Throughout the seas, there are rumors of a clan possessing the Will of D.
Mihawk knew that the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was one of them.
Naturally, because the World Government wanted to conceal the fact that the Pirate King who achieved such great feats belonged to this lineage, not many people in the world today know the Pirate King's true name. Thinking his name was 'Gold Roger'.
He only knew because of special circumstances.
However.
Was Mock really carrier of the Will of D.?
Mihawk looked at Dante with a suspicious glint in his eyes, but quickly looked away again, saying indifferently, "Forget it. It has nothing to do with me anyway."
He didn't want his peaceful life to be disrupted.
"But are you really not afraid he'll be beaten to death?" His cold tone carried a hint of gloating. "You should know that not only the World Government and Marine HQ are watching him, but many pirates in the New World are keeping an eye on him too."
He knew perfectly well how much of Mock's 1.5 billion bounty was inflated.
Back then, if Mock hadn't run into Garp, he likely would have been sunk to the bottom of the sea, ship and all.
"That is just his fate." Dante shrugged and sighed with emotion. "When the time comes, I'll just have to distance myself from him. By the way," he added, his tone turning serious, "don't go telling people about our relationship!"
Mihawk stared at him. Hearing Dante's words, he didn't know what to say. After a brief silence, he nodded and said, "Coincidentally, I have no relation to him either!"
He ignored the scornful look from the corrupt Captain.
This shameless man actually had the nerve to look down on him. It was ridiculous.
Glancing at the Marine Branch 16 Base, he turned his head to look at the transport ship nearby, saying indifferently, "The ship is about to leave. I should get on board."
Dante stared in confusion. Ship leaving? Get on? What was this man talking about? Even Dante couldn't figure out what he was up to. Just passing by, stopping for a moment to rest a bit, and then immediately leaving on a ship? What for? Was he just bored?
Dante watched speechlessly as he turned and walked toward the transport ship behind him, which was already sounding the departure signal. But before Dante could say anything.
"The World Government and Marine HQ already know that he boarded the Whitebeard Pirates ship." Mihawk's cool voice came again. "Because of this, the rumor has gotten far more weight, suspecting that he might truly be the Pirate King's orphaned son."
He had only disembarked this time to take a quick look since he was passing by.
The East Blue had changed quite a lot since he last left. To think they even had such convenient transport ships now.
Actually, he had rowed his way here. However, after entering the East Blue through the Calm Belt and passing an island, he saw a transport ship that would pass by the Marine 16th Branch, so he simply left his boat there and hitched a ride over.
In hindsight... it truly was a wise decision! As he walked, he said indifferently, "The World Government has now officially issued a Mandatory Order to the Shichibukai to capture the East Blue Overlord."
Hearing Mihawk's words, Dante was also a bit surprised.
He didn't expect the World Government to issue an order to the Shichibukai to capture Mock at a time like this. Mock had left, and aside from shouting a few empty boasts at the start, he didn't seem to have actually done anything! Was it really worth being this aggressive?
Dante frowned, looking at Mihawk, who had already reached the boarding ladder, and asked, "So, the reason you came here this time is..."
"To capture the East Blue Overlord!"
Dante gaped. "Capture Mock?"
"So that's why you aren't planning to stay here?" Dante narrowed his eyes slightly. "Then where are you... planning to go now?"
However, just as Dante finished speaking.
Mihawk, who was about to board the ship, paused for a brief moment. Then, after only a second, he lifted his foot and continued walking up the gangplank, offering no answer to Dante's question.
But silence was an answer in itself.
Just as Dante took Mihawk's silence as an answer and was wondering if he should tell Mock not to bother coming back for New Year's, what with a Shichibukai lying in wait here,
That cool, detached voice drifted over again.
"Romance Dawn!"
Dante fell completely silent. Now it was his turn to stare at Mihawk's retreating back.
It wasn't until Mihawk had boarded and the vessel slowly pulled away from the dock that Dante snapped out of it. He watched the ship sailing toward the Various Islands with a complicated look in his eyes, then couldn't help but gripe, "You could have said that sooner!"
That really gave him a fright. He almost misunderstood the situation completely.
Just then, as Dante was debating whether to secretly have the folks over at Romance Dawn put a custom package together for Mihawk and fleece him good,
"Boss!"
Hearing Kuma's voice, Dante snapped back to reality. He turned his head, looking questioningly at Kuma. "What is it?"
"The World Government has officially issued a Mandatory Order to the Shichibukai." Kuma looked at the man before him with a grave expression. "It demands that all active Warlords capture the East Blue Overlord immediately upon encountering him. Dead or alive."
He paused briefly. "Is there anything you need me to do?"
"Do? There's nothing to do." Seeing how serious Kuma looked, Dante shook his head. "I got it. Don't worry, Mock won't be in any trouble!"
He was on board the Whitebeard Pirates ship right now. Who would have the nerve to go after him?
Besides, among the Shichibukai... Jinbe might not be one of Whitebeard's sons, but he still called the man Pops. He wouldn't go after him.
Hancock has always ignored the World Government's orders, so she's nothing to worry about.
Gecko Moria was just a lazy bum.
And Mihawk... he was on his way to Romance Dawn for a foot massage right now. When would he find the time?
And Kuma... well, Dante hardly needed to say it. Kuma valued his comrades more than anything, which was exactly why he was so anxious right now.
As for Weevil... he thought of himself as Whitebeard's beloved son. Even if he didn't acknowledge the crew Whitebeard adopted, Whitebeard wasn't dead yet. Stussy would have to be out of her mind to send Weevil to kill people on Whitebeard's ship.
So, there was absolutely no need to worry about the Shichibukai.
Besides, about that order from the World Government... 'immediately upon encountering'... if the Shichibukai were actually that obedient, Marine HQ wouldn't have such a headache dealing with them.
Therefore, this order was probably just the World Government's way of showing how much they value Mock.
And the World Government wouldn't make a move that easily. As long as they stayed out of it, Mock was perfectly safe.
It's just...
Dante let out an emotional sigh and shook his head. "What a mess this has become..."
Thanks to Whitebeard, it was practically confirmed that Mock was the Pirate King's own son.
Life really did play tricks on you!
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