Lin Yuan had originally intended to recruit Dracule Mihawk, but he was unsure about Mihawk's relationship with Shanks, and he hadn't been certain of it before.
Over the years, Lin Yuan's strength has increased almost exponentially, and his desire to subdue Mihawk has faded somewhat.
But why would they come to my territory? Could it be that they want to challenge me?
For a moment, Lin Yuan thought about many things, first ruling out the possibility that the other party was gathering information for Shanks.
" Tesoro, send someone to contact Mihawk and find out his purpose. If he's just here for sightseeing, then we don't need to pay him any attention."
"If he wants to challenge someone, then bring him over."
Tesoro nodded, then turned and left. A Shichibukai, even if the opponent was the World's Greatest Swordsman, wouldn't cause him much of a stir. That was his confidence.
Tesoro is now fully focused on Impel Down, and after hearing Lin Yuan's suggestion, he already has some ideas.
Three days later, as Mihawk emerged from a food court, an ordinary-looking man appeared before him.
"Mr. Mihawk, Lord Tesoro asked me to give you his regards and also to inquire about your plans for this visit."
Mihawk glanced at the other person and smiled.
"What, can't I come here to visit? After all, everyone knows how prosperous this place is. Or did Lin Yuan send you here?"
The man's expression remained unchanged, and he spoke with neither servility nor arrogance.
"Mr. Mihawk, I'm not sure if it was Lord Lin Yuan's idea, but Lord Tesoro said that we would be very happy to have you visit."
"If you've come here to test your swordsmanship, then let me show you the way!"
A glint of light flashed in Mihawk's eyes as he marveled at the terrifying intelligence work of Lin Yuan, who was even able to deduce his own purpose.
After a moment of hesitation, Mihawk spoke softly.
"Lead the way!"
The man nodded, and immediately a carriage came and took Mihawk to the port.
Neither of them spoke the rest of the way. Mihawk, seeing the man's behavior earlier, figured he wouldn't get any information out of him, so he simply closed his eyes to rest.
When he opened his eyes again, the man was gone, and then a young man appeared and led him onto a merchant ship.
On the enormous merchant ship, besides the cargo and crew, there was only him. The young man in front of him seemed easy to talk to, so Mihawk asked the question that had been bothering him.
"Um, where are you going? You're not just dropping me off there, are you?!"
The young man smiled and answered respectfully.
"No, that's not it. This time we're transporting supplies for headquarters. Anyone in the chamber of commerce who makes an outstanding contribution can send their family to live at headquarters. As for everyone on this ship, we were all saved by Lord Lin Yuan!"
Mihawk was somewhat puzzled. Gathering the families of all those who had made contributions was tantamount to exploiting their weaknesses.
The young man in front of him seemed to have seen through Mihawk's thoughts, and he laughed heartily.
"Lord Mihawk, you wouldn't be suggesting that Lord Lin Yuan use our families to threaten us, would you?"
"Hmm? What's the reason?"
Mihawk did not deny it, but he also realized that he had guessed wrong.
The young man chuckled, his face filled with admiration.
"Hehe, you're mistaken. Lord Lin Yuan has never thought that way, and sending one's family to headquarters isn't something everyone can do!"
"The chamber of commerce has its own rules; those with special contributions or family members of martyrs can voluntarily go to headquarters. There are no hard and fast rules."
"Lord Lin Yuan once said that he would have many enemies, and headquarters is the safest place. The only way to threaten our families is for Lord Lin Yuan and his men to be destroyed."
"Moreover, most of us were rescued by Lord Lin Yuan over the years. Some were slave traders, refugees who fled from destroyed countries, and some were even slaves of the Celestial Dragons."
"Therefore, everyone is proud to have their family members live at headquarters."
The young man was very talkative. He had been brought to the Chamber of Commerce since he was a child, so he had an extraordinary admiration for Lin Yuan. When he spoke, Mihawk could feel the light in his eyes.
Mihawk remained silent for a moment. Was this still the same person who was touted worldwide as one of the most dangerous and wicked individuals, comparable to Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army?
Even Shanks told him that Lin Yuan had ambitions to destroy the world.
But since arriving here, everything he saw and heard has been completely overturned. People live in peace and prosperity, and no one wants to go to sea to seek romantic freedom for men.
Even those who aspire to become pirates are often given a sound beating. These days, what Mihawk hears most often is that becoming a member of the Dragon Soul Guard is far more appealing than becoming a pirate.
"Does your chamber of commerce have a security force called... Dragon Soul Guard? Could you tell me about it?"
A glint of light flashed in the young man's eyes, and then he said with a grin.
"Of course, the Dragon Soul Guard is our most powerful force, its strength exceeding everyone's imagination, and it's also Lord Lin Yuan's private army!"
Mihawk became interested, but he was skeptical of the claim that the other party was powerful. He thought it would be a waste to have an army composed of strong individuals.
The young man seemed to sense Mihawk's thoughts, but he just smiled and didn't continue. He had already said what he could say, and he wouldn't say another word.
Mihawk also sensed the other party's persistence and stopped asking about the " Abyss " Chamber of Commerce.
Five days later, the merchant ship arrived at an island shrouded in mist, which was the headquarters of the " Abyss " Merchant Guild.
"Alright, Mr. Mihawk, that's all for now. Someone will meet you up ahead. Goodbye."
The young man smiled and said goodbye to Mihawk, then instantly covered dozens of meters and returned to the merchant ship at an astonishing speed.
Sensing the aura emanating from the other party, Mihawk frowned. He hadn't expected this talkative fellow to be so strong, possessing the strength of an elite naval Vice Admiral.
"Haha, welcome, Mr. Mihawk. The master has been waiting for you."
Just as he stepped out of the port passage, a man and a woman appeared before Mihawk; one was incredibly tall, and the other had a beautiful face.
"That would be troublesome!"
Mihawk was surprised that the other party would send someone to pick him up; shouldn't he be the one taking his sword and challenging Lin Yuan?
The man smiled, then lightly stomped on the ground. Instantly, the ground beneath their feet transformed into a liquefied tray, carrying the three of them away rapidly.
Inside the vast manor, Lin Yuan held Kuina in his arms, his gaze seemingly piercing through the earth.
"Hehe, Kuina, I've found you an opponent this time. Maybe it will help you improve your swordsmanship. Would you like to give it a try?"
Kuina was taken aback, looked up at the man who had become her former master, and said gently.
"Oh, really? Well, I can give that a try. But it doesn't matter if it improves my strength; I'm already satisfied with my current life."
Lin Yuan naturally understood Kuina's thoughts. Kuina, who used to be competitive and wanted to become the most powerful female swordswoman, has now begun to seek her own path of swordsmanship and has learned to think.
"Oh, really? What if I told you this person is the World's Greatest Swordsman, Jora Mihawk?"
With a "whoosh," Kuina stood up from Lin Yuan's arms, her face filled with excitement.
"Are you telling the truth? Dracule Mihawk is here!"