"What? Take one strike from him?"
"Is this a joke!? One slash that cut open Krieg's entire fleet? The range alone was over a thousand meters!"
"Right! No one in the East Blue could survive that!"
People in Baratie erupted in disbelief.
From Lucky Drake's side, it felt like pure bullying.
From Mihawk's side, it looked like Lucky Drake was simply courting death—acting fearless in front of a monster.
Even the members of the Thunder Pirates went pale.
Hearing the crowd describe the strength of the man in the hat, their hearts trembled.
They silently prayed Lucky Drake would swallow his pride and refuse.
But—
"Fine. I accept. But if I take that one strike…"
"Not only will this man be mine to deal with…"
"You'll also call me big bro. How about that?"
Lucky Drake spoke with absolute confidence.
It was a huge gamble to clash with Mihawk so early.
If he took the risk, he might as well ask for a worthwhile reward.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host. Mission triggered.
Challenge Dracule Mihawk. Regardless of win or lose, earn Lottery Points.
With that reassurance, Lucky Drake's heart felt far more comfortable.
Mihawk narrowed his sharp, hawk-like eyes, growing more intrigued.
Who would've thought the weak East Blue had such an amusing brat?
Someone daring enough to make Dracule Mihawk, the World's Strongest Swordsman and a Warlord of the Sea…
call him "big brother"?
Nobody in the Grand Line or New World dared speak to him like this.
Only in the pitifully weak East Blue would someone be bold enough to act like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.
But—Mihawk felt no disgust.
Instead, he felt a rare flicker of interest.
For the undefeated, the rarest thing was someone interesting.
"Very well," Mihawk nodded.
"I accept."
"Tell me your name. I, Dracule Mihawk, do not cut down nameless men."
"Lucky Drake. Lucky Drake of the Thunder Pirates."
"Good. I will remember it."
"To honor your resolve—"
"I shall use my strongest weapon. The Black Blade… Yoru."
With a fluid motion, Mihawk drew the massive jet-black Supreme Grade blade from his back.
Gasps filled the restaurant.
They could tell it was a legendary weapon—but few in the East Blue knew what it signified.
Lucky Drake stared at Yoru.
The blade was gorgeous.
He regretted not asking for the sword as part of the deal.
Too late now.
Well, having Mihawk as a little brother wasn't bad either.
"Are you ready?"
Mihawk stood poised, hands on Yoru's hilt.
Lucky Drake placed his left hand on his scabbard, right on the hilt—ready to quick-draw.
He inhaled deeply.
This was his first battle against the world's number one swordsman.
Even with his Lightspeed Quick-Draw cheat, he was nervous.
"I'm ready. You can start whenever you like," Lucky Drake said solemnly.
He didn't want the slash to be mistaken for a sneak attack.
Everyone held their breath.
The two men didn't move, but their locked gazes clashed like invisible blades.
"Begin," Mihawk said calmly.
In the same instant—
Lucky Drake activated Lightspeed Quick-Draw.
To him, the world froze.
His blade flashed through the air faster than the eye could perceive.
Mihawk had barely spoken the word "begin" when—
"Kuh—!"
Mihawk coughed lightly.
A strange sensation washed over him—
He felt as if he had already been struck.
But he hadn't seen anything.
Hadn't sensed anything.
…Was it an illusion?
Lucky Drake, seeing Mihawk's reaction, slid his blade back into the sheath with a serene, masterly air.
"I win. Dracule Mihawk—you lost."
"W-What?"
The entire restaurant exploded into disbelief.
"Hey! Are you stupid? Nobody saw you attack!"
"Yeah! Who are you trying to fool!?"
"Lucky Drake, just give up! He's too strong! You're hallucinating from the pressure!"
"Poor guy's delusional already…"
The heckling came like a tidal wave.
But they couldn't be blamed.
Even Lucky Drake himself saw the move as if time had stopped.
There was no way others could've noticed it.
Then—
A smaller group suddenly frowned.
"Wait… didn't he have his sword sheathed before?"
"Yeah! When did he draw it!?"
"That's impossible… Did he actually…?"
"But why isn't Mihawk denying it…?"
"Why isn't he attacking? Is he stunned? Preparing a huge counter?"
Confusion spread like wildfire.
Members of the Thunder Pirates stiffened.
They remembered something.
"That speed… Is this the 'quick-draw' Vice Captain practiced yesterday…?"
"He said at the highest level, the strike would be so fast mortal eyes can't follow…"
"Did it… reach that level already…!?"
Their faces paled in awe.
The true shock had only just begun.
~~--------------------------------
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