Sandy Island, harbor.
Seven was patching up the stolen pirate ship, praying it would hold together through the ascent current so it wouldn't fall apart on the way to Sky Island.
Otherwise, Mihawk would very likely plummet to his death.
Imagining Mihawk falling from the sky, Seven quickly shook the thought away.
Their destination this time: Sky Island—
Ten thousand meters up, in the White Sea. Apart from flying, riding the ascent current is the only real way to reach it.
It's a thrilling, perilous trip with only two outcomes—everyone makes it, or everyone dies.
Last time, Seven and Buggy nearly wet themselves.
This time, at least the Rumble-Rumble Fruit has their backs.
Seven muttered, "A guy like Mihawk probably won't get scared."
Boom-boom-boom~
The distant clash snapped Seven back to reality. "Huh? Something juicy."
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit's speed gave Seven the freedom to come and go as he pleased; as long as that Marine slacker wasn't around, he was the fastest kid alive.
Besides, the odds couldn't be that bad—of all random ports, they just happen to run into Kizaru.
Dropping his tools, Seven turned into lightning and flashed over to the source of the noise for a peek.
Seeing those white-suit, white-cape types slap Sea Stone cuffs on a man, Seven's interest was piqued.
World Government lapdogs—CP?
Who'd they catch?
Yet the lead CP Agent seemed to sense something and suddenly looked straight toward Seven.
"Kill him."
"Observation Haki, huh?" Instead of fleeing, Seven yanked a crackling blue Plasma Sword from thin air and readied for a fight.
The fact the CP unit ordered a clean-up without hesitation intrigued him even more.
And if he couldn't win?
He could still outrun them.
With the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's speed, Seven could leave whenever he wanted—total freedom.
The World Government had dispatched ten CP Agents to catch this single user, though Seven couldn't recall the face.
Whatever—anyone fighting the World Government had his support.
Worst case, he'd dash off if things turned sour.
"Fist Bone – Impact!"
Seven shouted the technique, but swung his Plasma Sword; what actually shot out was a thunder dragon—classic misdirection.
A dozens-of-meters-long lightning dragon roared toward the CP squad.
"Iron Body!" several voices rang out.
Want a quick death? Practice Iron Body. The biggest lie in the pirate world—"Iron Body is invincible"—ruins lives.
People keep mistaking damage reduction for damage immunity.
One Thunder Dragon left several weaker CP Agents unconscious.
Still, it showed these government dogs had some skill; unlike the Masira Pirates, they weren't nearly wiped out.
"Finger Pistol."
"Shave."
Multiple attacks landed, shredding Seven's body like a sieve, only for it to re-knit instantly.
The CP leader narrowed his eyes. "Fall back. He's a Logia Devil Fruit user."
Black Armament Haki coated his fist.
Before he could attack,
a red-black aura burst from Seven and slashed the sky—his Conqueror's Haki, awakened when he was eight.
Unlike Armament and Observation,
Conqueror's Haki embodies kingly disposition; it can't be trained, only strengthened when the user's own spirit grows.
Now Seven could wield it at will, precisely knocking out fodder—perfect for clearing the field.
Every CP Agent dropped like flies.
Only the leader stood, pale and sweating. "Y-you…"
The intimidation worked perfectly.
Who could guess a man with mid-tier Conqueror's Haki knew neither Armament nor Observation?
The other two can be learned; they demand physique and talent.
Before gaining Innate Divine Strength and Big Eater, Seven's body and talent were frankly trash.
Conqueror's reflects spirit.
Born under red flags in his last life, raised in spring breezes, and now a reincarnator with a cheat—awakening Conqueror's Haki was effortless.
Lightning flashed overhead, red-black aura tore the sky, and Seven stood brandishing his buzzing blue Plasma Sword—utterly menacing.
Only Seven knew
he might not actually beat this Armament- and Observation-wielding CP leader.
The man had Observation—Seven couldn't hit him.
He had Armament—nigh-impossible to crack.
Unless Seven mastered the next level: Conqueror's Haki Coating.
He was stalling for time—how could Mihawk not show after this racket?
Captain can't keep acting tough much longer.
"Strange guy," Mihawk's voice arrived before he did, black blade yoru on his back.
Seeing him, the CP leader snarled, "Dracule Mihawk, you'd truly stand against the World Government?"
Mihawk ignored him, gaze fixed on Seven. "You interest me more every second."
Everyone knows curiosity is where falling begins.
Once you start wondering about someone, exploring them, only one outcome awaits—total surrender.
Seven dismissed his Haki and fruit power, hands spread. "Gotta have a few tricks to survive out here."
Reincarnated into this world with no noble blood, average physique, and as an orphan, Seven had survived alone until the day he met Captain Roger.
He'd already endured blood and tears.
Watching the two ignore him, the CP leader, eyes bloodshot, yanked a pistol and fired at the Sea Stone-cuffed man.
Bang-bang-bang—
In a flash, Mihawk's black blade yoru deflected every bullet, then one casual swing sent the leader flying tens of meters, down for good.
Seven stepped in, Plasma Sword finishing off the agents: head, heart, sole—no survivors.
Leave no loose ends.
Mihawk sheathed Yoru, glancing at the cuffed man. "Friend of yours?"
Seven shook his head. "Never seen him."
"Not the place to chat. Get him to the ship first."
In caution, Seven had no equal across the Grand Line.
The silent stranger wisely cooperated, following them aboard.
"Mihawk, food and water?"
"In the store room."
"Then let's go." Seven hauled the anchor, started the ship, and left Sandy Island harbor, heading for Jaya Island.
Once in open sea, Seven inspected the spoils taken from the CP Agents.
"Oi, why'd the World Government want you?"