"Senior, you... you accepted?" Hawkeye Mihawk's heart leaped with joy, and his sword aura began to flare up instinctively.
Even Tashigi and Zoro's expressions shifted with anticipation.
But in the next heartbeat, Rowan casually waved his hand, dispelling the faint sword pressure Mihawk had just begun to gather. He interrupted the man's focus and shook his head.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. I said I'd accept, but not right now."
"Not now?" Having his momentum cut off so abruptly felt incredibly stifling for Mihawk. It was a suffocating sensation. To him, it felt like being in the final sprint of an intense race, only to have the finish line suddenly vanish into thin air. He felt a wave of indescribable frustration.
"That's right. I'll accept your challenge, but it will be in one month," Rowan answered.
"One month later?" Mihawk looked completely bewildered.
Rowan nodded.
He had several reasons for this proposal. Aside from not wanting to waste time here today, he had his own calculations. One month was plenty of time to resolve his promotion to Admiral. Once that main quest was completed and a massive influx of Faith Points hit his account, he would have the capital to "add points" again. At that time, his strength would be a level higher, making a victory over Hawkeye-boy far easier than it would be now.
Furthermore, defeating Hawkeye Mihawk while holding the official rank of Marine Admiral would create a far greater sensation than doing so as an obscure old man. That meant more Faith Points in the long run. It was a classic "kill two birds with one stone" scenario; why waste the opportunity now?
Under Mihawk's confused gaze, Rowan raised a single finger. A thread of incredibly pure Sword Intent, condensed to the point of appearing solid, flew from his fingertip. It transformed into a tiny, glowing miniature sword and attached itself directly to the back of Mihawk's left hand.
"This is..."
Sensing the tiny blade on his skin, Mihawk's soul shook violently.
Sword Intent leaving the body without dissipating?
To what heights had this senior reached in the Way of the Sword? Mihawk couldn't even fathom it. He himself was incapable of projecting intent that could remain stable outside his body, let alone attaching it to another person to last for an extended period.
However, Rowan's next words shattered Mihawk's perception even further.
"This Sword Intent will remain on you for one month. When the time comes, you can use its guidance to find the Old Man's location."
This thread of intent can last for a whole month?!
Mihawk suddenly felt that the senior standing before him was surreal. Intent that leaves the body, doesn't fade, and acts as a beacon...
Mihawk stared blankly at the small sword on the back of his hand, falling into deep thought once more.
"What do you think of the Old Man's proposal?" Rowan asked with a smile, taking a light puff of his pipe.
But Mihawk didn't seem to hear him. He stood there in a daze, his lips moving as he whispered something to himself.
Rowan wasn't in a hurry. He even unclipped the wine gourd from his waist and took a long, satisfying swig.
Zoro, now fully resembling a mummy on the ground, stared with wide eyes at the glowing mark on Mihawk's hand. Though his strength was "vulnerable" in the eyes of the two masters, he was still a swordsman of the East Blue. He understood the concept of Sword Intent, but he never imagined it could be used like this.
How high is this senior's level?
This question had crossed Zoro's mind many times today. But every time Rowan displayed his power, Zoro's worldview was demolished, and Rowan's status in his heart rose to a new peak. By now, Zoro was actually starting to get used to it. Even if Rowan flew into the sky next, Zoro would probably just be slightly surprised.
However, these repeated shocks made him realize just how shallow his understanding of the sword really was. The road ahead looked vast and endless. In this moment, Zoro's immediate desire to challenge Mihawk again vanished; all he felt was a desperate need to grow stronger.
After a long silence, under the watch of the crowd, Mihawk finally raised his head. This time, his gaze was calm, and his sharp edge was completely retracted into his body.
"I see. I understand the Senior's deep intention..."
A realization dawned in Mihawk's heart. In his eyes, this gift of a "sword beacon" was Rowan's way of showing him the gap between them. This sliver of intent served as a constant reminder that the path of the sword has no end, providing a monumental benefit to his own meditation.
As for the one-month delay? He believed Rowan wanted him to spend that month training desperately to bridge the gap. The senior didn't want to fight the "current" him; the senior wanted him to be stronger. Strong enough to at least earn a real fight.
As for the title of "World's Greatest Swordsman," the senior clearly didn't care for such hollow fame. When one is truly invincible, what does a title matter?
Having "clarified" his thoughts, Mihawk's frustration vanished. He stood tall, sheathed his blade, and bowed deeply to Rowan with a respectful fist-palm salute.
"I have realized the Senior's painstaking efforts. Please rest assured, Senior—one month from now, no matter where you are, I will find you and have a magnificent duel!"
Rowan, listening to this bizarre speech, was utterly confused.
What "painstaking efforts"? What did you "realize"? What exactly are you understanding right now?
Heh! You talented brats really are something else. Rowan thought. I just gave you a GPS marker, and you've managed to have a spiritual epiphany? Dammit, the difference between people is enough to kill a man with envy!
Recalling how he had to train several times harder than anyone else just to reach Vice Admiral level back in the day, Rowan felt a twinge of annoyance. Why do these geniuses just "get it" so easily?
Well, at least I have a system. I'm the one with the real cheat code.
Thinking of this, Rowan's mood brightened considerably. If he weren't the "Absolute Protagonist" with a system, he might have ground his back teeth to dust with jealousy.
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