I'm the Great Pirate, and I'm waging the Holy Grail War!

Chapter 32 Hawkeye Summoning, The Pinnacle Swordsman

The hunt for Blackbeard has come to an end, but a bigger storm is brewing.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, sprinkling onto the wings of the newsbird. The latest daily report spread throughout the world.

[Marine Admiral Akainu arrests Jack the Drought of the Beasts Pirates! Is an epic battle about to erupt between the Marines and one of the Five Emperors?]

Yesterday, in a fit of rage, Jack lost his temper and clashed head-on with Akainu.

The outcome was obvious—under the overwhelming power of the Admiral and the subsequent reinforcements of elite naval forces, this "Drought" was eventually exhausted and captured!

In contrast, Katakuri was much calmer.

The instant Teach fled, he foresaw fragments of the future where Jack would be captured and Akainu would clean up the battlefield.

"Mission failed. Target shifted to 'Paradise.' This place is no longer safe." He gave the order decisively.

Using the Mirror World portal, they quickly evacuated the still-shaken Cracker and the others from this dangerous place, leaving Akainu's rage and the Beasts' troubles behind.

Ghost Island.

Kaido's furious roar nearly blew the roof off, and his gourd of sake shattered! "Akainu! Marines!! I'm not finished with you!"

Jin stood to one side, speechless for a long time.

He had nothing to say, and he knew nothing about what happened afterward.

If one of his men hadn't spotted bubbles on the sea, he probably wouldn't have made it back.

The angry roar had barely subsided when a heart-wrenching cry, accompanied by tears that flowed like a waterfall, echoed across the island.

"Waaaaah—Jack! I'll definitely save you!"

The feud between the Beasts Pirates and the Marine Headquarters deepened further due to Jack's arrest and the impetus of the Holy Grail War.

Speaking of the Holy Grail War, it seems that a very low-profile great swordsman has also joined the battle.

But no matter how greedy a guy is for the Holy Grail, he is not included in the hunting range.

He ignored even the World Government's repeated summons.

The New World, Kraigana Island - Ruins of the Kingdom of Sikear

Far from the core conflicts of the new world, an island shrouded in thick fog and an aura of decay.

The former kingdom has long since turned into ruins, with only the remains of the Gothic castle standing like the skeleton of a giant beast, overlooking the surging black sea below.

This is Hawkeye Mihawk's residence, quiet and solitary, just like him.

On the highest terrace of the castle, the wind howled through the stone pillars.

Mihawk stood with his back to the sea, his eagle-like eyes lowered, staring at the three blood-red Command Seals on the back of his hand.

Since parting ways with Dilt at the sea restaurant, this mark has remained like a brand, constantly reminding him of the vortex he is about to be drawn into, known as the "Holy Grail War."

Now it seems that this vortex is far more complex than it appears.

"Heroic Spirits...Servants..." Mihawk's deep voice was barely audible in the wind.

"A battlefield where heroes from ancient and modern times gather... the sharp edge standing at the pinnacle of swordsmanship..." His fingertips unconsciously brushed against the cold hilt of the black sword "Night".

Dilt's words were like a spell, igniting a fierce flame in his heart's pursuit of the ultimate swordsmanship.

Are there any other adversaries in this world worthy of his "night" strike?

What kind of swords do those legendary figures who stand at the pinnacle of swordsmanship possess?

He needs new opponents, opponents who can make him feel "alive" and "challenged".

The Holy Grail War might just be that stage.

The summons is imperative.

Mihawk was not one to be bound by formalities. He did not draw elaborate magic circles, nor did he prepare specific relics.

The location he chose was in the center of the castle ruins, on an ancient stone platform whose edges had been smoothed by time.

This place records the rise and fall of countless dynasties, which have long been erased from history.

Even the name of this place—the ruins of the Kingdom of Sikear—is simply because this castle was once used by them.

The real names and historical truths of this place are long gone.

He unsheathed the massive black sword "Night" from his back and plunged it straight into the center of the stone platform.

The jet-black blade gleamed with a deep, eerie luster under the sunlight, as if it could absorb all light.

Mihawk took a step back, raised his right hand, and the three Command Seals on the back of his hand emitted a scorching light, faintly resonating with the dark aura of "Night".

"Announcement."

Mihawk's voice was not loud, but it was like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, clear and cold, carrying the will to cut through everything, piercing through the howling sea wind.

"Your body submits to me, my destiny bestows upon you the sword..."

"...If you follow the destiny of the Holy Grail, if you follow this will and this path, then respond!"

As he said this, a smile appeared on his lips.

The fate of the Holy Grail? It doesn't matter! Only those who embrace this way of the sword and yearn for duel are worthy to answer this call!

I swear this!

Mihawk's eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and his sword intent rose unconsciously.

An aura emanated from him silently, causing the gravel beneath his feet to tremble slightly.

"Am I the one who accomplishes all good deeds in the world? Or am I the one who spreads all evil in the world?"

Good deeds? Sin? All are illusions! My path is solely to cut off all obstacles in my way! Not even gods or Buddhas!

"Let the seven days that bind you with your three great incantations descend upon the wheel of suppression!"

"In my name, Djordrac Mihawk! With my sword, the Black Blade 'Night', as my witness!"

"Guardian of Libra! Descend upon this place!"

Om-! ! !

As Mihawk finished his final declaration, the black sword "Night," stuck in the center of the stone platform, suddenly emitted a high-pitched hum!

The blade trembled violently! As if a slumbering beast had been awakened!

The three Command Seals erupted with a blinding red light, which wrapped around the blade of "Night"!

There was no towering pillar of light, no magnificent spectacle.

Only with the black sword "Night" at its center, the space ripples violently like waves!

A pure and unparalleled sword intent, seemingly capable of cleaving through space and severing time, soared into the sky!

This sword intent was so restrained, yet so powerful, that it suppressed the howling sea wind until it was inaudible.

The silence and solitude in the castle ruins were instantly swept away, leaving only the invisible sword intent hissing in the air!

The next moment, at the center of the distorted space, a slender figure slowly coalesced.

Finally, it appeared completely before my eyes.

There was no golden armor, nor any dazzling brilliance.

She wore a simple, faded old-fashioned outfit, her slightly messy long blue hair was tied back, with a few strands hanging down in front of her forehead.

A strangely styled long sword hung casually on his back, its scabbard worn and old.

Mihawk recognized the sword; it was a nodachi, a type of sword unique to Wano Country.

It wasn't just the unique shape of the sword, but also those eyes—calm and still, yet like a deep pool, containing an ultimate sharpness that understood the principles of swordsmanship.

His temperament was completely different from Mihawk's; he lacked that aloof and oppressive aura.

Instead, he possessed an almost lazy nonchalance, and the pure pursuit and confidence in the sword that emanated from his very being was surprisingly consistent with Mihawk's.

The figure solidified completely, and he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze immediately falling on the black sword "Night" in the center of the stone platform.

The next person to stare intently at him was Mihawk.

A faint, arrogant smile curved his lips.

He spoke, his voice clear and bright, carrying a hint of cynicism and an unparalleled confidence.

"Servant, Assassin. My real name is Sasaki Kojiro. I am none other than Sasaki Kojiro."

"Well, the class is a bit strange, but it doesn't matter."

He stepped forward, his gaze fixed intently on Mihawk, filled with undisguised admiration and fighting spirit.

"So, are you my Master? Although you're called Master, you seem to be quite a formidable 'opponent'."

"opponent?"

Mihawk stepped forward and drew the black knife.

"It seems we share similar views."