East Blue waters, aboard Vice Admiral Garp's warship.
"Hey, you know that guy Vice Admiral Garp just recruited into the Marines?" a Marine Private Second Class chatted with his companion by the ship's railing. "I heard Vice Admiral Garp thinks highly of him."
"Yeah, his name's Taro. I heard about him too," another Private Second Class chimed in. "I just don't get why he's a chore boy instead of even a Private Third Class (recruit)."
"I heard he requested it himself. Vice Admiral Garp got really angry because of that."
...Marine chore boy Taro was currently on the deck at the stern of the warship. He had set up a reclining chair, lying on it and sipping sherry wine over ice.
"Being a Marine is comfortable! You don't have to do any real work all day, you get a salary, it's civil service treatment!"
Taro happily took a small sip of the fine wine and sighed with contentment.
The corners of Chore Boy Sergeant Major Mike's mouth twitched a few times on the reclining chair beside him.
"If you weren't personally brought aboard by Vice Admiral Garp, and if so many people hadn't testified that you're completely unfazed by Vice Admiral Garp's presence, do you think you could lie here like this?"
Of course, he didn't dare say that out loud. After all, this guy in front of him had connections.
Rumor had it even Fleet Admiral Sengoku knew about him.
"Sergeant Mike, you've told everyone, right? Please notify me the moment there's any combat!"
Taro took another sip of wine, turned his face to look at Chore Boy Sergeant Major Mike, his expression very sincere.
Sergeant Mike's body suddenly tensed, his tone even trembling a bit. He hadn't expected Taro to suddenly be so serious. "Of course. The chore boys on the warship, the various ranks of combat soldiers and Corporals I could notify, I've notified them all."
Seeing Sergeant Mike's strange reaction, Taro also had some doubts in his heart. Is this guy just brushing me off?
"Pirate ship sighted ahead!"
From the warship's lookout tower, a bearded Marine leaned out halfway, shouting down to the deck.
Taro sat up with a jolt, ready to go see.
"Don't rush," Sergeant Mike reached out to stop Taro. "The lookout tower hasn't sounded the alarm, which means it's a small-time pirate. Seeing our warship, they'll probably vanish without a trace..."
Sergeant Mike had encountered this situation many times. This was the weakest sea, the East Blue, and this was a warship commanded by Vice Admiral Garp. There was absolutely no need to worry.
Taro wouldn't let go of any opportunity. After two days sailing at sea, he had only observed the Marines training, not learning a single technically impressive move.
"I'll go take a look." Taro waved his hand and ran toward the front of the warship.
"It's the Great Axe Pirate Crew!" a Corporal shouted.
Great Axe Pirate Crew? Taro was stunned for a moment. Is there such a pirate crew? Anyway, Taro had no impression, so they must be small fry.
Taro felt somewhat dejected and was about to head back.
"Boom" "Boom" "Boom"
Several cannon roars. Flashes of light appeared on the Great Axe Pirate Crew's ship, and several cannonballs shot toward the Marine warship.
Is this small-fry pirate crew crazy? Is their Captain blind? Can't they see the dog-head pattern on the warship's sails?
Taro was instantly bewildered. Could it be... the other side is a master?
The Marines seemed to know something about this Great Axe Pirate Crew. They didn't even notify officers above the rank of Ensign. Only a young Marine Sergeant was directing the Marines to load cannonballs and return fire.
"Fighting from this far away is no good. Can't learn the stances, I mean, the techniques." Taro's thoughts raced. "Gotta think of a way to get closer."
Just as Taro was pondering how to get close enough for boarding combat, the pirate ship opposite made a big move.
"Creeeak, SNAP"
The Great Axe Pirate Crew's ship suddenly split in two from the middle. A sword aura burst through the hull, its momentum undiminished, heading straight for the warship.
"This... what is this?"
Taro watched this domineering sword aura in astonishment. It's that person, right?
"THUD"
Garp suddenly appeared, throwing a punch that deflected the sword aura. His burly figure landed on the ship's bow, his cloak embroidered with the two large characters for 'Justice' fluttering fiercely in the sea wind.
Excitement. Extreme excitement.
Taro licked his somewhat dry lips. Will they fight? Garp vs. Mihawk.
The only one who could unleash such a domineering sword slash must be one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, "Hawkeye" Mihawk!
"It's Hawkeye Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a great pirate!" a Marine pointed into the distance and exclaimed.
A coffin-shaped small boat slowly drifted out from the wreckage of the Great Axe Pirate ship. On the small boat sat a lean man wearing a wine-red shirt.
Closer and closer. A cross-shaped gold pendant hung around his neck—that small sword. Unforgettable, hawk-like eyes. And the massive famous blade on his back—the black blade yoru.
It really is you, Dracule Mihawk!
Taro was so excited he almost cried out.
Fight, please, you two must fight!
Taro shouted in his heart.
Mihawk's small boat slowly drifted near the warship. He gazed at Garp standing proudly on the bow. Garp likewise gazed at him. The soldiers on the ship were so suppressed by the auras of the two men they didn't dare breathe loudly.
Make a move, hurry up!
Seeing the atmosphere between the two so tense yet still no sign of action, Taro grew very anxious.
"No good, I have to stir the pot." Mihawk's small boat was about to drift past. Taro couldn't wait any longer. "If I don't seize this chance now, who knows when I'll see him again next time."
Thinking this, Taro suddenly broke the silence of the scene. "Your sword aura almost hit our warship. Aren't you going to say anything?"
Hawkeye Mihawk's sharp gaze instantly locked onto Taro. A powerful pressure also converged on Taro. On the other side, Garp also looked over in astonishment.
The auras of the two top-tier powerhouses focused on Taro alone. All the Marines on the deck instead breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately gasped in shock.
"Hiss, Taro is too bold! That's Mihawk!"
"Yeah! Hawkeye is the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
"The Seven Warlords of the Sea don't have the best tempers! Taro is done for!"
Taro, locked by the auras of the two men, appeared very calm. Because he was staring intently at Mihawk's movements, activating his Minor Formless Skill, ready to steal techniques at any moment, he didn't perceive the change in the atmosphere on the scene.
The group of Marines on the deck gasped in shock again, even more astonished.
"Hiss, Taro's strength is incredible! Under such powerful pressure, his expression hasn't changed at all!"
"Not just unchanged, look at Taro's eyes! That's a true powerhouse!"
"Yeah! He's also locking onto Hawkeye with his own aura! Hiss, Taro probably has Admiral-level strength!"
"Admiral-level strength!!!"
A chorus of exclamations rose on the deck.
Hawkeye Mihawk stared at Taro, feeling somewhat surprised, but more angry. A mere Marine chore boy dares to question me? Who gave you the guts!
Mihawk's right hand reached around his chest, grasped the black blade on his back, swiftly drew it, and in one fluid motion slashed out a sword aura, cleaving toward Taro.
The entire sequence was completed in an instant.
[Successfully learned Mihawk's Slash]