125. Invitation

Boom!

The red slash swiftly collided with the dark green slash. The tremendous force momentarily resulted in a stalemate, and then Hawkeye's slash abruptly collapsed!

Despite the unexpected twists and turns, the shattered slashes didn't disperse. Instead, they transformed into numerous tiny slashes resembling mosquitoes and flies. Swiftly, they adhered to the crimson slashes.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The two rapidly clashed, and despite the exchange, Atlas's slash maintained its formidable force, landing a powerful blow on Hawkeye!

Clang!

It's worth noting that the black sword lived up to its reputation, effortlessly blocking the strike without sustaining any damage.

"What formidable swordplay! Indeed, engaging in battle against such a skilled swordsman can be a catalyst for rapid growth!" Unconsciously, Hawkeye tightened his grip on the black sword once more.

Since setting sail, he has taken on challenges from numerous swordsmanship schools and even faced unfamiliar swordsmen. Besides the excitement stirred by his encounter with Shanks from earlier, the Marine before him also posed a formidable threat, adding pressure to the situation.

Almost simultaneously, they launched another strike in perfect harmony, showcasing their unspoken agreement!

Clang! Thump! Thump!

Metal and iron collided, sparks scattered in all directions.

In a strength contest, Hawkeye falls significantly short of Atlas, but thanks to his exceptional swordsmanship, his blade moves like a slippery fish, skillfully diverting most of the force. However, the residual strength is still formidable enough to force him to take two steps back involuntarily.

"It's not finished!"

Witnessing the success of his strike, Atlas grinned ferociously, holding the sword in front of him with just one hand!

"The secret of Ittoryu: One snap of the finger contains twenty moments; One moment contains twenty thoughts; One thought contains ninety instants; One instant contains nine million births and deaths!"

In this moment, time and space appeared to be in disarray, as if the entire world had come to a standstill.

Senkiri Issen (Thousand cuts in one flash)

In an instant, Hawkeye sensed as if he was trapped in a prison of blades. Innumerable sharp energies pierced towards his heart, leaving him with no escape.

"That's the sensation!"

Hawkeye's expression showed no sign of fear. Instead, he shifted from his usual indifference, and a hint of intensity appeared on his face!

Clang! Clang!...

Hawkeye seemed to unleash a single sword, followed by an onslaught of countless blades. The clash of hundreds of metal and iron sounds merged into an ethereal resonance that lingered for an extended period!

"You've been defeated!"

Atlas casually appeared behind Hawkeye and spoke with a light tone.

"I've been defeated."

Hawkeye didn't deny it. Instead, he turned around slowly to face Atlas standing behind him.

The outcome of a swordfight is usually determined in an instant, yet Hawkeye failed to fully comprehend the secret behind the recent exchange. There was little he could do; it was apparent that Atlas's speed and strength surpassed his own by a significant margin.

For swordsmen, failure is not a terrible outcome.

Yet, a wound on the back is a swordsman's shame!

"What are you up to?"

Atlas gazed at Hawkeye with closed eyes, arms open in a welcoming gesture, wearing a somewhat "agonized" expression. His face seemed a bit peculiar, as if he had consumed something unpleasant.

Does this guy Hawkeye possess any distinctive quirks?

"Cut me. Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame!"(T/N: Zoro is that you?)

Hawkeye wasn't sure about Atlas's intentions but explained with a serious demeanor. Otherwise, he might have been willing to fight to the death with Atlas, even if it meant using his last breath.

"Forget it, your swordsman etiquette doesn't work on me!"

Atlas waved his hand to dismiss the idea, but then a pained expression crossed his face. "Huh? You should be considered my prisoner now. Why don't you make a promise to me?"

Strictly speaking, there's no issue if Hawkeye decides to escape. As Hawkeye mentioned, a wound on the back is a swordsman's shame, so he would prefer to face Atlas head-on and be slashed from the front.

"What's going on?"

Hawkeye was no fool, and he didn't agree immediately.

"It's a minor issue. I assume you wouldn't want to attract the attention of the Marines or the World Government just yet. Bounties tend to be a constant nuisance for individuals like you."

Hawkeye nodded in agreement. Being frequently pursued by the Marines would consume a considerable amount of time and energy on these tedious matters. His singular focus was always on one goal: to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship or to continuously strive for breakthroughs in the art of the sword.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have found himself bored enough to venture into the East Blue searching for an unknown swordsman to spar with and develop his skills.

"I have a method that can spare you from this trouble. It's a matter of great benefit and poses no harm to you."

Atlas' tone held a hint of persuasion.

He wasn't bluffing about this. The advantages of becoming a Shichibukai are substantial.

"Shichibukai?"

Hawkeye raised his eyebrows and spoke a word slowly.

"Huh? How did you find out?"

Atlas was a bit surprised. He hadn't anticipated that Hawkeye would be so invested in the world's affairs.

Hawkeye didn't respond but regarded Atlas with an expression that suggested he thought the question was foolish. He regularly read regular newspapers and had his own understanding of the world's situation.

"Ahem..."

Atlas didn't pay much attention and let out an awkward cough.

While it was inevitable for Hawkeye to become a Shichibukai sooner or later, after their encounter, an idea suddenly crossed Atlas's mind.

To begin with, the authority to appoint and dismiss members of the Shichibukai organization lies not with the Marines but is directly controlled by the World Government. This system, at least judging from the current situation, cannot be abolished.

However, Atlas dislikes individuals with ambitions akin to Doflamingo and Crocodile. Such people typically have their own motives for becoming Shichibukai, and it's not necessarily in the best interest of the public. Nevertheless, even someone like Sengoku can't control it.

So, what if individuals like Doflamingo and others occupy all the Shichibukai positions before you get the chance or... eliminate them beforehand?

An old otaku like Hawkeye is quite fitting. He has no desire for the so-called legal right to plunder. He's either seeking someone to spar with or spending his days at home.

"Can."

Hawkeye didn't decline. Becoming a Shichibukai was already within his considerations, so agreeing to Atlas's proposal seemed like a minor matter.

"Alright! It's settled then. Your task will be to track down a few notorious pirates and deliver them to the Marines. I'll make the necessary arrangements for you with the Marines."

Even though he had anticipated it, Atlas couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness.

Then simply contact Sengoku and bring it to his attention. Of course, handling this kind of matter individually is not feasible. The appropriate solution is to leverage the power of the Marines.

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