"What do I think?"
In response to Kizaru's question, Akainu immediately said in a cold voice.
"Of course I think it makes sense, because the reason I stepped into the game early and chose the numbers to add weight is because His Highness is always so reasonable!"
But now, I must tell you, unlike other bettors, I want more than just possibilities, and certainly not just simple logic and probability!
At this point, Akainu frowned and remained silent for a long time.
Fortunately, after a long time, he finally sat down again.
The table in front of him was broken and lay scattered haphazardly before him, but he didn't care.
He pondered for a moment and then spoke to Kizaru.
"You should understand, Borsalino, at this moment, I yearn to see Your Highness's actions!"
Admittedly, I seem to have been too hasty; His Highness has only been at sea for a little over a year.
However, regardless of His Highness's strength or influence, everything he controls makes him more than just a pawn like us.
Even though he's still young, he already possesses the qualities of a chess player, so I want to see him make his move!!!
Moreover, what I want to see is not his economic actions!
Indeed, His Highness has already made a few mistakes. The Vinsmoke Family's activity and large-scale breeding of Den Den Mushi indicate that His Highness has a huge need for communication.
To me, this is a good sign. Communication needs should be met first and foremost, and what usually corresponds to them is military operations.
But apart from that, Your Highness's moves in the business world make me uneasy.
While massive metal purchases may indeed be geared towards war, combined with the extensive expansion of the Sea Train, the metal trade driven by His Highness may not even be able to meet the enormous consumption of the Sea Train project!
Therefore, Borsalino, you should understand my demands, and His Highness clearly understands them very well.
I see that on Your Highness's chessboard, slow economic and political actions are being implemented steadily.
But I don't need those things, I don't need anything slow!
I want to see Your Highness's swift and decisive military actions!!!
The reason I have repeatedly made requests to Your Highness is that I do not understand Your Highness's thoughts.
After taking over Joker's arms trade, instead of expanding it, he devoted more arms to patrolling and securing the many islands Grand Line!
The Emperors of the Sea of the New World will never extend his reach into the Grand Line, therefore, Your Highness's primary hypothetical enemy is not pirates!
Therefore, if I do not repeatedly remind His Highness of the navy's demands...
Even if you and I bet on the right horse, the Navy won't reap the greatest benefits of the new era!
If I were just going with the flow, why would I make a choice? As a member of the Navy, I will always strive to bring the Navy's honor to its peak!
In short, I need a war, even if it's not as comprehensive as I envision, I must have some notable victories to inspire my naval soldiers and set even higher standards for them!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Akainu leaned back in his chair and let out a weary sigh.
He shouldn't have looked tired; he was a pure warrior, always charging ahead.
But he was not just a soldier; he was a general and also aspired to the position of Fleet Admiral.
As a soldier, if you want to become Fleet Admiral, you have to participate in more activities.
That was the root of his exhaustion!
Beside him, Kizaru looked at the exhausted Akainu, gave a sly smile, and then shook his head.
"I know, hehe, of course I know what you're thinking."
You're much more genuine than that Kuzan kid. Although I sometimes dislike your ruthlessness, I must admit it.
Under your leadership, the Navy may suffer greater losses in various operations, but what you can secure for our Navy will always be far more substantial than what Kuzan achieved.
However, even so, it doesn't mean I'm supporting you.
Don't forget, I also support Prince Gawain, so you'd better watch out, Sakazuki.
Although I have no desire to take on more work, if I understand him better than you and am more suitable to cooperate with him.
"Then it's not certain that either of us, these two different pieces, will become knights under the throne!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Kizaru chuckled, a smile that made Akainu bulge.
Akainu frowned in annoyance, snorted Bolo Breath, and then nodded.
"I am not afraid of competition, and I can also accept failure."
Moreover, I will never abandon or even merely adjust my ideas and plans for the sake of a competitive advantage!
In Water 7, His Highness's ship is almost fully repaired, and it won't be long before His Highness sets sail for the New World.
Even if I listen to what you say, I can still understand his thoughts.
However, no later than Your Highness's departure, I must personally come before Your Highness and have a thorough discussion with you about my plans.
He'll convince me; he always does, as always.
But I would also rashly make demands of His Highness, which would both annoy His Highness and remind him not to forget the existence of the Navy.
If he is truly a saint worthy of my loyalty to the death, then even if he cannot satisfy me, he will at least not be annoyed or distant from me, or even disappoint me.
This is my way of life; at this age, I won't change myself!
Having a dream, making a decision, and with determination filling my chest, I will never bend!
That's all!!!
At this point, Akainu waved his hand emphatically, signaling Kizaru that there was no need to persuade him any further.
In any case, he had to strengthen the combat readiness of his direct subordinates.
Even if war never breaks out, he will still use his principles to restrain and remind his subordinates.
Always be prepared, always seek war.
This is the path of a soldier!
Meanwhile, on the Kuraigana Island, within a towering, silvery-white castle.
Mihawk, holding his wine glass, silently gazed at the distant forest.
Right there in that forest, the baboon troop he called human imitators were practicing and imitating Mihawk's swordsmanship with far more diligence than most humans!
As the World's Greatest Swordsman, Mihawk naturally possesses unique swordsmanship experience; however, very few people are qualified to become his disciple.
Or rather, he never wanted to train any disciples. It wasn't that he was being overly protective of his skills; it was because he didn't want talented swordsmen to be completely influenced by his swordsmanship experience and become... one of his own, whom he couldn't bear to kill!
On the contrary, during his years traveling the seas, whenever he encountered a remarkable swordsmanship prodigy, he would always provide him with appropriate guidance.
Of course, that's not true guidance. A skilled teacher won't let the person being guided carry the teacher's shadow.
Mihawk's instruction was to show them the pinnacle of swordsmanship, and then spare their lives!
Give them the chance to keep climbing, then expect them to come to you, and finally break their own Black Blade, or die by their own sword!
He craves defeat...
But he only wanted to be defeated by swordsmanship.
Even if I die then.
Take a look at the even higher peaks of swordsmanship...
That's enough!
As for the baboons in his house, Mihawk hadn't specifically trained them; those baboons were born with a natural inclination to imitate humans.
Making them imitate him doesn't mean Mihawk truly believes these baboons are qualified to be the opponents he aspires to face in the future.
The purpose of those baboons was simply to allow Mihawk to constantly recall his past self while watching and experiencing their swordsmanship, thereby continuously improving his own swordsmanship and mental state.
The baboons, adept at imitating themselves, are just like I was when I first started practicing swordsmanship.
The mistakes they made, or perhaps their flashes of inspiration.
Those things always helped Mihawk understand himself and his swordsmanship a little better!
However, just as Mihawk was intently watching the baboons' martial arts demonstration, a streak of blue light suddenly flashed across the distant sky, crashing down towards Mihawk like a meteor.
Looking at the blue light, Mihawk couldn't help but frown!
As expected, Mihawk knew Gawain's identity. Mihawk liked solitude, but he wasn't blind; he read newspapers and watched Den Den Mushi live streams!
Even before Gawain had gathered the three Shichibukai — Jinbe, Kuma, and Hancock— under his command, Mihawk knew that Gawain would become a problem for him.
Just like a treasure hunt game, there are seven treasures in total. If someone has obtained three of them, then of course they will seek the remaining four.
At that moment, Mihawk was already prepared to face Gawain.
Join whose side?
For whom shall I draw my sword?
Haha, he's not that kind of swordsman.
He is Mihawk, the world's number one swordsman who has held the title for fifteen years!
No one has the right to order him around!
Even if they're Celestial Dragon, haha, if they really find it troublesome, just kill one of them.
The outcome will simply be that he can continuously seek higher levels of swordsmanship through more crises and trials, or he will die on the path of pursuing the ultimate swordsmanship.
He had long been prepared to deal with all sorts of trouble, but he never expected that Gawain would arrive so quickly.
Even more surprisingly, Gawain arrived here all alone!
Mihawk may look down on his so-called Shichibukai, but he is also aware of their abilities.
Even a pig accustomed to a free life wouldn't so quickly become someone else's servant, would it?
How could it be that in just about a year, all the other Shichibukai, except for myself, had fallen?
Besides that, what surprised Mihawk even more was Gawain's individual strength.
That guy, he actually came to me all by himself?
Mihawk certainly read the news in the newspaper, but would he believe it?
Would one believe everything?
A standoff with Whitebeard? Ha! Is comparing Conqueror's Haki from hundreds of meters away what you call a standoff?
Is it really a contest to withstand a single sword strike from Shanks if you're going to Red-Haired Shanks?
Defeating Garp? Ha! He himself can't even guarantee he can beat Garp. Someone who's only been training for less than a year dares to challenge him?
Slaying the Shiki, haha!
Shiki, he came knocking on his door four or five years ago. That great swordsman back then might even be defeated by trash with a bounty of only five or six hundred million.
Or rather, regardless of any of the Sweet Commanders, All-Stars, or the Shichibukai.
They all have the potential to defeat the Shiki.
Shiki is indeed a troublesome opponent, but that's all due to his attacks on cities. If we disregard the protection of civilians, Shiki, the great swordsman with a ship's rudder stuck in his head and two Famous Sword stuck in his legs, is practically an opponent that Mihawk wouldn't even bother to fight.
Mihawk looked at the news about Gawain's past and laughed.
After reading those news reports, he felt that once the Celestial Dragon wanted to make a name for themselves on the high seas...
Well... hehe.
They've completely lost all sense of shame!
How could someone like this dare to meet me alone? Is he stupid, or... have I misjudged him?
Gawain suddenly burst through the window, his half-thunderous form solidifying in an instant.
Mihawk's gaze grew even sharper.
His eyes actually made a mistake one day!
Because he realized that Gawain was actually qualified!
As he landed, Gawain used his Observation Haki to observe his surroundings. Without Perona to liven things up, the silver-white castle was practically devoid of any human presence.
Spending all day in a castle like that, Mihawk would either become seriously ill or at least slightly ill.
So what kind of illness is it, social disorder?
As he thought about it, Gawain grinned.
"Nice to meet you, Jora Mihawk."
My name is Gawain. May I have a warm drink with you?
Do I have that qualification?
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain gently stretched out his hand and hovered it in front of Mihawk.
Mihawk frowned slightly as he looked at his right hand, which was so close to his.
These are indeed hands adept at wielding a longsword.
The slightly thicker knuckles indicate that he has long since developed his own sword-holding habits.
Just how coordinated and beautiful are these hands?
Mihawk doesn't care about that!
In an instant, Mihawk's gaze shifted from Gawain's hand to Gawain's waist.
He stared intently at Gawain's sword, a satisfied smile spreading across his face!
Two-Sword Style swordsmen are not unusual; there are countless Two-Sword Style swordsmen on the high seas, including Shiki the Shiki.
But not every Two-Sword Style swordsman carries a real Black Blade with them!
A moment later, facing Gawain's outstretched hand, Mihawk reached behind him and grabbed the hilt of Black Blade Night!
Regardless of how Gawain possessed a Black Blade, even if he stole Black Blade, he at least defeated an enemy who wielded Black Blade!
This is Mihawk's perspective. In his eyes, Gawain has also transformed from a big shot who likes exaggerated publicity into an interesting opponent who is at least worth fighting.
Even if Gawain's swordsmanship didn't do justice to that sword, he could at least enjoy the unparalleled sensation of clashing with the Black Blade!
Warehouse!!!
Black Blade Night drew his sword in the blink of an eye, and Mihawk looked at Gawain with a satisfied smile.
"You've come!"
"I am coming."
As soon as Mihawk finished speaking, Gawain immediately responded. However, after speaking, he smiled and withdrew the hand that Mihawk hadn't reached out to shake, and instead gestured for Mihawk to stop.
Gawain continued speaking.
"Please don't say anything to me like, 'You shouldn't have come, but you still came,' or 'Since you're here,' or anything like that that would make me feel awkward, haha."
Anyway, buddy, even though I know you're deeply passionate about swordsmanship, you didn't have to draw your sword against me like that.
Am I not even entitled to a drink like a guest here?
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain gave Mihawk a lazy smile while raising his hand to grip the hilt of Shusui's sword.
Across from him, Mihawk remained silent for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction.
You didn't let me down!
Mihawk suddenly spoke.
"Although your jokes just now made me think I might have misjudged you."
But since you're willing to draw your sword, then it's obvious...
While enjoying Shusui's aura with great satisfaction, Mihawk remained silent for a moment before continuing to speak to Gawain with a smile.
"Whether it's you or me, our swords are all yearning for a cry."
As for drinking, hehe.
Only after our swords have had their fill of wine can we decide whether we should sit down and drink together...
Or shall I plunge your sword into your grave and pour wine upon your tombstone?