At the sight of that handsome face, Nami froze for a moment.
But she quickly came to her senses, her eyes lighting up. "Lord Natsuya!!"
"You're awake!?"
Without a doubt, the owner of that handsome face was Natsuya!
He nodded at Nami, then turned to look at Dracule Mihawk ahead of him, his expression gradually turning solemn.
"What happened!?"
It was worth mentioning that the terrifying aura Dracule Mihawk had released when he wiped out the Krieg Pirates had not only frightened Nami and Momoo, but had also awakened the unconscious Natsuya.
At this moment, seeing the World's Greatest Swordsman standing alive before him, Natsuya's heart sank as well.
"It's like this..."
Nami hurriedly explained everything.
Simply put, they had been incredibly unlucky. Not long after entering the Grand Line, they had run into Dracule Mihawk pursuing the Krieg Pirates.
And after destroying the Krieg Pirates, he still was not satisfied. He seemed to be planning to help the Marine Government deal with Natsuya!
After explaining, Nami seemed to think of something. She grabbed Natsuya and anxiously said, "Lord Natsuya, let's run! Just like before."
Clearly, Nami was terrified. She wanted Natsuya to use the Door-Door Fruit's power again and take her away, just as he had escaped from Garp before.
However, Natsuya frowned.
He was still injured, but who woke up only to immediately flee for their life?
Besides, this opponent was not Garp the One-Punch Man.
"Kid, it seems you're Natsuya. Come with me to the Marine Government."
At that moment, Hawkeye's attention naturally fell on the newly awakened Natsuya, and he spoke indifferently.
Upon hearing that, Nami nearly burst into tears.
Sure enough, Hawkeye had come to capture Natsuya for the Marine Government!
This was the World's Greatest Swordsman!
In Nami's eyes, Dracule Mihawk was just like Garp, a towering figure standing at the pinnacle of the world!
Someone like that was absolutely beyond their ability to handle!
Run, Lord Natsuya!
Seeing that Natsuya showed no sign of moving, Nami was practically crying. "Lord Natsuya, your injuries haven't healed yet, have they? Run! We can't beat him."
But Natsuya curled his lips into a smile. "Whether we can beat him or not, we'll only know after we fight."
Nami's eyes widened. "No, Lord Natsuya! He's the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
Afraid that Natsuya did not know who the other man was, she hurriedly explained again. Then, on the verge of collapse, tears streamed down her face. "Lord Natsuya, why are we so unlucky!?"
"It was bad enough that we ran into the Hero of the Navy, Garp, in Loguetown. Now we've encountered Dracule Mihawk too. Is heaven trying to kill us!?"
Hearing that, Natsuya's expression remained unchanged.
At that moment, he recalled one of Zoro's famous words and muttered, "When disasters come one after another, isn't that simply the norm of the world?"
"Do you think this Shichibukai will let us go just because we explain ourselves?"
"Stop crying, Nami. If I die by his hand, it will only mean that I was never more than this."
As he spoke, Natsuya placed Nami inside the Different Dimension, then silently looked toward Dracule Mihawk.
Seeing this, Dracule Mihawk raised an eyebrow. "Boy named Natsuya, you're injured, yet you still want to fight me? You should know that blades have no eyes."
As if responding to his words, a cold gleam suddenly flashed across the World's Greatest Black Blade.
Natsuya's expression tightened at the sight.
To be honest, it would have been a lie to say he felt no pressure facing someone like Dracule Mihawk.
Although the other man was merely one of the Shichibukai, he possessed strength comparable to the Four Emperors!
Before Four Emperor Shanks lost his arm, Dracule Mihawk had fought him many times without a winner being decided!
That was probably one of the reasons he had become the world's publicly acknowledged greatest swordsman!
It was no wonder Nami had compared him to Garp.
But in truth, Dracule Mihawk's strength was very likely far inferior to Garp's!
The reason was simple.
If Dracule Mihawk was a powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the world, then Garp was a transcendent, godlike powerhouse.
Whether it was his record or his combat strength, both had reached that legendary godlike realm!
And that was precisely why Natsuya had not chosen to run.
If it had been Garp, he would have fled immediately even without Nami telling him to.
But if it was only Dracule Mihawk, Natsuya felt that he could fight!
Yes, that was Natsuya's mindset now!
Even if his opponent was the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Even if he himself was injured, Natsuya still felt he could fight!
Since that was the case, he naturally would not flee in disgrace.
After all, this was also a good opportunity to earn Battle Points!
Thinking of that, fighting spirit immediately rose in Natsuya's eyes.
"Come on, Hawkeye. Let me see just how formidable the World's Greatest Swordsman really is!"
Dracule Mihawk narrowed his eyes and gave Natsuya a long look.
"Impressive. As expected of someone who escaped from Garp!"
He sighed, and the black blade in his hand suddenly swung.
It was worth mentioning that the information Dracule Mihawk had read earlier had been sent by Sengoku.
It recorded several of Natsuya's astonishing feats, including his escape from Garp!
In fact, it was precisely because Natsuya had escaped from Garp that Dracule Mihawk had become interested and agreed to Sengoku's request to deal with him.
Now that he had witnessed Natsuya's courage, he held the young man before him in even higher regard.
And to show his respect, Hawkeye's first move was a terrifying slash capable of splitting apart even pirate ships!
Azure light flashed.
Watching the slash sweep forward before him, splitting the sea as though it would cleave heaven and earth apart, Natsuya's pupils contracted.
With a swish.
Natsuya directly used Shave, dodging the slash.
Then, looking at Dracule Mihawk, he suddenly laughed softly.
"Dracule Mihawk, running away isn't exactly a feat worth boasting about!"
As soon as the words fell, Natsuya opened three more gates in succession.
Eight Inner Gates!
Gate of Opening, Gate of Rest, Gate of Life!
Open, open, open!
Terrifying surging force burst forth as green energy roiled around him.
Natsuya's skin turned red, and his hair transformed into the form of a Super Saiyan once more.
Because of his injuries, he had originally felt weak and drained, but now he was instantly filled with strength!
Then he abruptly raised his head and looked toward the World's Greatest Swordsman across from him, continuing his previous words.
"Defeating you is!"
As his words fell, Natsuya instantly turned into a fierce afterimage and shot forward!
Before you continue