THE ABSOLUTE HAKI IS COMPLETED

A small black dot appeared on the horizon, slowly expanding as it approached.

Carl's sharp gaze narrowed.

It was a boat—no, a coffin drifting on the sea.

A single candle flickered atop it, its eerie green flame swaying with the waves.

"Carl Ensign! There's a… a small wooden boat ahead! Someone is on it!" Roy exclaimed, gripping the railing in shock.

"I know." Carl nodded, clasping his hands behind his back. "All of you, step back. That man—Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—is far too dangerous for you."

"Shichibukai?! That Mihawk?!" Roy's voice trembled as he looked at Carl in disbelief.

The Marines on deck instinctively retreated, their faces pale.

Even in East Blue, Mihawk's reputation was legendary. The Seven Warlords of the Sea—powerful pirates sanctioned by the World Government—were untouchable by ordinary Marines. Each one was a dominant force in the Grand Line, their strength rivalling the greatest threats on the seas.

That a man of his caliber had appeared in East Blue was beyond comprehension.

Carl exhaled softly. He had already guessed this moment would come.

While he didn't recall a pirate named Krieg in detail, he certainly remembered Mihawk.

The world's greatest swordsman.

A man of such strength had no equal in swordsmanship.

A coffin boat floating on the sea, adorned with two swords—one large, one small—was unmistakable.

The piercing golden eyes from the wooden vessel finally turned toward the warship.

"Marine?" Mihawk's gaze sharpened, lingering on Carl.

He hadn't paid much attention to the warship initially. After all, as a Shichibukai, he was technically an ally of the Marines. He had no reason to start an unnecessary conflict.

However…

The man standing on deck…

He was different.

Something about him felt like a threat.

"Hey, Marine," Mihawk stood from his coffin boat, his long black coat swaying in the sea breeze. "State your name."

Carl sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Solomon Carl."

So, it was inevitable after all.

To be honest, Carl wasn't eager to fight Mihawk. Not at all.

The legendary swordsman's black blade, Yoru, gleamed ominously as it left its sheath.

Mihawk did not hesitate.

SWOOSH!

A massive green flying slash tore through the air, heading straight for the warship!

The Marines on deck watched in horror as the destructive attack approached, their legs frozen in fear.

But Carl was already moving.

His fingers brushed against the hilt of his sword.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura."

Thousands of glowing pink sakura petals materialized, swirling like a storm. The moment Mihawk's slash touched them, it was shredded into nothingness.

A ghost of a smile crossed Mihawk's lips. "Interesting… a man like you appearing in East Blue."

His figure blurred.

In an instant, he had leapt onto the deck of the warship.

The Marines barely had time to react.

Dracule Mihawk—the strongest swordsman in the world—was now face to face with Carl.

"I am Dracule Mihawk."

His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he leveled Yoru at Carl.

"It's been a long time since I've met a warrior who piqued my interest. Fight me!"

Carl exhaled, his grip on his blade tightening.

Avoiding a fight? Impossible.

Mihawk was a man who fought purely for the thrill of battle.

Carl had no choice but to accept.

"If you insist…" His voice was calm, but his presence sharpened. "Then let's fight."

Even a steady man like Carl knew—there was no reason to back down now.

His Bankai activated in full force.

"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"

The very handle of his sword dissolved into nothingness.

Above the deck, an endless number of razor-thin floating blades filled the sky, forming a sea of pink petals.

Mihawk's sharp eyes flickered. "A Devil Fruit ability?"

He didn't hesitate.

"No matter how many blades you summon, this one…" Mihawk raised Yoru. "Is enough!"

With a single step, he lunged forward.

Carl simply waved his hand.

The airborne blades shot forward, converging toward Mihawk like a tidal wave.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Sparks exploded across the deck.

Mihawk's blade danced. His precise, calculated movements deflected the relentless onslaught.

However…

These blades weren't breaking.

Yoru's swings should have shattered them instantly, yet they remained unscathed.

Mihawk's grin widened. "Hmph. You're different."

With renewed intensity, he coated Yoru in black Haki.

"Let's see how you handle this!"

SLASH!

A tremendous Haki-infused attack burst forward.

BOOM!

The deck beneath them split open, leaving a deep one-meter gash.

Mihawk landed softly.

Carl, however, remained unscathed.

The Marines' eyes widened in disbelief.

Carl's body shimmered with a liquid-like black aura.

He had taken the attack head-on… and wasn't even scratched!

Mihawk's smirk faltered slightly. "I've only seen Haki of this level from one other man."

"Why waste your time in East Blue?"

"The Grand Line—no, the New World—is where you belong."

Carl snorted. "Stop joking. East Blue is a great place. Why should I leave?"

His eyes darkened. "And more importantly…"

He pointed at the destroyed deck. "You damaged my ship."

Carl raised both hands.

"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"

"OMMMMMM!"

The air trembled.

Mihawk's expression became serious. He lifted Yoru defensively.

The endless sea of pink blades closed in.

From all directions, thousands of razor-sharp petals attacked.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The deafening sound of sword clashes echoed as Mihawk tried to push through.

But then—

Carl appeared right in front of him.

With a punch.

Mihawk's pupils shrank.

He had no time to dodge.

"BOOM!"

Mihawk's figure rocketed backward!

The force sent him crashing against the ship's mast.

For the first time in a long while…

Dracule Mihawk was injured.

A faint fist-shaped imprint burned on his chest.

He slowly stood, staring at Carl with sharp eyes.

"…Internal Destruction Haki."

It reminded him of a certain legendary old man from Sabaody.

Then, without another word, Mihawk turned.

He leapt back onto his coffin boat.

"That was fun." His voice was calm. "Let's end it here."

Carl blinked. "Huh? What?"

Mihawk picked up the oar.

Carl's face twitched. "Wait, you're just leaving?! What about my ship?!"