"What the hell are you screaming about?" Crocodile snapped, his patience wearing thin.

"D-D-Dragon! A dragon!" Buggy's voice cracked like a strangled duck, his limbs flailing wildly.

"What dragon?" Crocodile's brow furrowed.

"There's a dragon! Right outside!" Buggy pointed frantically, sweat pouring down his face.

The moment he saw the dragon, Buggy's first thought was the Beasts Pirates.

He couldn't think of any other crew associated with dragons.

For almost every pirate in the New World, seeing a giant dragon instantly made them think of Kaido's crew. It was almost an instinctive reaction.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion rocked the building. The shockwave blasted through the door, sending dust and debris flying. Buggy's hat nearly flew off his head.

As the smoke cleared, Crocodile and Mihawk stood up. Crocodile extended the golden hook on his left hand, while Mihawk picked up the black sword sitting beside him.

"C-Captain Buggy!"One of Buggy's subordinates lay on the ground, raising a trembling hand toward him.

"You guys..." Buggy was panicking hard. He had seen the dragon descend like a cannonball from the sky.

"Marines?" Crocodile asked.

"If it's pirates, even if it's an Admiral…" Mihawk was already preparing to hunt.

Long ago, after Roger's execution, Mihawk had earned the title "Marine Hunter." No one knew why he despised the Navy, but his grudge was legendary.

Footsteps echoed. The Buggy Pirates, over a thousand strong, gathered around the blast site to see what was going on.

"All familiar faces…" a voice spoke calmly from the center of the explosion.

As the dust cleared, three figures stood there. When everyone saw who they were, they broke out in a cold sweat.

"A-An Emperor!!!"

They had expected just a Division Commander, not Roy himself!

"Whitebeard Pirates!!" Crocodile's eyes sharpened when he saw Roy.

Mihawk immediately charged forward. Two years ago, Roy had repelled him with a single punch, his greatest defeat to date.

It had been a stain on Mihawk's pride, and he had been waiting for a chance to challenge Roy ever since.

In swordsmanship, he was unmatched. But in overall strength, especially in Haki, he had to admit Roy was superior, particularly in Observation Haki.

It was the first time Mihawk had ever lost in that domain.

"Hey!!" Crocodile tried to stop him, but Mihawk was too fast and shot forward.

"Roar!"

Atmos and Miro saw Mihawk charging and transformed one into a dragon-man hybrid, the other into a nine-tailed fox. They attacked together.

"Get lost!" Mihawk casually swung his blade twice. Both were instantly sent flying.

"So impatient," Roy smiled at Mihawk.

"It's been two years," Mihawk said, eyes locked on Roy.

"You sure hold a grudge," Roy replied, and struck in an instant.

CLANG!

A massive shockwave burst between the two as their Conqueror's Haki collided. Half of Buggy's crew passed out immediately, and the rest were blown away by the impact.

Buggy was sent flying, clutching a railing as his body fluttered like a flag in the wind.

"So scary!!" he cried, tears flying from his eyes. Only Crocodile managed to stay calm.

Roy opened his hand. With Conqueror's Haki, he grasped Mihawk's black sword as if with an invisible giant hand, holding it in place.

Behind Roy, a massive chasm had formed, left by Mihawk's slash.

Though the sword didn't hurt Roy, it carved a deep trench stretching all the way to the sea.

The two halted. Mihawk's eyes stayed fixed on Roy. He had his answer.

Holding the sword in both hands, he realized Roy had blocked him with one and pointed a gun at his chest with the other.

In that instant, Mihawk understood: if it came down to a life-or-death trade, Roy would absolutely sacrifice himself to take Mihawk out.

Mihawk might not be cut down, but he'd definitely be shot dead.

Between top-tier fighters, the difference is razor-thin. The real fight comes down to one moment.

And not everyone has Luffy's plot armor.

If it were truly a battle to the death, Mihawk would already be dead.

"He's a monster. I warned you," Crocodile said flatly.

"Why are you here?" Mihawk asked Roy.

"Just passing through. Came from Mary Geoise, thought I'd stop by. Why? Am I not welcome?" Roy looked over at Buggy.

"Welcome! You're absolutely welcome!" Buggy exclaimed, rising quickly like he'd seen his savior.

Atmos and Miro were Zoan-type Devil Fruit users, so they recovered quickly.

Their wounds healed fast. Though only lightly injured, they glared at Mihawk in frustration.

They hadn't expected to be defeated so easily.

Mihawk was no ordinary opponent.

Among the Warlords of the Sea, his combat power was considered the strongest.

Other Warlords had all lost to the Four Emperors in direct combat.

Kuma and Boa Hancock had never fought them, but even Kuma would struggle against Mihawk.

After all, the title of "World's Greatest Swordsman" wasn't for show.

The Seven Warlords were chosen not by title, but by raw power.

If the seven fought together, could they take down an Emperor crew?

The answer: absolutely.

Their combined combat power was formidable. Mihawk could take on an Emperor, and Hancock could easily eliminate the rest.

If her Haki couldn't be overcome, even the strongest would fall.

Even if she died, she'd drag the others down with her.

Back in Buggy's office, drinks and food were served.

Roy sat in the center, enjoying the feast with Atmos and Miro.

"You want to build a new power? A nation free from war?" Roy looked up at Crocodile after hearing his plan.

"That's right. A country that defends itself with strength," Crocodile nodded.

"You're too naive," Roy said. "There's no such place in this world. And if we stop fighting, the entire world will collapse. Do you understand? Soon, over 90% of the world's islands might be wiped out; only a few will remain."

At his words, Crocodile, Mihawk, and Buggy froze, stunned, and stared at Roy in shock.

"Why?"

...

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu