Mihawk was in a deeply uncomfortable situation.
He was so close—just one inch away from hitting the target. And yet, every time he launched an attack, something went wrong.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this old man—Kavi—was unfathomable, like he was toying with him, playing tricks right under his nose.
It was infuriating.
He was angry, anxious, and frustrated—but none of it helped. He still couldn't win.
'Every time I go in for a strike, he cuts me off at the most critical moment. This feeling… it's like being constipated. I can't go forward, can't go back—ugh, forget it, I won't describe it.'
Kavi kept exposing his flaws and landing precise strikes with ease, like he could see right through Mihawk's heart.
"Boy," Kavi said calmly, "your mind is in turmoil."
That did it.
Mihawk's movements became even more erratic. His breathing quickened, and frustration took over.
But those words struck a chord.
He caught himself. Took a breath. And refocused.
The chaos in his heart began to still.
He tightened his grip on his black blade, took a bold step forward, and—
Swing. Slash.
His Observation Haki surged to life.
He predicted Kavi's position and unleashed a lightning-fast slash in that direction. The cutting energy tore through the air, too fast for the naked eye.
'Did I get him this time?'
The arc of sword energy closed in. Mihawk's heart pounded with anticipation.
But once again, it missed.
"Whoa~ Mihawk, that was close!" Kavi said, patting his chest in mock relief. "You nearly got me. I'm still shaking."
Mihawk's expression darkened.
This geezer wasn't just toying with him—he was mocking him, rubbing it in.
Still, Mihawk understood now. Kavi hadn't challenged him to humiliate him. He was teaching him. Forcing him to confront his own limits.
But young men always need to hit a wall before they learn.
So, he attacked again.
The black blade danced, its movements sharp and aggressive.
Waves of sword energy split the air.
If one strike didn't land, he'd throw three. If three weren't enough, he'd throw ten.
He would land a hit—he had to.
Kavi, unfazed, chuckled softly. "Oh? Looks like we need to turn up the pressure a little. When young folks don't listen, you just have to hit harder."
The sky filled with violent, howling sword energy.
But Kavi's expression remained calm, even nostalgic.
'I haven't used full strength in a long time,' he thought.
The last time... was with Roger. That must've been ten years ago.
Roger had been dead for five or six years now.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he lifted the branch in his hand.
—Not a sword. A branch.
It was wrapped in a reddish-black haze—Armament Haki, further enhanced by Ryuo. Sword intent gathered. Power rippled.
A terrible pressure surged into the sky.
Mihawk froze.
He felt it again—that overwhelming pressure. But this time, it was even stronger than before.
Far away, the baboons who had been watching collapsed from sheer fear. Only their leader remained conscious, clinging to life by sheer willpower.
Then—
Kavi swung the branch.
Just once. Lightly.
A transparent arc of sword energy flashed forward.
Whoosh.
All of Mihawk's sword energy was erased. The arc of transparent energy skimmed past his face.
And then—
BOOOOM!!!
A thunderous roar.
Mihawk spun around.
His jaw dropped. His eyes widened. He could hardly believe what he saw.
The sea had split open.
An abyss stretched across the horizon, revealing the ocean floor beneath. For a long moment, silence.
Then the waters rushed back in, creating massive waves that smacked Mihawk in the face.
He stood in stunned silence, soaked and dazed.
Slowly, he turned back to Kavi.
His lips parted, but no words came out.
Shock, disbelief—and respect—flickered in his eyes.
Kavi smiled casually.
"Well? Was that strong enough for you?"
His tone was calm, even gentle, but Mihawk could only nod dumbly.
"Y-Yeah. Absolutely."
Kavi's smile faded into something more serious.
"Boy, this sea holds many powerful people. There are those stronger than me. You've got a long way to go."
Mihawk didn't doubt it. Not anymore.
The old man was powerful—but even he admitted there were stronger monsters out there.
He nodded slowly.
Kavi gave him a pat on the shoulder and walked away, leaving Mihawk standing alone.
The baboon leader had fled, leaving only unconscious subordinates behind.
Mihawk stared at the sea.
That slash—so clean, so effortless—it shattered his entire understanding of power.
'If even someone like Kavi isn't the strongest out there… how dangerous is the sea, really?'
He looked down at the black blade in his hand.
"Brother," he said quietly, "it looks like it's not time for us to set sail. Not yet. We need to grow stronger first."
The sword trembled slightly, as if in agreement.
They had both been thoroughly humbled by Kavi.
So, Mihawk stayed on the island.
He trained harder than ever before. Focused. Serious. No longer impatient.
He fought the baboon leader regularly, and to his surprise, the beast was improving fast—shockingly fast. It even started mimicking Kavi's style.
Yes, the baboon leader had been enlightened.
After seeing Kavi's display, he had recognized the true alpha.
He studied Kavi's every move, trying to learn, and somehow... it worked. A little.
This lit a fire in Mihawk.
'I can't be outdone by a damn baboon.'
So, he pushed harder. Woke up at night to train secretly.
Little did he know, the baboon leader had also started night training.
It was exhausting.
Everyone was locked in fierce competition—except Kavi.
Kavi was living the life of a relaxed retiree. Drinking tea, tasting wine, fishing, napping.
Who wouldn't envy that?
He had no interest in being Pirate King or Fleet Admiral. He just wanted a peaceful life.
Occasionally, he trained the younger generation, built a few relationships for the Revolutionary Army, and enjoyed his time.
'If someone else can do it, why should I?
If I can raise a few monsters, let them fight instead. I'll just supervise.'
The unofficial commander of the Revolutionary Army, Kavi, was truly a man who "worried deeply for the cause."
...
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