Chapter 106: Chapter 106: The Day That Holds the World's Attention
At Sabaody Archipelago…
Recently, crowds of travelers have arrived from all around, eager to witness today's grand event up close.
"Unbelievable… Seeing it in person is far more shocking than in photos. Over a dozen islands reduced to rubble."
"That frozen island in the front—that must be Island No. 1."
"It would be amazing to visit Island No. 1… That's where Kuke fell in battle."
The crowd stretched their necks to catch a glimpse of Island No. 1, surrounded by Navy security. This island had quickly become one of the most famous on the Grand Line.
Across the seas, countless others awaited news of today's events. Some had access to live broadcasts, while many others would await reports in the newspapers.
The world's prominent figures—the monsters of the New World, the Five Elders of Mary Geoise, and various royal nobles—were all watching.
On Island No. 1, technicians checked the visual Den Den Mushi, verifying signals to ensure a flawless broadcast.
Everything was set.
At precisely 10 a.m., the visual Den Den Mushi went live, projecting the scene onto screens worldwide.
"We're live now."
"Completely frozen… This must be Island No. 1, where Kuke's body is buried."
"So, who are the seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"To this day, the World Government hasn't revealed the names."
"Are they really as powerful as the papers claim?"
"Is that round table the negotiation spot between the Warlords, the World Government, and the Navy?"
"Why aren't they out yet? There's no one here from the Warlords or the Navy, just an official from the World Government."
All eyes stayed fixed on the screen.
"The Warlords of the Sea are set to make their entrance," announced the government official, looking to Vice Admiral Yamakaji standing nearby, who nodded.
The visual Den Den Mushi shifted to a temporary waiting room.
From it emerged a figure, his face expressionless, carrying a long blade, his sharp gaze piercing the screen with a hawk-like intensity that made viewers avert their eyes instinctively.
It was impossible to stare directly at Dracule Mihawk.
"As expected, it's Hawk-Eye Mihawk. Shanks wouldn't join the Warlords, so Mihawk has the title of the Strongest Swordsman."
"Hawk-Eye as the first to appear… Who knows how powerful the other six might be?"
The identity of Hawk-Eye Mihawk was one of the easier ones to guess.
Even Red-Haired Shanks was watching.
Seeing Mihawk's appearance, Shanks smiled proudly, pleased for him. "Strongest Swordsman, Mihawk… You've finally fulfilled your ambition."
But the image of Kuke crossed Shanks' mind, and he sighed.
With Kuke gone, Mihawk likely felt that same pang of regret.
"Strongest Swordsman, Hawk-Eye Mihawk, please take a seat."
The government official gestured toward one of the seven chairs.
"Strongest?" Mihawk's eyes narrowed.
Momentarily taken aback, the official replied matter-of-factly, "Red-Haired Shanks lost an arm, Kuke is dead… Who else but you could be the Strongest Swordsman of the seas?"
Hawk-Eye Mihawk carelessly placed his feet on the table, glancing downward.
Obtaining this title, he realized, hadn't brought the satisfaction he thought it would.
His greatest rivals, Shanks and Kuke, both remained undefeated by his hand.
A profound sense of emptiness lingered.
"Let's hurry this up. I don't like it here," Mihawk remarked, casting a sidelong glance at the government official.
He had agreed to join the Warlords purely for the convenience it offered, not to play into their theatrical displays.
The official chuckled nervously, relieved as the camera returned to the waiting room.
Strutting out was Donquixote Doflamingo, exuding an air of arrogance and swagger, blissfully unaware that his family had been decimated and he was now entirely alone.
"How arrogant. Not a single Navy leader bothered to show up," he remarked, making his way not toward the meeting table but over to a nearby Navy group.
"Doflamingo, what are you doing?" someone asked.
With a slight movement of his fingers, two Marines began to scream in terror, forced to fight each other. Doflamingo grinned wildly. "If no Navy bigwigs are here, I might as well entertain myself, don't you think?"
Everyone watching the broadcast was stunned.
Didn't the World Government and Navy say that the Warlords of the Sea would unquestionably obey their commands?
Why was Doflamingo so defiant, openly mocking the Navy?
Could such a Warlord system truly benefit the world?
"Doflamingo, remember your position. Don't cause unnecessary trouble," the government official warned, his expression darkening.
Normally, such behavior would go unchecked, but now the entire world was watching.
"Tch." Doflamingo sneered, releasing his control over the unfortunate Marines. Ignoring their glares, he arrogantly took a seat beside Mihawk and pointed at the official, declaring:
"Island No. 1 is mine. From today onward, it belongs to me. Kuke's grave? A prime location."
"Fine." The government official seemed unconcerned.
After today, Kuke would no longer hold any significance to them.
"Doflamingo, what are you planning?" Mihawk turned to him.
"Oh?" Doflamingo raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You, who never cares about anything, are concerned over Kuke's resting place?"
With Mihawk's intense gaze fixed on him, Doflamingo's smug demeanor slightly faltered.
"Do whatever you want, but don't touch the sword buried with Kuke," Mihawk warned.
That blade was to remain undisturbed.
Doflamingo wasn't worthy of it.
"Kuke's sword?" Doflamingo was curious.
The Great Grade Sword that Kuke wielded, once used by Pirate King Roger himself, was a legend unknown to most. Only a few, like Shanks, Rayleigh, Mihawk, and Garp, were aware of its existence.
"And why is that your concern?" Mihawk offered no explanation.
Doflamingo's eye twitched with irritation.
Such arrogance. If you weren't Hawk-Eye Mihawk, I'd…
Forget it.
Doflamingo glanced down at the ground, his mind churning with dark plans. "As long as the remnants of the Sun and Moon Pirates are alive, I won't act. But once they're gone, I'll turn Kuke's grave into a new slave auction site. Business will be booming."
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 144+ at patreon.com/Emik01.
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