Mihawk paused, his eyes sweeping over Crocodile and the Marines who lay on the ground, shriveled and lifeless. He understood what had happened but had no intention of helping the Marines. He had simply come for a meal.
Tashigi, seeing that the world's number one swordsman was paying attention to her, became excited. If she played her cards right, she might be able to save herself.
"That's Mr. Hawkeye!" Tashigi said, her glasses crooked and her vision blurry. "The group of pirates who hijacked the warship, one of them is dressed exactly like you, and their sword skills are superb! They even threatened to challenge you!" She rarely lied, but for a pirate, she made an exception. She knew that Mihawk never refused a challenge, and she hoped to incite a duel between the two.
"Exactly the same?" Mihawk's interest was piqued. First Crocodile, now someone dressed like him? He felt a flicker of annoyance and curiosity.
"Yes, Mr. Hawkeye, from what I could see, they were even carrying a sword just like your 'Yoru'! But I'm not sure if it's a Supreme Grade Sword." Tashigi continued, unaware of the subtle shift in Mihawk's expression due to her nearsightedness.
Mihawk quickened his pace, walking into the town.
"So, Mr. Hawkeye..." Tashigi's voice trailed off as she realized he was gone.
"He already left!" Smoker said, spitting out a broken tooth. He gave Tashigi a silent thumbs-up. His subordinate was sometimes a little useful.
Crocodile said nothing, but kicked Smoker again, breaking another one of his teeth.
"Look, that's Hawkeye!" a voice in the distance yelled. "My idol!" another shouted. A crowd of pirates and swordsmen rushed out of the town, all wanting to see or challenge Mihawk.
Mihawk, who had just entered the town, turned and walked back. He could have just leaped away, but he was curious to see what was going on. He found a bench and sat down. The crowd of people, a mix of worshipers and challengers, all fainted when they got within a hundred meters of him.
"Conqueror's Haki?" Crocodile wondered aloud, but then dismissed the idea. It didn't feel right.
"As expected of Mr. Hawkeye," Tashigi said, putting on her glasses. "This is the goal all swordsmen pursue!"
Crocodile, still within the hundred-meter radius, felt a growing sense of unease. She raised her hand, a sandstorm forming in her palm. She needed to get rid of these people before they caused trouble.
Just then, Mihawk stood up, his gaze fixed on Crocodile's direction. But he wasn't looking at her. He was looking at the two figures approaching from behind her.
"Hey, don't go there, you won't be able to handle it," an onlooker said. "Let them go, I guess they're another two not afraid of death," another added. "That woman is wearing the same clothes as Mr. Hawkeye!" a third person gasped. "I bet Hawkeye is going to take her down!"
The crowd watched with bated breath as the two parties drew closer. "What a coincidence, Mr. Mihawk," Rodin said, his voice calm. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
Mihawk's eyes flickered to the woman beside Rodin, then back to him. "You... gave me a surprise," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"I had found the image of 'Sand Crocodile' interesting before," Mihawk thought to himself. He had even tried to politely inform his fellow Warlord via a phone snail, only to be met with an inexplicably furious reaction. Now, with a woman who was a perfect replica of himself—from her height, her attire, her aura, to the unique eyes—he finally understood. The face was beautified, but it was like looking at a sister. And the feeling was deeply unsettling. He wanted her to disappear from his sight immediately.
Mihawk narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to build a Shichibukai team?" he asked Rodin, his gaze fixed on him. He suspected this man was the cause of all these strange events.
"My Captain, is not someone you should be looking at?" Mihoko moved gracefully, stepping in front of Rodin and blocking Mihawk's view. Her voice was alluring and charming, and for a moment, Mihawk's scalp tingled with an unsettling sensation.
Without a moment's hesitation, he drew his dark-black long sword from his back. He pointed it forward.
From a distance, Tashigi's eyes widened in excitement. "It's the Supreme Grade Black Blade!" she exclaimed. "Yoru!" The strongest sword wielded by the strongest man. As a sword enthusiast, she was beyond excited.
"World's Strongest Swordsman Hawkeye is making a move?" a spectator yelled. "He's taking the initiative to attack! This is a first!"
"That woman is finished."
The crowd grew denser, all eager to see the show. The black blade Yoru shimmered with an invisible, murderous aura.
"I heard from the Marines, that you wanted to challenge me," Mihawk said, his voice cold. "Then accept my challenge."
"Challenge you? In my world, it's always others who challenge me," Mihoko replied, crossing her arms. She leaned in close to Rodin's ear and whispered, "Captain, leave this to me." This was her first battle as his subordinate, and she would not disappoint him. She was supremely confident that she would not lose in a sword fight, even to the original version of herself.
Mihawk watched them, an indescribable feeling rising in his chest. A woman whispering in a stranger's ear, a woman who looked exactly like him, was an infuriating sight.
"Of course," Rodin said, nodding with a smile. "I'm looking forward to seeing your power." He stepped aside, leaving Mihoko to face Mihawk.
Mihawk's eyes flashed. "Do you only know how to hide behind a woman?" he said to Rodin, trying to gauge if the man had any strength of his own.
"Shut up!" Mihoko yelled, and with a flash, she drew her own long sword. A chilling aura spread around them. Her sword Hiru, a beautiful, sharp blade that seemed to defy the world's laws.
Tashigi, watching from a distance, squinted her eyes, trying to identify the sword. It didn't match any of the famous swords she knew. It was a completely unique blade.
"This is different from your black blade," Mihoko said, a heroic fire in her eyes. "Remember, mine will be the one to cut you down from the throne of number one... the white blade—Hiru!"
Black Blade Yoru. White Blade Hiru. It seemed to be a coincidence, yet not. Mihawk's expression hardened. She was not just imitating him; she was also imitating his sword.
Mihoko had learned from Rodin that in his world, he was the long-reigning number one swordsman. Their existence was a paradox; there could only be one.
"Hawkeye, there can only be one strongest swordsman," she said coldly. She didn't care about the title, but no one was allowed to disrespect her captain. That was her bottom line.
"Hmph," Mihawk said. "I also find you uncomfortable." The two of them were not ones for idle chatter.
"Are they going to start?" a spectator yelled.
"I bet the woman can't even last a round," another said.
"It's a shame," an old man with a white beard said, "such a beautiful girl, and she chooses to be a swordsman."
"Shut up!"