Alright.
In the library, there truly were insights and experiences left behind by every great swordsman from the world of One Piece.
So, finding Gol D. Roger's swordsmanship manual there wasn't surprising.
In fact, it wasn't limited to swordsmanship. Whether it was martial arts, haki, or other disciplines—if a renowned figure ever existed in the world of pirates, their knowledge had been preserved in book form.
That was why Gion (Momousagi) practically lived in the library.
It was also the reason why this Super Naval Academy building, though plain in appearance, was rated an S-class structure.
The resources it held were simply...
Too comprehensive.
The only thing that caught Luo Lan off guard was that the random swordsmanship manual he pulled off the shelf happened to be Gol D. Roger's.
That was quite a surprise.
With nothing better to do, Luo Lan casually flipped through it to pass the time.
Good heavens—there were even notes on mastering "Divine Departure"?
Unfortunately, Mihawk didn't possess Conqueror's Haki (Haoshoku Haki), so he couldn't practice Divine Departure.
Wait.
That might not be true.
Previously, in a book about Conqueror's Haki, the library mentioned something interesting—
Most people don't awaken it not because they lack talent, but simply because their spiritual strength isn't high enough to meet the threshold.
But this issue...
Didn't exist in Jun Lin.
One of the features of Jun Lin's villa zone was that just by living there, your spiritual strength would steadily grow.
On top of that, the library also contained manuals on how to train and enhance one's spiritual power.
In other words, once Mihawk joined Jun Lin, it would only be a matter of time before he awakened Conqueror's Haki.
Given his talent—and now with Roger's swordsmanship notes in hand—
Learning Divine Departure was basically guaranteed.
Damn, Shanks' ultimate technique might end up being mastered by Mihawk.
If the two ever fought again... wouldn't Shanks cough up blood in frustration?
Interesting. Luo Lan rubbed his chin, already plotting to make that happen one day.
---
Three hours later.
Mihawk finally ended his "Sword Meditation."
He stood up and looked at Luo Lan with a slightly complicated expression.
"Fine. I owe you one."
"Wait, that's it? You think one favor's enough to brush this off?"
"What else do you want?"
"Didn't I say it earlier? Join Jun Lin."
"Not happening."
Mihawk rejected him again.
If it had been any other organization, maybe he'd consider.
But Jun Lin...
Mihawk wasn't foolish. On the contrary, he was very sharp.
If he joined Jun Lin, he'd inevitably end up clashing with the World Government.
He had no interest in being dragged into that.
All he wanted was to pursue the pinnacle of swordsmanship—to break through that mythical realm that hadn't been touched in 800 years.
He wasn't looking to get entangled in a war against the world's rulers.
So yes, he could owe Luo Lan a favor.
But joining Jun Lin?
Absolutely not.
"Oh, is that so?"
"What a shame," Luo Lan replied, spreading his hands dramatically, voice laced with sarcasm.
"You see, in Jun Lin, we have methods that allow anyone to awaken Conqueror's Haki. Yes, anyone."
"And not just that. We have manuals like Roger's swordsmanship notes—records from every swordmaster who's appeared in the last few thousand years."
"Oh, and I almost forgot—we also have gravity-controlled training rooms ranging from 1x to 60x gravity."
"Sigh... what a pity. If only you were willing to join us, your swordsmanship would surely reach new heights. Maybe even that legendary realm."
He let out a sigh and turned to leave.
"Wait... you!"
"Yes?" Luo Lan turned back. "Changed your mind?"
"I'll work for Jun Lin—for one year. No more."
"Deal." Luo Lan grinned.
One year?
Heh, forget a year—in just three months, Mihawk would never want to leave.
"Welcome to Junylin, Dracule 'Hawk Eye' Mihawk."
"From today onward, you are Jun Lin's second general."
---
Hours later...
When Luo Lan brought Mihawk back to Rhodes Island—
Gion and Zoro were completely stunned.
Even though Gion had heard Luo Lan mention three potential candidates in a meeting, she never imagined he'd actually pull Mihawk in.
From what she knew of Mihawk, there was no way he'd accept such an offer.
Which meant...
Luo Lan must've shown him something he couldn't refuse.
Wait—the library. Those swordsmanship manuals!
Yes, it had to be those.
Honestly, if they offered that to a swordsman from Naval HQ, like Dalmatian, he'd probably resign on the spot and hand in his notice to Sengoku.
No joke—those manuals were lethal weapons to any sword practitioner.
"Luo Lan... now that you've recruited all three generals, what about me?"
Lately, Gion's strength—physically, in swordsmanship, and in haki—had been soaring.
She figured she was just a couple months away from fully stepping into the general level.
But now, all three general spots were taken.
In other words...
Even if she became strong enough, there'd be no position for her?
"Sister Gion, Jun Lin isn't the Navy," Luo Lan said seriously.
Gion looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"The Navy has a strict three-admiral system. But who said Jun Lin is limited to just three?"
"You mean... we can have a fourth general?"
"Of course! Why stop at four? Fifth, sixth, even a tenth—who cares?"
The Navy limited itself to three generals only because the World Government feared it growing too powerful.
But even if the Navy were allowed more generals, they didn't have the talent pool to fill them.
"Good. That's good!"
Gion let out a sigh of relief.
She was content.
If she had failed to become an admiral in the Navy, and now again in Jun Lin?
She might've just broken down and cried.
But now?
Since there was no cap on Jun Lin generals, she could rest easy.
Without saying another word to Luo Lan, she turned and sprinted off—
Back to training.
She wanted to earn that title sooner rather than later.
And so, Luo Lan, Mihawk, and Zoro were the only ones left behind.
Zoro's eyes locked onto Mihawk.
His childhood promise to Kuina echoed in his mind.
Now, the world's greatest swordsman stood before him.
So—
"Dracule 'Hawk Eye' Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman—"
"I challenge you!"
---
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