"The Shichibukai system has been around for quite some time—it won't collapse so easily." The title of Shichibukai allowed Hawkeye to move freely across the seas without interference, and he was quite satisfied with the convenience it offered him.
But that was all. He was not one to seek trouble. He understood both swordsmanship and life. With his spare time, he preferred tending to his garden and cooking meals—far more interesting than endlessly fleeing from Marine pursuit.
"Oh? You haven't received the World Government's summons yet?" Rosen was a little surprised. Even Vice Admiral O'Neill had already received word about the coming war against Whitebeard, yet Hawkeye hadn't?
"The Marines did contact me, but I was busy at the time and forgot afterward. As for the Andia Kingdom's communication control—what's going on?" Hawkeye was curious. For Crocodile to mention it with such gravity, it must have been something significant.
"You live so freely. But the Marine Headquarters is preparing for an all-out war against Whitebeard. You Shichibukai won't be having much leisure soon." Rosen had sought Hawkeye to learn more about this dangerous swordsman—an enigmatic, compelling man, and one of the world's strongest.
"The Marines going to war with Whitebeard?" Hawkeye thought he'd misheard. If the Marines truly entered the New World to face Whitebeard, the other Emperors would never allow the fleet to come and go unhindered.
If that happened, Marine Headquarters wouldn't just be dealing with Whitebeard. Should another Emperor strike from behind, even the Marines might not withstand it.
How could the Marines suddenly make such a decision?
Rosen quickly dispelled his doubts. "Whitebeard's second division commander, Fire Fist Ace, is in Marine custody."
"Unwilling to give up such a valuable card, huh," Hawkeye muttered to himself.
"You still plan to take Whitebeard's head? He's far removed from us," Hawkeye asked suddenly, catching Rosen off guard with a question he didn't know how to answer.
"It's… complicated." It truly was. Rosen didn't know how to respond. He had no memory of that, and could only hope that whatever leverage Emporio Ivankov had wouldn't come back to haunt him.
"Interesting. Seems worth seeing firsthand." Rather than fear, Hawkeye showed growing interest.
The two talked casually for quite some time—not as friends, but as equals in strength and status. Though Hawkeye preferred solitude, he bore no hostility toward those he didn't particularly dislike.
Even uninvited guests like Perona and Zoro were tolerated with ease.
"Perhaps it's my imagination, but… are you trying to recruit me?" Hawkeye asked suddenly, half in disbelief. Was Crocodile being bold or just delusional?
"Caught me, did you? Hahaha…" Rosen let out a polite laugh. Of course, he wasn't trying to openly recruit Hawkeye—the world's greatest swordsman, fiercely independent and solitary.
Many must have tried to win him over before, but aside from the Shichibukai position, all attempts had failed.
Rosen only wanted to understand him better—to see if cooperation during the upcoming war could bring mutual benefit. Unfortunately, Hawkeye showed little interest.
Aside from swordsmanship, he cared for little else. Otherwise, with his strength, forming a pirate crew would have easily earned him a foothold in the New World—perhaps even enough to challenge an Emperor.
Still, Rosen's words indeed carried a hint of invitation. It was no wonder Hawkeye noticed.
"Pointless endeavors—why bother?" Hawkeye wasn't surprised. Many had wanted his strength, but he would never serve anyone. He had chosen his own path and would not become another's weapon.
"Worth a try. Nothing to lose," Rosen said with a lazy smile, cigar between his teeth.
"True enough. Pirates like you, driven by dreams or ambition—I don't dislike that. At least you live with purpose. But I'm not interested. I live for strength alone." The pursuit of the strongest swordsmanship was the force that kept Hawkeye moving forward.
"Still, since you brought me this news, I don't mind hearing your reason. Perhaps… if it's interesting enough…"
"Not today. There will be other chances."
"You're a hard man to read. Farewell."
Leaving those words behind, Hawkeye rose and left. After hearing Rosen's news, he decided to answer the Marine Headquarters' summons and attend this rare event.
"May fortune favor your blade," Rosen toasted with a raised glass. In his mind, he had already formed a judgment—Hawkeye was powerful but not cruel, principled yet free.
If the chance arose, he believed they could work together in the future.
Since Hawkeye lived for the sword, he might take interest when the time came to confront the Emperors. For now, though, their mutual trust was too shallow—and the timing too early.
An intriguing man indeed. It had been years since anyone dared to so openly attempt recruiting him. Others who had tried had all fallen to his blade—but for someone to admit it so frankly? That was rare.
As he walked away, Hawkeye reflected that the trip hadn't been in vain. Moris had grown stronger, though not yet formidable. The young swordsmen from the East Blue were becoming active again. Crocodile, too, was scheming something—and his power now might rival that of an Admiral. With the clash between the Emperors and the Marines on the horizon…
Perhaps this era truly was on the brink of a storm.
Royal Capital.
"Lord Tesoro, please, take the seat of honor." The king bowed respectfully to a man in the palace banquet hall. The capital's nobles had all gathered. Gild Tesoro, a world-renowned tycoon and ruler of the Entertainment Kingdom, officially recognized by the World Government, was present.
In status and influence, he surpassed everyone in attendance. Rumor also had it he possessed great power—and could create gold itself.
His grand welcome was only natural. The king had not yet received word of Anlun's situation, for Anlun was still recovering from his wounds elsewhere, unwilling to give up, intent on another attempt to kill Xia.
"How distasteful," Tesoro muttered disdainfully after glancing around. Even before a king, he showed no courtesy.
If not for his plans to expand Gran Tesoro's influence—and the Andia king's repeated requests—he would never have attended such a vulgar gathering filled with nothing but women and trivial pleasures.
True entertainment, to him, was both exhilarating and perilous.
"Haha, of course, it can't compare to Lord Tesoro's Entertainment Kingdom," the king replied awkwardly, forcing a smile.
"No need for a banquet. Just tell me what you want." Tesoro sat casually, then noticed two nobles whispering in a corner, occasionally glancing his way and stifling laughter.
"What's so funny?" Tesoro's face darkened. Their laughter grated on his ears.
"N-nothing…"
"Really?" A fine dust of gold drifted from Tesoro's body, seeping into theirs. Slowly, the two nobles began to turn to gold.
"W-what is this?! What have you done to us?!" they screamed in terror, their bodies stiffening as the golden sheen crept upward from their feet.
"What's wrong? Don't you like gold? Is there really anyone in this world who doesn't love money? Hahaha! Don't be shy…" Tesoro laughed gleefully.
(End of Chapter)