Meanwhile, out at sea, Hawk-Eye's signature coffin boat glided silently across the water once again.
Perona sat atop the cross-shaped mast, her cheeks puffed out in displeasure.
Holding up her burgundy parasol, she grumbled nonstop, her complaints full of "barbarian," "rude old man," and "not cute."
On deck, Hawk-Eye drew his gaze back from the distance and turned toward Gern, who stood at the bow, staring thoughtfully at the rolling sea.
After a moment of silence, he stepped forward to stand beside Gern and said evenly,
"You seem... particularly interested in that Straw Hat Boy."
"Do I?"
"Heh." Hawk-Eye chuckled. "Defeating two Shichibukai in succession is certainly an impressive feat among rookies.
"But ultimately, he's just a pirate with a three-hundred-million bounty.
"You can find as many of those as you like on the Grand Line."
At Hawk-Eye's words, Gern slowly turned his head, a meaningful smile spreading across his face.
Instead of answering directly, he posed a question that sounded utterly absurd.
"Hey, Mihawk..." Gern's lips curved upward. "Do you believe someone can... become an Emperor in two years?"
"..."
For once, Hawk-Eye's perpetually impassive face froze.
He wondered whether he had misheard. He even shifted slightly to face Gern, scrutinizing him with a look that said, Are you all right?
"An Emperor in two years? Are you joking? Do you even know what you're saying?"
What did becoming an Emperor of the Sea entail? It meant more than reaching the pinnacle of strength. It required a vast force, influence capable of shaking the world order, and years upon years of groundwork!
Even someone as powerful as Mihawk had endured countless trials and challenges before claiming the title of the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Even Gern, with all his strength, had fought his way up from being a [Pirate Hunter]