Mihawk

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Dracule Mihawk (米霍克) 53
Alias(es)	Hawk Eyes; Little Hawk, Austin’s nickname for him 99 333
Gender	Male 54
Age	19 during his early duel with Austin; 24 during his duel with Rayleigh 55 156
Affiliation	Formerly Austin’s crew and the Shichibukai; later Cross Guild 99 227 557
Occupation/Role	Swordsman; Austin’s second-in-command, known as the Black Emperor’s “King’s First Mate”; Cross Guild co-founder 167 261 557
Title	World’s Greatest Swordsman, also called the World’s Strongest Swordsman 274 325
Bounty	4,138,000,000 Belly 557
Status	Alive; active in Cross Guild during its Impel Down operation 612
First Appearance	Mentioned as Hawk Eyes in Chapter 3; first directly shown in Chapter 53 3 53

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Young Great Swordsman	53 55	At 19, matches Austin when the latter restricts himself to swordsmanship and two types of Haki. Their duel lasts three days and three nights.
Full-power breakthrough in battle	101	While protecting the wounded Austin, unleashes a thousand-meter emerald slash threaded with black-and-red lightning, severely injuring King despite his Beast Form and Lunarian defenses.
Confirmed master of three types of Haki	107	His wanted poster identifies him as a Great Swordsman with mastery of all three Haki types.
Conqueror’s Haki Infusion mastered	129	Enters a spar with Austin believing this achievement will close their gap, only to discover that Austin’s Conqueror’s Haki remains substantially stronger.
Admiral-level threshold	156	At 24, reaches the threshold of an Admiral through swordsmanship and Haki; challenges Rayleigh with Conqueror’s Haki coating Yoru.
Rapid technical refinement	157	Rayleigh’s instruction accelerates his swordsmanship and combat awareness. He integrates the strengths of different schools and learns to neutralize attacks through subtle force and blade resilience.
Superior to Austin in pure swordsmanship	164	Austin concedes their swordsmanship-only duel after a few exchanges. His stronger Conqueror’s Haki still gives him the advantage in unrestricted combat.
World’s Greatest Swordsman — established title	260 274	Publicly recognized as the pinnacle of swordsmen; Austin explicitly identifies him as the current titleholder.

Background / History

Pursuit of Austin

Mihawk first pursues Austin after witnessing his sky-splitting sword energy. Having missed him at Loguetown, he heads for Sabaody Archipelago, convinced that testing himself against Roger and Rayleigh’s successor will advance his ambition to become the World’s Greatest Swordsman 53.

He waits outside Sabaody’s red-light district for several days before issuing his challenge. Austin makes joining him a condition of the encounter and transports them to a remote island. Their ensuing sword duel lasts three days and three nights, with Austin abstaining from his Devil Fruit powers 54 55.

Mihawk subsequently travels aboard the Oro Jackson with Austin. Their partnership quickly develops a practical imbalance: Mihawk points out that the two of them cannot efficiently sail the ship to Ohara while Austin spends his time fishing 59.

Service as the Black Emperor’s Deputy

By the confrontation with the Beasts Pirates, Mihawk is recognized as Austin’s deputy. He fights King, then abandons their duel to protect Austin after Kaido and Big Mom’s combined attack leaves him gravely injured. His intervention forces the Emperors to respond and leaves King heavily wounded 99 101.

After traveling the seas and challenging swordsmen, Mihawk seeks a formal duel with Rayleigh. Rayleigh recognizes his exceptional talent and turns their battle into instruction, helping him rapidly refine his techniques 155 156 157.

Mihawk initially resists joining the Shichibukai: Austin’s influence already lets him travel freely, making the position’s legal privileges less valuable to him. Rayleigh nevertheless argues that the office would facilitate his search for worthy opponents. Mihawk is later explicitly shown serving as a Shichibukai 161 227.

Austin eventually acknowledges Mihawk’s superiority in pure swordsmanship and recommends Shanks as another opponent. Mihawk seeks out Shanks and challenges him; their duel demonstrates Mihawk’s advantage in sword energy, though Austin considers the outcome of an unrestricted fight uncertain 164 167 168 170.

During a later defense of Dressrosa, Mihawk honors his promise to protect Austin’s territory. He cuts apart Kaido’s dragon flames and fights his Dragon Human form, leaving a permanent scar on the Emperor’s chest 261.

Encounters with the Straw Hats

While searching for Austin, Mihawk destroys Crick’s fleet after its pirates mock his tiny boat and use of a sword as an oar. He pursues them from the Grand Line to the East Blue, prolonging the chase to relieve his boredom 325.

At the Baratie, Zoro challenges him and reveals that Austin gave him Nether Crow and taught him swordsmanship. Mihawk initially counters him with a small knife, but Zoro’s refusal to retreat earns his respect. He draws Yoru, defeats Zoro, spares his life, and urges him to see the world and grow stronger 326 327.

Mihawk reunites with Austin and accompanies him through Loguetown, where he easily wounds Smoker and breaks his Seastone jitte. He later assists with the CP0 investigation into Austin’s secret experiments and reports the results of a Marine Headquarters meeting to him 327 333 340 356.

During the Summit War, Mihawk pursues Luffy until Crocodile explains that rescuing Ace is Austin’s intention. Later, he prevents Beckman from interfering in Austin’s confrontation with Shanks. After the war, Zoro lives with Mihawk and Perona while concentrating on swordsmanship and Haki practice 393 399 416 423.

Cross Guild

After leaving Austin’s side and enjoying a period of retirement, Mihawk considers Crocodile’s proposal to establish a new organization. They found Cross Guild, only for Buggy’s followers to publish a poster portraying Buggy as their leader 546 557.

Although angered by the arrangement, Mihawk proposes retaining Buggy as a figurehead. He has no intention of becoming an Emperor himself and prioritizes a peaceful life. His continued daily sword practice contrasts with Buggy’s public leadership duties 557 558.

Cross Guild later travels to Elegia to rescue Austin from the Song Song World. Mihawk drives Kizaru back when the Admiral proposes killing Uta to trap Austin permanently. When Austin’s instinct-driven body begins attacking indiscriminately, Mihawk and Shanks cooperate to confront him 594 595.

During Cross Guild’s Impel Down operation, Mihawk cuts through highly pure Seastone, battles Magellan, and ultimately leaves him defeated. He also stops Doflamingo from attacking Buggy, recognizing the clown’s importance both to their followers and to their relationship with Austin 610 611 612.

Later Depiction of His Youth

Chapters 668–669 portray a young Mihawk confronting Austin under the latter’s Black Dragon identity. Mihawk already dislikes the Marines because of unspecified unpleasant experiences and is described as later taking the path of a Marine Hunter 668.

Offended by Austin’s claim to have studied swordsmanship for only a few days, Mihawk attacks at full strength. Austin’s overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki-infused slash defeats him, but Mihawk smiles at discovering another formidable obstacle to overcome 668 669.

Appearance

• Eyes: Sharp, hawk-like eyes are his defining feature; his Den Den Mushi reproduces their distinctive appearance 54 161 356.
• Hair and complexion: Neat, short black hair and a fair, handsome face 62 170.
• Clothing: Seen in white shirts, a red floral shirt, a golden-trimmed robe, and a wide-brimmed hat with a cape 62 129 170 327.
• Weapon carriage: Commonly carries the large Black Blade Yoru on his back 167 327.

Personality

Mihawk’s youth is marked by intense ambition rather than the composure he later displays. He openly declares his intention to defeat every swordsman and achieve the world’s greatest swordsmanship. Powerful opponents excite him; against Rayleigh, his hands tremble from anticipation rather than fear 54 156 167.

His aloofness does not erase his respect for determination. Zoro becomes more than Austin’s pupil in his eyes when he chooses death over retreat. Mihawk likewise welcomes defeat if it proves that higher peaks remain, fearing the absence of worthy rivals more than strong opponents 327 669.

He is deeply loyal to Austin but frequently irritated by his teasing, recklessness, and habit of delegating work. Even after founding an independent organization, he intervenes immediately against an attempt to eliminate Austin 104 329 595.

After attaining his title, Mihawk becomes less certain about his next goal. He considers finding somewhere no outside force can disturb him, and later explicitly rejects becoming an Emperor in favor of peace. This preference does not stop him from practicing swordsmanship every day 329 557 558.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

• Large-scale cutting power: His emerald sword energy cleaves mountains, buildings, ships, and dragon flames 99 156 261 325.
• Rapid attacks: Can unleash hundreds of slashes in an instant 157 668.
• Technical defense: Uses subtle strength and his blade’s resilience to neutralize incoming attacks 157.
• Small Blade Style: Identified as the founder of this style; overwhelms Zoro’s attacks with a small knife 53 326.
• Precision: Peels airborne oranges and removes their white pith without damaging the flesh 173.
• Technique recognition: Detects traces of Austin’s teachings in Zoro’s movements and recognizes Shanks’s slashes during the Elegia battle 327 594.
• Limits: King’s defenses initially withstand an Armament-enhanced strike. Austin’s superior Haki and raw power can overcome Mihawk despite his technical advantage 99 164 669.

Haki

• Armament Haki: Coats Yoru and strengthens his cuts; used throughout his early duel with Austin 55 99.
• Observation Haki: Included in his confirmed mastery of all three Haki types; notices involuntary movements produced by fear 107 261.
• Conqueror’s Haki: Clashes with Rayleigh’s overwhelming presence without surrendering his fighting spirit 156.
• Conqueror’s Haki Infusion: Wraps Yoru in black-and-red lightning, enhances his slashes, and enables him to cut highly pure Seastone 129 156 610.
• Against Logia users: Wounds Smoker despite elemental transformation and drives Kizaru back with a lightning-laced slash 333 595.

Practical Skills

• Cooking: Prepares vegetables and enforces a “no dessert before dinner” rule while caring for a young girl 308.
• Seamanship: Travels independently in a small coffin-shaped boat, sometimes rowing with Yoru 53 311 356.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black Blade Yoru — One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords and Mihawk’s principal weapon. It later displays eyes and responds to his fighting spirit; Austin previously asked Big Mom to bestow a soul upon it 97 156 261.
• Small knife — Used to test Zoro at the Baratie, demonstrating the enormous difference in their skill 326.
• Coffin-shaped boat — His personal vessel for solitary travel across the seas 311 356.
• Den Den Mushi — Used to communicate with Austin and Sammy 161 356.

Relationships

• Dotol Austin — Former captain, trusted companion, and enduring rival. Mihawk protects both him and his territory, while Austin remains a challenge beyond Mihawk’s pure swordsmanship title 101 164 261 595.
• Silvers Rayleigh — Respected opponent and mentor who helps refine his swordsmanship and encourages him to consider the Shichibukai position 155 157 161.
• Shanks — A valued swordsmanship rival introduced through Austin. Mihawk regrets losing a sparring partner after Shanks loses an arm 164 170 311.
• Roronoa Zoro — Challenger whose resolve earns his respect; later resides with him while practicing swordsmanship and Haki 327 423.
• Crocodile — Longtime crewmate and Cross Guild co-founder. Their familiarity supports close cooperation during the Impel Down breakout 546 557 611.
• Buggy — Initially dismisses him, then accepts him as Cross Guild’s useful public figurehead. Protects him when Doflamingo threatens their internal arrangement 172 557 612.
• Doflamingo — Fellow associate of Austin whom Mihawk protects from Kaido; later joins him in Cross Guild 261 612.
• Perona — Shares castle life with Mihawk and Zoro after the Summit War 423.

Bounty History

Bounty	Chapter	Context
3,318,000,000 Belly	107	Issued after the Whole Cake Island battle; highlights his swordsmanship talent and mastery of three Haki types.
4,138,000,000 Belly	557	Announced during the Marine meeting discussing Cross Guild and major pirate bounties.

Notable Quotes

“To defeat you! I am the man who will become the World’s Greatest Swordsman!!!” 54

“Since I promised Austin, no one can touch the Black Emperor’s territory.” 261

“I just want a peaceful life.” 557

“If you intend to eliminate Austin this way, you’ll have to survive my blade first.” 595

Trivia

• Austin’s concern about being constantly challenged by Hawk Eyes helps persuade him to specialize in marksmanship rather than pursue the World’s Greatest Swordsman title 3.
• Mihawk does not normally announce his attacks, much to Austin’s annoyance during their early duel 55.
• Despite usually avoiding sweet drinks, he admits that the orange juice prepared with Austin tastes unexpectedly good 173.
• His obsession extends to food: he evaluates a chef’s knife work as evidence of potential swordsmanship ability before tasting the dish 331.