Hearing that the entire headquarters was now eager to establish military achievements, Mihawk facial muscles twitched slightly.
He would never have imagined that the young man he had coincidentally helped six years ago would rise to prominence in the Navy Headquarters in just six short years. Moreover, through a coup, he had taken full control of the Navy, becoming an idol and a symbol of faith for countless Navy soldiers.
Thinking back six years ago, when he first met Orion, the boy was merely a teenager, stranded on a desolate island, pitiful and alone.
By chance, Mihawk, who happened to pass by the island was moved by an unprecedented sense of compassion and took him off the island, sending him to a nearby town. After that, he had no further contact with Orion, and he had long since forgotten about the incident.
It wasn't that Mihawk was forgetful, it was just that such matters were trivial to him. Even though Orion had expressed his gratitude and vowed to remember the rescue, Mihawk didn't take it to heart.
After all, he was the world's greatest swordsman. Such a small favor was hardly worth mentioning.
However, during his last visit to the Navy Headquarters due to a shicibukai meeting, he heard many officers mention the name "Orion." At the time, he didn't connect the name to the boy he had saved, merely noting it as the name of a talented young prodigy in the Navy, whose swordsmanship even surpassed that of Admiral candidate Gion.
It wasn't until he saw the Navy Headquarters' published newspaper, with its group photo of the Navy leadership, that he suddenly realized the young Marshal seated in the center was the same Orion he had saved.
It was precisely because of this realization that he uttered the words "I've come to fulfill an agreement" when he landed at Marineford Harbor.
Of course, there was no actual agreement between him and Orion. Six years ago, when he had sent Orion to the town, he had simply waved goodbye without leaving a trace.
After passing through Marineford Square under the guidance of a lieutenant commander, Mihawk surroundings suddenly changed. Ahead of him stretched a narrow path lined with tables, much like the scene in the square.
Officers and soldiers of various ranks mingled together, creating a lively and boisterous atmosphere. However, as Mihawk and the lieutenant commander stepped onto this path, the previously noisy officers and soldiers fell silent, all turning their heads to look at him.
"Hawk-Eye?"
"Dracule Mihawk!"
After a brief moment of silence, several middle-aged officers rose from the nearest table. Some wore commodore coats, others sported rear admiral epaulets, and a few were shirtless, revealing their powerful abs.
As these officers stood up, a wave of commotion swept through the narrow path. Almost every officer and soldier rose to their feet, glaring at the suddenly appearing Mihawk. In an instant, a sharp, murderous intent surged forth.
The naval officers and soldiers, who were clad in the uniforms of justice, now resembled members of an underground gang. None of them were intimidated by the reputation of Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman. Instead, they all revealed fierce, menacing gazes.
For a brief moment, Mihawk felt as though he didn't arrived at the Navy Headquarters but had instead stepped into the stronghold of some notorious underworld organization.
"Hey, hey, what are you all doing?" Noticing the tense atmosphere, a captain quickly stepped forward.
"Don't you recognize him? He's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk!"
"Of course, we know he's one of the Seven Warlords!" A rear admiral stepped forward, his voice low and grave.
"Not only do we know he's one of the Seven Warlords, but we also know that he was once a Marine Hunter."
Pausing briefly, the rear admiral suddenly drew his sword, raising his voice.
"Hawk Eyes, do you remember the Commodore you killed back then? He was the person I respected most, second only to Admiral Orion! All these years, I've been waiting for the chance to avenge him, but I never expected you to become one of the Seven Warlords!"
"But it doesn't matter anymore. After Fleet Admiral Orion signed the Mary Geoise Treaty with the World Goverment, the system of the Seven Warlords will soon cease to exist!"
With that, the rear admiral took a step forward, raising his voice even louder.
"In the name of the Navy justice, I, Rear Admiral Noah of the Navy Headquarters, challenge you! Dracule Mihawk, I request your guidance!"
"And me! Hawk Eyes, I almost died by your blade back then!"
"Haha, how could I miss out on this?"
"Brothers, calm down! He's the world's greatest swordsman, you'll die!"
Although many in the crowd tried to dissuade them, their bodies betrayed their words as they all stood up and gathered behind Rear Admiral Noah. Several officers even stood shoulder to shoulder with him, forming a menacing group ready to gang up on Dracule Mihawk!
"Oh?"
Mihawk was surprised that these Marine officers not only showed no fear but even rose to challenge him.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and the supreme-grade sword on his back seemed to sense its master intent, faintly exuding a suffocating aura of death that surged toward the blocking Marine officers.
"Is this the Marine under Orion leadership?" After scanning the room, Mihawk suddenly took a step forward, gripping the hilt of his sword with a reverse grip. His sharp, hawk-like eyes gleamed once more.
"Though your courage is commendable, even after a hundred years, you still wouldn't be my match."
"However, I never refuse a challenge from any swordsman!"
"Since you wish to fight, I'll oblige you!"
Before his words even faded, the terrifying aura unique to the world greatest swordsman erupted, instantly forcing the officers and soldiers opposite him to retreat.
In the next moment, the world strongest black blade was unsheathed, its edge trailing a purple flame-like aura as it pointed directly at the retreating naval officers and soldiers.
"Mihawk!"
Feeling the sudden overwhelming surge of killing intent, the captain responsible for welcoming Mihawk paled slightly. Despite the immense pressure, he stepped forward and spoke in a grave voice.
"Do you intend to unleash a massacre here at Marine Headquarters?"
Before Mihawk could react, the captain immediately looked up at the officers and soldiers who, despite being enveloped by an overwhelming aura, had not fled in panic. He shouted sternly.
"Stand down! Mihawk is not here as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea but as a guest invited by Lord Orion! If you dare draw your swords or fire your guns, you'll only provoke Lord Orion wrath!"
Upon hearing that Mihawk had been invited by their Marshal, the officers exchanged bewildered glances. Though they were still puzzled, they knew the captain wouldn't dare lie about such a matter. One by one, they stepped aside to make way for Mihawk.
"Mihawk, please proceed!" Seeing this, the captain secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew that everyone in the Marine Headquarters was eager for military achievements, but the man beside him was the world's greatest swordsman and a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
If his fellow officers, emboldened by Lord Orion favor, acted recklessly after a few drinks, casualties would be the least of their worries. Lord Orion would undoubtedly be placed in a difficult position.
After all, Orion had personally mentioned that he had once received Mihawk help. It was well known that Lord Orion always repaid favors and never turned down a request. If these officers and soldiers were to clash with Mihawk now, it would undoubtedly damage their Marshal reputation.
"Attention, all!"
"Stand at ease!"
"Salute!"
Suddenly, a series of loud commands echoed from the end of the narrow path, causing all the officers and soldiers who had just made way for Mihawk to instinctively straighten their postures.
They then stepped to the sides of the road and raised their hands in salute. As the officers and soldiers stood at attention and saluted, several figures emerged from the end of the path. Leading them was none other than Orion himself.
"Mihawk, it's been a long time!" With a warm smile, Orion quickly walked up to Mihawk amidst the chants of "Loyalty!".
"I originally planned to meet you after issuing the summons to the Seven Warlords following the grand celebration banquet, but I didn't expect you to arrive early!"
Glancing at the Marine officers and soldiers who had instantly straightened up and saluted upon Orion appearance, Mihawk calmly sheathed his supreme-grade sword. His expression remained unreadable as he remarked.
"Truly, one must reassess a person after just three days apart, Orion. In the past, these officers and soldiers would lower their heads in fear at the sight of me. Now, thanks to your presence, they dare to draw their swords against me. Quite impressive!"
Orion shrugged slightly. "What can I say? A weak leader breeds a weak army."
Mihawk looked Orion up and down. Unlike the youthful and inexperienced man he had met six years ago, Orion now exuded maturity and confidence. His every movement radiated the aura of a true king.
If it weren't for Orion taking the initiative to greet him, even if they were face to face at this moment, he wouldn't have dared to rashly confirm that the young Marine Fleet Admiral before him was the same boy he had helped six years ago.
Of course, none of that mattered now! What mattered was— Mihawk brows furrowed slightly as he asked.
"You want to abolish the Warlord system?"
"That's the idea!" Orion nodded, then abruptly changed the subject.
"But now's not the time to talk work. Let's grab a drink!"
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