Hearing the shocking revelations from the log, even someone as thick-skinned as Queen realized that if these secrets were exposed, it could cause an earth-shattering upheaval across the world.
"It's truly surprising. Who would've thought the World Government erased the history of the Void Century to cover up something so unbelievable?"
Standing next to Queen, Judge's eyes flickered with a strange light. He had never imagined that the world once held such a history.
June, standing beside Nicholas, marveled, "I can't believe the ancestors of the Celestial Dragons were people from beyond this world."
For the world of pirates, which still operates on sail-powered ships, such a concept seemed utterly fantastical. To them, the idea of crossing the seas and circumnavigating the world was already considered an incredible feat. Now, to be told that, over 800 years ago, someone had crossed the stars to come here was beyond comprehension.
It would be like telling someone today that a ship could circle the globe in one day. People would think you were mad.
"It seems that only the one sitting on the Throne of Heaven knows what really happened during the Void Century."
Nicholas believed that no one in this world understood that period better than Imu, the one on the throne.
"The secrets hidden by the World Government are far more than what we can see."
Vegapunk sighed quietly.
"By the way, I've prepared all the information on the Pacifista. With just a few adjustments, we'll be able to effectively counter the World Government's Pacifista."
Seemingly remembering something, Vegapunk spoke up again.
"Got it," Nicholas nodded, indicating he understood.
During his time working for the World Government, Vegapunk had to produce results. The Pacifista and Lineage Factor research were part of those results.
And with the World Government already mass-producing Pacifista, it was clear that in the coming battles, they would be used in large quantities as cannon fodder.
For the Navy, each Pacifista was extremely expensive, but for the World Government, which had ruled the world for over 800 years, producing them in mass as cheap expendables was no burden.
With Vegapunk's data, the weaknesses of the Pacifista would naturally become known.
Besides, since Vegapunk was their creator, the accuracy of his information was undeniable.
A short time later, Nicholas and June left the lab. They were heading to welcome a new guest.
At the coastline of Wano Country, a figure in a black coat, wearing a black top hat with white fur trim and carrying a black sword, was sitting cross-legged in a coffin-shaped boat slowly approaching the shore.
It was none other than the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk!
"Hawkeye."
Katie raised her eyebrows, surprised. She hadn't expected the guest Nicholas mentioned to be the world's greatest swordsman, Mihawk. In her mind, someone like Mihawk wouldn't be interested in this kind of war.
"Yohohoho! The aura of the world's greatest swordsman is indeed extraordinary."
Brook, looking at Mihawk in the distance, was filled with green flames of excitement. As a swordsman, the title of the world's greatest held special meaning for him.
Seemingly aware of the gazes from the shore, Mihawk lifted his head and looked toward them. Their auras clashed in midair, and though they were far apart, they understood each other perfectly.
As Brook and Katie locked a sharp gaze with Mihawk, Simon, who had come with them, looked slightly uneasy.
"Uncle Brook, how about I, the world's greatest female swordsman, fight the world's greatest swordsman first to see who truly deserves the title?"
Katie placed her hand on her sheathed sword, Mokkuryu. Though it sounded like a question, her already advancing footsteps made her intentions clear.
Simon noticed Katie's sudden behavior and frowned.
"Yohohoho! My heart races at the thought of crossing swords with the world's greatest swordsman, though I don't have a heart..."
Brook grasped his sword, infused with the breath of the underworld, ready to act.
"Hey, Brook!" Katie shouted. "Watch out, or I'll tell the captain you're bullying me!"
Brook froze, scratching his afro awkwardly. "But I don't want to miss the chance to fight the world's greatest swordsman. How about I test his strength for you first?"
"No need!" Katie firmly replied. "That Hawkeye is the captain's guest. Shouldn't we welcome him properly first?"
Simon finally spoke up, worried that the moment Mihawk landed, these two might start a fight with him.
As Nicholas arrived, Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, was already engaged in a duel with Brook and Katie. The three were not using flashy techniques; each seemingly ordinary strike carried the force to split mountains.
Without flying slashes everywhere, their battle resembled a pure test of swordsmanship, though the danger was apparent only to the three in the fray.
"Though Katie and Brook lack coordination, their raw power is undeniable. Even so, they're still being suppressed by Mihawk's swordsmanship. As expected of the world's greatest swordsman," Nicholas sighed as he watched.
He hadn't had much interaction with Mihawk, nor had he ever seen Mihawk at his peak. After all, the 'gift' Nicholas had left Mihawk with earlier was more like a max-level player bullying a newbie.
As Nicholas enjoyed the artistic swordsmanship on display, Mihawk seemed to sense his presence or simply decided to end the match. He suddenly employed Conqueror's Haki infusion, his black sword, Yoru, crackling with black and red lightning. With a single distant slash, he forced Brook and Katie back.
There was a vast difference between a swordsman who could use Conqueror's Haki infusion and one who couldn't. From the moment Mihawk used it, Brook and Katie, lacking Conqueror's Haki, could no longer hope to defeat him unless they combined their strength fully.
"Conqueror's Haki infusion... Talent really does create an unbridgeable gap between people," Brook said, sheathing his sword.
Mihawk paused for a moment upon hearing Brook's words before re-sheathing Yoru on his back.
"Welcome to Wano Country, Mihawk," Nicholas greeted with a smile.
Looking at Nicholas, Mihawk instinctively glanced at his own chest. He still remembered that morning when Nicholas had effortlessly defeated him.
Noticing Mihawk's action, Nicholas felt a bit awkward and muttered internally, "Is Mihawk still holding a grudge? I really was just trying to show off a bit back then."
"Is it true?" Mihawk's cold voice broke Nicholas's thoughts.
"Of course it's true. That guy is the only living Sword Saint in the world. As the master of the original Kitetsu, his strength is formidable. Even you might get killed if you're not careful. After all, he's not only the former world's greatest swordsman but also the strongest Sword Saint in Wano's history."
Knowing what Mihawk meant, Nicholas immediately confirmed.
Hearing this, Mihawk could feel his black sword Yoru tremble with excitement. Surprised, he was also filled with boundless fighting spirit. For a swordsman, there could only be one world's greatest at a time. Since earning the title, Mihawk had found no worthy challengers in the art of swordsmanship.
The loneliness of being unmatched—who could understand it?
Now, Mihawk could hardly wait to face this Sword Saint Nicholas spoke of.
[AN - Things are starting to escalate]