Under the flash of lightning, Arashi finally saw it clearly—
A bizarre, coffin-shaped boat cutting through the storm.
And standing atop it—
A man in a black hat with white fluff, a wine-red patterned shirt, a black coat flowing behind him…
Sharp, hawk-like eyes.
A cross-shaped dagger at his chest.
And on his back—
A massive black blade.
Arashi's lips twitched slightly.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
"The world's greatest swordsman… Dracule Mihawk."
The small coffin boat surged forward, slicing through waves at terrifying speed.
Arashi narrowed his eyes.
He knew Mihawk's personality—unpredictable, but not someone who slaughtered indiscriminately.
Still—
This was him in person.
Not some anime character.
And more importantly—
Mihawk didn't know him.
If that man decided his ship was in the way and casually swung his blade…
That would be the end of the Traveler.
On the other side—
Mihawk had also noticed Arashi.
Another flash of lightning illuminated the sea.
And he saw it—
The name painted on the ship:
Traveler.
"Traveler…?"
He was slightly puzzled.
Not a pirate ship.
Not a merchant vessel.
Only one man onboard.
Strange.
The coffin boat finally pulled alongside.
Neither of them moved.
Rain poured. Thunder roared. Lightning tore the sky apart.
Then—
Mihawk spoke first.
"You… are a traveler?"
Arashi nodded, then casually asked:
"Need shelter from the rain?"
"…?"
Mihawk paused.
For a brief moment—
He was actually speechless.
The world's strongest swordsman…
Standing there like a drenched stray cat.
Completely soaked.
A… literal wet mess.
"Raincoat, perhaps?" Arashi added with a straight face.
"That boat of yours doesn't exactly block the rain."
"…."
Mihawk's eyes widened slightly.
Pitied?
He—Mihawk—being pitied?
Under normal circumstances, that sentence alone would've earned Arashi a clean slash along with his entire ship.
But—
Right now…
He was drenched.
And hungry.
"…No need for a raincoat," Mihawk said calmly.
"Food. Or water. If you have any."
"Ohhh…"
Arashi finally understood.
So that's why you came.
Honestly—
Seeing Mihawk like this, he almost wanted to laugh.
Back when he watched One Piece, he always wondered—
How does this guy casually sail around in a coffin during storms?
Well—
Now he had his answer.
He gets soaked like everyone else.
BOOOOM!!!
Thunder exploded.
Lightning struck—
And one bolt came straight down toward Mihawk's tiny boat.
His pupils shrank.
In an instant, he maneuvered away—
But more lightning followed.
One after another.
No escape.
Without hesitation—
Mihawk abandoned the coffin boat.
With a single leap—
He landed on the Traveler.
"Ahem…"
Standing on deck, slightly awkward, Mihawk coughed lightly.
"…Apologies. That was… rather embarrassing."
Arashi forced back a smile.
"Not at all. If you don't mind, you can rest here until the storm passes."
Mihawk didn't hesitate.
"…Very well. Much appreciated."
"Perfect timing," Arashi said as he turned toward the cabin.
"I was getting bored alone anyway."
Inside the cabin—
Arashi returned with two bottles of red wine.
Mihawk took one and began observing the surroundings.
Clean. Organized. No crew.
Just one man.
Interesting.
"You really are… a traveler?" Mihawk asked again, testing him.
"Yes."
Arashi poured himself a glass and replied calmly:
"I'm heading to Cocoyasi Village next. Heard the oranges there are excellent."
He raised his glass slightly, then looked at Mihawk.
"By the way—your name?"
Mihawk didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He stared directly at Arashi.
Then said slowly:
"Dracule Mihawk."
And just like that—
Silence filled the cabin.
The storm raged outside.
Lightning flickered.
Rain hammered the ship.
Mihawk watched closely.
Waiting.
To see—
How this mysterious traveler would react.