Because Sakazuki mother was once again clamoring to ride a bicycle, Kuzan, the dutiful son, had no choice but to take her away.
This time, Sakazuki didn't stay behind. Along with Borsalino, he got up to act as his mother escort huffing and puffing as he ran behind the bicycle out of the yard.
As soon as the three Admirals were whisked away by the old lady, several Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals rushed into the yard. After shouting their loyalty to Orion, they dragged Momonga, Hound, and Strawberry away with them.
The departure of the six didn't affect Sengoku and Garp, who continued to wolf down their food. These two old men had clearly let go of all pretenses.
Without the burden of their identities, they were like two mischievous children, fighting over senbei and the beef in the hot pot, much to the dismay of Zephyr.
"Orion—"
Suddenly, Mihawk, who had been chatting amiably just a moment ago, stood up abruptly, looking down at Orion.
"When I first came to Marine Headquarters, I heard many legends about you. Many officers said you were the most astonishingly talented young powerhouse in Marine Headquarters' history, not only mastering the Six Powers but also achieving remarkable feats in swordsmanship!"
"Take this opportunity to have a thrilling battle with me. Let me see just how far your swordsmanship has progressed!"
At these words, Sengoku and Garp, who had been fighting over food just a moment ago, fell silent almost simultaneously.
Zephyr, caught off guard, looked up at Mihawk, whose face was flushed. Though Mihawk still carried the supreme grade sword on his back, his current state—clearly drunk and swaying unsteadily in front of Orion—was a far cry from the image of the world's greatest swordsman.
Before Orion could respond, the usually gentle Gion frowned slightly and stood up decisively.
"Mihawk, while I am grateful for the aid you once extended to Fleet Admiral Orion, that doesn't give you the right to act recklessly in front of him! Don't forget, you are one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
"Of course, if you truly wish for an exhilarating battle, I can step in on behalf of the Fleet Admiral!"
Mihawk ignored Gion, his sharp, hawk-like eyes fixed unwaveringly on Orion, clearly indicating that he wouldn't leave unless Orion agreed.
"Gion, sit down!" Orion glanced at Gion, then shifted his gaze back to Mihawk, barely suppressing a laugh.
"Mihawk, are you sure you're in the right state to display the strength of the world's greatest swordsman? Don't be ridiculous. Even if you want an exhilarating fight, let's wait until you're sober."
"Orion, how little do you think of me?" Mihawk gripped the hilt of the supreme-grade sword on his back, his fighting spirit blazing.
"I am the world's greatest swordsman. A mere case of red wine couldn't possibly bring me down. Come on, let me see how much you've grown over these six years!"
[Ding dong—]
Just as Orion was about to refuse, the familiar sound of the system notification abruptly rang in his mind.
"Challenge detected from a challenger."
"You now have two choices."
"Refuse the challenge. Reward: One bottle of red wine."
"Accept the challenge and defeat the opponent. Reward: One of the twelve supreme-grade swords."
Huh?
Orion blinked in surprise, not expecting the system prompt to appear at this moment.
Although two options were presented, it seemed he could only choose one! If he chose to refuse, he'd only get a bottle of red wine as a reward.
Did he really need that?
As the Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, he enjoyed the same privileges as the Five Elders. Was he lacking in wine?
However, he did need a suitable sword. He had been borrowing Gion sword, Konpira, because after reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship through the system, he couldn't immediately find a legendary blade that could match his skills.
He had planned to send someone to search for one after the coup was settled, but he hadn't expected the system to appear so timely.
After a brief moment of surprise, Orion decisively swallowed the refusal that was on the tip of his tongue and said firmly.
"I accept your challenge! But not now. As Gion said, you're currently a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. As the Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, and with the World Government having just handed over the Seven Warlords' conscription order to the Marine Headquarters, that means I'm now your direct superior."
He paused for a moment, then picked up another bottle of wine and continued leisurely.
"How about a week from now? Tomorrow, the Marine Headquarters will issue a summons to the Seven Warlords to hold a meeting with you seven great pirates. After the meeting, the former Seven Warlords will cease to exist."
"At that time, we will no longer be in a superior-subordinate relationship but friends. And as friends, we can drink when we want to drink and spar when we want to spar. Wouldn't that be delightful?"
Hearing this, Mihawk no longer insisted. He promptly sheathed his supreme-grade sword and nodded.
"Then I'll wait for you for seven days."
With that, Mihawk glanced toward the living room.
"Since there's going to be a Seven Warlords meeting, I'll stay at your place until then."
Before Orion could nod in agreement, the Den Den Mushi in the living room suddenly made a "Bruru Bruru" sound.
Immediately after, a familiar voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Fleet Admiral, it's Ain! Fleet Admiral, are you there?"
Hearing the voice coming from the living room, Orion was momentarily stunned before abruptly standing up and reaching out to grab the Den Den Mushi placed in the living room from a distance.
In the next second, the Den Den Mushi was in his hand.
"Ain, have you found the pirates who attacked the training ship back then?"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
The voice from the Den Den Mushi instantly lit up Zephyr eyes, who had been sitting silently at the drinking table. However, as soon as he stood up, Orion forcefully pressed him back down.
"Tell me your current location! Also, you and Binz are no match for him. Until reinforcements arrive, your only task is to follow him!"
With that, Orion handed the Den Den Mushi to Gion beside him, instructing her to note down the sea area where Ain was currently located. At the same time, he decisively activated his Observation Haki and transmitted a message.
"Borsalino, come here immediately!"
As soon as Orion message ended, Kizaru, who had been following the bicycle out of the residential area, abruptly stopped in his tracks. Without a second thought, he unleashed his Devil Fruit ability.
In a flash of light, Borsalino appeared in front of Orion.
Without wasting any time, Orion got straight to the point.
"We've found the pirates who attacked the training ship back then. You need to head to the sea area Gion has noted and support Ain and Binz immediately!"
"I have only one demand, capture him, cut off one of his arms, and then bring him back!"
"Remember, don't hold back!"
"Wait—"
Just as Borsalino was about to turn around, Orion suddenly remembered something and turned to Zephyr.
"Teacher Zephyr, if I recall correctly, the ones who attacked the training ship back then weren't just one person, but a mother and son, right?"
"Yes!"
Zephyr eyes burned with hatred as he gritted his teeth.
"Miss Buckin, a former member of the Rocks Pirates, her real name is Buckingham Stussy! It was she who incited her son, Edward Weevil, to attack the training ship!"
For once, Borsalino took things seriously and nodded slightly to Zephyr.
"Teacher Zephyr, rest assured, I will bring both the mother and son back!"
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