Hawk Eyes

East Blue.

Loguetown.

At the center of the port.

After swiftly arresting a group of troublemaking pirates, Smoker wiped the sweat from his face, then sat down nearby to look over the latest newspaper.

Yet the scene he had witnessed at Raven Port half a month ago surfaced in his mind once more.

Civilians had actually attacked the Marines to help pirates escape?

Such a thing had never happened, not just in the East Blue, but anywhere in the world.

And Gawain, the Knight at the heart of the incident, lingered in Smoker's mind like a nightmare he could not shake.

"Just who are you?"

"You're obviously a pirate, yet you acted for the local civilians without gaining anything in return?"

"What kind of pirate does that?"

Smoker took a deep drag from the Cigar clenched between his lips. The more he thought about it, the more questions filled his mind.

He simply stopped thinking about it and turned to another matter.

"Still no reply to Rat's Report Letter?"

Tashigi clenched her teeth and shook her head.

"No."

"I even suspect the letter was intercepted before it ever left the East Blue."

"Captain Smoker, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

"How can the Marines tolerate someone like Rat?"

"It is a desecration of justice!"

"Heh."

A trace of mockery curled at the corner of Smoker's mouth.

"To some people, money and status are justice."

"I also had people investigate the money-grabbing in Raven Port, but the leads went cold as soon as they reached a certain Vice Admiral. Even the men I sent were detained."

"There must be other forces behind this. If we want to resolve it completely, we'll have to go to the Marine Criminal Investigation Department. But according to their rules, the two of us would have to be investigated as well."

"Ah? This..."

Tashigi silently looked at Smoker, whose old face reddened.

"Once I'm in charge, I'll tear down that meddlesome department sooner or later."

He knew his own affairs well. Smoker had done some things that broke the rules, though never his True Heart.

If they were uncovered, it would only bring more trouble.

Tashigi quietly changed the subject.

"Still, Headquarters has responded regarding Knight Gawain. Gawain's Bounty will be raised once again."

"Mm."

Smoker nodded, unsurprised.

"His Bounty has risen twice in just over a month. Even in history, this is the first time."

"Tashigi."

"Yes!"

"My feeling is getting stronger and stronger. Once that guy enters the Grand Line, the East Blue may truly produce an extraordinary pirate!"

Smoker gritted his teeth.

"We must keep him in the East Blue! Even if it costs us our lives!"

"Yes!"

The two fell silent at the same time.

Several News Coos flew across the distant sky. After dropping a newspaper, they flapped away.

Smoker bent down to pick up the paper and opened it. A familiar face immediately caught his eye.

"Knight Gawain, Bounty... If a number like this appears in the East Blue, Vice Admiral Garp probably won't be able to sit still."

"How much?"

"85 million Berry!"

New World.

On a Deserted Island.

The Red Force was anchored in a bay.

The Skull Flag printed on its sails was exceptionally conspicuous. It could be seen clearly even from dozens of nautical miles away, sending the pirates lurking nearby fleeing at the sight of it.

Because that Skull Flag represented the youngest of the New World's Yonko, and the undisputed number one in Haki upon the seas today.

Red-Hair Shanks.

He had once had the chance to contend with Hawk Eyes for the throne of the greatest in Swordsmanship, but all of that had been completely declared over when Red-Hair left his arm in the East Blue.

At that moment, by the beach.

The flames of the bonfire flickered, their light and shadows dancing across everyone's faces.

Fragrant roasted meat, fruits of every kind, and countless fine wines and dishes were scattered about in disorder. Even the sea breeze could not blow away the thick scent of alcohol in the air.

"Honestly, you've been drinking nonstop for three days now. There has to be a limit to your hangovers—!"

Before Beckman could finish, Red-Hair pressed him into service.

Everyone immediately joined in, pinning Beckman down tightly before pouring an entire huge mug of beer into his mouth.

"Hahahahaha!"

The crowd burst into laughter. By the time Beckman barely managed to break free, his face had already taken on a flush of drunkenness.

"Bastards, not one of you who force-fed me is getting away!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Red-Hair slapped his thigh and laughed heartily, but his expression froze the next instant.

On the distant sea, a Pirate Ship barely cobbled together from a few logs—so crude it could hardly even be called a ship—sailed slowly toward the Deserted Island beneath a familiar flag, carried by the sea breeze.

And Red-Hair knew the man sitting aboard that ship all too well.

The soaring Swordsmanship intent around him was completely undisguised, carrying the absolute confidence of one who stood first in the world.

He was the insurmountable pinnacle of the sword path in this era, the opponent every swordsman dreamed of defeating—

The World's Number One Swordsman!

Hawk Eyes Mihawk!

"Hey, Mihawk! Over here, over here!"

Hawk Eyes paused in slight surprise. After recognizing Red-Hair, he brought his boat to shore.

Before Hawk Eyes could even approach.

Red-Hair shoved a huge mug of beer into his hand, draped an arm over his shoulder, and urged him on.

"Drink up, drink up!"

Hawk Eyes frowned slightly as he looked at Red-Hair.

"You were hungover again yesterday, weren't you?"

"That's what a party is!"

At that moment, Yasopp, Lucky Roo, and the others began egging him on as well. Seeing this, Hawk Eyes helplessly drained the beer in his mug in one gulp.

With Hawk Eyes joining in, the party surged to another peak, only ending deep into the night.

By then, everyone aside from Red-Hair, Hawk Eyes, and Beckman was completely drunk and sprawled across the ground.

Snores rose from all around them from time to time.

There was not a trace of drunkenness on Hawk Eyes's face. He took a Wanted Poster from his coat and placed it in Red-Hair's hand.

"An interesting pirate has appeared in the East Blue."

"Luffy?"

Red-Hair grew interested, but when he lowered his head and saw an unfamiliar face on the Wanted Poster, his interest immediately faded.

Hawk Eyes did not mind and continued.

"Knight Gawain. His Bounty is 48 million."

"From his eyes, I can tell that he is a swordsman."

"A swordsman with absolute confidence in himself—one could even call it arrogance."

"I don't know where that confidence comes from, but perhaps it may bear satisfying fruit."

Hawk Eyes glanced at Red-Hair's missing arm.

"Ever since you lost your arm, I have not encountered a suitable opponent in far too long."

"If you want a fight, I don't mind indulging you."

"You no longer interest me."

Hawk Eyes said flatly.

But Beckman suddenly took the Wanted Poster from Red-Hair's hand. After examining it carefully, he smiled at Hawk Eyes.

"Your information is already outdated. This guy's Bounty has been updated."

As he spoke.

Beckman took out the newspaper that had arrived earlier that day, pulled a Wanted Poster from the stack tucked inside it, and handed it to Hawk Eyes.

Hawk Eyes's eyes lit up slightly.

"85 million Berry?"

"Interesting."

"I've decided. My next stop will be the East Blue!"