In the blink of an eye, the war has already ended for a week.
This afternoon, in a certain sea region of the New World, the sun was shining brightly.
Shano, who had just finished dealing with the affairs in the Galaxy Sea Region, boarded the Endgame and headed towards the Isle of Dawn.
On the deck, Shano rubbed his temples wearily, relaxing under a sun umbrella.
After the victory over the World Government, Endgame's territory expanded once again.
Apart from the islands where a few G-letter Navy Branches were located, many islands that were originally somewhat hesitant also submitted their applications to join.
This led to a sudden increase in Shano's workload.
Even though the administrative system of Endgame had matured with the help of many cadres sharing the burden, crucial decisions still needed his personal attention as a leader during this period.
From the deployment of troops on frontline islands, to the transition of power in new territories, and the redistribution of resources...
Many things were intertwined, forcing him to spend considerable energy to weigh them out.
Tsk.
Government affairs are perpetually troublesome...
"Brother!"
Nami walked over with a bunch of orange sodas and casually tossed two cans, "Here, catch!"
"Hmm?"
Shano casually caught them and glanced at them with a bit of surprise, "Canned?"
In the past, the orange water he drank was personally mixed by Uncle Zeff, and this canned orange soda was the first time he'd seen it.
"Hehe, it's now the hottest trend in the beverage industry!"
Nami giggled as she sat on the lounge chair next to him, popped the tab, and took a big gulp, "Brother, you really have no idea how popular you are."
"Just two months ago, I don't know which issue of the newspaper reported that you like to drink orange soda, and suddenly many brands specializing in producing orange soda sprung up, all selling like crazy!"
"This is probably what they call celebrity influence."
Robin also walked over with a smile, opened a can of soda, and winked playfully at Shano:
"And when it comes to fame, who could match our King of Four Seas now?"
She had been staying frequently in the Galaxy Sea Region lately, spending her days in the O'Hara Library.
But the night after tomorrow, the Isle of Dawn would host the most grand banquet since the founding of Endgame, so she joined them on the ship.
Accompanying them were Kuina, Zeff, Smoker, Ah Yin, and Nojiko among others.
Everyone gathered on the deck, sharing orange soda, while Ah Yin, having just sneaked a strawberry milk drink, became dizzy and lay dozily in the bow, sunbathing...
The sea breeze blew through.
For a moment, it made people inexplicably lost.
It's like being back to when the team departed from the East Sea, when the adventure was just beginning.
That time is truly nostalgic.
The only thing a bit out of place.
Is probably the Glutinous Rice Cake, standing staunchly like a bodyguard right behind Shano.
She was visibly envious of the warm sun-drenched spot next to Ah Yin and wished she could skip over there to lie down as well.
But she was concerned about ruining the Holy Archangel image she'd cultivated, so she bit her lip and restrained herself...
"King of Four Seas? Stop teasing me, Robin."
Shano heard Robin's words, snapped out of his daze, and shook his head helplessly.
This title "King of Four Seas" had just reached his ears over the past two days, something he still wasn't used to hearing, as it sounded a bit exaggerated.
After all, although Endgame's sphere of influence now encompassed most of the New World,
And had already extended to the North Sea and West Sea on both sides, unifying the Four Seas was still far off.
Nevertheless, it was barely acceptable.
Better than the awkward "World's No.1 Great Sword Master" from before.
Ever since the war ended, a certain middle-aged man, always running around with a coffin, had been following him like a fanatic, stubbornly demanding an ultimate Sword Master duel...
Duel what!
What's there to duel!
He mastered hundreds of fist techniques, but knew nothing about swordsmanship!
He had sincerely conveyed that to Hawkeye, yet he refused to believe, thinking it was an underestimation and disdain to duel!
Just thinking about it made Shano a bit speechless. He crushed the empty soda can with his hand and threw it skyward out of frustration.
Bang!
Five seconds later, a clear collision sound came from the stern.
Everyone on deck was stunned and turned their heads in unison.
It turned out that the empty soda can Shano had just tossed formed a beautiful parabola and accurately hit the forehead of a man sitting on a coffin-sized boat two hundred meters away.
Leaving a dent right on his forehead.
"..."
Hawkeye Mihawk expressionlessly reached out to remove the can from his forehead.
Then looked up and cast a deep gaze over.
Could it really be that accurate?
Shano suddenly felt troubled, moved to the railing, "No, aren't you done yet? How come you're still following me?"
"If you want peace, just accept my duel request."
Mihawk spoke calmly:
"I told you before, we've missed too many opportunities already, I won't give up without a duel with you."
"I already told you, I really don't know swordsmanship!"
Shano was truly exasperated, "You can take the title of World's No.1 Sword Master, and Kuina will just take it back from you later, it's got nothing to do with me, you idiot, can't you understand human speech!"
If not for the fact that this guy was Tashigi's mentor and had been reasonable during the war, refraining from further action after defeating Kuina, he would have given him a good beating.
He, Shano, was a dignified King of Four Seas!
Being followed by a fanatic in his own territory every day, does he have no face?
"I shall battle him for you, sir."
Kuina quietly approached and said solemnly, "I lost to him last time and have been wanting another challenge."
Her right hand was already on the hilt of Sakura Yuki, her gaze focused intensely on the distant Hawkeye.
Last time, he was indeed stronger, and she ultimately couldn't hold out.
But after that battle and days of recuperation, her comprehension of Sword Dao had advanced further, and she was eager to engage with this powerful foe again.
"I acknowledge Kuina's swordsmanship, but sorry, there's no need to duel a previously defeated opponent again."
Hawkeye shook his head at Kuina, then once more focused his sharp gaze on Shano, frowning:
"Stop avoiding; you're the one I want to challenge, Mister Shano!"
"Out of respect, I tried peaceful means first. Enduring your arrogance these past days reached my limit, and if you persist in dodging the fight..."
He slowly stood up and pulled out the Black Blade Yoru behind him, "Then blame me for using this sword to prove my determination!"
Doesn't know swordsmanship?
Still using such laughable excuses at this point; does he think he's as foolish as Tashigi, impossible to believe!
On the battlefield that day, he witnessed personally in a fleeting moment as the opponent struck and severed the head of Saint Garling of the Five Elders!
That awe-inspiring scene would never be forgotten!
Swish!
In the next instant.
Black Blade Yoru unsheathed swiftly, and the fierce Sword Qi instantly tore through the ocean surface, forming a massive black-red slash, whistling horizontally towards them!
Judging by the maneuver.
It was evidently aimed to cleave the entire Endgame in two!