"Alright… this is our only choice. I hope he'll spare us…"
Krieg was almost crying.
He, Gin, and Pearl immediately sailed a small ship toward Baratie's deck.
People watching were confused.
"Wait… these are Krieg's executives? Why do they look like they're about to die?"
"Shhh! If they hear you, we're dead!"
Whispers spread everywhere.
"Lucky Drake, that guy in front—that's Krieg," Alvida reminded him.
"But it looks like he doesn't have the energy to deal with us anymore."
"Energy or not, since he planned to target us, we absolutely can't miss this chance to kill him."
Lucky Drake's voice was firm.
Ding!
Mission triggered!
Defeat Don Krieg to gain Lottery Points!
As expected—anyone showing hostility instantly became "experience" in the system's eyes.
Lucky Drake was thrilled. He could barely restrain himself from killing Krieg on the spot.
"Alright, we get it," Alvida whispered.
"Leave Krieg to you. We'll handle the other two. Just focus on him."
Lucky Drake nodded.
Krieg, Gin, and Pearl stood obediently on the deck, facing the sea.
From the massive sea-path that had been sliced through the fleet, a small coffin-shaped boat drifted forward.
Green, ghost-like flames burned around it.
And on it—
A man in a black hat, a massive cross-shaped blade on his back.
The whispers grew:
"Who is this guy…?"
"He looks… insanely strong."
"Was he the one who cut through the entire fleet just now!?"
Red leaned close to Lucky Drake.
"Lucky Drake… do you know who this is?"
"I've heard of him. A pirate from the New World."
"New World? What's that?"
"The second half of the Grand Line. A place full of unbelievably strong pirates and marines. Some can destroy towns with ease."
"Hiss—too terrifying…"
Red and the crew swallowed hard.
Lucky Drake smiled.
"Don't worry. If we keep working hard, we can reach that level too."
Mihawk Arrives
Mihawk stepped onto Baratie's deck.
Krieg, Gin, and Pearl immediately bowed deeply.
Mihawk's sharp yellow eyes locked onto Krieg.
Even with his head down, Krieg felt like countless blades were pressing against his skin.
Sweat poured down his face.
"F-Forgive me, sir!"
"I—I really didn't mean to accidentally see—"
Krieg panicked so much he lost all sense, blurting out the very thing he should never mention again.
The moment he brought it up—
Mihawk's expression froze.
Then it turned icy.
Swoosh—
A terrifying pressure burst from him as he reached for the tiny cross-knife on his chest.
"No! Sir, don't kill me! I swear it was an accident when you were—"
Before he could finish, Gin slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Forgive him, sir. He's lost his mind from fear."
"If you must vent your anger, destroy his eyes. Please… just spare his life."
Around them, the spectators trembled.
"His aura alone made the East Blue warlord kneel…"
"Krieg must have seen something he shouldn't have…"
Rumors exploded instantly.
And Mihawk… could not tolerate the idea of anyone spreading that incident.
Just as he prepared to kill Krieg, Gin, and Pearl—
A voice rang out:
"Stop. That prey is mine."
Everyone froze.
"Is that idiot trying to die?"
"He's from the Thunder Pirates, right? The 18-million-beli guy?"
"Trying to steal a kill from Hawk Eyes!?"
Lucky Drake ignored all the whispers.
He stepped forward, calm, stopping beside Mihawk.
Krieg was his mission target.
Letting Mihawk kill him would waste thousands of lottery points.
Mihawk looked at him with faint amusement.
"Boy. You intend to stop me?"
"Not stop you. Reclaim my prey."
Lucky Drake's voice was steady.
"Your prey?" Mihawk raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Mine."
Mihawk closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with a glint of interest.
"Very well."
"If you wish to claim him…"
"Take one strike from me."
"If you survive, I will spare them—and let you do whatever you wish."
Mihawk stepped forward.
The world fell silent.
~~--------------------------------
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