East Blue.
Loguetown, Central Harbor.
After Smoker arrested all the troublemakers with lightning speed, he wiped the sweat from his face, sat aside, and checked the latest newspaper.
The scene he saw in Raven Harbor half a month ago emerged in his mind.
In order to help the pirates, the civilians attacked the Marines.
Such a thing has never happened in East Blue, let alone anywhere in the world.
The person at the center of the incident, Gawain, who was known as the White Knight, was like a nightmare lingering in Smoker's mind.
"Who are you?"
"You're clearly a pirate, but you're taking action for the local civilians without any benefit?"
"There is no such pirate in this world!"
Smoker took a deep drag on the cigar in his mouth, and the more he thought about it, the more confused he became.
He simply stopped thinking about it and turned to ask other questions: "Still no reply to Nezumi's report letter?"
Tashigi gritted her teeth and shook her head: "No."
"I even felt that the letter had not even been sent out of the East Blue and had been intercepted by someone."
"Captain Smoker, this is absolutely wrong!"
"How could the Marines tolerate Nezumi's existence?"
"This is a blasphemy against justice!"
"Oh."
Smoker's mouth curled up with a hint of sarcasm: "For some people, money and status are justice."
"I also asked people to investigate the money-making scam in Raven Harbor, but the clues were cut off as soon as they reached a certain Rear Admiral. Even the people I sent out were detained."
"There must be someone else behind this. If we want to solve it thoroughly, we have to contact the Marine Bureau of Investigation. But according to their rules, we both have to be investigated as well."
"Ah? This..."
Tashigi looked at Smoker silently, and the latter blushed: "Once I take over, I will dismantle this evil department sooner or later."
Family members know their own business. Smoker has done some things that violate the rules but not against his own conscience.
Once it is discovered, it will cause a lot of trouble.
Tashigi quietly changed the subject: "However, regarding the news about White Knight Gawain, the headquarters has responded. Gawain's bounty will be raised again."
"Um."
Smoker nodded, not surprised by this: "In just over a month, the bounty has increased twice. This is the first time in history that this has happened."
"Tashigi."
"Yes!"
"My premonition is getting stronger. If we let that guy enter the Grand Line this time, a great pirate will appear!"
Smoker gritted his teeth: "We must catch him while he's in the East Blue! Even if it costs our lives!"
"Yes!"
The two fell silent at the same time.
In the distant sky, a few News Coos flew by, dropped a newspaper, and then flapped their wings and flew away.
Smoker raised his hand to pick up the newspaper on the ground. After opening it, he saw a familiar face: "White Knight Gawain, bounty... This number appeared in the East Blue. Vice-Admiral Garp may not be able to sit still."
"How much?"
"Eighty-five million Belly!"
… … …
New World.
On a deserted island, the Red Force was anchored in a bay.
The skull and crossbones flag printed on the sail was extremely conspicuous. Even at a distance of dozens of miles, it could be seen clearly, causing pirates lurking nearby to flee.
This is because this skull flag represents the youngest of the four emperors of the New World, and he is also the undisputed number one in terms of Haki on the sea today.
Red Hair, Shanks.
He once had the hope of competing with Hawk Eyes for the title of No. 1 swordsman, but all that came to an end when Shanks left his arm in the East Blue.
At the beach now.
The light and shadows in the rising fire flickered, shining on everyone's faces.
Fragrant barbecue, colorful fruits, and countless fine wines and delicacies were placed together in a mess.
The strong smell of wine in the air could not be blown away by the sea breeze.
"Really? You guys have been drinking since three days ago. There should be a limit!"
As Beckman was speaking, Shanks held him down.
Seeing this, everyone rushed forward and pinned Beckman down, then poured a whole pitcher of beer into his mouth.
"Hahahahaha!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and when Beckman managed to break free, his face smelled of alcohol.
"Asshole, none of the people who poured water on me just now can escape!"
"Hahahahaha."
Shanks clapped his thigh and laughed, but his expression froze the next moment.
Because on the sea in the distance, a pirate ship that was barely made of a few logs spliced together, so simple that it could not even be called a ship, was carrying a familiar flag and was slowly sailing towards the deserted island under the breeze and the man sitting on this boat was one that Shanks was very familiar with.
The undisguised sharp aura from the opponent was accompanied by an absolute confidence that he was the best in the world.
He is the insurmountable peak of swordsmanship in this era, the opponent that all swordsmen dream of defeating.
The world's number one swordsman!
Hawk Eyes!
"Hey, Mihawk~ here, here."
Hawk Eyes was slightly startled, but after recognizing Shanks, he docked the boat at the shore.
Without waiting for Hawk Eyes to come closer, Shanks stuffed a bottle of beer into Hawk Eyes' hand, put one hand on his shoulder, and urged: "Drink quickly~drink quickly."
Hawk Eyes frowned slightly and looked at Shanks: "You were also drinking yesterday, weren't you?"
"This is a party!"
At this time, Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and others on the side also started to make a noise. Seeing this, Hawk Eyes had no choice but to drink up the beer in the glass.
With Hawk Eyes's entry, the banquet reached its climax again and lasted until late at night.
At this moment, everyone except Red Hair, Hawk Eyes, and Beckman was drunk and fell to the ground.
Snoring sounds could be heard from all around from time to time.
Hawk Eyes didn't look drunk at all. He took out a bounty order from his pocket and put it in Shanks's hand: "An interesting pirate appeared in the East Blue."
"Luffy?"
Shanks became interested, but when he looked down and saw a strange face on the bounty poster, he immediately lost interest.
Hawk Eyes didn't care about this and continued: "White Knight Gawain, reward forty-eight million."
"From the look in his eyes, I can tell that he is a swordsman."
"A swordsman who has absolute confidence in himself, even to the point of being arrogant."
"I don't know where this confidence comes from, but maybe it will bear satisfying fruit."
Hawk Eyes looked at Shanks's broken arm:
"Ever since you lost an arm, I haven't met a suitable opponent in a long time."
"If you want to fight, I don't mind."
"You no longer interest me."
Hawk Eyes said calmly.
Beckman, who was standing by, suddenly took the bounty order from Red Hair, took a closer look, and smiled at Hawk Eyes:
"Your information is outdated. The bounty on this guy has been updated."
After speaking, Beckman took out the newspaper he had just received today, took out a piece of bounty from the stack, and handed it to Hawk Eyes.
Hawk Eyes's eyes lit up slightly:
"Eighty-five million Belly?"
"Interesting."
"I've decided. My next stop will be the East Blue!"