62. Hawkeye: Do I Look Like An Idiot?

Crash

The turbulent seawater poured into the deep chasm that split a corner of Jaya Island, separating it from the rest of the island.

It was entirely predictable that once this huge chasm filled with seawater, the small island would be completely detached from the main Jaya Island, forming two adjacent islands of different sizes!

whoosh

A figure fell from the air, and Rob landed on the small island. He then looked across, noticing with some surprise the standing but somewhat despondent expression of Hawkeye.

When Hawkeye saw Rob falling from the sky, he also looked at him with complicated eyes. The two stared at each other in silence for a while.

brush

The Shinto in Rob's hand swirled before he finally sheathed the sword.

Looking at Hawkeye with surprise:

"I thought you would choose to take all of me head-on!"

Rob put away his sword.

Hawkeye also had no intention of continuing to fight. His heart was quite complicated, and he had no fighting spirit left.

After hearing Rob's words of ridicule, or perhaps genuine doubt, Hawkeye was silent for a while, not knowing how to respond to Rob's question.

Did he look like a suicidal idiot?

Only...

This time, subconsciously avoiding Rob's sword, was indeed a shame for Hawkeye!

He never thought he would lose in swordsmanship, much less that one day, when faced with a swordsman's slash, he would subconsciously choose to dodge! A great shame.

Hawkeye regarded this retreat as the greatest shame of his life.

Without further ado, he turned around.

Walking towards the sea, Hawkeye's voice came:

"That sword... is very powerful! So this time, I lost! The title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman' belongs to you! When I feel able to face your sword, I will challenge you again!"

Hearing Hawkeye's words, Rob's face remained casual:

"Okay! But you have to do it soon, otherwise, after a few more years, when my body grows up and this sword is perfected, you won't have this chance again, Hawkeye."

After a pause, Hawkeye said nothing more, leaving in silence.

Once Hawkeye left, Rob stretched his waist and leisurely walked toward the other side of the coast. After fighting for so long, his stomach was already hungry, and he needed a good meal when he returned to the ship!

Compared to Hawkeye's preoccupation, Rob's mood could be described as relaxed and happy.

After today's battle erupts across the sea, defeating Hawkeye and splitting the island with a single sword stroke should make all the swordsmen recognize the title of the world's number one swordsman!

It doesn't matter if a few people don't admit it!

From Rob's understanding of the bird man Morgans, he must be excited and ready to broadcast the news, crowning Rob as the strongest swordsman without hesitation!

No matter what--

After such a long time, Rob is finally going to get his first "Strongest" title!

Time flies, and two days passed leisurely.

The Big and Small Jaya Islands, after the war, have begun to be rebuilt. On the ruins of Mock Town, people are working everywhere, including treasure hunters trying to find valuables in the ruins.

The Platinum Angel is docked on the shore of the small island, creating an absolutely quiet area where no one dares to disturb.

Joke!

Two nights ago, they saw the sword that split Jaya Island. They knew it was Rob who wielded it. Who would dare to disturb his rest without thinking?

No one believes their small body is tougher than Jaya Island!

Now--

On the deck of the Platinum Angel, the shirtless Rob, as always, practiced with the unsheathed Shinto, repeating his impressive sword skills that didn't even have names.

As for the wounds on his body, they have already healed.

Correct!

In just two days, Rob fully recovered from all the injuries he sustained from the previous battle with Hawkeye.

There might still be traces, but those scars are slowly disappearing.

Just as all the scars from Rob's battle with Shanks in East Blue years ago have faded away, so will the scars left by Hawkeye. They will be completely gone soon!

All of this is due to his first talent - born strong, which gives him a powerful physique and the ability to transform into powerful vitality just by eating.

"Hah"

After rehearsing the last sword technique, Rob let out a long breath.

With a satisfied smile on his face:

"I've become stronger again! It seems that fighting against the strong does accelerate growth! The feeling of becoming stronger is really good!"

While speaking, Rob placed the Shinto beside him, stretched his body, and was ready to go back to the cabin kitchen to make lunch.

At this time, Robin brought little Uta back to the Platinum Angel from the shore with a newspaper in her hand.

"Oni-chan!"

Robin had a smile on her face:

"Today's newspaper is here! There's news about Oni-chan today! And it's big news. The newspaper said that Oni-chan is the strongest swordsman in the world and deserves to be the 'World's Greatest Swordsman'!"

Swish

Rob's eyes lit up as he took the newspaper from Robin's hand and began reading it.

The headlines on the front page were all about him:

[Hawkeye - Dracule Mihawk, defeated by the "genius master" - Rob! The strongest swordsman of this era has appeared! He is the well-deserved "world's number one swordsman" - Rob!]

News with photos:

One showed the sword slash Rob delivered from the sky that night, seemingly bathed in moonlight. The second was a photo of Jaya Island smoothly split and blocked by seawater into two islands. The third was a picture of a downcast Hawkeye.

Immediately afterward, the headline of the second edition was still Rob's news. This time it was about his Ultimate Cut:

[The ultimate sword that splits the island, an unstoppable sure-kill sword, the strongest sword that is invincible in the world! Hawkeye admits with his own eyes—the next sword will be his only purpose after that.]

There was a photo of Rob holding his sword, shirtless, standing against the wind. He looked quite young, but also very handsome and domineering!

This photo—

It was Rob who had found a reporter from the newspaper, posed for the photos on purpose, asked him to capture them in place, and then selected the best ones himself. He had them reported to Morgans to ensure the most handsome pictures were published!

Why do such a seemingly pointless thing?

That's easy—

Because looking handsome!

No man can resist having his handsome photos spread across the sea. Even that red-haired guy, Shanks, had a close-up photo on his current bounty poster!

And being handsome is never meaningless.

While Rob was reading the news, the system voice sounded in his mind for the first time in a long while:

'With your own sword skills, you have become the strongest swordsman, and your reputation is gradually increasing! You have activated your fifth talent - extreme sublimation!'

"Um?!"

Rob frowned.

"Is there such a good thing?"

It was an unexpected surprise to become the world's number one swordsman and unlock a new talent!

Hearing Rob's words, Robin looked puzzled:

"Oni-chan, what good news?"

Rob smiled and shook his head, reaching out to touch Robin's little head:

"It's all small things! Don't worry about it! Let's go - to celebrate my becoming the 'World's No. 1 Swordsman,' let's have a feast tonight and drink a little wine!"

While speaking, Rob picked up little Uta at his feet and walked into the cabin. Robin, behind him, tilted her head and followed, not worrying about the good thing Rob had mentioned.

"Anyway, as long as it's a good thing."

Rob's ascension to the position of the world's number one swordsman caused quite a stir around the world.

These waves have nothing to do with him!

He doesn't pay attention to these situations, so naturally, he doesn't care.

As for whether other people care, it has nothing to do with him. As long as it does not affect his voyage or the freedom and safety of him and the people around him, it is enough.

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, history progressed to the Sea Circle Calendar at the beginning of January 1506!

On this day, it was on the White Sea, seven kilometers above Blue Sea.

Bang

A powerful soaring ocean current broke through the White Sea, and then Platinum Angel, slightly modified, jumped out of the broken hole in the White Sea, falling heavily on the surface!

Once the Angel stopped, Robin and Uta on the deck, unaffected by the high altitude and low oxygen environment, both came to the side of the railing, looking curiously at the White Sea completely formed by clouds!

"Is this the ocean above the sky?" Robin's face was full of surprise. "The ocean is truly amazing!"

Uta lay on the railing, her eyes wide with curiosity as she looked at the sea of clouds. She asked Rob, who also looked curious:

"Ni-chan, is it possible to swim in the sea here?"

Robin also looked at Rob curiously.

Rob smiled, habitually reaching out to rub Uta's long hair. He said:

"Yes! But the sea here, like the sea below, can affect Devil Fruit users, and there are creatures in the sea of clouds. For various reasons, it is even more dangerous than ordinary seas! So don't think about going down to play! It's very dangerous!"

Upon hearing his words, both Robin and Uta nodded, expressing their understanding. They were a bit regretful, though. After all, this ocean composed of clouds looked fun at first glance, but it was a pity that they, as Devil Fruit users, couldn't enter the water.

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