A week had passed.
The World Government and the Navy's forces had already arrived at Lodestar Island. Many people had gathered there, most of them drawn by the Sun and Moon Pirates.
"Damn it, they actually went to find the Red-Haired Pirates," one of the Five Elders grumbled upon receiving the news, unable to suppress their curses.
Despite their arrival, they kept their identities concealed, staying hidden in the shadows. For the noble Five Elders, enduring such a cramped and gloomy basement felt like an eternity.
But to remain unnoticed, they had no choice.
"Stay calm. After the fight with the Red-Haired Pirates, they'll come here eventually. We just have to wait."
"But I can't stand staying in this place for another day."
"Once we destroy the Sun and Moon Pirates, we'll never have to endure this again. Just bear with it."
"After what they've put us through, when Kuke arrives, we'll make him suffer a thousandfold."
In their dark, cramped basement, the Five Elders vented their frustrations endlessly.
Meanwhile, on the deserted island where the Red-Haired Pirates had stopped, a guest arrived.
"Boss, they're here," Yasopp announced, gazing at the horizon.
The silhouette of the Radiant Eclipse appeared in the distance.
"They're here," Shanks muttered, masking his nervousness as he resumed his confident demeanor.
Mihawk remained expressionless, but his hands, resting at his sides, began to tremble—not with fear, but with excitement.
The Radiant Eclipse docked as Shanks and his crew watched intently.
"Hahaha! Kuke, it's been almost two years, hasn't it? Time flies," Shanks greeted warmly as he approached.
Standing at the bow of the ship, Kuke lowered his gaze to meet Shanks's. With just one look, Shanks felt his heart race.
"Mr. Kuke, it's been a while."
"Mr. Kuke, we've heard so much about your feats. They're incredible," Benn Beckman, Yasopp, and the rest of the Red-Haired Pirates greeted Kuke enthusiastically.
"It's been a while, everyone," Kuke replied with a smile.
Shanks, standing awkwardly to the side, felt a twinge of jealousy. "I'm the captain here! Why is my crew getting better treatment than me?" he thought, sneaking glances at Kuke.
Kuke didn't look much different from two years ago when they met in the East Blue. Back then, Shanks had seen Kuke as a junior. Now, he found himself looking up to him.
Shanks's gaze shifted to the women behind Kuke. His pupils contracted. Though he already knew of the Sun and Moon Pirates' members, seeing them in person was still shocking.
Two years ago, the Sun and Moon Pirates had only five or six members, making them one of the smallest pirate crews, even compared to the Red-Haired Pirates. Now, while their numbers hadn't surpassed Shanks's crew, their combined strength was far superior.
Shanks forced a smile as he looked at Charlotte Linlin, Gion, Stussy, Yamato, and the others. Each one radiated immense pressure.
"Even Shakky joined," Shanks remarked, greeting her.
"Shanks, boy, you're in for it today. Our captain doesn't take lightly to offenses against his crew," Shakky teased.
Shanks's face turned even redder. He glanced covertly at Makino, only to find her curiously observing her surroundings, not sparing him a glance.
Shanks felt a pang of disappointment. "Does she not remember me at all?"
Mihawk, who had been seated, slowly stood up, picking up his black blade, Yoru.
"He's strong," Kuina thought, sensing the sharpness emanating from Mihawk.
"But our captain is the strongest swordsman," she added, quickly shifting her gaze to Kuke with admiration.
Mihawk's eyes remained fixed, filled only with fighting spirit. "I want to see the gap between myself and the strongest swordsman… even if I lose."
"I'm pressed for time. You and Shanks can come at me together," Kuke said.
If not for the promise he made to Mihawk at Sabaody Archipelago, Kuke wouldn't have altered his course just to meet him.
"Together?" Mihawk and Shanks were taken aback. They had joked about such a scenario before, but they never thought it would become reality.
"That's unnecessary," Mihawk replied, frowning. In his mind, teaming up with Shanks would guarantee victory, but he didn't want such a hollow triumph. He would rather face a crushing defeat alone.
Kuke disappeared, reappearing instantly before Mihawk.
"So fast," Mihawk reacted instinctively, gripping Yoru tightly as he swung the massive blade in a sweeping arc.
Kuke countered with a single punch, shattering the space around them.
Boom!
The enormous slash emanating from Yoru extinguished like a flickering flame. Kuke's fist struck the blade, bending it.
Mihawk stared in shock at Yoru, bent for the first time since he had acquired the supreme-grade sword.
"Ugh!" Mihawk was sent flying, a streak of light trailing behind him as he crashed into a distant snow-covered mountain, causing an avalanche that tore through the peak.
Minutes later, Mihawk returned, racing along the shattered ground. Though disheveled, he was uninjured. Kuke had held back, using precision to avoid inflicting serious harm.
"Still think it's unnecessary?" Kuke asked.
Mihawk fell silent.
"That strong?" Shanks muttered, swallowing hard. He had seen everything clearly. Now, he finally understood why Whitebeard had been defeated so quickly.
"How did he grow this powerful?" Shanks wondered, dazed. Despite his relentless training to catch up with Kuke, the gap felt insurmountable.
"Together," Kuke said again, looking at both Mihawk and Shanks.
From Mihawk's earlier resistance, Kuke gauged his strength. He was at the "admiral-emperor" level, meaning his power had surpassed 400,000. Shanks was likely in the same range. One-on-one held no appeal for Kuke, but a two-on-one might offer some amusement.
Shanks and Mihawk exchanged glances, then nodded.
"Alright," they said in unison.
For the two proud warriors, agreeing to team up required swallowing a great deal of pride. Neither had ever imagined joining forces against a single opponent, but the sheer disparity in power left them no choice.
Fighting alone wouldn't be a battle; it would be an adult beating down a child. There would be no sense of achievement, no joy in the fight. Given the reality of the situation, there was no point in clinging to their wounded pride.