"How's the research going?"
Rob glanced at Robin, who was studying the historical text. He came to the campfire, hugged Uta, who was shivering from the cold, using his body warmth to comfort her, and then casually asked Robin.
Hearing Rob's words, Robin turned her gaze from the poneglyph to Rob and Uta, smiling sweetly.
"It's ready, Oni-chan!"
Rob nodded, then glanced at the cave where there wasn't much firewood left.
"Then let's go! We've spent enough time here. Next, let's head straight to Jaya Island... We'll wait for the Knock Up Stream to appear there, and then head to the legendary Sky Island!"
As he spoke, Rob held Uta in his arms and walked towards the cave entrance, with Robin following close behind. She curiously asked:
"Is there really an island in the sky, Oni-chan?"
Rob smiled, looking at the wind and snow outside the cave.
"There must be!"
After reaching Sky Island, he wanted to go to Birka to find the most powerful and comprehensive Logia, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. He was still unsure if he wanted to eat a Devil Fruit or not. The power was tempting, but the weaknesses that came with it made him hesitate.
But if one day he decided to eat a Devil Fruit, it would be too wasteful not to have a powerful one, and his first choice would be the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!
So, whether he wanted to eat it or not, he'd get it first and decide later. If there were no accidents, this powerful Devil Fruit shouldn't have been acquired by Enel yet!
Calculating the time, Enel destroyed Birka six years before Straw Hat Luffy and his crew arrived at Sky Island, then defeated the current Sky Island god Gan Fall, becoming the new Sky Island god!
If Enel had eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit earlier, Birka would have been destroyed long before, and Gan Fall wouldn't have been replaced just six years ago!
So, it would be between 1510 and 1514 before Enel could get the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and eat this invincible Devil Fruit with great potential!
"Please!"
Rob's eyes flashed with anticipation.
"My fourth talent - Destiny! I want to get the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!"
Somehow, Rob felt he would get the Rumble-Rumble Fruit once he reached Sky Island. With the fourth talent - Destiny, he believed in his feelings.
After sailing for half a month, the Platinum Angel arrived at Jaya Island, and Rob and Robin returned to this island. For Robin, it held happy memories with her mother, Olvia!
The Platinum Angel had become Rob's iconic ship, so it didn't take long after their arrival for news to spread about Rob's presence on Jaya Island. "Master Genius" and "Legendary Sword Forging Master" Rob was back, and soon, sword masters from all over came to Jaya Island, hoping to have Rob forge their famous swords.
Among them was the one already recognized by many swordsmen as the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk!
Somewhere on a calm sea, Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had temporarily obtained control of a Marine warship.
Looking ahead, Mihawk muttered, "Finally found you! You really sail wherever you please... It's so hard to track you down!"
A few months ago, after hearing from Shanks about Rob's strength, Mihawk had come from the New World to Paradise, beginning his relentless pursuit of Rob.
He searched and searched, always arriving at islands just after Rob and his crew had left, chasing news of their next destination for over a month. Eventually, he had to request help from the World Government and the Marines, using warships to aid his chase.
This time, he finally got the news from the Marines that Rob had booked a hotel on Jaya Island and seemed to be planning a long stay.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Mihawk said, "Finally, I can fight you! I hope, as Shanks said, you are very strong!"
This battle, if Rob's swordsmanship truly rivaled or even surpassed Shanks', would be Mihawk's chance to cement his place as the world's greatest swordsman!
On Jaya Island, another day waiting for the Knock Up Stream—
Waking up early, Rob made a nutritious breakfast for Robin and Uta at their rented hotel. Then, with his famous sword, Shinto, Rob left the hotel leisurely and went for a walk in Mock Town.
After previous special combat training, Rob realized that his overprotection might burden Robin and Uta. He decided to start giving them more space, understanding that they needed to grow stronger on their own.
Chicks always grow up.
Now, Rob felt a subtle, old fatherly affection for his daughters, realizing they needed their own space to grow and become independent.
Although Mock Town isn't as chaotic as it will be when Straw Hat Luffy and his crew arrive over a decade later, it's still a gathering place for pirates, bounty hunters, vicious criminals, and other thugs. However, few people cause trouble. At least—
No one dares to disturb Rob's leisurely life impolitely!
Even though a year has passed since Rob's unscathed victory over Crocodile in Alabasta, people remember it well and won't forget it.
As Rob wandered around Mock Town, a commotion spread from the outskirts to the heart of the town.
Some pirates looked flustered:
"A warship is coming! Run away!"
"Why are warships coming here? This is so strange!"
"Not just the Marines, but Hawkeye of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! All in all, get away!"
Rob heard the messages from these people in a few words.
Especially—
Hawkeye Mihawk is coming to Mock Town!
He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, and then a gleam flashed in his eyes.
"Hawkeye? Shouldn't he be with Shanks in the New World? Why is he here... Could it be that he's here for me?"
He pondered this in his heart.
Rob's keen instinct told him—
The reason Hawkeye appeared here must be related to him. Apart from Rob being a sword-forging master, there is nothing in Mock Town that would attract Mihawk, a man obsessed with swordsmanship.
"Did he come to me to forge a weapon?"
Rob's eyes were speculative, and he immediately denied it.
"No! That guy already has a supreme-grade sword now!"
"He doesn't need new weapons, so naturally he doesn't need me to forge swords! Then...there is only one truth—he learned about my strength from Shanks and came to fight me."
Although there is still no proof, Rob's instinct tells him that this is definitely the case!
He shook his head, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
"It doesn't matter! This is a rare encounter, so naturally, we have to fight! A duel with Hawkeye—if I defeat him, the title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman' should be mine!"
As his words fell, Rob looked down the now-deserted street.
Da da da—
Wearing a cowboy hat, a coat, and carrying the supreme-grade sword Yoru like a cross on his back, the figure of Hawkeye Mihawk appeared at the end of the street, walking steadily toward Rob.
Swish—
When Rob's eyes met Mihawk's, which were as piercing as an eagle's, a fierce fighting spirit ignited between them.
Noticing that Mihawk had locked onto him, Rob didn't even need to ask to know that Mihawk's target was definitely him.
As Mihawk approached, he wore a smile:
"Finally, I see you! From Shanks' words, the strong man who made him feel the breath of death! 'Genius and master craftsman'—Rob! This is the first time we meet; please give me your advice!"
Rob's eyes showed a hint of surprise:
"I'm surprised. I felt your fighting spirit and thought you would just draw your sword and attack me!"
Mihawk's expression remained unchanged as he shook his head:
"As a swordsman, I have great respect for a swordsmith like you. But now that I have greeted you, can I draw my sword and fight? I've been chasing you for nearly four months!"
"The sword in my hand can't help but want to swing at you!"
Pat—
As he spoke, Mihawk grasped the supreme-grade sword Yoru on his back and pulled it out in an instant. Though not yet a black blade, it was already beginning to show signs of transformation.
Seeing Mihawk ready to fight, Rob felt his own fighting spirit surge. However, he raised his hand to stop Mihawk:
"Wait a minute! My two companions are leaving the island now. Let's wait for them to leave first! Otherwise, I won't be able to fight you freely!"
Through his Observation Haki, Rob sensed Robin, who had discovered the confrontation using her Flower-Flower Fruit, leaving the hotel with Uta and heading toward the shore.
Only when they were safely away from the town could Rob fully unleash his strength against Mihawk. After all, this battle—
This was the battle to determine the title of "World's Greatest Swordsman," linked to his first title of strongest. Naturally, he wouldn't hold back!
And with both of them going all out, Rob was certain that Mock Town wouldn't remain standing.
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