Moya 'Tricks' Hawkeye

In the reception hall aboard the Yanhuang of the Moya Adventure Group.

"The 'weakest sea' is merely what commoners believe. Could it be that even a senior like Hawkeye possesses such shallow insight?" Moya asked, mimicking a calm tone.

Hawkeye's brows furrowed, and he instantly released his aura, causing a wave of oppressive pressure to wash over everyone present.

"Is Senior Hawkeye only capable of flying into a rage out of shame?"

Moya asked with a playful expression, though he was incredibly nervous inside, terrified that Hawkeye might just slash him down.

"Then tell me, why is the East Blue not the weakest sea? Is it because of the Pirate King Roger?"

Hawkeye remained expressionless, his tone devoid of any ripples.

"Very well, then today I shall speak at length about the East Blue. Let us discuss the East Blue over drinks and see if it truly deserves the title of the weakest sea!"

"As everyone knows, the Pirate King Roger was a man of the East Blue. Was he weak?" Moya asked, facing the crowd.

"The Captain is the strongest!" Buggy shouted, and no one dared to refute him.

"And so, the highest honor for a pirate, the Pirate King Roger, belongs to the East Blue."

"Next, let us speak of the strongest marine, the 'Hero of the Marines' Iron Fist Garp, who is also a man of the East Blue. Was he weak?"

"He represents the banner of the Marines; the Hero of the Marines is from the East Blue!"

Moya appeared passionate and high-spirited; those who didn't know better would have thought Garp was his idol.

Hawkeye did not object, his face remaining silent.

"It was precisely because of the Pirate King Roger that the East Blue became a key area of focus for the Marines, with the highest level of suppression maintained at all times."

"Moreover, the Hero of the Marines frequently returns to the East Blue, so pirates dare not run rampant, and the people live in peace and contentment."

"Does this alone make the East Blue worthy of the name 'weakest sea'?!"

"Senior Hawkeye, Garp alone is someone many pirates dare not provoke, and that should include you as well, right?" Moya asked.

Hawkeye maintained his poker face, continuing to remain silent.

"Lastly, let me mention one more person, a big shot who gives both the World Government and the Marines a headache—someone even you, Senior, would not dare to provoke lightly!"

Moya looked directly into Hawkeye's eyes.

"Oh? I know of the Pirate King Roger and the Hero of the Marines Garp, and I admit I am inferior to them. But who else is there? Speak!"

Hawkeye spoke with an indifferent expression, though his tone had begun to soften.

"The leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, is also a man of the East Blue. Senior Hawkeye, you know him, don't you!"

Moya's lips curled slightly, wearing the smug expression of a petty man.

Hawkeye's gaze shifted, and the atmosphere grew oppressive once more.

"It seems you know quite a lot. Do you not know that I am one of the Shichibukai? Just because you possess information about the Revolutionary Army, I could cut you down right now!"

Moya's heart trembled; he had overplayed his hand. He feigned calmness, however, and hurriedly changed the subject.

"Haha~ I know Senior Hawkeye is not the type to meddle in such affairs. Let us not discuss this; let us talk about the sword dao of the sages."

The others had not yet recovered, having learned of such significant figures, and were deep in thought.

Zoro was also shocked that the East Blue held such figures, but as soon as he heard "sword dao," he immediately snapped back to attention.

"Senior Hawkeye, what I am about to speak of is the sword dao theory of a Sword Saint from my hometown."

"If there is anything incorrect, please do not take offense. After all, the realization of the sword is different for everyone!"

Moya buffered his statement in advance; he was a bit afraid that the theories of Dugu Bubai, written by the great Jin Yong, might not align with the laws of this world.

Hawkeye was slightly puzzled by the title "Sword Saint," but he nodded gently, signaling him to continue.

"That Sword Saint senior divided his sword dao into four realms:"

"The first realm: Having a sword in hand, but no sword in the heart. The second realm: Having a sword in hand, and a sword in the heart. The third realm: Having no sword in hand, but a sword in the heart. The fourth realm: Having no sword in hand, and no sword in the heart either."

Moya spoke slowly.

Hawkeye's brows were tightly knit, as if he had caught hold of a thought, yet it remained just out of reach.

Zoro and Golass seemed to understand something, yet also seemed to understand nothing at all. As for those who were not swordsmen, they were even more bewildered, their faces blank!

For the first time, Hawkeye felt such confusion, yet he also felt as if his own sword dao had found a direction. He asked Moya seriously for the first time: "Can you explain this in detail?"

"About the matter of Haki..." Moya said, feigning hesitation.

"If that Sword... Saint's sword dao can help me even a little, I will let you experience Haki, and perhaps even teach you more," Hawkeye replied with a touch of arrogance.

"Then thank you, Senior!" Moya said excitedly.

Even Zoro and Golass envied Moya. Although they did not know what Haki was, having Hawkeye teach them sword techniques would be infinitely beneficial!

Hawkeye nodded, signaling Moya to continue.

"Then I shall first tell you some of the legendary stories of that Sword Saint senior!"

"It is said that this Sword Saint was named Dugu Bubai, and he chose the name 'Bubai' (Undefeated) because he had never tasted defeat in his entire life."

"How arrogant!" Buggy and Zoro shouted in disbelief.

"How impressive!" young Rika, Kaya, and Nami exclaimed with excitement.

Hawkeye and Zoro furrowed their brows. Undefeated? They were beginning to doubt Moya's words.

In this world of pirates where the strong are as numerous as sand, who would dare claim to be undefeated, who would dare claim to be invincible?

"When this Dugu Bubai was young, he obtained a sharp sword and defeated every master swordsman across a dozen neighboring nations.

Later, he realized he had taken too many lives, so he discarded that fierce, indomitable, and peerless Supreme Grade sword—the Green Light Sharp Sword.

"He then switched to a purple soft sword called the Crape Myrtle Soft Sword. Yet, this soft sword appeared harmless while being truly treacherous, pushing his swordsmanship to a higher level.

During a duel, he accidentally killed a famous righteous Marine, which filled him with such regret and guilt that he cast the Crape Myrtle Soft Sword into the deep sea."

"Still later, he switched to a treasure forged from a meteorite that was like a sword yet not quite a sword; it was an unsharpened heavy sword.

It was with this heavy sword that his path reached another level, as he realized the peerless philosophy: 'A heavy sword needs no edge; great skill is not contrived.'

Relying on this heavy sword, he defeated every swordsman of that era."

"Invincible at the time, he carried the title of 'Undefeated' until he discarded his heavy sword and retired to the mountains.

In his final years, he reached the ultimate realm of 'no sword in hand, no sword in heart,' and it is said he broke through the boundaries of the world to become a god."

Moya finished speaking and took a sip from his teacup.

"Big Brother Moya, did that Sword Saint really become a god?" Rika was the first to ask.

"I don't know either. This is a legend from my hometown. I know many half-true, half-false myths, and I'll tell you about them sometime!" Moya looked at Rika gently.

Seeing that Hawkeye and Zoro still looked skeptical, Moya continued.

"The first level: Sword in hand, no sword in heart. This corresponds to Dugu Bubai's stage of holding a sharp blade, relying purely on the sharpness of the weapon, external objects, his own youth, and talent to defeat opponents.

The second level: Sword in hand, sword in heart. This corresponds to Dugu Bubai's stage of holding the Crape Myrtle Soft Sword, acting from the heart, utilizing sword techniques and intent to overcome hardness with softness.

The third level: No sword in hand, sword in heart. This corresponds to Dugu Bubai's stage of wielding the unsharpened heavy sword. Whether it is a sword or not no longer matters; he projects sword intent from his heart and path, cutting through everything to defeat his foes.

The fourth level: No sword in hand, no sword in heart. This corresponds to the stage where Dugu Bubai discarded all swords. He reached a realm where all things are swords, and every gesture is a sword technique.

He could turn leaves into swords, turn his hands into swords, and use any object as a blade to unleash heaven-shaking intent. He himself had become a sharp sword."

Hearing Moya's analysis, Hawkeye was suddenly struck by a realization.

Could it be that I am only at the first or second level? In my youth, I pursued the Supreme Grade sword, the Black Blade 'Yoru'.

I have yet to reach the point of discarding the sword; if I were to lose it now, my combat power would drop significantly.

"Then what kind of swordsman are you if you discard your sword?" Zoro asked.

"The sword is in your heart!" Moya feigned a profound tone.

"You are currently relying on your Great Grade sword and your own spirit. Once you learn the 'breath of all things,' achieve the ability to cut steel, and eventually reach a point where you can exert 120% of your combat power even without a sword, you will have succeeded."

"I seem to have found a new direction. I have been at the position of the World's Greatest Swordsman for too long.

I thought there was no room left for progress, but it seems my own path is still far from sufficient. Moya, I will remember this favor."

For the first time in a long while, Hawkeye spoke with genuine seriousness.

"Arrange a room for me; I need to contemplate this. Come find me tonight, and I will teach you Haki!" Hawkeye said.

"Then I congratulate Senior Hawkeye in advance for reaching a new level in your swordsmanship!"

Moya did not forget to offer a bit of flattery.

Hawkeye merely glanced at Moya before heading straight into a room to ponder his path.

"Alright, let's go check on the situation with Luffy and Krieg."

Moya turned to address everyone.

The group immediately followed Moya outside to investigate.