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Dak wavered for a long time between the paradise of the seas and the vast expanse of the four blues.
There were myriad factors to mull over.
For instance, the composition of power and the quality of clientele.
The wealthy in the Grand Line were undoubtedly numerous, with every sort of individual present due to the dark underworld thriving across the length of the Grand Line, the leaders of which conducted their illicit dealings here.
However, the client quality on the Grand Line was undeniably poor, as the area teemed with pirates, nobles, merchants, and slave traders in abundance, essentially a collection of scoundrels undeserving of Pokémon.
It was probable that the marines stationed near the new outlet would prevent pirates from entering the shop to acquire the power of Pokémon.
The primary clientele for the Mystery Hatchery House remained the overwhelmingly numerous civilians, followed by the navy and the revolutionary army, a fact that Dak had thoroughly considered.
And these individuals were primarily concentrated in the four blues.
But, the four blues were impoverished.
Forget about a Pokémon with a blue talent worth ten million Belly, even purchasing a green-talent Pokémon egg was a struggle, while civilians on the Grand Line could easily produce a million.
This was a significant consideration in Dak's decision-making process.
He deliberated over this with Bon Clay and Robin, even seeking insights from Newgate and Tsuru.
A decision was finally made.
Paradise, Water 7!
Indeed, it was the place where he had previously rendezvoused with Morgans, and also the place that thus far had shown the utmost reverence for the power of Pokémon.
Both the Whitebeard Pirates and the navy had recommended Water 7, convincing Dak with their reasons.
Water 7, situated along the central route of the Grand Line, was among the cities with the highest customer traffic in paradise, second only to the Sabaody Archipelago.
As Newgate had mentioned,
This locale was a hub for the world's freest shipwrights, in a world where one was essentially immobilized without a ship.
Hence, numerous individuals made their way to Water 7 monthly to commission ships, a key reason for the city's high traffic. The erstwhile Rocks Pirates, and the Roger Pirates as well, had ordered their vessels here.
As Tsuru put it,
The sea train connecting several islands was nearing completion, which would further boost Water 7's customer traffic.
Moreover, to the northeast of Water 7 lay the formidable Enies Lobby, causing dread among countless criminals. Due to this island, Water 7's law and order was exemplary. Virtually anyone visiting Water 7 would behave, not daring to stir trouble.
Setting up a Mystery Hatchery House there virtually eliminated worries about minor thieves causing disturbances.
But Dak also contemplated a point not raised by Tsuru.
Water 7's proximity to Marineford was relatively close, not as close as the Sabaody Archipelago, but the sea train journey via Enies Lobby was not slow. For the navy, this undoubtedly placed the Mystery Hatchery House under their watchful eyes.
Neither party mentioned the Bubble Island.
There, despite the significant customer flow and abundance of wealthy individuals, the prevalence of riffraff made it a no-go. Should a Celestial Dragon cause trouble one day, the navy wouldn't dare counteract.
Conducting business there was sheer folly.
Then, the views of Bon Clay and Robin further persuaded Dak.
The spectacle last week of Sceptile battling the god of water had been witnessed by too many in Water 7. For them, what had been akin to a calamity, "Aqua Laguna," being subdued by Pokémon, how could they not revere Pokémon?
Whether it was the civilians or the affluent shipwrights, they were now highly interested in Pokémon, with many eager to acquire one.
Given all these reasons,
Dak decided to open the first branch in Water 7.
And he immediately notified Mihawk.
Snap.
The shop door opened from outside.
Mihawk arrived at the Mystery Hatchery House at ten o'clock in the morning, as agreed, not a minute late.
However, before Dak and Mihawk could exchange greetings, Dak sensed something amiss.
For the moment Mihawk entered, his gaze locked with Sceptile's.
"Wait-"
*Whoosh!*
Just as Dak uttered a syllable,
Sceptile leaped from the tree, slashing towards Mihawk with its leaf blade, but ultimately stopping a meter from Mihawk's neck.
And Mihawk,
Even if his prowess was reduced to that of a Totodile, he drew a knife in defense in front of his chest, seemingly just blocking Sceptile's leaf blade.
Sceptile withdrew its arm, intrigue evident in its eyes.
"Interesting."
Mihawk, too, sheathed his knife, his lips curling up uncontrollably.
Had they not been fully aware of the Mystery Hatchery House's situation, a fierce battle would undoubtedly have ensued right then.
At this moment, Mihawk felt every cell in his body seeming to leap, the first time in years he had felt such elevated battle spirit.
The joy of discovering a stronger opponent was truly too pleasurable for him.
"Wait, let's find a place to fight later, we have business to handle first."
Dak hurriedly gestured with his hands, signaling the two combat enthusiasts to halt.
"Scept."
"Fight first."
However, Sceptile and Mihawk seemed too impatient to wait any longer. They must fight first, other matters could wait.
Dak, speechless, sighed, "Follow me."
At that moment, the Psyduck brought by Mihawk seemed to come to its senses, toddling beside Mihawk's leg.
Thus, under Dak's leadership, Mihawk and Sceptile arrived at a small uninhabited island.
This was the very spot where Dak had previously practiced his Conqueror's Haki.
"Hey, hey, why have you all followed?"
However, when Dak looked back, he discovered, not just Bon Clay and Robin, but all the Pokémon had followed them out.
This wasn't a playful fight; Dak worried whether the island could withstand it.
"This level of battle is certainly worth learning from."
Bon Clay's eyes shone; it was a level of combat he hadn't been exposed to before.
But now things were different; he aspired to grow stronger.
They couldn't always remain within the hatchery; conducting business outside required strength.
"I want to see as well."
Robin expressed a similar sentiment.
And the Pokémon incessantly acted cute and cuddly, simply wanting to stay.
"Darkrai, protect them."
Left with no alternative, Dak could only entrust them to Darkrai.
Most attacks, Darkrai's Dark Void should be able to absorb, ensuring the little ones' safety wasn't an issue.
Just right.
Letting the little ones witness the combat style of this sea might inspire them to become more ambitious.
Dak cautiously had everyone retreat to a distance of at least a hundred meters, then turned back to face the combatants, Sceptile and Mihawk.
Considering everyone's safety, Dak imposed certain restrictions.
"Listen well, both of you. Mihawk, no using moves like Flying Slashs, and Sceptile, no long-range attacks allowed. Just honestly spar within this small area, signal when a hit lands, avoid a fight to the death."
Dak stood like a referee in the middle, addressing them both.
Neither had objections.
Essentially, Dak was mainly limiting Sceptile's ability to fully exploit its combat prowess. Allowing Sceptile to utilize long-range attacks, he feared Mihawk would be too easily overpowered, which probably wasn't the 'duel of swordsmen' Mihawk wished for.
Instructions given,
Dak glanced at Sceptile, who also met his gaze.
Dak's eyes conveyed: Go easy if needed.
Sceptile understood: Defeat him thoroughly, become the goal he must pursue, let him feel the gap with the world's strongest.
Approximately right.
Once Dak retreated to the safe zone, the duel commenced.
Neither Mihawk nor Sceptile was the type to idle away in chatter.
Whoosh.
Standing a hundred meters away, onlookers could only catch a piercing sound as the two vanished from their spots.
They couldn't even discern the afterimages!
Only Darkrai keenly observed their duel, allowing Dak to catch a glimpse of the action.
When they reappeared, merely half a meter separated them.
Clang!
Blade met blade.
Mihawk's black sword radiated a dark, chilly hue, while Sceptile's leaf blade glimmered with a vibrant green brilliance.
This equilibrium lasted barely a second before Mihawk, unable to resist, slid backward, his boots carving deep furrows in the earth, Dak noting Mihawk's arms quivering.
Was Sceptile's strength overwhelming?
Dak speculated the cause. The present Mihawk was far from his peak nine years later. Even with Sceptile's power curtailed, he wasn't a match for a 'fully-leveled' opponent.
"Such formidable strength."
So, I still have such a vast journey ahead.
Mihawk, observing the nearby green blade, deeply embedded it into his memory.
He felt not a hint of discouragement; on the contrary, his excitement surged, his face brimming with joy.
Withdrawing his sword and slashing again, easily intercepted by Sceptile.
Double Slash, Slash, Cross Cut, Leaf Blade, Pursuit, Iron Tail, Slash...
Sceptile spared no effort in battle, utilizing even its tail as a 'third blade.'
Mihawk found himself relentlessly driven back, unable to even initiate an attack, merely managing to fend off attacks.
Dak witnessed this scene, reminiscent of Mihawk's duel with Zoro at the Baratie in the original story.
Zoro launched a frenzied assault on Mihawk like a tempest.
However, then, Mihawk defended effortlessly, utterly disregarding Zoro, whereas now, the tables were turned.
Any slight oversight by Mihawk could spell defeat.
This was a clash with a vast disparity in strength.
Had Sceptile employed moves like Quick Attack, Double Team, Sand Attack, Dig, Swords Dance, Mihawk might not have lasted minutes.
Mihawk.
To claim the title of the world's greatest swordsman, he still had a considerable gap to bridge.
(End of Chapter)