Just as Can Yue turned to leave, he suddenly felt a weight on his body.
Hawk Eyes had pressed a hand onto his shoulder.
Hawk Eyes looked conflicted, as if he found it difficult to speak.
"Could you... carry me to land or onto a ship?"
The moment Can Yue heard that, goosebumps rose all over his body.
What the hell? Carry you? I can't accept that at all.
Before and after coming to this world, Can Yue had never had such intimate physical contact with anyone.
Especially not with a middle-aged man.
The image of himself carrying Hawk Eyes flashed through his mind, making Can Yue feel discomfort all over. He instantly leaped three meters away.
Hawk Eyes was equally embarrassed, his expression stiffening.
"It can't be helped. You destroyed my compass, Log Pose, and ship. Besides, I can't fly."
After all, Baratie stood in the middle of the sea between nearby islands, and even the closest island was nearly a hundred kilometers away.
If Hawk Eyes flew by repeatedly using his sword to shake the air, he might exhaust himself to death before finding an island.
Swimming would be no different. Without navigation, who knew where he would end up?
The atmosphere was extremely strange. At first, it had been mutual admiration between strong men, so how had it suddenly become so awkward?
Both men were proud and unwilling to have excessive contact with others.
But when a problem arose, and there was only one solution...
They were deadlocked.
A thousand meters away from the center of the explosion, in another direction.
Luffy and the others grew increasingly anxious.
In the end, with Zephyr and Luffy jointly deciding, the Baratie sailed toward the battlefield.
"This makes no sense. How could those two suddenly disappear?"
Sanji could not figure it out.
In his eyes, with their strength, it was impossible for them to perish together in an explosion like that.
Just as everyone was anxiously waiting.
They suddenly saw a strange figure flying through the sky.
Luffy focused his eyes. "That should be Can Yue, right?"
"Hiss, is that Hawk Eyes he's dragging in his hand?"
"The strongest Hawk Eyes is being carried over by Can Yue?"
Very soon, Can Yue and Hawk Eyes landed on the Baratie.
Hawk Eyes glared resentfully at Can Yue.
Fine, he refused to carry him. But what was the meaning of dragging him over like a dog?
And he had not even been willing to find an uninhabited island.
Instead, he had landed openly in front of a whole crowd.
Where was the world's greatest swordsman supposed to put his pride?
What? Did he not care about his dignity?
At that thought, Hawk Eyes was so embarrassed that he wanted to fight Can Yue to the death.
After setting Hawk Eyes down, Can Yue's face stiffened. Without looking back, he ran off to wash his hands.
Just dragging Hawk Eyes through the air for that short distance had already made Can Yue unbearably uncomfortable. Taking him to a farther island? Dream on.
If Hawk Eyes's little boat had not been cut apart by him, Can Yue would never have flown while carrying Hawk Eyes.
The people on the Baratie watched this scene with shock, confusion, and a hint of teasing.
"Pfft, those two expressions are hilarious." Usopp could not hold it in.
But after that snicker, Usopp was locked onto by two bone-chilling killing intents. His face instantly went pale, and he did not dare say another word.
The others on the Baratie desperately held back their laughter, using deep breathing to calm themselves.
Later, once everyone learned what had just happened, their freshly calmed hearts instantly broke again.
Luffy was especially outrageous.
He rolled around on the floor, laughing wildly.
"Hahahaha, Can Yue, you're so funny when you get embarrassed! Pwahahaha!"
In the end, before everyone's delighted eyes, Luffy turned into a giant swollen pig head.
The atmosphere gradually returned to normal.
The conflict had ended.
The Straw Hat Crew had helped Baratie deal with the Krieg Pirates.
Everyone had also learned that Hawk Eyes had shown Zoro mercy.
The crisis was over, and the misunderstanding had been cleared up.
At the chefs' invitation, everyone entered the dining hall and took their seats.
At Luffy's call, the feast finally began.
Hawk Eyes did not refuse. His dignity had already been thoroughly trampled, so it would be far too much of a loss if he did not at least enjoy a good meal.
The feast began.
The fragrance of wine filled the air, intoxicating everyone, while platters of fresh fish offered endless flavor.
The unconscious Zoro was instantly awakened by the scent of alcohol.
The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Hawk Eyes cutting a steak with a small knife.
"Huh? What's going on?"
While drinking heavily, the bewildered Zoro learned the entire story from Usopp.
After a moment of silence, Zoro slowly looked at Can Yue, who was feeding Chouchou bones, his gaze complicated.
Letting out a sigh, Zoro gathered his courage and shouted.
"Can Yue, Luffy. I'm sorry!" After saying that, Zoro fell silent.
"Enjoy the feast," Can Yue replied calmly, making Zoro beam with joy as he buried his head in his drink.
But he might not have known what he would experience over the next few days.
"Hey, green-haired swordsman. I have something to ask you."
After serving the food and drinks, Sanji lit a cigarette and sat beside Zoro.
"What is it?" Zoro did not give this irritating-looking cook a pleasant expression. He glanced at him before continuing to drink.
Sanji had wanted to ask why Zoro was willing to give up his life for his dream, but seeing Zoro's attitude, he instantly flew into a rage.
"What kind of look is that? Want to fight?" Sanji roared, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Then let's fight. Come on!" Zoro refused to back down.
The boisterous feast did not finally end until midnight.
Can Yue, Hawk Eyes, and Zoro stood on Baratie's rooftop.
Hawk Eyes spoke first. "Zoro, while I admire your courage to face death, I do not approve of your willingness to throw your life away."
"If you had encountered someone other than me, you would have become a complete loser who ran from reality."
Zoro had realized that as well, which was why he had apologized to Can Yue and Luffy before the feast began.
Even now, Zoro felt deeply guilty. Today, he had acted so willfully for the sake of his oath. If Hawk Eyes had not appreciated his talent, he would undoubtedly have died.
He would even have dragged Can Yue, Luffy, and the others into avenging him.
The way he had spread his arms and embraced death.
Could be described as: full of hot-blooded passion, yet also reckless and youthful, lacking composure and thought.
At that moment, he drew his sword and looked at Can Yue and Hawk Eyes.
"I will live until the day I surpass both of you."
The two merely smiled without speaking.
A moment later.
Can Yue walked to the edge of the rooftop, raised his head toward the bright moon, and softly said, "It's good that you've grown."
The next day, Hawk Eyes borrowed a small boat from Baratie. After bidding everyone farewell, he sailed toward the Grand Line.
Before leaving, he specifically told Luffy, "I hope you don't disgrace that hat."
The moment Luffy heard that, he immediately understood. Hawk Eyes and Shanks must have known each other, and he instantly felt a little friendlier toward Hawk Eyes.
Watching Hawk Eyes gradually sail away, Can Yue recalled how it had felt to spar with him.
His will is firm, and his sword heart is steady. He is quite tolerant toward younger people he appreciates. Throughout the entire battle, he had no killing intent.
A moment later, Can Yue turned to Luffy and asked, "Leaving?"
Luffy stood there silently for a moment before saying in disappointment, "Yeah, it's time to go."
At yesterday's feast, Luffy and the others had learned about Sanji's past from Zephyr.
They had all been moved by the profound father-son bond between Sanji and Zephyr.
Zephyr had asked them to take Sanji out to sea, allowing him to escape Baratie's shackles and strive to pursue his dream.
That perfectly matched Luffy's own thoughts, but despite repeatedly inviting Sanji, Luffy had been refused every time.
Now, Luffy no longer wanted to force him and planned to leave.
As Luffy passed by Sanji, who was smoking with his head lowered, Sanji suddenly said those words.
"Let me be the cook on this ship."
Upon hearing that, everyone in the Straw Hat Crew wore wonderful expressions, except Can Yue.
Luffy shouted excitedly, "That's great! Hahaha!"
Nami was also exceptionally happy. "We'll get to eat delicious food from now on."
Usopp began dancing with joy. He should finally be able to escape the life of hunting birds every day just to gather ingredients.
Even Chouchou barked excitedly.
Overjoyed, Luffy casually carried a huge pile of meat out of Baratie's dining hall and placed it in the Merry's kitchen.
Without a thought for the twitching faces of Zephyr and the other chefs.
Finally, as Sanji knelt and kowtowed to Zephyr, the Merry set off toward Cocoyasi Village.
Before you continue