The Hawk-Eyed Man

Two starkly different styles of handwriting, two different tones. The first was solemn and earnest, while the second was rather playful and lively.

Crocodile's eyes flickered as he looked at the man before him. He simply could not understand how River had accomplished so much in just one short year.

Even the Poneglyph on Sky Island bore his handwriting. And the information it contained was staggering.

He had pursued Roger, Roger had escaped, and the information on the Poneglyph was boring.

"A Marine, River. I almost forgot that you're still a Marine."

Crocodile sighed softly, his tone complicated.

Since leaving Impel Down, how had this guy acted anything like a Marine? What Marine would recruit so many powerful people?

He was more of a pirate than actual pirates. If River announced right now that he was forming a pirate crew, Crocodile would not have found it strange at all.

A pirate crew made up of everyone here would be formidable indeed.

"We are those who weave history, together with the tolling of the great belfry."

River gazed at the stone tablet before him and softly read its inscription.

"Poseidon, its location..."

Crocodile's gaze sharpened, his eyes shining brightly.

"The ancient weapon in Alabasta is called Pluton. The ancient weapon recorded here is Poseidon."

"Where is it?"

His eyes fixed on River, making his intense curiosity about the ancient weapons plain.

"Poseidon? Naturally, it's in the sea!"

"If you want to know, perhaps Fish-Man Island can give you an answer."

River spoke with a smile.

"Fish-Man Island!"

Crocodile froze, but a moment later, he saw River turn and leave.

After a brief hesitation, Crocodile followed closely behind.

"What exactly are the ancient weapons?"

River did not avoid the question. Instead, he answered with a smile, "Perhaps a ship, perhaps a living creature."

"The powers they possess are all different, too."

After a pause, River added with a faint smile.

"But you don't need to be too curious about them. By comparison, improving your own strength is the most reliable approach, isn't it?"

Crocodile paused, then fell silent.

The Ark Maxim lay in a corner of these ancient ruins, buried in the jungle.

When they found it, the golden ship was covered in dirt and tangled in vines, damaged in many places and looking utterly miserable.

Enel also fell rather quiet as he recalled his battle with Straw Hat not long ago.

It had been, without a doubt, the most maddening fight of his entire life.

Repairing the Ark Maxim was naturally not a job one person could handle alone. River, Crocodile, Foxy, Hamburg, and the others all joined in.

Seeing everyone so full of enthusiasm, Enel's gloomy expression softened a little.

For now, having a group of companions like this did not seem so bad.

"Hey, hey, hey! That's not how you install that part!"

Enel's gaze shifted. With a shout, he transformed into lightning and rushed over.

The massive ship-repair effort began. Trees around the Ark Maxim were quickly felled, and the whole place bustled with activity.

The Ark Maxim was severely damaged, with lightning scorch marks everywhere. Much of the wood in its hull needed replacing.

Enel moved constantly around the golden ship, carefully checking for holes and places that needed repairs.

At times he frowned, and at others he broke into a relaxed smile.

"Well? How much longer will it take to repair this ship?"

River walked over and asked with a smile.

"I'm making improvements to a few parts, but with everyone's help, it shouldn't take long."

Enel answered.

"Good!"

River nodded.

Time passed, and before they knew it, they had spent about a week on Sky Island.

That day, aboard the Ark Maxim, Enel sat on the golden chair behind the helm with his hands resting on its armrests. A surge of electricity flashed through it.

"Whirrrrr!"

The propellers began spinning rapidly. Their tremendous thrust lifted the Ark Maxim into the air in an instant, and it rapidly gained altitude.

"It worked!!!"

Everyone shouted excitedly.

Enel smiled as well. "Looks like I can finally begin my new adventure!"

His eyes gleamed, his expression excited.

The Ark Maxim climbed higher and higher, flying forward.

Several hours later, they descended from the White-White Sea and reached the skies above the Blue Sea, continuing onward toward the ocean.

As the Ark Maxim descended, everything on the sea grew clearer.

Wind howled overhead, and their clothes whipped around them.

"We're almost at the surface!"

"Where are we?"

"We should still be on the Grand Line!"

Foxy and the others called out loudly.

Meanwhile, on the sea directly below them.

A small boat shaped like a coffin bobbed with the waves, slowly sailing forward. Green candle flames flickered aboard it, lending it an eerie air.

On the boat, a man wearing a black top hat, a burgundy patterned shirt, and a black coat silently watched the waters ahead. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and a cross-shaped Black Blade rested on his back.

Suddenly, his expression tightened slightly. Without him noticing, an enormous shadow had fallen over both him and his boat.

The man slowly raised his head, and his hawk-like eyes immediately sharpened.

What came into view was a ship glittering with golden light, falling straight toward him.

The Coffin Boat stopped. The Ark Maxim came roaring down, its spinning propellers whipping up a gale that made the white feather on the man's black top hat flutter violently.

The Hawk-Eyed Man's eyes flickered. Even with the possibility of being crushed by this strange ship, his expression remained calm as he watched it approach.

"Whoooosh!"

The shadow grew larger, darkening the sea beneath it, while fierce winds blasted him in the face.

Yet the man remained composed and made no move, as though certain the ship would not land on him.

"Hey, hey, hey! There's someone below us!!"

The two vessels were now only a few dozen meters apart, and a panicked voice rang out.

Then, with a thunderous crash, the enormous golden ship landed on the sea, throwing up a vast surge of water and forcing the surface downward.

"Splash!"

Water sprayed toward the Coffin Boat. The Hawk-Eyed Man's gaze abruptly sharpened, and he raised his right hand, drawing the cross-shaped Black Blade from his back in a single motion.

The next second, he swung the Black Blade forward.

"Whoosh!"

A massive slash tore through the air. The droplets froze, then flew back the way they had come, while the razor-sharp slash hurtled toward the golden ship.

Aboard the Ark Maxim, River's calm expression suddenly changed as he sensed an incredibly sharp sword intent.

He sprang into the air, drawing the long blade at his waist in a flash.

"Whoosh!"

He swung his blade, sending a massive Flying Slash toward the incoming sword intent.

Water roared around them, obscuring everything ahead.

One heartbeat later.

"Boom!"

A powerful shock wave erupted, shaking the entire Ark Maxim. A ripple radiated outward, slicing through every droplet and howling over the heads of those aboard.

The two slashes collided and canceled each other out.

Aboard the Coffin Boat.

The Hawk-Eyed Man narrowed his eyes, which began to gleam.

Aboard the Ark Maxim.

River landed with both feet on the deck, his gaze sharp.

At that moment, both men looked at each other.