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Chapter 30: Shichibukai's Condition, Belonging to the World's Number One
"Is the Shichibukai summoned to deal with the next World War?" Aokiji asked with a serious expression.
Sengoku put away his smile and nodded. "Of course! You also clearly feel how terrifying the changes brought about by the evolution of the world are."
"If you fail, everything in this world will disappear. Of course, our world should not be destroyed just because we lose once."
"But it was already shown on that thing before... Compared with the opponent's world, our world is weaker!"
"In this case, once we lose a round, the opponent will be strengthened, and it will be more difficult for us to avoid destruction."
It wasn't a heavyweight fight at all. If the opponent was strong, even if he got punched a few times, it didn't matter. But if the weak side made a single mistake, there was a high possibility of losing everything.
Aokiji understood this as well. "But to expect the Shichibukai to make a move, we have to agree to a lot of conditions."
Hearing this, Sengoku didn't care. "Look at the bigger picture, Aokiji. The world now… isn't the same as before."
Sengoku looked out the window as the seagulls in the harbor flew toward the distance. For seagulls, the sea was an endless and vast world.
And now? The appearance of another world was, to Sengoku, like the discovery of an endless and boundless new ocean. In this new reality, he could no longer limit his vision to this sea alone; a far broader world awaited conquest.
Sengoku could more or less guess what conditions the Shichibukai would propose. Hawkeye and Jinbe's requests would likely concern themselves alone.
As for Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Gecko Moria, if they were to be persuaded to act, their demands would probably involve greater privileges or tangible benefits. The tyrant Kuma would have no conditions at all, while the Empress Boa Hancock's demands would almost certainly be related to Yuichi.
In other words, the real obstacles were Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Gecko Moria. Not too easy to handle.
However...
Five days later, the Shichibukai all assembled behind Naval Headquarters.
Something unexpected happened to Sengoku. It was naturally impossible to agree to the greedy conditions usually proposed by Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Gecko Moria, but now, Sengoku easily agreed to their requests.
It was nothing more than asking for certain privileges.
Sengoku was in the middle of negotiations between Mariejois and the Five Elders. As a condition for pushing Akainu to the top, the Five Elders asked that the Shichibukai under the World Government accept the direct command of the Marines.
The Five Elders naturally agreed, and Sengoku agreed to the Shichibukai's conditions without hesitation. Because even if he agreed, meeting these conditions was within the purview of the World Government. It had nothing to do with the Marines at all.
The Five Elders wanted to cast them aside after they had served their purpose; why should Sengoku care if these conditions were harmful to the World Government?
The conditions put forward by the three most difficult guys were all agreed to directly by Sengoku on behalf of the World Government.
But Hawkeye, whom he thought would be the easiest to deal with, suddenly stood up.
"I request a one-on-one duel with Marine Vice Admiral Yuichi."
"If you agree to this condition, in the next World War, and even future battles, as long as the Marines need it, I will take action."
Hearing this, the Shichibukai sitting around the round table in the room were all a little surprised.
Hawkeye actually wanted to challenge Marine Vice Admiral Yuichi at this time? It was truly unexpected to put forward such a condition.
Even Sengoku was surprised. But thinking about it for a second, it made sense.
This time, Yuichi had shown the world his powerful swordsmanship. Rumors around the world were debating whether the World's Strongest Swordsman, Hawkeye, was stronger, or if Yuichi was superior in swordsmanship.
When this question arose, it actually explained a lot of things. Although more people recognized Hawkeye—because they had never seen Hawkeye go all out, or they simply followed the reputation of the "World's Strongest Swordsman"—it was a point of contention.
Hawkeye had never dualed against Yuichi, yet he bore the title of Number One. It was hard for Hawkeye to ignore.
The pride of a swordsman!
BOOM!!!
Just when Sengoku was about to agree, Hancock stood up suddenly, kicked the heavy conference table over, and then looked at Hawkeye with a fierce glare.
"Hawkeye Mihawk! If you want to do something to Yuichi-kun, you have to go through me first!"
Watching Hancock suddenly go berserk, Sengoku emerged from the crumbling remains of the wooden table.
"Boa Hancock, this is a request from Hawkeye, and it has nothing to do with you!"
"My request is that this guy is not allowed to duel with Yuichi-kun!"
Sengoku: "Uh..."
Unexpectedly, the person he thought would be easiest to deal with now seemed to be the most difficult. What a headache.
Hawkeye didn't say anything; he just looked at Hancock silently. The Haki of the Kuja Empress was not so easy to deal with either.
"Boa Hancock, how about I give you free access to Naval Headquarters?" Sengoku offered. "At the same time, I will ensure that Yuichi will only suffer a slight injury at most and will not be seriously hurt!"
Sengoku looked at Hawkeye. "It's just a duel, not a life-and-death battle. If you agree to that, I agree to your condition!"
Hawkeye nodded. "Originally, it was just a duel. That is all."
Hawkeye agreed, and Sengoku looked back at Hancock.
At this moment, Hancock calmed down and frowned. "What's the use of Naval Headquarters clearance?"
Sengoku grinned. "Probably, you can freely enter and exit anywhere in Naval Headquarters. Of course, it is only limited to you."
Having said that, Hancock looked a little disdainful. What was the use of free access to Naval Headquarters?
Sengoku smiled slyly. "You probably don't have much interest in other places, but Yuichi's residence in Naval Headquarters... you can also come and go freely. Even at night..."
"I accept this condition!" Hancock's face lit up instantly.
Aokiji, standing outside the door, smiled helplessly. Yuichi was simply sold by Fleet Admiral Sengoku...
But what made Aokiji a little concerned was the personal challenge from the World's Strongest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.
Where would the title of the World's Number One Swordsman belong after this?
Interesting. Who was stronger in swordsmanship, Yuichi or Hawkeye?
.....
Naval Headquarters, Yuichi's Residence.
Resting, Yuichi was performing Jinzen (Sword Meditation).
Suddenly, the door was opened.
Aokiji stood at the door. "Yuichi, go to the plaza at the port..."
.....
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