Chapter 45: The Chuunibyou Youth, Hawkeye
"Hawkeye, this isn't really the right sea for a fight right now,"
Jiang Qize said as he stepped forward, sizing up the man before him.
At this point in time, Mihawk was still quite young. His face was smooth, without the trademark beard he'd have later, but those eyes — sharp, hawk-like, and piercing — were just as intimidating as ever, enough to make one's skin prickle.
"No matter. We can always find a small island,"
Dracule Mihawk replied coolly.
"Hawkeye, with your current strength, he wouldn't even be a challenge to you. Fighting him won't help you in the slightest. You'd be better off heading to the East Blue — to Shimotsuki Village. There should be a swordsman there, one at least of swordmaster level."
Jiang Qize's tone was calm.
He had no interest in wasting time on meaningless fights. It wouldn't raise Raptorex's strength, and there was no money to earn from it — completely pointless.
As for Koshiro of the East Blue, even though Jiang Qize didn't know his full strength, the man possessed one of the 21 Great Grade Swords — Wadō Ichimonji. That alone placed him well above ordinary swordmasters — more than worthy of attracting Hawkeye's interest.
"Swordmaster level…"
A glint flashed through Mihawk's hawk-like eyes.
He was already at the pinnacle of the swordmaster tier, but still one step away from becoming a great swordsman. If he could fight someone of equal level, perhaps he could finally grasp his own true path of the sword.
He glanced again at Raptorex and said flatly, "I can sense sword aura from him."
Jiang Qize's mouth twitched slightly. "That's not sword aura — and he's not a swordsman. He's a Devil Fruit user."
As he said this, Raptorex suddenly transformed his right arm into a gleaming blade that shimmered with cold light.
Mihawk's pupils contracted when he saw it.
"This fruit…"
He normally disliked the power that came from Devil Fruits, but even he couldn't deny that this one stirred his curiosity.
If he had that fruit, he might instantly surpass his limits — becoming not just a great swordsman, but an extraordinarily dangerous one.
But after a moment, Mihawk simply shook his head.
"It's a fine fruit — shame to see it wasted on you."
With that, he leapt lightly back down to his small boat.
"We'll meet again."
And then, without another glance, he sailed away.
Jiang Qize watched his departing back, his mouth twitching again.
Why did the world's greatest swordsman give off such chuunibyou vibes…? He felt like a total dramatic idiot.
"Forget it. Better focus on reaching Skypiea — can't rely on anyone else anyway."
He shook his head.
"Hey, Mosasaur — catch a couple of fish for us."
He shouted toward the sea.
"Roar~!" The Mosasaur's reply rumbled up from beneath the waves.
"Alright, time for a break. Let's eat," he told Camon and Robin.
Flop!
The two of them instantly collapsed onto the deck, too exhausted to move — completely drenched in sweat.
…
A few days later.
"Captain! We've reached Little Garden!" Camon called out excitedly.
Jiang Qize walked to the bow. Ahead, a massive island loomed, its colossal trees towering skyward.
"Roar~ Roar~!"
From deep within came the distant cries of beasts.
"The prehistoric island — Little Garden… full of dinosaurs," Jiang Qize murmured.
[Ding! Ancient dragon-type lifeforms detected. Recycling function activated.]
Suddenly, an electronic voice chimed in his mind.
His eyes widened in surprise.
This was the first time the system had ever given him a different kind of notification.
He drew in a deep breath, then said to Camon and the others, "Dock the ship — but don't go ashore yet. The creatures here are powerful."
Though confused, Camon still replied promptly, "Yes, Captain."
After that, Jiang Qize turned and headed back into his cabin.
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