Unlike the vast majority of people in this world, Dracule Mihawk possessed a pure swordsman's heart.
The pirates of this world, and even most great swordsmen, might have loved the way of the sword, but their reasons for growing stronger were still clouded by far too many distractions.
Even Shanks, whose talent for the sword was no less than Mihawk's, had gradually been caught up to by Mihawk over the years.
Back then, when Mihawk had still been a reckless young man and had yet to meet Shin, Shanks had already been capable of using a supreme killing move like Sword Qi Thunder Sound.
If Shanks had not had his own "pirate dream" and had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the way of the sword, Mihawk would never have been able to catch up to him.
However, their duels over the years had gradually eased the relationship between Mihawk and Shanks, until they had become both friends and rivals.
To begin with, there had never been any irreconcilable blood feud between them. Shanks had merely stolen his ship twice.
In truth, after learning that Shanks was also Shin's disciple, Mihawk had never truly intended to kill him. By that relationship, the two of them should have been fellow disciples.
"Whitebeard?" Mihawk lowered his gaze slightly.
Mihawk was quite interested in meeting the world's greatest pirate. Though he was known as the world's greatest swordsman, Mihawk was the type who never provoked others unless they provoked him first.
Aside from Red-Haired Shanks, he had never fought any of the other three Four Emperors. Now that he had the chance to meet Whitebeard, his hands were beginning to itch.
As he pondered this, the villa door was pushed open. With a creak, a girl dressed like a porcelain doll walked out.
Though she