"Eagle-like eyes?"
The name instantly triggered a memory in Buchi's mind—the man Gawain had mentioned before.
"Eagle Eyes... Hawkeye Mihawk!?"
"You mean the one they call the world's number one swordsman? The guy that mosshead goes on about every damn day!?"
He muttered, face gradually turning serious. Turning to Sham, he added grimly,
"If it really is him... then aside from the captain, I don't think anyone could stand a chance."
Sham blinked in surprise, then shrugged casually.
"Didn't the captain say Hawkeye's a top-tier monster, even in the New World? Why would someone like that come to the East Blue of all places? It's known as the weakest sea."
"Could just be a coincidence," Buchi offered. "Lots of people share similar features. Isn't the captain always getting mistaken for that actor…?"
"Hehehe~"
Relieved, Buchi chuckled and nodded.
"Yeah, it's probably just a misunderstanding."
He grabbed the receiver and spoke to the pirate on the other end.
"Keep watching him. Sham and I will be there soon."
"We've been tracking this target for over a month. If it's confirmed, I'll report directly to the captain."
"Yes, sir!"
He hung up the line.
Without wasting a second, Buchi stuffed a few cakes into his mouth, handed the rest of the cookies to some children nearby, and left with Sham.
Minutes later, their pirate ship at the port raised anchor and set sail—headed straight for the Baratie restaurant at sea.
A few hours later.
Far off the coast, dozens of miles from Raven Harbor, a shattered pirate ship slowly sank beneath the waves. Its skull-flag, emblazoned beneath a round shield, was swallowed by the sea.
Nearby, the floating restaurant Baratie rocked gently atop the calm waters.
Inside the kitchen.
Chefs bustled about, preparing exquisite dishes—but only for one guest.
"How could someone that dangerous show up in the East Blue?"
"That's Mihawk—world's number one swordsman and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He even has the World Government's license to plunder!"
"Even Mr. Zeff froze up when he saw him."
"Lucky for us, he's after the Gawain Pirates… not us."
Among them stood Patty, a rugged chef with a face like a sailor and a pink scarf tied across her chest. She wiped the sweat from her brow and cautiously peered into the restaurant.
There, seated at a table, was a stern-faced man in a black felt hat—eating.
Despite his elegant movements, he consumed the mountain of dishes before him with terrifying speed. Within half an hour, the table was piled high with empty plates. Yet the man showed no signs of stopping.
Finally, when the kitchen staff could barely stand from exhaustion, the man placed his utensils down and wiped his mouth with practiced grace.
That man was none other than Dracule "Hawkeye" Mihawk, who had carved his way from the New World to the East Blue with a single goal in mind.
"Are you part of the Gawain Pirates?"
His piercing hawk-like eyes locked onto the battered Cat Brothers standing nearby.
The two pirates stammered, unable to form a coherent response. The shock of what they had just witnessed left them paralyzed.
Just hours earlier, a single swing of turquoise sword energy had split their ship in half—from several kilometers away. The force had continued beyond sight.
They hadn't even had a chance to react before the battle was over. Miraculously, there were no casualties.
Even their monstrous Captain Gawain couldn't have done something like that.
As the brothers mumbled incoherently, Mihawk's patience wore thin.
He reached behind him, drawing the massive black cross-shaped blade. With a flick of his wrist, the cold steel pressed against Sam's throat.
"Tell me where Gawain is," he said calmly, "if you want to live."
"I…"
Sham trembled, but didn't back down. Gritting his teeth, he declared,
"Even if you kill me, I'll never betray the captain!"
"Interesting."
Mihawk raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk forming.
"So not only does he have that bloodthirsty aura… he also inspires true loyalty."
"My curiosity about this man grows."
He turned to Buchi.
"You have two choices. Watch your friend die… or send word to Gawain. Tell him to come see me."
"I…"
"Buchi!"
Sham turned toward him, eyes blazing.
"Don't forget who gave you your second chance at life! Don't you dare betray that man—not even if it costs us everything!"
"It's fine if people like us die here… Call it paying off old debts."
"But Captain Gawain's different. He still has people to protect—!"
Before he could finish, Mihawk's blade slid closer. A thin line of crimson spilled down Sham's neck.
He instantly held his breath. One more inch and the blade would cut through his artery.
"Stop!"
Buchi's shout rang out.
"I'll call the captain!"
Seeing Mihawk pause, Buchi hurriedly pulled a Den Den Mushi from his coat with shaking hands. After a few seconds of hesitation, he dialed a familiar number.
If it were his own life on the line, maybe he could hold out. But he couldn't watch Sham die.
The line connected.
"Moshi moshi~"
"Buchi, did you find the target?"
Before he could answer, Mihawk snatched the Den Den Mushi from Buchi and spoke in a low, cold voice:
"If you want your men to live, come meet me at the Baratie restaurant on the sea. The coordinates are…"
Elsewhere.
Gawain's face darkened as he listened.
His pirate crew was the most powerful in the East Blue. Aside from the Navy, no one would dare to touch them—and even that was unlikely in this weak sea.
Then there was only one explanation.
"…A pirate from the Grand Line?"
"But I haven't crossed any of them…"
"Who the hell are you?"
Mihawk's voice came through the line:
"Just a swordsman with too much free time, who enjoys watching new seeds grow."
"I happened to see a promising one here in the East Blue… I'm curious to see what kind of flower it might become."
"…"
A figure surfaced in Gawain's mind.
"Hawkeye Mihawk?!"
"Not bad," Mihawk replied with a faint chuckle.
He slowly sheathed his black sword, his interest in Gawain deepening.
"By sunset tomorrow, I expect you here."
"If not, your men—the ones who would rather die than betray you—will find their grave in the sea."
Click—!
The Den Den Mushi slowly curled into sleep.
Gawain stared at it, face unreadable.
He didn't know Mihawk well.
Only that he was the kind of man who would wipe out a 5,000-man fleet… just because someone interrupted his nap.
"This time," Gawain muttered darkly, "we're in real trouble..."