It's Been a Long Time
The air in the hall seemed to freeze, a deathly silence spreading between the torchlight and shadows.
Just as everyone was still holding their breath in lingering fear, Lafitte walked out calmly, tapping his cane lightly on the stone ground, his voice elegant. "Hehehe... I hope everyone understands what the captain means."
"Now that the rules have been set, they must be followed."
"But we should all learn to understand the captain's anger."
He gave a slight bow, offering Teach a way out, and a smooth yet meaningful line fell into everyone's ears, seemingly softening the atmosphere from before.
Van Augur's cold gaze swept across the room, his chilling comment further lowering the temperature. "However—the facts speak for themselves, he did attack the civilian cargo ship."
"The navy may not stand idly by. We must be prepared."
Beside him stood Jesus Burgess, his muscles bulging, his chest even more imposing than two years ago; the power of the 'Island-Island Fruit' made him like a moving mountain of steel.
He thumped his chest and shouted arrogantly, "Wow! Boss, you're overthinking it! We're now the third largest power on the seas!!"
"It's just the plundering of a small cargo ship; the navy wouldn't bother us for that!"
Doc Q remained half-paralyzed on the sick horse, swaying, and coughed weakly twice, but also slowly echoed in a hoarse voice:
"Cough... Indeed, Jesus Burgess is right... The Navy... doesn't have that much free time..."
Teach narrowed his eyes, his gaze slowly sweeping over the arrogant faces and confident postures below.
In his eyes, these cadres who once followed him now had a more confident look in their eyes, even an inflated arrogance.
He sighed inwardly, "It seems their rapid development over the past two years... has made them too arrogant."
But on the surface, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed wildly, the sound of which shook the hall.
"Thief—haha—! Of course!!" He opened his arms as if embracing the glory.
His tone shifted abruptly, his smile hardening, a cold glint Flash in his eyes. "But once the rules are established, they must be followed."
His voice was low, carrying an unyielding threat, "Otherwise—"
Before he could finish speaking, the ground beneath his feet began to churn, and black mud crawled between the stone bricks, as if it could devour his heart at any moment.
Teach's gaze turned cold and sharp, his grin hardening into Razor: "Don't blame me for burying you all myself."
This sentence instantly extinguished all the frivolity and wishful thinking. Everyone in the hall was filled with fear, nodding and turning pale.
They knew all too well that it was not just empty talk.
Over the past two years, countless enemies and traitors have been buried alive by Teach using the power of the Swamp. The suffocation and horrific scenes of being submerged in mud before their deaths are still deeply etched in their memories.
The air was thick with oppressive tension until Teach waved his hand.
"Let's call it a day."
As if granted a pardon, the group hurriedly bowed and took their leave, their footsteps faltering as they vanished into the depths of the stone corridor in an instant.
Only Van Augur remained in place, standing coldly at the edge of the firelight.
Only the two remained in the hall, the flames crackling and casting their shadows long and menacing.
Teach slowly sat back in the Head Seat, his fingers tapping the armrest with a dull and oppressive rhythm.
He spoke in a low voice, "You've noticed it too, haven't you...?"
Van Augur's expression was stern, and he nodded slightly. "Ah... they've become arrogant."
These few words, though brief, are like a blade slicing through the air.
Teach slightly raised his eyes, his gaze deep and his voice hoarse and low. "Although I have already developed the power of the two fruits... to this extent."
His fingertips slowly clenched, and his knuckles made a slight clicking sound.
"But—just thinking about that man..."
The smile faded from Teach's lips, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "In my heart... I still feel only a deep sense of powerlessness."
These words caused Van Auger's expression to change, revealing a hint of surprise.
Two years have passed, but the shadow in the captain's heart has not yet dissipated?
In the firelight, Teach lowered his head, his face obscured by shadow. "Recently..."
He lowered his voice. "Increase patrols in the waters near the islands."
"I have a feeling—" He slowly raised his head, his eyes as cold as a venomous snake, "That the Navy won't let this opportunity to suppress us slip by."
Van Augur met his gaze and replied coldly, "Understood."
Kuraigana Island - Night
The wind howled, and the ancient Castle still stood proudly alone in the wilderness.
Mihawk had just sat down at the table, the flickering candlelight illuminating his stern face.
Perona floated over, placed a glass of red wine in front of him, and said with a hint of teasing, "What's wrong? Those two kids just left, and you're already looking so forlorn?"
Mihawk took the glass, sipped it, his eyes as calm as a still well. "It's nothing... I'm just a little unaccustomed to it all at once."
Perona chuckled upon hearing this, raising her hand to cover her mouth. "Isn't that obvious? There aren't many swordsmen who can fight you to a standstill."
For the past two years, Zoro and Kuina have been almost constantly on this island.
The sound of swords clashing never ceased day and night, and sparks and sword energy soared into the sky during the fierce battle.
Engaging in fierce battles and training day and night, the two took turns challenging Mihawk, their swords flashing across the island without ceasing.
Kuina has fully integrated her Devil Fruit powers into her Frost Moon Swordsmanship, creating her own unique sword techniques;
With the support of the three swords in Wano Country, Zoro steadily approached the threshold of becoming the "World's Greatest Swordsman" through endless sparring and pressure.
Mihawk recalled the sharp glint in their eyes, and a smile crept onto his lips, "This kind of world... is interesting."
Perona paused, then crossed her arms, looked away, and muttered, "Hmph... tsundere."
However, the lighthearted atmosphere abruptly ended.
Mihawk raised an eyebrow, flicked his finger, and the wine glass made a crisp sound.
A familiar yet unfamiliar aura slowly enveloped the island as I stepped onto its shores.
Mihawk's Observation Haki spread out, and the next instant, his pupils contracted slightly. "... It was him?"
Without hesitation, he shouldered "Night," his cloak Hunting Roar in the wind, and strode toward the Harbor.
Perona was stunned for a moment upon seeing this, then quickly floated after her. "Hey! What's wrong with you?!"
The night wind grew stronger, and the waves crashed against the reefs.
As the two reached the Harbor, the torchlight illuminated their figures.
Perona's eyes widened instantly, she covered her mouth with both hands, and almost screamed, "No way...!!"
Mihawk stared intently at the man, his eyes blazing with a fighting spirit he hadn't felt in years.
That person had both hands intact.
He held a long sword in his left hand and slowly raised it. The blade reflected the moonlight, and even before he unleashed his sword energy, its sharpness was already enough to Sky Splitter.
For the first time in many years, Mihawk's chest heaved rapidly, and a suppressed voice escaped his lips:
"... It's been a long time."
He murmured softly, his voice seemingly suppressing some uncontrollable desire.
Perona, standing behind him, felt that at this moment, Mihawk was like a sleeping beast suddenly opening its eyes, its aura so sharp it was suffocating.
Above the Harbor, the invisible fighting spirit among the swordsmen ignited the entire night.