The World's Reaction and Yhwach's Bounty: Encounter With Hawk Eyes

The fleet admiral Sengoku was prowling in his office in Marine headquarters like a caged animal after reading the newspaper earlier he began rethinking all his life choices but decided to accept fate as it is.Sengoku looked around and saw that the military leaders, strategists, and advisers he had asked for had arrived.Sengoku: Let's cut to the chase, ladies and gentlemen.He began, his voice commanding attention.Sengoku: The events in Mary Geoise... the losses are beyond comprehension. The financial toll alone is staggering, with property damage reaching into the billions. But more devastating still is the loss of life. Marines and World Government agents fell in droves, and yet that's not the worst of it. One individual, a former slave, managed to take down 21 Celestial Dragons single-handedly. Another nine perished in the explosions he orchestrated or the ensuing chaos. More than Thirty Celestial Dragons were gone in the blink of an eye.Sengoku cleared his throat. Sengoku: Also, all current operations of the Marines are put on hold. The stationed Marines will remain at their stations, but every available Marine and World Government agent not essential to protecting the remaining Celestial dragons will be redeployed. It is suspected that the attacker holds a strong hatred against them, and we cannot afford to allow all remaining descendants of the world's creators to be slaughtered. For the moment, the Buster Call is also blocked. In the face of this threat, we cannot afford to send five Vice-admirals and ten battleships away.Suddenly Tsuru who was reading the newspaper that arrived this morning stood with a shocked expression. Every bit of blood on her face disappeared as her skin became as pale as the moon. A piece of paper that was inside the newspaper fell to the ground and her old body shivered.Sengoku: What's the matter, Tsuru?Scene BreakIn another part of the world, a certain blonde wearing a top hat and an elegant suit read the newspaper with a shocked expression. Everyone who was reading the paper alongside him was as shocked as he was.Everyone except a man with a tattooed face, who just showed an enormous smirk on his face.???: Hmph. Seems like someone's been stirring up quite the commotion, taking down a handful of Celestial Dragons and Cipher Pol agents...Scene Break???: Pops! Pops!A certain man with hair in the form of a pineapple ran towards a big room carrying a newspaper. He stopped in front of a large man sitting on a throne with a mustache curved upwards and some medical equipment connected to his body.???: What's the matter, Marco?The old man asked.Marco: Old man, you have to hear this!Marco shouted as he took the newspaper and started reading to the old man.Marco: Reports have surfaced detailing a devastating fire that engulfed Mary Geoise.Scene Break???: The World government refused to give any commentary about what had happened some Celestial dragons said that it was the second coming of the Sinner Fisher Tiger. But yesterday, new information arrived.A light blond-haired, very lean, and muscular man with tan skin. that's wearing flamboyant clothes and blonde hair was reading the newspaper in front of a pool. Beside him, men with symbols like power heard him read the newspaper loud as his diabolic grin grew in size.???: Kuahahah, interestingScene BreakA giant man with a big tattoo of a dragon on his arm had someone read the newspaper for him as he was too big for it.???: Saint Elmo, the grieving father of the late Saint Darius, has called upon the World Government to spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrator responsible for his son's death.Scene BreakSomewhere else, a rather large woman eating candy chuckled looking at the newspaper in her hands. while she had a servant read for her.???: The World government agents that were in Mary Geoise at the time tried to find who was behind the explosions only to find a few remaining survivors and questioned them on if they knew anything about the recent explosions.Scene BreakA certain red-haired who just woke up from a hangover sat on top of a fallen tree while one of his pirate recruits read the content of today's newspaper to the crew.???: The remaining survivors described that hooded figures were bombing the place suggesting that these hooded figures were Pacifistas which suggests one of the seven warlords of the sea Bartholomew Kuma was involved in the attack while there are other rumors suggesting The Revolutionary Army was involved in the attack.Scene BreakIn a hall room situated in the Mary Geoise, the Five Elders were sitting as they had a Cipher Pol agent read the newspaper for them.???: Yet, recent intelligence from surviving Cipher Pol agents implicates a single individual as the mastermind behind the calamity—a figure responsible for the deaths of Saint Darius and Agent 'Astra.'_______________________________________________________________Full Newspaper Headline: The Mary Geoise Incident Shakes the World!Subheading: World Government Puts Bounty on Culprit's HeadArticle: The chaos of Mary Geoise would remain infamous for decades to come. Not only because of the losses of that one night but because they had lost nearly 35% of Mary Geoise. The explosions destroyed a large number of some Celestial dragon's property. It took over a day to recover the body of Saint Darius, a sight so gruesome that even seasoned agents couldn't help but recoil.Reports have surfaced detailing a devastating fire that engulfed Mary Geoise. The World government refused to give any commentary about what had happened some Celestial dragons said that it was the second coming of the Sinner Fisher Tiger. But yesterday, new information arrived.Saint Elmo, the grieving father of the late Saint Darius, has called upon the World Government to spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrator responsible for his son's death.The World government agents that were in Mary Geoise at the time tried to find who was behind the explosions only to find a few remaining survivors and questioned them on if they knew anything about the recent explosions.The remaining survivors described that hooded figures were bombing the place suggesting that these hooded figures were Pacifistas which suggests one of the seven warlords of the sea Bartholomew Kuma was involved in the attack while there are other rumors suggesting The Revolutionary Army was involved in the attack.Yet, recent intelligence from surviving Cipher Pol agents implicates a single individual as the mastermind behind the calamity—a figure responsible for the deaths of Saint Darius and Agent 'Astra.'Even with this new information, A surviving agent overheard Agent Astra mentioning that the man has eaten the Goro Goro no Mi, also known as the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.In response to the grave threat posed by this individual, the World Government has authorized the issuance of a bounty. While the killer's identity remains unknown, the Marines have taken to calling him the 'Dragon Slayer'A stern warning has been issued to the public: "If you encounter this individual, prioritize your safety and immediately contact the Marine forces." this man has now been dubbed "The Worst Sinner in history"_______________________________________________________________Scene Break - In the middle of nowhere - Location: SeaThe individual responsible for the events in Mary Geoise is currently adrift at sea.Ginjo's voice echoed within Yhwach's mind, his tone filled with a mix of curiosity and amusement.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) You know, Yhwach, you seem to share Zaegar's sense of direction. Getting lost at sea wasn't exactly part of the plan, was it?Yhwach's grip tightened on the oars as he steered the rowboat through the vast expanse of ocean, his expression focused as he ignored Ginjo's commentary.Yhwach: (Mental link) Quiet, Ginjo. We need to stay focused if we're going to reach our destination.Ginjo chuckled softly at Yhwach's response, his amusement evident in his tone.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Alright, alright, no need to get so serious. Just trying to lighten the mood a bit, you know?Yhwach sighed deeply, the weight of their situation pressing down on him as he continued to navigate the rowboat through the endless sea. His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden jolt as the boat collided with something solid.Before he could fully process what had happened, a burst of intense killing intent filled the air, causing Yhwach's instincts to kick into overdrive. He sprang to his feet, his gaze locking onto the source of the murderous aura.Standing before him, with hawk-like golden eyes narrowed in annoyance, was none other than Dracule Mihawk, the renowned swordsman and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.Yhwach had barely been able to deflect the strike from Mihawk, having just been able to pull his sword out.The slash went flying out into the ocean, missing the rowboat by mere centimeters, the pressure from it enough to cause the wood to splinter.Instantly, Yhwach turned back to look at Mihawk, but he stopped. Mihawk had not followed up with a second attack, his stance was instead, relaxed and open.Mihawk raised an eyebrow, curiosity worming into his thoughts.Not just anybody could deflect a slash like that, especially when Mihawk had been aiming to kill. Even more interesting was that the man had leaped up almost instantly when Mihwak had decided to obliterate the man and his boat.Yhwach and Mihawk stood locked in a tense staring contest, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. For what felt like an eternity, neither of them moved, their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills.Yhwach's mind raced, analyzing Mihawk's demeanor for any hint of his next move. Despite the initial aggression, Mihawk now appeared calm and collected, his golden eyes piercing through Yhwach with an unreadable expression.Ginjo's voice echoed within Yhwach's mind, breaking the eerie silence with a hint of amusement.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Well, this is quite the stare-down we've got here. It's like watching two hollows sizing each other up. You've really gotten yourself into a pickle this time, haven't you, Yhwach?Yhwach: (Mental link) Stay quiet, Ginjo. I don't need your commentary right now.Ginjo's chuckle reverberated within Yhwach's mind, but he complied with Yhwach's request, allowing the silence to settle once more between Yhwach and Mihawk.Finally, after what felt like an eternity but was only about 30 seconds, Mihawk's lips curled into a faint smirk, breaking the silence.Mihawk: Impressive reflexes. Most would not have been able to react in time to evade that strike.Yhwach remained silent, his expression guarded as he continued to assess the situation. Mihawk's words held a hint of respect, but Yhwach knew better than to let his guard down.After a moment of tense silence, Yhwach finally spoke, his voice steady but cautious.Yhwach: You're a skilled swordsman. Who are you, and what do you want?Mihawk's smirk widened slightly at Yhwach's question, his gaze still fixed on the older man with a hint of intrigue.Mihawk: My identity is of little importance to you. As for what I want... well, let's just say someone decided to disturb my peaceful rest, and I found myself in need of a diversion.Yhwach narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing that Mihawk was deflecting his question. But he decided to press on.Yhwach: Disturb your rest? By attacking me?Mihawk's smirk deepened into a faint smile as he inclined his head slightly.Mihawk: Indeed. I was quite content enjoying the tranquility of the open sea until your rowboat collided with mine. I must admit, it's not often that I encounter someone with such quick reflexes.Yhwach remained silent, his mind racing as he tried to decipher Mihawk's motives. There was more to this encounter than met the eye, and Yhwach couldn't shake the feeling that Mihawk was testing him in some way.Mihawk straightened up, sheathing his sword with a fluid motion as he turned away from Yhwach.Mihawk: Consider yourself fortunate, traveler. I have no interest in prolonging this encounter any further.Yhwach watched as Mihawk turned away, sheathing his sword with effortless grace. The tension in the air seemed to dissipate slightly, but Yhwach remained on guard, still unsure of Mihawk's true intentions.After a moment of contemplation, Yhwach decided to take a gamble. He needed information, and Mihawk seemed to be the only person around.Yhwach: Before you depart, could you provide me with the location of the nearest island? It appears I've lost my way.Mihawk's eyebrow arched in mild surprise at Yhwach's request. It wasn't often that he encountered someone who openly admitted to being lost at sea, especially after a confrontation as intense as the one they had just experienced. Nevertheless, without saying a word, Mihawk simply raised his hand and pointed in the direction Yhwach needed to go.With a nod of gratitude, Yhwach turned the rowboat in the indicated direction and began rowing away. As he drifted further from Mihawk, a voice echoed within Yhwach's mind, breaking the quiet solitude of the sea.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) You know, Yhwach, I hate to say it again, but I think you might be channeling Zaegar's sense of direction. You're going the wrong way.Yhwach sighed inwardly, cursing his luck. It seemed that even in the midst of a tense encounter with one of the Seven Warlords, his lack of direction was still a problem.Ignoring Ginjo's teasing, Yhwach adjusted his course, heading in the opposite direction as Mihawk had indicated. He could feel Mihawk's eyes on him, silently observing his departure.Meanwhile, Mihawk watched Yhwach's departure with a bemused expression, a small sweatdrop forming on his brow.Mihawk: What an... interesting individual.Scene Break - SkiesHigh above the tumultuous seas, Zaegar's dragon hands clenched tightly around the borrowed newspaper he kindly borrowed yes borrowed from an old lady, his eyes widening in disbelief as he read the headline once more.Zaegar: What the fuck?!The Four Kings, floating alongside Zaegar, turn to look at him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. The Third King, ever the voice of reason, chides Zaegar.Third King: Language, Zaegar.Zaegar shoots the Third King a defiant look, giving him the middle finger in response.Zaegar: fuck off. I'll say whatever the fuck I want!Meanwhile, the First King reaches for the newspaper, his curiosity piqued by Zaegar's outburst. He begins to read aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief.First King: It seems Yhwach has made quite a mess. He freed our flock and other slaves, but now he's wanted by the World Government. There's no point in heading to Mary Geoise now.Second King: What do we do now?The Fourth King, pondering their next move, suggests.Fourth King: We could return to the island.Zaegar interjects, shaking his head vigorously. Zaegar: No way! Remember, we're banned from that place.The Third King furrows his brow, trying to recall the reason behind their banishment. Third King: Why were we banned again?The Second King chuckles, remembering the chaotic events that led to their exile. Second King: Zaegar destroyed half the forest when he farted. And let's not forget, he also burned down all the bars on the island while slapping the townspeople when they told him to stop causing trouble.Zaegar scoffs at the reminder, but there's a mischievous glint in his eyes as he retorts.Zaegar: Hey, they were asking for it! Besides, it's not like we need those losers anyway.The Four Kings exchange knowing glances, accustomed to Zaegar's antics by now. Despite his chaotic behavior, they've come to rely on him as their new leader which the First King never agreed to.The Fourth King turns to the First King.Fourth King: So, where should we go now?The First King shrugs, looking uncertain.First King: I'm not sure. Why don't we ask our new "leader"?Zaegar scoffs at the suggestion, his ego inflated.Zaegar: C'mon, you're just jealous.The First King rolls his eyes, unimpressed by Zaegar's bravado.First King: Yeah, real jealous. The only reason you became the leader was because you're the strongest among us. Jungle rules, right? Whoever's the strongest calls the shots.Zaegar grins smugly, taking pride in his position as the group's leader, albeit one that was begrudgingly accepted by the other kings.Zaegar: Damn right. And don't you forget it.The Third King interjects, trying to steer the conversation back on track.Third King: Regardless of who's in charge, we still need to figure out our next move. Any suggestions?The Second King scratches his head, thinking deeply.Second King: Well, if we can't go back to the island, maybe we should head in the direction of another inhabited place. We need supplies and information if we're going to survive out here.The Fourth King nods in agreement, his expression serious.Fourth King: Agreed. Let's set a course for the nearest settlement and see what we can find.As the Four Kings discuss their next move, Zaegar's mind drifts to Yhwach's whereabouts. He furrows his brow, contemplating the situation. Despite their often tumultuous relationship, Yhwach was still an important member of their group, and his disappearance was cause for concern.Zaegar: (Muttering to himself) Where the hell did that old man wander off to this time?The First King, catching Zaegar's muttering, raises an eyebrow inquisitively.First King: Something on your mind, Zaegar?Zaegar shakes his head, trying to push aside his worries.Zaegar: Nah, just thinking out loud. But seriously, we need to find Yhwach. He's probably off-causing chaos somewhere without us.The Second King nods in agreement, his expression serious.Second King: Agreed. Yhwach may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he's still one of us. We can't just leave him to fend for himself out there.The Third King chimes in, his tone thoughtful.Third King: Perhaps we should split up and search for him. Cover more ground that way.Zaegar considers the suggestion, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.Zaegar: Yeah, that might not be a bad idea. We'll cover more ground that way and increase our chances of finding him.The Fourth King nods in agreement, his expression determined.Fourth King: Let's do it then. We'll split into pairs and search the surrounding area. Keep your eyes peeled for any sign of Yhwach.With their plan decided, the Four Kings set off in different directions, each pair determined to track down their missing comrade.Yhwach may be a handful at times, but he's still Zaegar's bestio friendo, and Zaegar refuses to abandon him to whatever fate may have befallen him.Zaegar: (Under his breath) Hang in there, old man. We're coming for youScene Break - Somewhere in the Open SeaAs for that old man, Yhwach found himself careening into jagged rocks, the rowboat now taking on water and rapidly sinking.Ginjo's voice echoed within Yhwach's mind, urgency laced in his tone.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Yhwach, we need to remove more water from the boat! It's sinking faster than you can row!Yhwach, his focus divided between trying to bail out water and navigating the sinking rowboat, gritted his teeth in frustration.Yhwach: (Mental link) I'm aware of that, Ginjo. Do you think I'm blind?Ginjo's voice held a note of exasperation as he responded.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Well, pardon me for stating the obvious, but it seems like you need a reminder considering the boat is about to go under any minute now!Yhwach's patience wore thin as he continued to scoop water out of the boat, his movements becoming more frantic with each passing moment.Yhwach: (Mental link) I said I know, Ginjo! Now shut up and let me concentrate!Ginjo fell silent, recognizing that Yhwach needed to focus on the task at hand. The urgency of their situation weighed heavily on his mind as Yhwach worked frantically to prevent the rowboat from sinking.Suddenly, with a loud creaking noise, the rowboat lurched violently to one side, sending Yhwach sprawling onto the deck.Yhwach: (Mental link) Ginjo, we're going down!Ginjo's response was swift, his voice filled with alarm.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Abandon ship, Yhwach! You need to get out of here before you go down with it!Yhwach let out a frustrated sigh as he felt the rowboat sinking beneath him. With no time to spare, he focused his Quincy abilities, tapping into a different version of Hirenkyaku, one that allowed him to manipulate Reishi to create platforms beneath his feet.As the water rose around him, Yhwach's concentration sharpened, and with a swift motion, he invoked the technique. Reishi coalesced beneath him, forming a sturdy platform that lifted him above the sinking rowboat.Yhwach propelled himself upward, leaping from platform to platform as he ascended into the air. Each movement was precise, each platform manifesting effortlessly beneath his feet.Ginjo let out a heavy sigh, his voice echoing within Yhwach's mind with a mixture of exasperation and concern.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Honestly, Yhwach, haven't you learned anything about how to navigate a boat?Yhwach paused for a moment, his mind racing as he considered Ginjo's question. Memories from his distant past resurfaced, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly.Yhwach: (Mental link) Funny you should mention that, Ginjo. During my youth, I had my Soldat steer the ships when conquering the northern territories in the human world.Ginjo's response was incredulous, his tone tinged with disbelief.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) You mean to tell me that you, 'The Almighty' Yhwach, Destroyer of Soul Society, never learned how to steer a boat?Yhwach chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his voice as he continued to leap from platform to platform.Yhwach: (Mental link) Let's just say that my talents lie elsewhere. Besides, there was always someone else to handle such trivial tasks.As Yhwach continued to ascend into the air, leaving the sinking rowboat behind, he couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected turn of events that had led him to this moment.Ginjo's voice echoed within his mind, breaking the silence with a hint of amusement.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Well, it seems we're in quite the predicament now, aren't we? Stranded in the middle of the ocean with no boat and no clear destination in sight. What do you suggest we do next, oh fearless leader?Yhwach's mind raced as he considered their options, his expression serious as he focused on the task at hand.Yhwach: (Mental link) For now, we need to find land and regroup. Once we're back on solid ground, we can assess the situation and formulate a plan.Scene Break - Location: JayaIt's been a few hours since the bell last rang, Cricket was now stretching his body to prepare for the next dive. Unlike how he used to dive all day during the first three months, these days he only does it for fun, Cricket also takes care of his health. After all, He has nothing to prove himself since he already knows about the City of Gold existing in the sky... Cricket: (In thought) Maybe I should soon find a new adventure... Should I visit the sky once? Hmm, that's a thing to think abo-Huh?! WHAT'S THAT?!Cricket thought as he saw something in the sky.Cricket: (In thought) Is that a bird in the sky?!As the Third King soared through the skies, he couldn't suppress the urgent pressure building within him any longer. He called out to Zaegar, his voice strained.Third King: Zaegar, I can't hold it anymore! I need to go!Zaegar, caught off guard by the sudden announcement, glanced up at the Third King with a mix of confusion and annoyance.Zaegar: Well, what are you waiting for? Just do it!With a strained grunt, the Third King released a mighty stream of excrement, aiming for the vast ocean below. But just as he let loose, a sudden gust of wind altered the trajectory of his... payload.The Third King's eyes widened in horror as he watched in slow motion as his shit soared through the air, completely missing its intended target and hurtling towards the unsuspecting Cricket below.Cricket, oblivious to the impending disaster, continued to gaze up at the sky, marveling at the sight of what he thought was a majestic bird. But his moment of awe was abruptly interrupted as a foul-smelling substance splattered onto his head, covering him from head to toe.Cricket: (Shocked) What the... Oh no, not again!He wiped the shit from his eyes, his expression a mixture of disbelief and disgust.Cricket: (Angrily) Hey, who's the wise guy up there?!Zaegar, realizing what had happened, burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach as he doubled over.Zaegar, still laughing uncontrollably, wiped tears of mirth from his eyes before composing himself enough to respond to Cricket's indignation. With a mischievous grin, he raised his middle finger defiantly towards Cricket.Zaegar: (Between fits of laughter) Looks like you're having a shitty day!The Third King, still airborne and chuckling to himself, called down to Cricket with a tone that bordered on mock apology.Third King: (Laughing) Sorry, not sorry! Sometimes you're just in the wrong place at the wrong time!Cricket, now thoroughly disgusted and irritated, shook his fist at the sky, his patience wearing thin.Cricket: (Angrily) You better watch yourselves up there! Next time, I won't be so forgiving!As Zaegar and the Third King flew away, their laughter echoing in the sky, Cricket sighed heavily, resigned to yet another unexpected turn of events. Covered in bird droppings and seething with frustration, he trudged off towards the nearest stream to clean himself up, muttering curses under his breath.But Cricket, his patience worn thin, simply waved them off before trudging away, muttering curses under his breath.Cricket: (Grumbling) Unbelievable... First giant snakes, now this... I need a vacation.Scene Break - Kuraigana IslandAs Yhwach stepped onto the shores of Kuraigana Island, his senses were immediately assailed by the distinct atmosphere of the secluded land. The air was thick with the scent of vegetation and saltwater, and the sound of waves crashing against the rocky coastline filled the air.Ginjo's voice echoed within Yhwach's mind, his tone filled with relief.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Finally, solid ground. I don't know about you, Yhwach, but I'm glad to be off that sinking rowboat.Yhwach took a moment to savor the feeling of solid ground beneath his feet, grateful to have escaped the sinking rowboat and the treacherous waters. But as he attempted to respond to Ginjo's relief, he was struck by a sudden realization.Yhwach: (Mental link) Ginjo, my friend, I hate to burst your bubble, but you've never set foot on that rowboat. You're stuck in my mind, remember?Ginjo chuckled softly, his voice echoing within Yhwach's mind with a hint of amusement.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Ah, right you are, Yhwach. I suppose you could say it's a figure of speech... or something along those lines. Either way, I'm just relieved we made it out of that predicament in one piece.Yhwach couldn't help but smile at Ginjo's response, grateful for his companion's unwavering support and sense of humor, even in the face of adversity.Yhwach: (Mental link) Agreed, Ginjo. Now that we're on solid ground, we can focus on our next steps. We need to gather information about the recent events and assess our options moving forward.Ginjo's voice held a note of determination as he responded, his tone echoing Yhwach's sentiments.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Right. Let's start by exploring the island and see if we can find any clues about what's been happening in the outside world. With any luck, we'll stumble upon something useful.As Yhwach explored the island, his gaze fell upon a tree laden with ripe apples. The sight stirred memories within him, memories of a young girl with a fierce spirit and a love for apples.Yhwach reached out and plucked a few apples from the tree, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips as he remembered Clementine. Despite the trials and tribulations they had faced together, she had remained a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.Ginjo's voice echoed within Yhwach's mind, his tone tinged with nostalgia.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) They did believe you died from a walker's bite, didn't they? It's strange how fate works sometimes, bringing us to this island where memories of the past linger like ghosts.Yhwach nodded silently in agreement, his thoughts drifting back to his time in the world plagued by walkers. Clementine had been like a daughter to him.Yhwach: (Mental link) Yes, they did. But fate has a way of surprising us, doesn't it? We may have left that world behind, but the memories will always remain.With a sigh, Yhwach continued to explore the island, his mind filled with memories of Clementine and the bonds they had formed. He couldn't help but wonder what had become of her and the others since their paths had diverged.As he turned a corner, Yhwach stumbled upon the humandrills, their presence startling him out of his reverie. The creatures regarded him with keen interest, their expressions unreadable as they observed the unfamiliar intruder in their territory.Yhwach, taken aback by the sudden encounter, raised his hands in a gesture of peace, hoping to convey his intentions to the wary creatures.Yhwach: Easy there, I mean you no harm.The humandrills exchanged cautious glances, their instincts on high alert as they assessed the threat posed by the unfamiliar visitor. One of the larger humandrills, its fur a vibrant shade of blue, stepped forward, its gaze fixed on Yhwach with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.Yhwach, sensing that the humandrills appeared intelligent enough to understand his words, decided to communicate with them. He addressed the group in a calm and reassuring tone, hoping to establish a rapport with the curious creatures.Yhwach: Do you know of any humans around here? Perhaps a village or settlement?Yhwach noticed the tension among the humandrills and realized that he needed to tread carefully. He didn't want to frighten them or escalate the situation further. Instead, he decided to try a different approach.Yhwach: It's alright, I mean you no harm. I'm just looking for some information. Can you do me a favor and point me in the direction of the nearest human town?The blue-furred humandrill considered Yhwach's request for a moment before gesturing towards a direction with a tentative paw. Yhwach followed its gesture, but then he abruptly turned and began walking in the opposite direction.Ginjo's voice echoed within Yhwach's mind once more, his tone filled with a mix of exasperation and amusement.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Yhwach, hate to break it to you again, but you're going the wrong way. I think you might need to recalibrate your sense of direction.Yhwach let out a resigned sigh, realizing his mistake. He adjusted his course accordingly, turning in the direction indicated by the humandrill's gesture.Yhwach: (Mental link) Ginjo, your constant reminders are becoming tiresome. I assure you, that I am well aware of my surroundings and do not require your guidance.With a resigned shrug, Yhwach adjusted his course, turning to follow Ginjo's guidance. He couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance at his own lack of direction, but he pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand.As Yhwach walked, he soon stumbled upon a lush, verdant landscape, the air filled with the sounds of birdsong and the gentle rustling of leaves. In the distance, he could see fields of crops stretching out before him, tended to by a lone figure.Yhwach approached cautiously, his senses on high alert as he observed the individual working in the fields. Something about the figure seemed familiar, triggering a sense of déjà vu within him.As he drew closer, Yhwach's eyes widened in recognition, his mind racing as he made the connection. The individual tending to the fields was none other than Dracule Mihawk, the renowned swordsman and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.Yhwach paused in his tracks, his mind reeling as he processed the implications of this unexpected encounter. It seemed that fate had a way of bringing them together once more, albeit under vastly different circumstances.For a moment, Yhwach debated his next course of action. Should he approach Mihawk and attempt to strike up a conversation, or would it be wiser to keep his distance and observe from afar?Before he could make a decision, Mihawk turned around, his gaze locking onto Yhwach with a look of mild surprise. It was clear that he recognized Yhwach from their earlier encounter in the open sea.Mihawk: You... You're the one who asked for directions earlier.Yhwach nodded, a hint of amusement in his voice as he responded.Yhwach: Indeed, I am. It seems fate has brought us together once again, Swordsmen.Mihawk regarded Yhwach with a mixture of curiosity and wariness, his gaze never leaving the older man as he spoke.Mihawk: What brings you to Kuraigana Island, Dragon Slayer? Surely you didn't come all this way just to get lost again.Yhwach's mind raced with questions as Mihawk addressed him with the title "Dragon Slayer." What could Mihawk possibly mean by that? Yhwach hadn't encountered any dragons in this world, let alone slain them.Yhwach: Dragon Slayer? What do you mean by that?Mihawk held up a hand, indicating for Yhwach to wait as he gathered his thoughts.Mihawk: Hold your questions, Dragon Slayer. Let me finish.Yhwach nodded, albeit reluctantly, his mind buzzing with questions. He turned to Ginjo, seeking some clarity on the situation.Yhwach: (Mental link) Ginjo, did our plan and cover get blown away somehow? How could they have linked me to these events?Ginjo's response was tinged with uncertainty, his voice echoing within Yhwach's mind.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) It's possible, Yhwach. We might have attracted more attention than we anticipated during our escape from Mary Geoise.Yhwach sighed heavily, his frustration mounting at the thought of their carefully laid plans unraveling so quickly.Yhwach: (Mental link) We'll have to tread carefully from now on. We can't afford any more slip-ups.Mihawk motioned for Yhwach to follow him, and after a bit of walking, they reached Mihawk's castle. Yhwach couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise at the sight of a grand castle standing in the middle of an otherwise secluded island. It was an unexpected sight, to say the least.Yhwach: (In thought) A castle? On this island?Ginjo's voice echoed within Yhwach's mind, his tone filled with amusement.Ginjo: (Within Yhwach's mind) Well, Yhwach, I've seen stranger things. Trust me, this is nothing compared to some of the bizarre places we've encountered in our travels.Yhwach couldn't argue with Ginjo's assessment. After all, their adventures had taken them to some truly unusual places, each more surreal than the last.Mihawk led Yhwach through the grand halls of the castle, the echoes of their footsteps resonating against the stone walls. Eventually, they arrived at a spacious living room, furnished with elegant yet minimalist decor.Mihawk gestured for Yhwach to take a seat, his expression unreadable as he watched the older man settle into one of the plush armchairs. Without a word, Mihawk handed Yhwach a newspaper, his gaze fixed on the older man with a hint of curiosity.Yhwach accepted the newspaper with a nod of gratitude, his eyes scanning the headlines with interest. As he read, his expression shifted from curiosity to surprise, then to shock.Yhwach absorbed the information presented in the newspaper. The Mary Geoise Incident had sent shockwaves throughout the world, and the repercussions were far-reaching. As Yhwach turned the newspaper around. The biggest surprise was when Yhwach found his wanted poster and a picture of his real appearance.( Wanted Poster in the comments )