Leo had no idea that his duel with Mihawk had just earned him something completely unexpected — Carmen's admiration — and her decision to join the Leo Pirates without hesitation.
Outside the Baratie, sparks continued to flash in the night as Leo fought with growing excitement. His breathing was steady, his movements sharp. Swordsmanship, Haki, Instant Transmission, the Heal-Heal Fruit's power — he chained them together like it was second nature, pressing Mihawk again and again.
Mihawk, on the other hand, was growing more and more frustrated.
And then it hit him.
"That technique… Shiki. What's your connection to the Golden Lion?!" Mihawk demanded, his voice deep and cutting through the clashing steel.
The style was too familiar. These weren't just random slashes. This was Shiki's signature style — the Golden Lion's Flying Slash. Was Leo his apprentice? His successor?
So that crazy old lion is still alive?
Leo caught the look in Mihawk's eyes but didn't bother explaining. His grin widened instead.
"Hahahahaha! Beat me first, Mihawk. Then maybe I'll tell you."
Mihawk's brow twitched. Just say you won't tell me, he thought grimly.
With a sharp shing, Mihawk slid Yoru back into its sheath.
Leo blinked in surprise, appearing from thin air a few feet away. "You're stopping already? I was just getting warmed up."
Mihawk's mouth quirked slightly, but his tone stayed calm and factual. "Your swordsmanship and Haki are below mine. But… I am not your match."
It was an honest admission.
Leo's fighting style was irregular and terrifying — that Instant Transmission ability completely threw off Mihawk's rhythm. Not even Observation Haki could fully keep track.
If Leo's Haki ever reached Mihawk's level, this fight wouldn't even be close.
The world's greatest swordsman had seen many things, but this ability? It was absurd. And what unsettled him most — Leo's stamina hadn't wavered once. Not a bead of sweat, not a heavy breath.
What a strange sea the East Blue had become. The weakest of the four seas… and yet it birthed the Sea King that bit off Shanks' arm. And now a man like this.
At least Krieg was still weak.
Somewhere nearby, Krieg sneezed.
"You're right," Leo said easily, resting Wado Ichimonji on his shoulder. "Haki is my weakest point right now."
He didn't deny it. His three types of Haki were still beginner level — straight from the starter pack, really. Compared to Mihawk's mastery, he still had a long way to go.
But with Instant Transmission and his healing power, he'd never lose. Maybe not win every fight — but never lose.
"Now," Mihawk said evenly, "are you going to tell me your name?"
"Leo," he replied this time without hesitation. "Captain of the Leo Pirates. Just a rookie who recently set sail."
Mihawk nodded with the same serious expression. After a pause, he asked one more question:
"Leo. What is your dream?"
Leo tilted his head. "Huh?"
That came out of nowhere.
But Mihawk's gaze stayed locked on him. He wasn't going to let this go.
Leo could tell the man was evaluating him — not just as an opponent, but as someone who might one day change the seas.
He wants to know what I'm aiming for, Leo realized.
Wealth? Power? The Pirate King's throne?
Leo stretched lazily, putting his hands behind his head, and turned toward the restaurant. Over his shoulder, his voice floated back, light and careless:
"I want women. Lots and lots of women."
Mihawk froze for half a second, then let out a breathless laugh. "…Fine. You win."
A faint grin curved his lips. "Leo. I'll be waiting for you in the New World."
Because a man like this? He wouldn't stay in the East Blue forever.
Leo waved lazily over his shoulder, not bothering to look back.
Mihawk turned away, stepping back into his coffin boat. It drifted off silently into the night, taking with it the weight of his frustration — and a new curiosity.
He was already thinking about talking to Shanks, about the Sea King, about Leo, about the strange power brewing in this supposedly weakest sea.
But before he left completely, he casually swung Yoru once — cleanly knocking Krieg and Gin out cold.
Krieg's pirate dreams shattered completely.
Inside the restaurant, the gathered guests parted quickly as Leo walked back in. Their expressions ranged from awe to fear.
"Leo-nii is amazing!" Kaya beamed, resting her chin on her hands, eyes sparkling.
"Our captain," Makino added proudly, her voice warm.
Leo smiled faintly in return.
That's when he noticed Carmen standing among the women — not her usual bold, fiery self, but shy, almost fidgety.
"What are you doing here?" Leo asked, surprised.
Before Carmen could answer, Nami stepped forward with a little cough, tugging Carmen by the arm. "Leo, allow me to formally introduce the beautiful chef Carmen. From this moment on, she's officially a member of the Leo Pirates."
Leo blinked. "Wait… what?"
He hadn't even tried to recruit her yet.
But hey — fight Mihawk once, gain a new crewmate. Not a bad deal.
"You didn't force her, right?" he asked, glancing suspiciously at Nami and the others.
They all shook their heads quickly.
"Captain, they didn't do anything to me," Carmen said, stepping forward and holding out her hand. "I'm joining of my own free will. Please take care of me from now on."
Leo looked at her — the wild beauty, the spark in her eyes — and suddenly, he had an idea.
The next moments happened fast.
He paid the bill, gathered his crew, and returned to the Going Merry. Then, with a flick of his power, he created an island cloud beneath the ship and lifted it a thousand meters into the sky.
Everything flowed smoothly — too smoothly — and the girls just stood there, stunned.
"I knew it!" Nami groaned, stomping her foot as Leo and Carmen disappeared from the deck.
She didn't need to guess what was happening next.
Nojiko, Kaya, and Makino all covered their mouths to hide their giggles.
"Looks like none of us are getting any sleep tonight," Makino said, yawning.
"Nami," she added teasingly, "maybe the Merry wasn't built with enough soundproofing?"
Kaya threw up her hands, flustered. "I didn't think this would happen when we built it!"
Nami sighed dramatically. "Guess we'll all have dark circles tomorrow…"
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T/N :
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