Hawk-Eye's Guidance

"No... in my eyes, he is still just a young swordsman who has yet to grow, and I cannot let you kill him like this." Hawk-Eye's expression was cold, his words unshakeable.

Aokiji's expression grew colder as he said, "Leave him be, and in the future, your position will very likely be taken by him!"

"Let him take it! A swordsman never fears a challenge!" Hawk-Eye had sat in the position of the world's number one for a very long time, and he craved a true opponent.

Among the older generation, and even his own peers, no one was his match. He could only cast his gaze toward the unripened new generation, and Lu Zhuo was, without a doubt, a swordsman with immense potential to become his rival.

Looking at Aokiji, Hawk-Eye did not yield an inch, saying indifferently, "If there is nothing else, you may leave. And while you're at it, help me thaw out my small boat!"

"Don't be too presumptuous, Mihawk! Do you want to directly oppose the Marines?" Aokiji finally found it hard to endure; had his patience been like Akainu's, they would likely have started fighting already.

"No, aren't you on vacation? Besides, you Marines cannot directly order me to do anything." Ignoring Aokiji's angry shout, Hawk-Eye remained cold and calm.

Seeing this, Aokiji sighed inwardly, his mood extremely complex.

Was he happy that Robin had found a true companion, worried for the future of the Marines, or was it that he felt something in Lu Zhuo that made him feel a trace of fear?

Shaking his head, Aokiji finally regained his composed expression.

With Hawk-Eye blocking his path, it was impossible for him to complete this secret mission. Even in his prime, he might not be a match for Hawk-Eye, let alone now that he had sustained some injuries.

Watching Aokiji turn and leave, Hawk-Eye's expression did not change in the slightest.

He walked slowly to the side of Lu Zhuo, Nami, and the others.

Looking at Lu Zhuo, he felt a slight sense of bewilderment.

This person's heart was not that of a pure swordsman, yet he possessed the unyielding spirit and will of one, and his talent for the sword was so terrifying that a mere swordsman who had grasped the sword intent could actually fight Aokiji for so long.

Furthermore, this guy had even awakened a trace of Conqueror's Haki.

A swordsman who aspires to be king? Interesting.

Hawk-Eye's expression remained flat. Nami was focused on releasing lightning into Lu Zhuo's back and had no time to spare, but Robin, filled with gratitude, bowed toward Hawk-Eye.

"Thank you!"

"No need... I just didn't want him to die at the hands of someone else."

As these words were spoken, Robin's body stiffened, and Nami's hand trembled as well.

Hawk-Eye said indifferently, "Rest assured, it won't be now. It is still too early; he is too weak to make me draw my sword."

Hearing this, Robin and Nami felt an immediate sense of relief.

Although Nami did not know who this person was, anyone capable of forcing back a Marine Admiral must be an equally terrifying figure.

Robin, however, knew the identity of the man before her. She didn't know much about the rules between swordsmen, but knowing that Hawk-Eye hadn't come to kill Lu Zhuo, but rather to save him, was enough.

Half a day later, Lu Zhuo slowly regained consciousness. Looking at the familiar surroundings, he breathed a slight sigh of relief. It was as expected; Hawk-Eye, you are a true swordsman.

Beside him, Nami's expression brightened as she looked at him and said, "You're awake!"

"Yeah!" Lu Zhuo replied. His body, tempered by lightning, was indeed formidable; the ice needles were quickly eradicated by Nami's external electrical shocks combined with his internal consumption.

His body was recovering rapidly. There were no words between him and Nami, but their eyes conveyed everything.

Lu Zhuo suddenly asked, "How is Robin?"

"She's fine..." Nami's expression dimmed slightly, but only for an instant. Since she had seen Lu Zhuo and Robin willing to die for each other, she had already accepted Robin.

"Then... that man, has he left?" Lu Zhuo's expression suddenly tightened as he asked in a deep voice.

Although he had already released his Observation Haki, he hadn't sensed anything. Based on his speculation, Hawk-Eye shouldn't have just left like that.

"That person... is on the deck!" Nami's expression changed slightly as she asked, "What do you want to do?"

Hearing this, Lu Zhuo wasn't surprised. Even though his Observation Haki had reached perfection, it was possible he couldn't sense Hawk-Eye. After all, Hawk-Eye's mystery was something Lu Zhuo didn't fully understand.

Lu Zhuo smiled slightly, patted Nami's head, and said, "Don't worry. This danger was something I completely failed to anticipate, and it was truly a stroke of bad luck. From now on, such danger will never happen again."

"But... what that person said..." Nami looked anxious, wanting to stop Lu Zhuo.

Lu Zhuo gently hugged her and said, "Rest assured, it's fine."

Just then, someone walked in from outside and stared blankly at Lu Zhuo.

Seeing that Lu Zhuo was alright, Robin felt a weight lift from her heart, though her face flushed slightly.

Lu Zhuo's domineering words still echoed in her heart even now.

Seeing Robin, Lu Zhuo smiled at her, then jumped off the bed and said, "You two wait here for a moment; I'm going to go see that person."

"Okay." Nami knew that such things couldn't be stopped, so she gave a soft nod.

Robin whispered in Lu Zhuo's ear, "Hawk-Eye said he wouldn't draw his sword against you for now. As long as you don't challenge him, you won't be in danger. His word is definitely trustworthy."

Lu Zhuo smiled and patted Robin's head with the same gesture. Robin didn't dodge; unlike usual, her face flushed slightly as she looked at Lu Zhuo with a smile.

"Don't worry, I know."

Arriving on the deck, Lu Zhuo walked slowly to Hawk-Eye's side. Following Hawk-Eye's gaze, he saw a beautiful sunset sinking toward the sea.

Oh no, the ice hadn't melted yet; it should be the ice surface.

Hawk-Eye turned his head, his gaze locking onto Lu Zhuo, causing a slight tremor in Lu Zhuo's heart.

What a terrifying gaze!

However, Lu Zhuo would not be intimidated; he stared right back at Hawk-Eye, his own aura not weakening in the slightest.

Hawk-Eye suddenly spoke, "What is your path of the sword?"

"I want to reach the pinnacle and use my blade to cut down every enemy!" Lu Zhuo looked at Hawk-Eye and said firmly.

The corners of Hawk-Eye's mouth curled upward as he said, "Fine words, but you have yet to truly find your own path of the sword."

"Huh?!" Hearing this, Lu Zhuo was taken aback, a flicker of confusion appearing on his face.

Observing Lu Zhuo's expression, Hawk-Eye asked, "Those sword techniques of yours—what are they?"

"Naturally, they are to enhance my strength; they are the foundation of my power."

Hawk-Eye shook his head and said, "You still don't understand. What is the foundation of the path of the sword? It is the sword! Where is the sword? It is in your heart!"

Listening to Hawk-Eye's words, the expression on Lu Zhuo's face shifted rapidly, alternating between confusion and sudden realization.

The next moment, he straightened his expression and said to Hawk-Eye, "I want to experience it!"

Upon hearing this, Hawk-Eye suddenly revealed a faint smile.

"Ordinarily, you have not yet grown to the level where I would draw my blade, but since you have asked for guidance, I shall let you feel it! Your path... has strayed!"

After speaking, Hawk-Eye gently drew the Black Blade from his back and swung it lightly toward a scattered piece of giant ice in the distance.

Silently, countless sword marks appeared on the ice, as if it had been struck a thousand times.

The next moment, the Black Blade in Hawk-Eye's hand danced rapidly; the speed was enough to startle even Lu Zhuo, as he had truly unleashed countless strikes in a single instant!

Yet, in the very center of that giant ice, a single, subtle sword mark suddenly appeared—only one!