OnePiece: Concept Space

Chapter 16: Warm Greeting

As the Baratie finally regained its calm, the crowd could finally breathe a sigh of relief after surviving a catastrophe.

Suddenly, Kaya, Nami, and Yasha stopped moving, their expressions turning solemn as they looked in the same direction.

Sanju and Zeff, who were nearby, noticed their tense expressions and also looked that way, unease settling in their hearts.

"Is something wrong?" Sanju asked nervously.

At that moment, the Baratie began vibrating and shaking. A loud explosion erupted outside, followed by the roar of raging waves.

The crowd lost their footing as cries and shrieks echoed throughout the Baratie.

Nami effortlessly supported the staggering Sanju and Zeff. Unlike the others, she seemed unaffected by the chaos. Her serious expression even eased slightly.

The same went for Yasha and Kaya.

"It's okay. Someone's already taking care of it," Nami said calmly.

Sanju was bewildered and wanted to ask more.

The kitchen staff and unlucky customers felt the same, and many began heading toward the Baratie's exit—only for a terrifying force to descend upon them.

The wooden floor cracked and trembled with a dreadful creaking sound.

At the same time, an overwhelming willpower seemed to descend.

Kaya looked shocked."Is this Haki? It feels familiar…"

Nami's face lit up with glee."It's Luffy!"

Yasha let out a sigh of relief."Thank God… I thought another dangerous person had shown up."

Even as they spoke, the Baratie looked like it was about to collapse. The walls shook, the roof cracked, and even the sea seemed to tremble.

Fortunately, humans seemed unaffected—at first. But soon, they began collapsing like dominoes.

Their spirits had been shaken to the core.

In mere moments, the only ones left standing besides the trio were Sanju and Zeff.

Yasha glanced at the dazed Sanju and Zeff, then at the unconscious crowd, and seemed to understand something.

She even found the time to tease Kaya.

"Kaya, look, the captain is hurting innocent people. Why aren't you reacting?"

Nami rolled her eyes and started walking toward the exit. Kaya followed without even glancing back.

"They seem fine to me—just unconscious. And even if they died, it'd be their fault. The captain is so good, there's no way he'd do that unless provoked…"

She was so convinced that even Sanju and Zeff, complete strangers, felt embarrassed.

Yasha snorted."Double-standard bitch…"

She followed after them.

Sanju and Zeff exchanged glances, then cautiously trailed behind the three girls.

Meanwhile, just seconds ago…

Luffy, who was sitting casually on the ship's figurehead, suddenly chuckled."What a warm, fancy greeting…"

What welcomed him was a massive green slash, spanning hundreds of meters.

Because Baphomet was docked on the far side of the Baratie, the slash's path would go through Don Krieg's ship, then Baratie, and finally reach the Baphomet.

Zala and Kuina were already prepared to act, but Luffy raised a hand to stop them.

"Wait a little. Let him build some wooden steps. It's not too late to intercept the slash…"

The two nodded.

Moments later, Don Krieg's dreadnought ship was severed in half, followed by a thunderous explosion on the sea. Only then did Luffy give the nod.

Zala moved instantly. In the blink of an eye, she stood before the slash. With a wild grin, she casually and skillfully sent it flying back.

Kuina, just a step behind, glared at her.

Mihawk, seeing his casual slash returned, grew intrigued.

His boat sped up.

Kuina leapt and stood beside Zala.

"I'll be the one fighting him. Back down."

Zala ignored her."He's my prey."

Luffy ignored their squabble, his expression turning sour.

There were people in the crowd who seemed to be reporters—and even seagulls flying overhead, watching Hawkeye's actions closely.

But Luffy wasn't an idiot who would reveal his hand so easily.

He recalled how, in stories from his past life, the protagonist might defeat Axe-Hand Morgan—and somehow, Sengoku would already know and be alarmed by the protagonist's face because it "resembled Rocks."

(Come on. That's like Trump hearing about a robbery in a back alley in Africa and thinking the robbers are a threat to his position. This world's a whole damn planet—East Blue is just the boonies.)

Suddenly, in a hundred-mile radius, every creature—human, seagull, Sea King, or fish—was struck by a terrifying will. Their minds shut down, and their spirits distorted.

Even Hawkeye, a seasoned veteran, didn't feel it. Only his crewmates sensed something, and that was only because Luffy allowed them to.

That overwhelming wave of will was also why the Baratie nearly collapsed—it was a deliberate act.

"It's hard to control your power when you're squashing an ant…" Luffy muttered.

After indulging in his Aizen-like theatrics, he turned his attention back to the still-quarreling duo.

"Are you two done? You want to solo him? If you don't want to be crushed by a single sword wave, attack him together. Maybe he'll be interested. If you're too weak and bore him, you'll get nothing."

The duo stopped and exchanged glances, then stared at the man approaching on the sea.

The captain was right.

They knew they weren't his match, but fighting such a powerhouse was a rare opportunity.

Before Mihawk arrived, Nami and the others had already reached Luffy, accompanied by Sanju and Zeff.

Nami looked at the duo with worry."Luffy, are you sure it's okay for them to fight that monster?"

Zeff stared at the approaching figure, sweat dripping down his forehead. He was visibly trembling.

"Dracule Mihawk? What is he doing here?!"

Sanju looked at the quivering old man."What's wrong, old man? Shaking like a leaf. Is that guy really that strong?"

Zeff silently pointed at the remains of the dreadnought ship. Sanju's expression shifted in realization.

Luffy chuckled."It doesn't matter. It's a rare opportunity—let them have some fun."

Kaya stood behind Luffy, massaging his shoulders, while Yasha looked on with fascination at the so-called "World's Greatest Swordsman."

Nami glared at them. She felt like a fool for worrying so much—no one seemed to appreciate it.

She sulked but kept her eyes on the two swordwomen.

Hawkeye's boat finally arrived. With a light jump, he landed on the floating wreckage beside the Baratie.

His gaze swept across the crowd.

As he sensed earlier—five decent fighters, two weaklings, and…

He paused when his eyes met the young man lounging on the Baphomet's black goat-head figurehead.

His expression hardened. His fists clenched.

Nothing. The boy gave off nothing. No presence. No threat. And that made the entire situation unsettling.

Luffy, seeing the caution in Mihawk's eyes, chuckled.

"Do me a favor. Spar with those two sword maniacs, and I'll give you what you want."

Mihawk's eyes narrowed. He tore his gaze from the boy, a spark of excitement lighting within him.

That feeling—life and death, the edge of a blade, the thrill of potential.

He didn't mind granting a favor… if it meant reliving that long-lost thrill.

Zeff, hearing their casual exchange, felt his heart leap.He began to understand something… something shocking.

Luffy was also watching, looking forward to Mihawk's soon-to-be-surprised expression.

Zala and Kuina's talents had already surpassed Mihawk's. They had no bottlenecks, their skills only improved. The only reason they weren't yet considered "Great Swordsmen" was the lack of worthy opponents.

But now…

Let's hope Hawkeye doesn't get capsized.

That would be hilarious.

Let the fight begin.