Seeing Mihawk raise his glass, Gawain responded with a slightly surprised raise of his own.
After drinking some wine, he finally couldn't help but look at the food in front of him and chuckled in admiration.
"I never expected Mr. Mihawk to have such culinary skills."
I thought a swordsman like you wouldn't want to use his knife on vegetables.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain picked up a fork and stuck a vegetable soaked in salad dressing into it.
After taking a bite, wow!
A sense of clashing swords and galloping horses swept over us!
Take another bite of the exceptionally well-presented steak.
Wow!
The smoky patties were surprisingly imbued with a sense of idyllic seclusion!
Without a doubt, Mihawk is a cook who is no less skilled than Sanji and Zeff!
Although the dishes were different, Gawain couldn't tell the difference in skill level between the chefs.
But regardless, Mihawk's dishes are always imbued with deep emotion.
Looking at the table full of dishes in front of him, Gawain couldn't help but start having some unscrupulous thoughts.
If Zoro knew that his lifelong nemesis, Mihawk, was actually just a high-powered version of a chef with a sword...
Does he lament the cruel twist of fate that all his opponents are like Sanji?
Across from him, Mihawk remained silent for a moment after hearing Gawain's words, then spoke without looking up.
"Eat your food!"
"Haha, okay, okay, it seems even you, Mihawk, can get shy when praised."
Come to think of it, there are probably only a handful of people in the world who get to eat a meal cooked by you.
Putting myself in your shoes, I doubt many people besides me would have the privilege of praising you.
Looking at it this way, I'm actually pretty lucky!
After saying that, Gawain smiled and continued to savor the various delicacies.
Mihawk truly lives up to his reputation as a professional loner. Although he lives alone, he has a castle, culinary skills, and a beloved hobby: swordsmanship.
If you think about it, it might be quite interesting to live like Mihawk in your lifetime.
Mihawk is not only the strongest in the Pirate World, but he could also be considered one of the most ethereal characters in the Pirate World.
Across from him, Mihawk unconsciously paused eating, listening to Gawain's words.
He raised his head slightly, his sharp eyes flashing with a hint of fierceness, and said...
"So, Gawain!"
Are you implying that I live alone, which makes me seem a bit lonely, and that I had no choice but to develop excellent cooking skills?
"Don't think like that, how could that be?"
Gawain quickly waved his hand.
"I'm not the type to tease you. I would never speak ill of someone I admire."
What, do you think I'm a child that I have to resort to methods that you find annoying to get your attention?
Forget it, that kind of behavior is too outdated. I was just a little happy.
At this point, Gawain lightly tapped the steak in front of him with his fork and continued.
"Just now, you mocked my swordsmanship without any politeness, which disappointed me quite a bit."
I thought we'd never have a chance to sit down and have a drink together.
Now, seeing the delicious food you make, and knowing that you also have a fulfilling life, I realize that you are a person who enjoys life to the fullest.
It's clear that although you're passionate about swordsmanship, you're also a person who has a life.
In terms of swordsmanship, few can match your skill level. I can't, and my family members on the ship... well, they can't do it either.
But since you're still enjoying life, then I have a slightly better chance.
After all, I'm very good at giving people the life they want!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain snapped his fingers lightly, and lightning shot out from his palm, instantly weaving into a large ship in the air.
Pointing to the thick forest and mountains on the ship, Gawain laughed.
"Take a look at this forest. It's a great place to house your baboons, and you won't be disturbed by the ship's crew while living here."
This serves as a guarantee for your living environment; more importantly, I still have quite a few swordsmen on my ship.
If you'd like to spar, that would be great. I wonder if you've ever witnessed Gravity Swordsmanship, or if you've ever felt the urge to spar with the World's Strongest female swordsman or a legendary veteran swordsman.
That's not all, Mihawk. Now that we're friends, your life will naturally be much freer than when you were burdened with the title of Shichibukai.
Even the Shichibukai will eventually face conscription by the Navy, but I won't offer you any unavoidable tasks for no reason.
Although I can't beat you, haha, okay, okay, at least I really can't beat you right now.
If you use all your strength against me, I'm afraid I can only last three hours at most before I'm utterly defeated.
But you can't beat me, because if I wanted to, you couldn't possibly touch me.
In short, your sword is too sharp; I don't want to confront it head-on right now.
But give me some time, I think it won't be long before I can put enough pressure on you, and it will be swordsmanship pressure, no less.
Since you've accepted the invitation from the Shichibukai, you might as well consider my suggestion.
The title of Shichibukai can offer you, but I can offer you even more.
You can find any swordsman across the entire ocean, as long as you wish.
Even if you want to exchange sword techniques with my Five Elders who carries a sword, I can apply for it for you.
This is my sincerity. As for what I need, all I need is your title. You wouldn't have the heart to refuse me, would you? We're friends after all, we've been drinking together, right?
"Oh!"
As soon as Gawain launched into his long-winded explanation, Mihawk couldn't help but chuckle.
With a cold laugh, Mihawk shook his head decisively.
"It's such a warm invitation, and the terms are so generous and lenient that it's hard to refuse."
But, haha, I refuse.
At this point, Mihawk elegantly picked up a piece of meat and slowly put it into his mouth.
After swallowing, he picked up the red wine, took a sip, then put down the glass and continued speaking.
"I do not refuse to drink with you. Although I despise your swordsmanship, you are indeed a very good and interesting person."
I've followed your life story. To have such strength after only one year at sea is truly astonishing. Your talent is probably beyond even my and Shanks' reach.
Your attitude was certainly very good. I've never met Celestial Dragon like you before.
There's nothing arrogant about me, and I'm not condescending at all. Although I tend to go on and on, I can understand that considering your life.
But in any case, you need to know, Gawain.
No matter how you try to persuade me, I will never join your ranks.
Because...
Someone as outstanding as you usually represents trouble!!!
Mihawk shook his head as soon as he finished speaking, while Gawain chuckled and lit a cigarette.
"No way, the famous Mihawk would actually be afraid of trouble?"
Don't think I don't know just how much you crave challenges from the world.
Trouble often represents a challenge. Don't you crave the feeling of encountering various opponents amidst all sorts of trouble?
Gawain exhaled a puff of smoke, smiled, and looked into Mihawk's eyes. Meeting Gawain's gaze, Mihawk frowned slightly.
"Indeed, I like challenges, but I don't like... any challenge other than swordsmanship."
Even after all these years as a member of the Shichibukai, haha, the reason I took on this identity was simply to make it easier for me to visit the outstanding swordsmen in the Navy and various Affiliated Nation.
But you should know that the troubles your identity brings are bound to be varied and numerous.
Besides, look at your ship! Your ship has no shortage of combatants, and I don't want to constantly compete with your crew for the enemy!
At this point, Mihawk stopped talking and began to gracefully prepare his steak.
Across from him, looking at the silent Mihawk, Gawain sighed and then took a deep drag on his cigarette.
After sticking the cigarette butt into the ashtray, Gawain admired Mihawk's thoughtfulness while trying to continue persuading him.
For the next three hours, Gawain spoke with a gentle smile, while Mihawk listened silently.
And until the bright moon hangs high in the sky, half-moon high in the heavens.
Gawain finally ended their drinking session.
It must be admitted that Gawain has finally suffered his first defeat in verbal sparring since his debut.
No matter what he said, Mihawk's attitude remained the same: he wasn't interested.
He loved his home, his simple life, and his swordsmanship.
Although Gawain can give him these things, he has already had what Gawain can give him for more than ten years!
In short, after repeated attempts to persuade him failed, Gawain had to admit that of the hundreds of persuasion plans he had prepared, only two remained unimplemented.
One of them, of course, is Gawain's imagination about the portal in his dream. If it could truly open a path to the heavens, he could take Mihawk to other worlds to experience unknown swordsmanship.
By then, haha, the situation will probably be reversed.
At that point, it was no longer Gawain persuading Mihawk, but Mihawk persuading Gawain.
Mihawk might even say "ball!"
However, there is no definitive conclusion on this matter.
Secondly, even if Gawain had already determined the role of the portal, he could not possibly propose such a concept to anyone before the world had been fully understood.
If words are not kept secret, things will go wrong; if matters are not kept secret, things will fail.
Gawain wasn't that carefree about such things; he wouldn't even tell his wife until it was all done.
Not to mention Mihawk!
The second method, which was Gawain's last resort...
Bathed in moonlight, Gawain offered Mihawk a final toast, then transformed into lightning and departed with a flourish.
Mihawk was slightly taken aback as he watched Gawain's departing figure. He had thought that someone like Gawain would waste more energy on him.
Given Gawain's status and strength, killing him would be difficult, and hiding from him would be impossible.
Mihawk was actually prepared to be harassed for ten days to two weeks.
So Gawain left so easily?
Mihawk was somewhat relieved, but also a little... anxious.
Gawain's departure was a good thing, but he always felt that the easier Gawain's departure was, the greater the trouble he would face later...
Standing atop the ruined castle, gazing at the baboons repairing the forest overnight in the distance, Mihawk sighed deeply.
Next, if it's Buster Call, at least it'll be a bit of a shock.
But if something else comes along, then... the trouble could be much bigger.
Why.
Hopefully, Gawain really doesn't have any further plans for himself.
How could such a bizarre Celestial Dragon appear on the high seas? This must mean that the seas are about to descend into chaos.
How long can I maintain this comfortable life?
Six days later, on a particularly warm and sunny morning.
Mihawk, who was practicing his swordsmanship in the morning mist, suddenly couldn't help but reveal a slightly flustered look in his eyes!
He suddenly threw the Black Blade Night back into its sheath, then leaped into the air, looking in astonishment into the distance.
In his sharp eyes, an enormous ship was breaking through the waves and charging toward his position!
"Damn it!"
Mihawk couldn't help but curse. Gawain, that persistent bastard, had finally come looking for trouble!
He has quite a few monsters under his command; I wonder if I still have a chance to escape.
Regardless, Mihawk regretfully thought that he probably couldn't even save the home he had lived in for countless years!
With this thought in mind, Mihawk pursed his lips and arrived near the coast. He stood on a high point, sword in hand, coldly awaiting the arrival of his enemy.
But...
One hour, two hours.
When the Dark Bird Ship finally came to a stop near the coast, no powerful figure launched an attack on Mihawk.
The boat even stopped there and began fishing, with wisps of smoke rising from its cooking fire.
Several nautical miles away, Mihawk's forehead was covered in black lines. With his Observation Haki, he felt as if he were personally sitting in a banquet on the Dark Bird Ship.
Those guys, all fully armed, came to my vicinity—were they just here to throw a party?
One day!
Two days!
Three more days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the morning of the fourth day, Mihawk finally couldn't hold back any longer!
He suddenly sat up in bed, quickly dressed, then solemnly picked up Black Blade Night and walked towards Gawain's large ship.
This can't go on any longer; the laughter and chatter from that big ship are keeping him up at night!
Although the musicians on that ship were excellent, their music, from light music to rock, was very appealing and even subtly enhanced Mihawk's swordsmanship.
But no matter what, people's joys and sorrows are not shared, and Mihawk thought Gawain and his friends were being far too noisy!
Today, right now!
I need to have a serious talk with Gawain!
What exactly does he want to do?
Is he planning to settle down right next to his island, forcing everyone to become his neighbor?
That's absolutely damn good!!!
Just as Mihawk arrived at the shore, Gawain, who had already sensed Mihawk's emotions with his Observation Haki Gawain, piloted a Little Dark Bird and rushed towards Mihawk's direction!
Upon reaching the shore, Mihawk paused in surprise when he saw the small boat rapidly approaching, then gritted his teeth!
It seems the day of the decisive battle has arrived!
Then I must teach them a lesson. At the very least, I need to give that fastest bastard a good beating while we're surrounded by monsters!!!
So, five minutes later...
Mihawk, who had been waiting valiantly on the shore, was astonished to discover that those disembarking weren't the monsters he expected, but rather...
Instead, it was a large group of little girls, led by Shirahoshi, who were out enjoying the Shirahoshi!!!
Nobody knows, or rather, only Gawain knows, that Mihawk is the least resistant to little girls!
Before his journey, Mihawk's only friend was Perona, who had accidentally ended up on the island.
Mihawk truly has no desire to draw his sword when it comes to girls who aren't annoying!
And so, Mihawk coldly returned to the castle, helplessly letting Shirahoshi and the others treat his island as a tourist resort.
Several more days passed, and he was even forced to play a so-called soccer game with Shirahoshi and other children...
As time passed, people frequently left and returned aboard the distant Dark Bird Ship.
As Gawain's series of actions proceeded smoothly, Mihawk had to admit that he had actually become somewhat familiar with the children on the Dark Bird Ship...
At this moment, Mihawk finally met the warriors of the Dark Bird Ship.
Instead of the monsters he had expected, those who came to the island after the children were his former Shichibukai colleagues, reunited.
Those colleagues seemed to have been instilled with certain ideas by Gawain; they were exceptionally enthusiastic towards Mihawk, even Hancock barely rolled her eyes, and Doflamingo even occasionally smiled.
In the distance, aboard the Dark Bird Ship, Rayleigh looked at Gawain and said with amusement.
Are you sure this will work?
"Why not? I'm so passionate about Mihawk, even the most fiery woman wouldn't be afraid of a persistent suitor, would she?"
Besides, this is just the beginning; the plan hasn't even reached its final stage yet.
But it'll be soon, really soon, hehe..."
As Gawain spoke, Mihawk stood amidst the six Shichibukai, his face full of black lines. The reporters, who were hidden in the forest but hadn't actually escaped Mihawk's observation, took a good look at him.
And so, not long after.
At least in the newspapers...
The photo of him standing with the other six Shichibukai chatting with Gawain has already reached the hands of every important figure who is both shocked and uneasy.