59. Red Hair: That was The First Time I Am So Close To Death!

Come on, give those power stones and let's get on the ranking once again

He looked at the tearful Robin blankly.

At the end, the corners of Rob's mouth twitched involuntarily, and he covered his face with one hand.

"Well!"

After sighing, Rob continued:

"There are too many small fry in that sea right now! I'm not interested in small fry. When the current chaos is over and the real strong come to the fore, then we'll enter the 'New World.' It's more direct and convenient to challenge those strong people!"

After sharing his thoughts, Rob pretended to be angry and looked seriously at Robin, who was squatting on the ground, covering her head and trying to pass the test with cuteness.

In a serious tone, he said:

"Oni-chan doesn't allow you to say that you and Uta are a burden! Do you understand, Robin? This time, I forgive you!"

Hearing that Rob forgave her, Robin, who was originally pitiful, instantly hid her pitiful appearance. She showed a playful smile, moved to Rob's side, hugged his arm, and rubbed against his shoulder!

Where was the cuteness just now?

Seeing Robin like this, Rob sighed and showed a helpless smile.

Truly--

Zhang Wuji's mother was right; all beautiful women can deceive people, regardless of their age, they can all deceive people! (T/N: Some novel protagonist)

Rubbing Robin's little head, Rob looked at the bonfire in front of him and didn't mention what happened just now.

He could have said it differently, which might have been easier for Robin and Uta to understand, but in the end, Rob chose to say it directly and not hide it in his heart!

The reason is simple—

He didn't need to beat around the bush on this kind of thing. Clever Robin and the spirit-like Uta could feel that they couldn't keep up with Rob, their Onii-chan.

If he beat around the bush, it might make them feel more and more that they are a burden, leading to confusion and guilt, and maybe even causing problems!

During this period, Rob had vaguely sensed that Robin had such concerns. Even Uta was occasionally affected!

So Rob couldn't let this emotion continue and grow. It was better to say it directly and explain it clearly. With Robin and Uta's characters, it wouldn't be long before they could ignore this kind of thing.

Just like what Straw Hat Luffy said at Enies Lobby—some partners are really weak, but he still wanted to go on an adventure with them!

New World.

On an island showing the aftermath of a great battle, the Red Hair Pirates and Hawkeye, who was alone, were holding a small banquet.

"Hahaha..."

After taking a big sip of wine, Shanks laughed loudly and patted Hawkeye's shoulder with a happy face.

"It's delicious! As expected of the wine you brought, it's really good wine!"

Feeling the strength of Shanks' big hand on his shoulder, Hawkeye remained expressionless. The hand holding the wine glass loosened and tightened, tightened and loosened, and he wanted to smash his fist into Shanks' face!

But thinking of his identity as a top swordsman, Hawkeye sharpened his gaze:

"After this banquet, you and I will fight again!"

It's demeaning to beat someone with fists, but it's not a big problem if he chops Shanks with a sword.

Hearing Hawkeye's words, Shanks was stunned for a moment, then laughed again.

With a serious face, he said:

"I'm sorry! Hawkeye, I have important things to do in the future, so I can't fight you again! Speaking of which... you bastard, why are you so obsessed with fighting me? There are many strong men in the sea!"

Hearing that Shanks had important matters to attend to, Hawkeye's expression didn't change, but he didn't insist on continuing the fight either.

As for the reason why he wanted a decisive battle with Shanks?

After thinking about it, Hawkeye replied:

"You are very powerful! Although you are not a pure swordsman, you know how to fight with a sword! There is no stronger swordsman in the ocean now except you who is worth my fight."

In other words—

In terms of swordsmanship, apart from Shanks, Hawkeye can't find a stronger opponent.

As for Whitebeard, although he also has a big sword, he relies more on his Haki, Devil Fruit ability, and physical prowess to fight. If he is a swordsman, he is even less pure than Shanks.

Then there's—

Hawkeye knew he was not Whitebeard's equal and didn't have the idea of challenging him. Naturally, he didn't plan to face Whitebeard.

As for Kaido and Big Mom, they are not swordsmen, so he is even less interested.

To sum up, if he wants a worthy opponent, someone he can fight well against without losing badly, who is also considered a swordsman, there is only Shanks, who already has a good reputation in the New World.

Hearing that Hawkeye regarded him as a worthy opponent, Shanks didn't show any anger at all. He just rubbed his chin and thoughtfully said:

"If you lack an opponent, I can find someone for you. His swordsmanship is even better than mine, and his strength is also greater. He is the first man who gave me a taste of defeat since I went to sea!"

Swish—

Without speaking, Hawkeye looked at Shanks with sharp eyes:

"Who?"

Grunt!

After taking a sip of the wine, Shanks spoke again:

"You should have also paid attention to it. In the superpower of 'Paradise', Alabasta, the one who defeated one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea - Sir Crocodile."

While speaking, Shanks also touched the saber - the Great Grade Sword - Gryphon, which was placed beside him.

He smiled and said:

"My sword is the work of him!"

Narrowing his eyes, Hawkeye confirmed and asked again:

"Is he strong?"

Shanks nodded as a matter of course, his face turning serious.

"Yes! Very strong! I was defeated by him when I was in the East Blue. At that time, I was full of vigor, invincible, and had never lost! Until I fought him and tasted defeat!"

While speaking, Shanks pulled back his clothes, revealing many crisscrossing knife wounds that had been covered with new scars. He touched the wound closest to his heart.

Shanks' expression was complex:

"That was the first time I felt the breath of death! Last year, after knowing that he entered the Grand Line, I thought he would come to this sea area soon, but I didn't expect he would stay in the Grand Line till now!"

"But it makes sense, he isn't interested in domination and hegemony wars, and his two little ones are still very young, so it's not suitable for them to sail and adventure on this cruel sea!"

Pat—

As soon as Shanks finished speaking, Hawkeye had already put down his wine glass, picked up the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru, and walked towards the shore without looking back.

His footsteps paused slightly.

Hawkeye's voice came:

"I'm interested in the person you mentioned, Rob tight? Next, I'll go meet this 'genius master' for a while! If he is not as powerful as you said, I will come back and slash you hard! Redhead!"

Hearing Hawkeye's words, Shanks laughed nonchalantly and said:

"Hahaha... Be careful! Don't die under Rob's sword! If you are beaten to death by Rob, I will not avenge you. After all, he is also my friend! Dahaha..."

Regarding Shanks' words, Hawkeye didn't care at all. On the contrary, he looked forward to Rob's strength even more.

If Rob is truly stronger than he is, then he has a goal to keep chasing.

After all—

Rob was much younger than he was.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye!

This day—

The first half of the Grand Line, a paradise, on a winter island.

In the huge cave.

Next to the blazing bonfire, little Uta was wearing winter clothes, warming herself by the fire obediently. Robin, also in a warm cotton jacket, was staring intently at a historical Poneglyph in front of her.

Outside the cave, Rob, wearing only trousers and shirtless, held the unsheathed Shinto in his hand. He practiced the intricate sword techniques he had created over and over again, while also using the breathing method he had developed to continually enhance his innate talent—born strong.

The extreme environment acted as a catalyst to better stimulate his talent.

The bottom of the sea, where the pressure and lack of oxygen are intense.

The extremely cold climate of winter islands.

Extremely hot areas like craters.

Even in terrible thunderstorms.

These extreme conditions better stimulated his natural strength and also improved his physical resistance to different environments. Just as he could hold his breath longer at the bottom of the sea, his body gradually adapted to the extreme oxygen-deficient environment.

Now, Rob had gradually adapted to the extremely cold climate of this island.

Swish!

With a final, finishing swing of his sword, Rob let out a long breath:

"About there!"

Feeling his body and its resistance to the extreme cold, Rob's face showed a thoughtful expression.

He said:

"This extreme cold environment doesn't contribute much to my improvement anymore."

While talking, he sheathed Shinto, picked up his clothes from the side, and put them on. Then he walked into the cave.

Seeing that Robin was still examining the Poneglyph, Rob smiled slightly, feeling some gratitude for the powerful luck brought by the invisible destiny of his fourth talent!

Finding Poneglyphs is no easy task.

There is no doubt about this!

But—

This was already the fourth Poneglyph he had encountered in the first half of the Grand Line.

It was so easy to find that Rob felt as if these Poneglyphs were as common as everyday items, not as rare as people imagined!

In fact, the rarity of these things is even greater than that of Devil Fruits!

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