Law Joins!
"Have you considered your companions?" Swain asked.
"Will I be able to keep up with you after entering the New World?"
Swain was well aware of this; his strength had improved so rapidly that even the stronger Norton struggled to keep up, which is why he needed a year to catch up.
But the truth is...
In the original storyline, the battle of Onigashima was won.
When Law passed through Winner Island, he was caught off guard by Blackbeard, who had been lying in ambush there.
After the fierce battle, Luo was seriously injured!
Fortunately, Bepo had the secret medicine given to him by Chopper, which strengthened him into his Sulong form, allowing him to rescue Law.
All the other members were captured by Blackbeard, but given his Blackbeard nature, very few will likely survive.
Compared to the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy's two right-hand men Zoro and Sanji, have also developed the strength to stand on their own.
Therefore, Luffy and his crew have enough confidence to deal with any powerful opponent.
Luo, however, is different.
His split-pushing ability is too strong. Like a jungler who has achieved high development, his teammates will naturally not have any fatal weaknesses in the early game, but these weaknesses will be exposed in the late game.
Swain's words seemed to have struck a chord with Luo.
Although he believed his members would gradually grow and improve, what about in the New World?
Even someone as powerful as Swain was wary of this.
Seeing that his words were effective, Swain decided to dispel his last remaining concerns.
"You're only joining me temporarily; you don't need to disband your group."
"I will bring your Heart Pirates under my command."
Luo seemed to understand.
"From what you're saying, it means we'll all join your pirate crew."
"Yes, but they are two independent pirate crews, not under each other's command."
"It can be simply understood as a collaboration between companies," Swain explained patiently.
Luo fell into deep thought. Swain was right; there were too many unpredictable factors on this turbulent sea.
Moreover...
After Swain, he could rely on his strength, and his own crew would gradually develop as well.
He also helped Swain make his way in the world, which could be considered a win-win situation for both of them.
After a moment, Luo gave his answer:
"Okay, I'll join you!"
Thus, the Heart Pirates merged into the Swain Pirates!
Swain was overjoyed upon hearing the result.
The joy on his face was impossible to hide!
What he feared most was not a powerful enemy, but a sudden illness.
Just like Pirate King Roger, could the Navy really capture him?
Cannot!
His strength was at its peak, and his decision to surrender was partly to usher in the Great Pirate Era, and partly because he knew he didn't have much time left.
Now that he has gained a ship's doctor with the Devil Fruit User, how could he not be delighted!
That's like having an extra life!
"Let's stay on Amazon Lily for now and set off again in a year."
"During this time, you and I learned how to use Haki from Rayleigh."
"Um."
Wait! Rayleigh!
"Is that Rayleigh [Pluton]?"
Of all the names that Swain could say, that was the only one he could think of.
"Yes, that's him!" Swain replied.
He was also shocked after receiving confirmation.
After all, he was a powerful figure from the old era, and also the vice-captain of the One Piece.
Any pirate can understand the weight that name carries!
Meanwhile, on Norton's side...
Norton has run out of truly formidable opponents.
He then began to choose the Shichibukai as his opponents.
Kuraigana Island.
A speedboat sailed over from not far away.
Standing atop that spot was Norton, from the Lunarian Tribe.
His purpose in coming here is to challenge the only swordsman among the Shichibukai.
Jora Mihawk.
This is also Shichibukai who is closest to him and is the most powerful.
As we approached the island.
With a flap of his wings, he soared into the air and gazed upon the isolated island.
Meanwhile, in a castle on a deserted island, Mihawk was resting.
Norton suddenly opened his eyes as he stepped onto the island.
"An enemy? That's quite rare..."
Then.
In the distance, on the mountain, there were many baboons carrying weapons, running down the mountain in groups.
Norton, of course, noticed these developments as well.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and he took flight once more.
Finally, he saw the baboons converging in his direction.
"So much?"
However, they didn't take it to heart, since apart from carrying weapons, they were no different from other animals.
They're all just lambs to the slaughter!
But he quickly noticed that there were still significant differences!
He brandished his sword and engaged one of them in combat; the two weapons clashed.
Bite!
It makes a crisp sound.
"Huh? You actually managed to withstand one of my moves?" He was quite surprised.
What surprised him even more was that the baboon could use Armament Haki!
Realizing this, he no longer underestimated his opponent; this place was strange in every way!
"Flame Dragon!"
Flames leaped behind him, and then a Flame Dragon began to coil around him from a distance of ten meters.
Norton flicked his finger, and the Flame Dragon seemed to come alive, charging towards the baboons that had gathered around it.
Wherever it passed, a chorus of mournful cries filled the air.
From the castle's Mihawk, Norton's battle is being watched using Projector Snail.
"An ability user?"
"No, it doesn't seem so. It's rather interesting!"
He then stood up and picked up his supreme Black Blade.
The moment it was picked up, it emitted a sharp, piercing sound, as if sensing its owner's fighting spirit.
Before long, Norton had defeated all the baboons in the area.
Then, Mihawk gradually approached from a distance.
Norton suddenly felt a powerful aura emanating from the man who was gradually walking towards him.
He flicked the blood off the knife and held it upright.
His eyes were also filled with fighting spirit.
He couldn't possibly be unaware of who this terrifying man was, yet he remained utterly fearless.
No destruction, no construction!
He took a half step back, then rushed towards his opponent like a shooting star.
"A courageous young man!"
The moment the two clashed, a powerful shockwave erupted.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Norton swung his sword several times in succession, but Flower Capital flew.
The opponent, however, remained on the defensive and did not attack.
"So powerful!" Norton thought to himself.
He then increased the distance by several hundred meters and flew into the sky.
The flames behind them grew even brighter.
"Flame Emperor!"
The flames behind him erupted at their maximum intensity at this moment, and then condensed into a sword-wielding monarch made of flames.
Mihawk looked up, then slowly raised his Black Blade and swung it!
The solid strike clashed with the king's sword.
Norton felt the power of this attack, even more so than when he faced Admiral.
The slash still revealed a hint of Haki, damaging his body.
He roared and used all his strength to defend himself.
Woo woo woo!
The shockwave spread outwards.
"Oh? It's blocked?" Mihawk seemed surprised.
Then.
He swung his sword again, this time faster, stronger, and more solid than before!
Norton quickly raised his knife to protect his chest, but in that brief moment, the handle of the knife, imbued with his Haki, snapped.
His eyes widened in horror, and he jerked his head back in a near-fatal twist.
The mask he was wearing was destroyed.
His distinctive skin tone was revealed.
Mihawk saw his face and the newly grown white hair.
"That's quite a sight, a boy from the Lunarian Tribe!"
Norton, hearing that the other party had revealed his identity in a single sentence, looked at the other party with apprehension.
"You can leave now!" Mihawk said, sheathing his Black Blade.
"I'll come again tomorrow!" He gave the person in front of him a deep look.
"What ever..."
He then turned and left.
After all, the Lunarian Tribe are nearly extinct; this race, which once ruled the Red Line, has fallen to such a state.
If we kill him, wouldn't that mean the extermination of our entire clan?
Mihawk thought to himself.