345. Submission
Buggy's punch, imbued with Haki, struck Hawkins squarely in the abdomen!
Hawkins' straw body arched up like a boiled shrimp, and a muffled groan came from his dark straw mouth. He only took one step back before trying his best to stop.
His unique physique allowed him to withstand the impact of this force, but what was sacrificed was a small scarecrow squeezed out from the straw arm. At the same time, the five-inch nail in his hand was swung wildly again.
"Compared to when we were on Sabaody Archipelago, I've definitely improved a lot..."
Buggy took a step back, skillfully dodging Hawkins' attacks.
If we consider the bounties of the eleven Supernovas based on their initial arrival at Sabaody Archipelago, Hawkins ranks third, and in the original story, his bounty only increased by thirty million two years later.
Unlike the hot-tempered Eustass Kid, he kept a low profile and has almost disappeared from the public eye in less than a year since the Marineford War. His name and rumors are rarely heard in the New World. However, such a low-profile figure has a fighting style that is completely opposite to his actions. He is swift and his movements are wild. In his fierce battle with Buggy, he almost gave it his all, each move stronger than the last, striking the five-inch nails between his fingers like a storm.
Feeling the strong wind blowing against his face, Buggy was also amazed by Hawkins' growth in strength. As the most promising member of the Worst Generation, he certainly had the potential to be admired.
Despite his praise, Buggy showed no mercy. Just as Hawkins was about to attack, Bucky raised his foot and braced it against Hawkins' outstretched arm, halting his movement. He then pressed down and, like a startled swan, leaped into the air.
At that moment, he planted his left foot with the force of a thousand pounds, stomping on Hawkins' straw arm. His right foot hooked upwards, like a sharp, straight sword, and with a spin, he delivered a mid-air kick aimed directly at Hawkins' face!
"Tempest Kick - Sky Split!"
In an instant, a pure white, arc-shaped stream of air surged forth!
The width and length of this slashing airflow were almost as long as half the length of Falling Blossom Mountain. It rushed forward with overwhelming force, and for a moment it was like the moonlight pouring down, covering half of the sky in front of it. Even the sun became somewhat dim under this sharp white light that cut through the sky.
Pedestrians walking on Harmony Spring Street also felt the strong wind from the horizon. Countless curious eyes were attracted by the white light that flashed across the sky for a moment, and they stood there dumbfounded. After regaining their senses, they hurriedly ran around in panic, thinking that they had seen the apocalyptic scene of a celestial dog eating the sun.
At this moment, on the hillside of Falling Blossom Mountain, Hawkins sat down on the ground in a disheveled state, panting slightly. He was usually calm, but seeing such an amazing attack, he couldn't help but look incredulous. He turned around and stared blankly at the afterimage of the white light left in his vision.
"Oh... you dodged it?"
Buggy stood in front of Hawkins, watching with slight surprise as the other man quickly shrank back to his normal form.
Three small scarecrows popped out of Hawkins' arm, lined up in a row, and fell to the ground on the hillside. If he hadn't used his amazing speed to dodge the attack and only been caught in the aftershock, he would probably be seriously injured, if not dead!
He glanced down at the little scarecrow, then looked up at Buggy.
"Speak," Buggy calmly, yet with a hint of anticipation, looking at Hawkins. "If your goal was simply to duel me or kill me, you wouldn't have gone through all this trouble."
"I thought that the experiences of the past year would have narrowed the gap between us, but it seems that it has actually widened it considerably..."
Hawkins' breathing eased, and his expression returned to its usual calm. "I never understood how you obtained the 'World' card until today. Only now do I realize you possess the aura of a ruler..."
He paused, then continued, "Only when the threads of fate converge will we meet here, and your strength proves you possess the power to impact the New World. This power can transform your forces into an excellent observation post... to clearly see the trajectory of that world—that is my wish..."
Hawkins leaned forward, bowing his head. "Basil Hawkins is willing to submit and Buggy Lord Bucky's ranks, becoming a follower."
Buggy looked down at him, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Are you serious?"
"I don't like using inferior tactics..." Hawkins looked up and met Buggy's gaze, "Nor will I approach with the intention of assassination, because the probability of that is zero."
"In that case, from today onwards... you will follow me." Buggy smiled, a very calm smile.
Noon, Kuri Harmony Spring.
The guards from Kyoto cleared the streets ahead, followed by four men carrying a large palanquin. A bustling crowd lined both sides of the street, whispering amongst themselves.
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, the group arrived in front of Kozuki Mansion. The man sitting in the sedan chair stepped down. He wore a tall black crown, his face was covered with white powder, and he held a small brocade box in his hands. He walked into the mansion gate.
Kozuki personally greeted the visitors and led them to the reception room, where he served them tea.
This is a special envoy from Kyoto, who has come to read out Emperor Yixie's edict.
Kozuki listened quietly, his brows gradually furrowing. The edict, in essence, stated that Emperor Yixie wished to see Kozuki, and therefore ordered him to travel to the capital alone.
Although Kozuki accepted the Emperor's edict, he did not give a reply, but simply arranged for the special envoy to rest in a guest room.
The fact that the Yixie Clan possesses divine blood is a consensus held by everyone in Wano Country for thousands of years. Emperor Yixie's decree is like a divine command, which cannot be disobeyed.
Even so, Emperor Yixie had no real power; the actual power lay with the Shogun Genji clan. This edict of Emperor Yixie was likely mixed with Genji's conspiracy.
"Lord Kozuki, you must not go there!"
Kin'emon had been waiting outside for a long time. Once the envoy had gone far away, he immediately pushed open the door and entered, kneeling on the ground. "The Genji must have used Izayoi's name to plant five hundred Famous Sword to eliminate you!"
Wωω •тTk дn •co
Kanjuro also entered and knelt on the ground. "The Genji's actions in Momonosuke some time ago have already exposed his wolfish ambitions. Kozuki, you must think twice!"
"I was aware of this, which is why I didn't reply immediately."
Kozuki Oden sat upright, "But you two don't need to worry. Giving away your heads is not the act of a wise man."
Kin'emon and Kanjuro breathed a sigh of relief.
The next day, Kozuki declined the audience with the Kyoto envoy, citing his serious illness as the reason that he was not fit to go and meet Emperor Yixie.
Two days later, proclamations denouncing the rebellion were sent from Kyoto in the north to all directions of Wano Country.
General Genji, along with the eight daimyo within his territory, personally led a large army to suppress the disloyal and treacherous Kozuki Mitsuzuki under the pretext of rebellion, in order to uphold the proper order between ruler and subject.