Chapter 93: The Strongest

"Hahaha, Shiro, this battle is truly enjoyable!"

"I haven't had such a good match in a long time since the Red-Haired Shanks lost his arm."

"Shiro, I, Hawk Eyes, recognize you! Maybe after many years, the title of the world's greatest swordsman will be yours!"

Inside the castle on Kuraigana Island.

Although the island is on the verge of collapse, nothing will truly happen in a short time.

After all, Shiro had just forged some 'volcanoes' by hand.

After the battle ended.

Hawk Eyes invited Shiro into the castle and asked "Ghost Princess" Perona to prepare some delicious food, bringing out the fine wine she treasured.

It was clear that the world's greatest swordsman was very satisfied with this duel!

As he said.

Ever since the Emperor Red-Haired Shanks lost his arm in the East Blue, he hadn't faced anyone worthy in a long time.

Not to mention a sword fight.

And this time, Shiro really surprised him.

It was during the war at Marineford, the former Navy Headquarter.

Although Shiro made several slashes that were enough to shock the world, facing the Emperor, Whitebeard, the three Admirals of the Navy, and the Fleet Admiral of the Navy, he had not significantly fallen behind.

But at that time, Shiro relied more on his extremely terrifying and mysterious Devil Fruit ability, and his swordsmanship wasn't fully showcased.

Even Hawk Eyes knew that Shiro's swordsmanship wasn't weak.

But after this real duel, he discovered that Shiro's swordsmanship had reached an incredibly powerful level!

Especially since Shiro is so young yet possesses such powerful swordsmanship, coupled with his courage and will to openly oppose the World Government.

Given time, it is very possible for Shiro to reach or even surpass Hawk Eyes' current level of swordsmanship!

Moreover, swordsmanship is only one of Shiro's many abilities!

His thunder ability, comparable to the speed of Admiral Borsalino, and the wood and fire abilities displayed when summoning the Great Buddha, all point to one thing:

The man named Shiro before him is destined to be one of the top beings on the ocean in the future!

Hawk Eyes even had a hunch.

Shiro, perhaps, really has the potential to shake the control of the Celestial Dragons over the world!

Although it seems unlikely, it is at least possible!

At this moment, Zoro listened to Hawk Eyes' generous praise of Shiro and immediately downed a large glass of wine.

Before this,

He thought the only mountain standing before him was Hawk Eyes, the world's greatest swordsman.

But from now on, there would be another great mountain in front of him!

Shiro!

What a terrifying guy!

Fortunately, this guy should have no intentions toward the Straw Hat Pirates, otherwise, it would be troublesome...

"Mihawk, I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but my goal has never been to be the world's greatest or the world's strongest, you know."

Shiro smiled and clinked glasses with Hawk Eyes before drinking.

The promised battle was over.

The next step was to recruit Hawk Eyes.

After this battle, a sympathetic friendship had developed between him and Hawk Eyes.

Given the current state of Kuraigana Island, it would be uninhabitable in two or three months at most.

Therefore, the possibility of successfully recruiting Hawk Eyes still existed.

"I know, but Shiro, the World Government controls the world, and the Navy is all over the sea. You are openly enemies with the World Government and the Navy Headquarter. The difficulty of succeeding in the end is far greater than becoming the Pirate King!"

Hawk Eyes drank his wine and spoke after some deliberation.

Although he didn't mention it directly,

Shiro had already issued a declaration during the war at Marineford that caused the Navy to split on the spot.

Becoming an enemy of the World Government is not this man's purpose.

Shiro's purpose

Is to completely overthrow the World Government, destroy the world's aristocratic Celestial Dragons' control, and implement a new order!

And this,

No matter how you look at it, is far more difficult than becoming the Pirate King!

After all, even the former Pirate King, Roger, could not compete head-on with the World Government.

"The difficulty is certainly there, but it is man-made. I don't think the World Government is an unshakable existence. Hawk Eyes, I believe that you share the same opinion as me!"

"Hawk Eyes, join me, and with me, overthrow the World Government!"

After eighteen rounds of wine.

Shiro and Hawk Eyes became more familiar with each other, and since Shiro had to leave the island tomorrow, there was no time to delay.

So he went straight to the point, looking at Hawk Eyes with piercing eyes.

Hawk Eyes obviously did not expect Shiro to suddenly extend an olive branch to him.

It was something he hadn't thought about at all.

The whole sea,

Who doesn't know that Hawk Eyes likes to be alone? Yet this guy Shiro actually wants to recruit him!?

After a moment of silence, Hawk Eyes suddenly laughed:

"Hahaha, Shiro, you should know, I'm one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. In a sense, we are enemies now, and you want me to give up my stable life to join you against the World Government and the Navy Headquarter?"

Hawk Eyes' tone was slightly sarcastic, as if he felt that Shiro couldn't see the situation clearly.

"Alabasta, Dressrosa, you should know about these two countries. The strength of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is uneven, and each has their own interests. How long do you think this position will exist?"

"When the establishment of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is revoked, you, known as the 'Navy Hunter,' are you sure you can still live in peace?"

In the face of Hawk Eyes' rejection,

Shiro was not in a hurry and continued to drink while analyzing the situation for Hawk Eyes.

"As long as I destroy this World Conscription, I will definitely be able to take advantage of the situation to attract strong people and expand. At that time, I will use the Calm Belt as a foundation to hold the world under control. Offering you a quiet life, without any other disturbances, isn't difficult, is it?"

"What, you want to destroy the World Conscription?"

At this point, before Shiro's voice even fell,

Hawk Eyes asked in surprise.

After receiving an affirmative answer from Shiro and hearing some implementation plans,

He was shocked.

Good grief.

The strongest Rear Admiral of the Navy,

This is about to become the strongest injustice in Naval history!?

If everything goes as Shiro planned,

The Navy will not just lose the World Conscription—it's far more than that!

"What do you say, Hawk Eyes? I forgot to tell you that I offer a generous salary. If you join, you'll be one of the three major cadres.

What's the treatment? The bonus is ten tons of gold, and the salary is ten times that of a Navy Admiral. In addition, I have a lot of wine in my collection that you've never tasted before..."

After Shiro made his offer, Hawk Eyes finally relented.

According to the agreement,

As long as Shiro can successfully destroy the World Conscription, Hawk Eyes will join the cause and become a cadre.

Although it wasn't possible to recruit him directly, this outcome was already better than Shiro expected.

After all,

This is the world's greatest swordsman, Hawk Eyes Mihawk!

"Ghost Princess Perona, I wonder if you are interested in joining us?"

...

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+65 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg

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