The waves gently lapped against the hull of the White Dove, and the outline of the island was clearly visible.
On deck, Bullet was still excited, faint wisps of swirling air circling him.
Roy smiled as he watched the island draw closer. He spread out his Observation Haki and detected two figures at its center. Their auras were as sharp as swords, though one was still quite "weak."
"Two people? Interesting!"
At the castle in the center of Kuraigana Island, an old man and a youth were practicing swordsmanship. Just as Roy's Observation Haki spread out, one of them called a halt to their practice.
"What is it, Master?"
"We have 'guests' on the island. Let's return to the castle. That's enough practice for today."
With that, the old man put away the long sword in his hand and walked into the castle.
The White Dove slowly sailed into a secluded bay.
After mooring the ship, the group set foot on the island and followed Roy slowly toward its center.
Dense vegetation covered the island, and broken walls and ruins were faintly visible through the gaps, showing that quite a few people had once lived here.
Thick fog hung in the woods, and the gloomy surroundings made Savi, the youngest of the group, edge closer to Bullet.
Tesoro was uneasy too, constantly feeling as though countless eyes were watching him from the dense forest around them.
"Boss, this island is really creepy. Does anyone actually live here? I keep feeling like someone's spying on us."
"Yeah, yeah, Boss, I feel it too," Savi, walking beside Bullet, chimed in.
Roy stroked Pea, who was following beside him, and explained to the group.
"This is Kuraigana Island. It used to be the site of the Siccare Kingdom."
"But it was later destroyed in a war. According to legend, the apes on the island learned to use weapons by observing human conflicts."
"Those apes are the ones watching us from the woods."
As they listened to Roy's explanation, the group passed through the jungle, and a fairly intact castle appeared before them.
Two figures were waiting for Roy and the others at the castle gates.
In front stood a tall old man in a kimono, holding a Black Blade.
His sharp eyes watched Roy's group, and an invisible pressure radiated from him.
The black-haired boy beside him was about eleven or twelve, holding a long sword taller than he was. His hawk-like eyes warily studied the newcomers.
The atmosphere before the castle seemed to freeze.
The old man's gaze slowly swept over Roy's group, finally settling on Roy at the front.
"Uninvited guests, state your purpose."
"Our purpose? We just happened to be passing by and came ashore to have a look!"
Roy stepped forward with a smile, then his gaze fell on the boy and the Black Blade.
"Oh! A Supreme Great Grade Sword!"
This boy was Dracule Mihawk, Hawk Eyes, the future World's Greatest Swordsman. Seeing Roy staring at the sword in his hand,
Young Hawk Eyes unconsciously tightened his grip.
Seeing this, Roy's smile grew even wider.
Hawk Eyes was still a kid now, nowhere near as much of a show-off as he would be later, rowing around everywhere alone in a little boat!!
He recalled how One Piece fans in his previous life said that Hawk Eyes had been rowing alone with Black Blade Yoru when the Krieg Pirates spotted him, and he chased them down for it.
Roy unconsciously laughed out loud.
"Hahaha~"
At that moment, Dracule Mihawk was completely baffled by Roy. First Roy had stared at his sword, and now he was looking at him strangely and grinning like an idiot. This bastard must be mocking me.
"Roy the pirate, are you looking down on me?!"
"Huh? How do you know my name?"
"Hmph~ By now, word of your exploits should have spread everywhere!"
"The Marines are that fast?! Can you show me the newspaper?"
"Oh, okay." With that, young Hawk Eyes turned toward the castle.
The old man beside him saw his own disciple being led around by the nose with just a few words. He pressed a hand to his forehead and smiled wryly, and the pressure he was exuding eased.
Could it be that he's gone stupid from studying swordsmanship with me since he was little?
As he thought this, he reached out to stop young Hawk Eyes and looked at Roy, who was desperately trying not to laugh.
By then, young Hawk Eyes had caught on, and his face flushed crimson.
"You bastard! You really were messing with me."
"No, no, I just thought of something funny."
Hearing Roy's dismissive answer, young Hawk Eyes immediately raised the Black Blade Yoru in his hand.
"Bastard, what did you think of that was so funny? If you can't tell me, I'll cut you down!"
"Uh~" Roy's expression stiffened. He couldn't very well tell him about the One Piece fans' speculation.
Seeing Roy freeze, Mihawk knew this guy had definitely been messing with him. He raised his Black Blade, ready to attack.
"Wait!"
Roy hurriedly called for a halt, and Hawk Eyes really did stop. Roy turned around and took his own sword from the storage bag on Pea, then turned back and signaled that they could begin.
Realizing he'd been messed with again, Hawk Eyes forgot the anger he'd just felt at being toyed with. His expression turned cold, and with a swing of his sword, he sent a slash flying.
Seeing this, Roy put away his teasing smile. Armament Haki covered Frost Snow as he chopped downward, shattering the sword energy flying at him.
"Good swordsmanship."
Roy's praise was sincere. To be able to use a Flying Slash at this age, he truly was worthy of being the future World's Greatest Swordsman.
"Cut the crap!"
Seeing his attack so easily shattered, Hawk Eyes lunged forward. Black Blade Yoru traced a graceful arc through the air, heading straight for Roy's face.
Roy raised his sword to meet it. Though his Frost Snow was inferior in quality to the sword in Hawk Eyes' hand, the boost from Armament Haki kept him from falling behind.
Looks like Hawk Eyes hasn't learned Haki yet, Roy thought while blocking.
"Clang, clang, clang-"
Hawk Eyes' attacks came like a raging storm, while Roy relied on his advanced Observation Haki to block every strike precisely.
Bullet's eyes lit up, and his fists unconsciously clenched. He really is a good opponent.
Tesoro and Savi watched the old man nervously, afraid he would join the fight.
The old man, however, simply watched the two fighting in silence, making no move.
Hawk Eyes grew angrier as the fight went on. Roy had done nothing but block, never once taking the initiative to attack.
"What do you mean by this?! Are you looking down on me?! Why are you only blocking?!"
"As you wish!"
"One Sword Style: Mental Storm!"
Roy's speed suddenly increased. Mental power clung to his blade as he raised his arm high and slashed diagonally downward.
Faced with Roy's sudden burst of speed, Hawk Eyes raised his Black Blade. Just as their blades were about to meet, an invisible surge of mental energy struck his brain.
Dizziness, confusion, all kinds of emotions-Hawk Eyes' mind was in complete chaos. The world spun around him, and he no longer had the strength to hold his Black Blade.
"Blargh~~~"
Black Blade Yoru fell at his feet. Roy saw that his single strike had made young Hawk Eyes spew a little rainbow from his mouth.
He hurriedly sheathed Frost Snow.