"Ian! Come and fight me!"
Law unconsciously raised his hand and picked at his ear with his little finger.
He couldn't help but wonder if there was something wrong with his hearing—otherwise, how could he have heard something so utterly ridiculous?
Law carefully looked at Mihawk, as if trying to figure out whether this man before him was actually an imposter.
Not satisfied with just his eyes, he even used his Observation Haki to scan Mihawk back and forth several times.
After a thorough check, he finally confirmed that the man standing in front of him was indeed real, and what he had just said wasn't some illusion or hallucination.
So… he was serious?
Law couldn't help but click his tongue.
Six years ago, Ian had already been terrifyingly strong. After six more years of honing his skills, his power had reached a level that was simply unimaginable.
At this point, Ian didn't even need to use his abilities—his Haki alone was enough to suppress both Kaido and Bullet working together.
While rubbing the round little head of the girl beside him, Ian chuckled softly and looked at his old friend. "Oh? You look full of energy, Mihawk."
He let his Observation Haki sweep lightly across the man before nodding slightly. "You've definitely grown stronger. There's no doubt now—you possess power on par with Kaido-sensei or Bullet."
Six years had passed, and Mihawk had already stepped into his prime.
"Don't give me that satisfied look," Mihawk rolled his eyes. "I'm not looking for your praise. Ian, all you need to do right now is accept my challenge!"
"Is that really necessary, old friend?" Ian said with a laugh. "You were there for that battle six years ago. Do you really think you've reached the strength I had back then?"
Mihawk fell silent, lost in memory.
The war between the Beasts Pirates and the World Government six years ago had been the most monumental battle he had ever experienced.
It was called monumental because, despite possessing strength equal to a Marine Admiral at that time, he was still considered one of the weaker participants.
And the power Ian had displayed in that battle… Mihawk would never forget it for as long as he lived.
He had never seen anyone so overwhelmingly strong.
Even back then, Ian had already stood far above those monsters once called "Emperors."
That was six years ago — Ian was only seventeen then.
In these six years, he had surely reached even greater heights.
But—
"This is exactly how it should be!"
Mihawk's sharp gaze burned like fire. "Ian, come! Show me the world you now stand in!"
He had long since entered a complete bottleneck.
His swordsmanship, Haki, and physique had all been honed to perfection. There was no longer any room for improvement.
Even his black blade had already been forged. Now, he had no idea how to become stronger.
Yet Mihawk was not content.
If he had never seen a wider world, perhaps he would have stopped there — trapped in confusion, with no road ahead and no reason to keep striving.
But everything changed when he saw Ian again.
There actually existed someone this powerful in the world!
Someone who could still grow stronger!
There were still realms higher and mightier than his own!
Now Mihawk yearned more than ever to witness that kind of world.
"Is that so?"
Ian nodded lightly.
He could understand it completely.
In the original story, Mihawk spent his days idle, waiting for Zoro to surpass him — perhaps because, having seen no future path, he had simply given up.
"Come, Ian!"
Mihawk's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Let me witness the strength you now possess!"
"That's fine by me," Ian chuckled. "But before that, Mihawk, I'd like you to do me a favor."
"A favor?"
His old friend raised a brow.
What could Ian possibly need from him now?
This friend, who had already reached the pinnacle of power, influence, and wealth — what could he need help with?
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door.
"Hm?"
Mihawk instinctively turned his head. A second later, the paper door slid open, and two figures burst in.
"Ian! I heard Mihawk's here!"
Zoro, with his unmistakable green hair, looked exhilarated.
Beside him, Kuina was just as excited. The moment she saw the man turning toward them, her eyes lit up. "Mr. Mihawk, it's been a long time!"
Indeed, it had been a very long time. The last time they met was probably back in the East Blue.
"Come and fight us!"
Kuina shouted loudly.
"Uh…"
Mihawk Mihawk frowned slightly.
Those words… sounded so familiar.
He turned his head toward Ian.
Ian smiled and gave him a small nod.
So this was the favor he was asking for?
"Hmph."
Looking at the two young swordsmen before him, Mihawk's lips curved slightly, though his tone remained cold.
"If you were first-class swordsmen, you would already be able to sense the vast difference between us without even crossing blades."
"Who cares about that!"
Zoro burst out laughing, excitement burning in his eyes. "The strongest swordsman in the world is right in front of me! If I just stand here and do nothing, what kind of swordsman would that make me?"
"Give the youngsters a chance, Mihawk," Ian said with a chuckle, holding the little Bonney in his arms like a plush toy and resting his chin on her head.
"Let them witness for themselves what kind of power the world's greatest swordsman truly possesses."
"Is that so?"
Mihawk gave a small nod. "Very well then—come."
"Awesome!!"
Zoro and Kuina exchanged a look, each seeing the same burning excitement reflected in the other's eyes.
Soon after, on the flat battlefield atop Onigashima's skull-shaped mountain—the usual place for battles—Zoro and Kuina stood side by side.
In front of them, only a short distance away, stood the world's greatest swordsman—Dracule Mihawk.
Ian sat leisurely on a nearby rock, watching.
Beside him, Yamato held onto the restless Bonney, keeping the little girl from running around.
Bonney's short arms and legs flailed about as her face lit up with excitement. "Are they dueling? It looks so fun! I wanna play too!"
"Don't get in the way, Bonney," Yamato said, tightening her hold with a laugh. "Right now, all we have to do is sit quietly and watch."
As she restrained Bonney, Yamato's eyes widened in surprise. "But Mihawk's aura… it's gotten so strong! It's almost on par with my father's now!"
"How could Zoro and Kuina possibly beat him?"
"Then Miss Kuina is in danger, isn't she?"
Sanji, who had come to watch as well, immediately grew anxious. "No way, I've gotta help her!"
"Idiot," someone muttered. "This is a duel between swordsmen—don't go making a mess of it."
Ace rolled his eyes and placed a hand on Sanji's shoulder.
"Relax. Nothing's going to happen. Ian's here, isn't he?"
Only then did Sanji let out a small breath of relief. Right—if Ian was around, who would dare act recklessly in his presence?
**********
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