Cover Story: Bellemere Arc, Part 1 — "Mother and Daughter's First Encounter'"
Another battle had come to an end. The Marines of East Blue's 16th Branch emerged victorious once again, leaving pirate corpses strewn across the battlefield. Bellemere, now a Rust-Rust Fruit user, played a key role in the victory.
The commanding officer, a Marine lieutenant commander, didn't hold back in his praise.
"Well done, Bellemere!" he said with a grin.
He added that after this mission, Bellemere—already an ensign—could expect a double promotion straight to lieutenant.
That would make her rank equal to Old Man Natsuya's, Bellemere thought excitedly… though the idea felt a bit weird somehow.
But there was no time to dwell on it. After a quick battlefield cleanup, their ship set sail again at full speed toward the next pirate-occupied island. The enemy captain was said to be especially powerful—another brutal fight awaited them.
...
Twenty-something days later.
Grand Line, G-8 Marine Branch
The warship carrying Nao and his team made a brief stop at G-8 Branch for resupply.
They were warmly seen off by the branch commander, Vice Admiral Bucky himself, before continuing their voyage toward Headquarters.
Nao stood at the bow, smiling and waving goodbye to Vice Admiral Bucky on the dock, feeling a slight sense of sentimentality.
Just a little over a year ago, if he had visited G-8 and met Vice Admiral Bucky , he would've had to salute respectfully and stay in line.
But now? As a newly appointed Headquarters Vice Admiral, his status in the Marines had risen high enough to be considered Bucky's peer.
If anything, it felt like he had half a step over the older commanders—as if he were the one on an official inspection.
It was a weird feeling.
With the supplies fully loaded, including food and fresh water, Nao checked over everything briefly before heading back to the enclosed training room to continue his daily round of hellish training.
The journey had been smooth so far.
No encounters with notable pirate crews, no storms, no freak currents.
That made it the perfect opportunity to train in peace.
...
A few hours later, in the training room.
Standing before a wall of solid iron several meters thick, Nao exhaled slowly. His gaze sharpened.
With a sudden motion, he clenched his right fist. A rich, dark Armament Haki instantly enveloped his entire arm.
And the next moment, his fist slammed into the iron wall.
BOOM!
The metal cracked wide open, then shattered entirely in a thunderous explosion, pieces flying in all directions.
The entire warship rocked slightly from the impact.
"Power's gone up again," Nao murmured, nodding in satisfaction.
Over the past few months, he had focused intensely on honing his Armament Haki—especially on improving its density and destructive piercing ability.
Judging by the results, that effort hadn't gone to waste.
When he had first returned to the West Blue, that same punch would've only punched a hole through the center of the wall, with the rest barely holding together.
Now, the entire thing disintegrated.
"Offense, defense… Armament Haki really is amazing."
Nao sighed in appreciation.
Though he specialized in dual-blade swordsmanship and had already become a world-renowned swordsman after multiple high-profile battles, he suspected few realized just how dangerous he'd become even without his swords.
These days, he could probably pulverize a pirate with a bounty over 100 million berries with his bare hands.
"Next, I should try more advanced applications of Armament Haki, such as full-body seamless coating, and then Ryuo…"
He stroked his chin in thought, then suddenly seemed to remember something and looked down at his crotch.
If he could apply Armament Haki even more flexibly, would he be able to…
Hmm.
Maybe when Gion gets back to Headquarters, we could… run a few experiments.
It had already been a month since they parted. He missed the little rabbit quite a bit.
And Shia. And Bellemere too…
He had frequently called Shia on his way back from the New World to the West Blue. It seemed her father's condition had gradually stabilized and improved, so there was no need for her to remain in the palace indefinitely.
There was a good chance the blue-haired princess could come visit Headquarters before year's end.
As for little Luo… he was still in the Paja Kingdom. He hadn't seen him in months and wondered how much weight he'd gained being spoiled over there.
Bellemere, though—he hadn't been able to get in touch recently. Probably busy on assignment.
But with the Rust-Rust Fruit in her hands, she was a proper Devil Fruit user now.
In the East Blue—where a pirate with a 10 million bounty was considered a big deal—he wasn't particularly worried about her safety anymore.
"Vice Admiral!"
Just as Nao stepped out of the training room and was about to head to the mess hall, a shout rang from the watchtower.
"Look over there! Three o'clock! I—I think there's a boat coming our way!"
Nao chuckled. "You think there's a boat?"
"Uh…" The young lookout scratched his head, confused. "I mean… I'm not really sure it is a boat. It looks more like a wooden plank—or a coffin? But there's definitely someone sitting on it…"
A coffin?
Nao's eyebrow raised slightly, suddenly interested. He turned and quickly went to the bow, taking the monocular telescope handed to him by a subordinate, and looked carefully in that direction—
Sure enough.
Through the misty twilight, he could vaguely make out a small dark shape drifting with the waves. Its size was even smaller than a speedboat.
As the distance between them closed, the shape of the dark object gradually became clearer.
On what resembled a coffin-shaped raft sat a man with legs crossed, dressed in a wine-red, patterned shirt.
On his back, a massive black sword that resembled a crucifix loomed ominously.
This was the Grand Line. One of the most dangerous seas in the world.
How many pirates, feared throughout the Four Blues, had entered this place only to be crushed—dreams shattered, lives ended?
And yet… this man drifted casually on a plank like he was out on a stroll?
"How the hell is he doing that?" a Marine asked in awe. "There's nothing on that boat—no sail, no rudder, no oars! How's he even steering?"
Obviously—he was using one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades, the Black Blade Yoru, as his paddle.
Nao lowered his telescope, his gaze fixed on the small wooden boat drifting closer, his expression slightly strange.
To run into him here of all places…
The sea really was full of surprises.
...
Mihawk, on his small boat, had actually noticed the Marine warship from a great distance.
He wasn't a pirate, nor did he have a bounty on his head.
Therefore, he had no intention of avoiding it. He simply silently re-sheathed Yoru on his back, crossed his legs, and let his small boat continue to drift forward, intending to pass by the Marine warship…
"Hmm?"
Just then, he suddenly noticed a somewhat familiar figure on the Marine ship's deck, which looked remarkably like the man he had been searching for.
Mihawk's gaze immediately sharpened.
"…I searched all four blues and couldn't find him, but I actually just happened to run into him here…"
He pressed down the brim of his hat, muttering deeply.
He couldn't miss an opportunity like this.
The young swordsman, unaware of the saying, "You search high and low for something, only to find it effortlessly when you least expect it," immediately stood up without hesitation.
With a slight push of his toes, he gracefully moved across the waves, effortlessly landing on the Marine ship's deck.
"You're Dracule Mihawk, also known as Hawk-Eye, aren't you?"
The moment Mihawk landed, a voice greeted him calmly.
He looked up, surprised.
A tall man wearing a white Marine coat of justice stood before him, hands behind his back, examining him with genuine interest.
He also raised a hand, motioning for the Marines around them to lower their weapons.
"…I am," Mihawk replied evenly, ignoring the wary glances from the others.
His gaze lingered on Nao, curiosity showing for the first time. "I didn't think Mr. Nao… had heard of me."
"That surprising?" Nao smiled. "I've even seen your photo in newspapers. Only been at sea two years and already defeated several notable swordsmen. Impressive for someone your age."
The words might have come off as condescending—after all, Mihawk was three years older, at twenty-three.
But no one on the ship, not even Mihawk himself, found it odd.
Because Natsuya Nao was no ordinary Marine.
In the past two years, his name had echoed across the seas. A symbol of strength and justice. A hero to many.
In front of such a top-tier powerhouse, who possessed both prestige and status, names like Hawkeye and Red-Haired were merely junior successors or nobodies.
"…I am deeply honored, sir."
Mihawk removed his hat and bowed slightly to hide the faint smile on his lips.
"You were planning to pass us by, weren't you?" Nao asked, amused. "And now suddenly you're onboard. Let me guess—you saw me and couldn't resist challenging me to a duel?"
"That is indeed my intention, sir."
When he looked up again.
Mihawk had already reverted to his usual detached and calm demeanor, as if nothing could sway his expression.
"Perhaps you are unaware, sir, but in fact, I've had this thought for a year now."
His voice grew steady and sharp.
"However, fate was not on my side, and I've missed you several times. Today, by rare chance, we've finally met. Regardless of whether you are free, I will not let this opportunity pass."
Without waiting for a reply, Mihawk slowly drew Yoru from his back, gripping it tightly in both hands.
"Please—draw your sword, Mr. Nao."
He said in a low tone.
He just needs a green bandana on his head, and he'd be Zoro…
Looking at the serious, determined expression on Mihawk's face, Nao couldn't help but think of Zoro at the Baratie, twenty years in the future.
The only difference was that at that point in time, Hawkeye Mihawk, bearing the title of the World's Strongest Swordsman and looking down from above, was now completely in the posture of an inferior challenger before him.
"Since you've put it that way, it seems I can't refuse…"
Nao waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to step back, then looked at Mihawk, chuckling. "In that case, I'll grant your wish."
Their eyes locked in midair—and for a moment, time itself seemed to freeze.
Then—
Bzzzzzt!!
Two blades left their scabbards in unison, slashing forward.
Twin arcs of sword energy surged across the deck, clashing midair in a blinding explosion of blue light.
BOOM!
The sea churned violently. Towers of seawater blasted skyward in giant plumes.
SHH!
The air still crackled with energy as the two figures launched forward, clashing in midair.
CRACK!
The deck beneath them split with a thunderous shockwave. Fractures webbed out like lightning, covering half the ship.
"…Oops. Might've gone too far."
Blades locked, Nao smiled at Mihawk through the gap between their swords.
"This is my ship, after all. Even if nobody's hurt, wrecking the place isn't ideal. What do you say we move this somewhere quieter?"
"…You're right. My apologies."
Mihawk glanced at the damaged deck, nodded, and without hesitation, agreed.
Just as the clouds broke and moonlight bathed the sea, the two swordsmen shot into the air—racing toward a desolate island nearby.
Behind them, the Marines could only gawk helplessly, dying of curiosity.
Not being able to witness the clash of these two sword titans was pure agony.
CLANG!
Over the endless ocean, the ring of clashing steel echoed like thunder.
Three blades moved with impossible speed, sparks flying with every strike.
Under moonlight, the swords' shimmering edges reflected the focused faces of the two young swordmasters.
"Faster than me… and stronger by a fair margin too…"
Mihawk narrowed his eyes.
"As expected of you, Mr. Nao. Looks like I'll need to go all out from the start. Please be on guard."
"Bring it on," Nao said, smiling calmly.
Then—
Mihawk gripped Yoru with both hands, raised it high, and brought it down in a mighty swing.
Nao, still serene, drew both Azakana and Wind Blade, crossing them in front of him.
No flashy moves. No gimmicks.
Just pure swordsmanship.
Years of mastery poured into a single swing.
FWOOM!
As their blades crossed, the sea erupted with fury.
Sword energy roared through the air, dragging wind and water with it. The ocean itself seemed to reel.
RUMBLE!!
Amidst the rolling giant waves, a Sea King happened to be passing through this area.
Feeling the intense vibrations from above, it roared in fury, angrily poking its head out of the sea to see who had disturbed its peace.
And in that instant—
SLASH!!
Two sword energy instantly passed through its massive head, precisely colliding fiercely within its hard skull.
BOOOOM!
A storm unlike any other exploded across the sea.
The 500-meter-long Sea King barely had time to cry out before its skull ruptured—shattered by the twin strikes.
Blood rained from the sky. The beast's enormous body was shredded to bits by the clash's aftermath.
From the distant warship, the watching Marines could only stare in shock—eyes wide with terror—as the Sea King crashed into the sea.