Later that evening, a banquet unfolded on Saint Louis Island.
The tables were stacked high with roasted meat, overflowing mugs, and barrels of sake.
Bullet tore into food like a beast, while Rain laughed loudly, clashing mugs with him.
The firelight flickered across their grins, carrying that wild One Piece atmosphere of victory.
Mihawk sat at the edge of the table. Silent and awkward. His golden eyes drifted to the food but his hand barely moved.
Rain glanced at him, amused. "Oi, Mihawk. You're drinking like a ghost at his own funeral."
"Loosen up!"
Bullet slammed down a barrel with a booming laugh. "Hahahaha! For once, I agree with Rain. You just fought like a hungry man, and now you're acting like a monk at a wake!"
Mihawk's lips tightened, but at last, he muttered, "…I don't enjoy pointless noise."
Rain grinned, leaning in. "Then tell us...what drives you, Mihawk? A man like you doesn't swing a blade without a dream."
The square fell quiet for a moment. Mihawk's eyes sharpened, and in his usual flat tone, he answered:
"…To become the world's strongest swordsman."
There was no hesitation in his voice, no arrogance either. Just quiet certainty.
For a second, Rain and Bullet blinked. Then they both broke into grins.
"Hahahaha!" Bullet roared. "That's your dream? Good! It's not impossible."
Rain raised his cup, nodding. "With your potential, I'd expect nothing less. The title belongs to you in the future...no doubt about it."
Mihawk blinked, caught off guard. "…You… don't think it's impossible?"
"Impossible?" Rain smirked, tilting Ace against his shoulder. "Not for you."
Rain really believed Mihawk could achieve it.
Before, he only thought so because he had watched the anime. But now, after crossing blades with him, he truly believed it.
Of course, if Rain himself ever chose to become the world's strongest swordsman, then Mihawk's dream might never come true.
Mihawk, on the other hand, didn't know that the very man who had just agreed with him was already wondering whether to copy his dream.
For the first time that evening, Mihawk's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. The fire crackled, mugs clashed again, and laughter filled the night.
---
That night, in the villa, Rain shared with Mira everything about Buggy's plan...what he had said during the day, and what had been weighing on his mind since then.
"Holy Land… Mariejois?"
Mira's expression grew solemn. Even she understood the weight of that place.
If anywhere held the greatest power in the world, it was there.
"Rain, do you have any thoughts?" Mira asked curiously. She knew that if Rain mentioned this, he already had something in mind.
"I'm going to try it out." Rain's voice was calm, but firm.
"Isn't that a little too dangerous? Should I go with you?" Mira replied instinctively. With the two of them together, she believed nothing could trap them.
Rain thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Meet me at the Sabaody Archipelago. I'll go in alone."
Mira's strength was formidable especially her ability to fly. If something went wrong, she could still reach him in time. That was enough.
"Alright," Mira nodded, visibly more at ease.
"The two of us together… even Whitebeard wouldn't be our match." Her tone carried quiet confidence.
"I think so too," Rain agreed with a small smile.
Whitebeard...was he strong? Undoubtedly.
Though Rain had never fought him, he was certain his own power was not inferior.
And with Mira at his side, someone who matched him perfectly, their combined strength was terrifying.
If they fought together, Rain was confident they could bring down even Whitebeard within an hour of fierce battle.
"Should we call Bullet as well?" Mira asked suddenly. "With his strength, we'd be even safer."
"Bullet?" Rain paused for a moment, then said after thinking for a while.
"Although Bullet is very strong, his mobility is too poor. Let's forget it."
After thinking it over, Rain shook his head. "The best way is to let him draw firepower outside, luring away the Navy's strongest."
"That's fine too."
Mira nodded, agreeing with Rain's judgment.
If Bullet could fly, Rain would have taken him along without hesitation. With his raw power combined with Mira's, they would have stormed forward together without fear.
Mira, after a moment of silence, changed the subject.
"By the way, Rain… do you think we should stop Hiyori-chan?"
Rain raised an eyebrow. "Hiyori?"
"She's been training far too hard these days," Mira said seriously.
"Even Robin-chan complained. That girl comes back at night covered in bruises… and then disappears again to keep training."
Rain leaned back slightly, considering. Mira's tone carried both concern and a faint exasperation.
Robin rarely complained, so for her to bring it up meant it wasn't a small matter.
Rain looked at Mira's worried expression. For a moment, he stayed silent, then let out a long sigh.
"…It must be the trauma," he said quietly. "That's what's driving her. If we try to stop her now, it might only make things worse."
Mira's gaze softened, but she didn't interrupt.
"The only thing that can give her a sense of security right now… is to grow stronger," Rain continued.
"That's the only path she sees."
He paused, then looked at Mira. "So instead of stopping her… should we try to find a suitable Devil Fruit for her?"
Mira lifted a hand to her chin, thoughtful. "…A Devil Fruit, huh…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she began to seriously consider the idea.
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