view. Though it was night, the bright moonlight—and Mihawk's exceptional eyesight—allowed him to recognize at a glance that it was a young girl, around twelve or thirteen years old.
"Waaah…"
The girl had reached her limit. Before Mihawk could fully arrive, she lost her grip on the floating debris and began to sink.
Seeing this, Mihawk acted instantly. He leapt forward, grabbed her, and tossed her onto his coffin boat.
anwhile, aboard Thriller Bark—
Back in his laboratory, Gecko Moria was still shaken by the terrifying slash that had co from the port.
Though he hadn't seen the attacker clearly, he could distinctly feel the aura of death contained within that strike.
If not for the distance…
If that slash hadn't hit the gate but landed on him instead…
He couldn't even imagine whether he would have survived.
At first, he thought it was Mihawk.
But after seeing Mihawk appear, he was certain—
The West Blue had produced yet another terrifying swordsman!
After all, when Mihawk bypassed Thriller Bark, he was clearly heading toward the mysterious man at the port. Soone capable of drawing out such unprecedented battle intent from Mihawk was beyond imagination.
"Huh?!"
Suddenly, Moria's eyes widened. He jumped to his feet in panic and shouted,
"Perona! Perona! Where is Perona?!"
"Master!"
Several grotesque-looking n rushed in and stamred,
"P-Perona… she seems to have… fallen into the sea…"
Hearing this, Moria froze as if struck by lightning. The scene of the gate being destroyed flashed through his mind.
At that mont—
Perona, who had been standing beside him, had been swept away by the shockwave…
"AAAAHHHHH!!!"
Moria completely lost his composure, panic overtaking him.
He had put so much effort into bringing that girl onto Thriller Bark, even giving her a newly obtained Devil Fruit. He had planned to train her into his most capable subordinate…
And now—
The one Mihawk rescued was none other than Perona.
Dressed in gothic lolita attire, with pink twin-tails, she lay quietly on the coffin boat.
Having been brought to the West Blue by Moria, she never imagined her life would take another sudden turn.
Mihawk paid her no further attention.
He could tell she had rely fainted and didn't require treatnt.
What mattered now was finishing what he had set out to do—
To go to the port and fight that mysterious swordsman!
On the deck of the Traveler—
Arashi, who had just been thinking about finding a proper weapon after his kitchen knife failed to withstand his power, never expected that the person he had in mind would appear so soon.
Robin, too, had barely relaxed when she saw Mihawk's iconic coffin boat heading straight for the port. Her nerves imdiately tightened again.
Mihawk's arrival made both of them montarily forget about Thriller Bark's departure.
For Arashi, it wasn't intentional—he was simply surprised.
He was certain Mihawk had seen that earlier strike.
In that case, there was no way Mihawk would miss this chance to challenge him.
"Mr. Arashi…"
Watching the coffin boat rapidly approach, Robin instinctively moved closer to him and asked nervously,
"That man… that's Dracule Mihawk, right?"
Arashi smiled and nodded.
"Go prepare so wine and a few dishes, Robin. We've got soone coming to freeload."
"Huh?"
Robin blinked in confusion.
Before she could react, Arashi stepped forward and waved at the approaching Mihawk.
"Hey, Mihawk! So it's you!"
Mihawk, who had already planned his opening, never expected that the powerful figure he was eager to fight—
Would turn out to be Arashi.
Although he had found the figure familiar when entering the port, Arashi's change of clothing had made him uncertain.
But now, seeing him wave so casually—
Mihawk's eyes widened as he barked,
"You?!"
"Why so surprised?"
Arashi narrowed his eyes with a grin. "Co on, now that you're here, get on board and have a drink."
"We can drink later!"
Mihawk swiftly unslung the Black Blade from his back. Raising his head, he fixed Arashi with a sharp, unwavering gaze. His hawk-like eyes surged with battle intent.
"I—Dracule Mihawk—formally challenge you!"
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