"Is that so!? I get it! Luffy!!"
…
The same words echoed in different corners of the world, spoken by members of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro, Cat Burglar Nami, Sniper King Usopp, Blackfoot Sanji, Cotton Candy Lover Tony Tony Chopper, Devil's Child Robin, Cyborg Franky, and Soul King Brook—these eight pirates, bound deeply to Straw Hat Luffy, received their captain's message in the newspaper:
"Ring the bell eighteen times, 3D/2Y!"
To bond with their friends and become stronger, the Straw Hats each embarked on a two-year journey. They would reunite at the Sabaody Archipelago and continue their voyage into the New World.
Grand Line, Kraikana Island, Ruins of the Kingdom of Sizkaear
"Please!!"
A swordsman with green algae hair knelt on the ground, his head touching the stone, three swords laid beside him.
He was kneeling to none other than Hawkeye Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, with sharp yellow eyes.
After returning from Marineford, Mihawk was surprised to see a younger generation rising on the seas.
"Please teach me swordsmanship!" Zoro pleaded.
"Roronoa… asking your enemy to teach you swordsmanship? Do you have no shame? Get out, you boring man! I overestimated you," Mihawk said calmly, pouring himself a glass of wine.
His sharp words startled Ghost Princess Perona, floating nearby in her lolita outfit with a pink umbrella. The world's greatest swordsman was truly terrifying.
Zoro's resolve, however, did not waver.
"I want to become stronger!" he roared, determined never to repeat the humiliation from the Sabaody Archipelago.
"You're a coward who was knocked down by a baboon. You couldn't go to sea, and yet you've returned as if nothing happened. I have nothing to teach you!"
"If it were a baboon, I'd have already defeated it!" Zoro's voice was low, his wounds still bleeding.
Mihawk paused, slightly surprised.
"All that's left is your head! But I'm not foolish enough to think I can defeat you now."
"I don't understand. If you see me as an enemy, why do you allow me to beg you? Why?"
Mihawk's contempt softened as he watched the younger generation. He remembered the battle at Marineford and the man named Victor.
"To surpass you," Zoro said, lifting his head with determination.
"Hahaha! Training someone who wants to take your head? Foolish! But perhaps you've found something more important than ambition!" Mihawk chuckled.
"Ghost girl, heal him!" he ordered.
"Don't give me orders!" Perona retorted, but no one paid her any attention.
"I'll start practicing once your wounds heal!" Mihawk said, giving Zoro hope.
Perona grumbled as she guided Zoro to heal, glaring at the two cold men. Not fun at all.
"Many new talents have appeared in the seas. How far can they go? Grow quickly. Sparring with Red-Haired is boring… Victor, next time we meet, I'll test the limits of your strength!" Mihawk sipped his wine, eager for a rematch with Victor.
Meanwhile, not far from the island, an ultra-luxury ship approached—Titanic X.
Victor sat on the deck, enjoying the sea breeze, while Hancock and Margaret selected beautiful clothes in the ship's boutique. Thanks to smart systems, no crew was needed to steer the ship.
Victor had no intention of taking a luxury liner at first. Luffy had gone out in a small wooden boat! But Victor was sailing with Hancock—comfort was a priority.
Nine Snake Island could not build a pirate ship matching their needs quickly.
Since the system had triggered the "Pirate Road" stage selection, Victor's excitement to sail was uncontrollable.
Among the three Pirate Road options, he chose option three—forming a seven-member pirate group with at least four King-level members and attempting to recruit three Straw Hat Pirates after setting sail.
Victor was not poaching the Straw Hats out of malice—he respected their bonds.
He chose option three because the rewards matched his desires: 1.5 Devil's Blessing (one part for Hancock), and a Zoan-type Devil Fruit, Mythical Beast Phoenix Form, ideal for Hancock's status. Victor trusted he would find a second Devil Fruit for himself in the next two years.
His first target was Roronoa Zoro, since Zoro's location aligned with Mihawk, and there was still an unfinished duel from Marineford.
The Titanic X arrived near Kraikana Island.
Hancock, unwilling to see any men but Victor, stayed on the ship with Margaret.
Victor landed alone.
A short distance into the island, he saw a swordsman with green algae hair fighting a baboon king—strikingly similar to Mihawk.
Above them floated a bored-looking loli.