Three years have passed.
Uehara Naraku remembered he was still with the Navy.
However, the Navy's top brass valued Colonel Uehara Naraku, who was undercover in Wano Country, because he often brought information about Akatsuki and the Beast Pirates.
This is truly...
Something even CP0 struggled to accomplish!
Because Akatsuki had completely locked down Wano Country, aside from members originally residing there, no one else could enter.
Truth be told, for Uehara Naraku to return and continue being a part of the Navy was quite difficult, because the value of his presence in Wano Country was irreplaceable.
To return, Uehara Naraku naturally needed Yakushi Kabuto's assistance. This problem wasn't hard to solve; as long as Uehara Naraku claimed suspicion about his identity, he could directly flee back to Marinford.
For absolute security...
Yakushi Kabuto even suggested that a Navy Admiral personally go to retrieve Uehara Naraku.
This matter truly had some of the Three Great Admirals of the Navy Headquarters scratching their heads. Can't that leader just stay obediently in Wano Country?
If one were to say Uehara Naraku didn't cause trouble...
Such a thing is clearly impossible.
Given Yakushi Kabuto's stance, Uehara Naraku's matter naturally couldn't be delayed; only the fastest, Kizaru, could set off to manage to extract Uehara Naraku from Wano Country.
This world is truly magical.
A Navy Headquarters Admiral actually needs to take the initiative to welcome back a world-disturbing hand to Marinford, who knows what trouble Uehara Naraku might cause after so long...
"Borsalino."
In the Marshal's Office, Marshal Sengoku solemnly instructed Kizaru: "We must bring Colonel Uehara Naraku back to Marinford. He holds much detailed intelligence on Wano Country, which is crucial for us in understanding our enemies, the Akatsuki."
"There shouldn't be any accidents…"
Kizaru's mouth curled into an odd smile: "Even if I encounter a mishap, that Colonel Uehara Naraku certainly wouldn't be troubled…"
To tell the truth.
The chances of this Navy Headquarters Admiral meeting an accident are greater.
"Admiral Kizaru, also don't be overly worried about the dangers of this mission."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, looked at Kizaru intentionally, and spoke: "If anything goes wrong, you may choose to abandon Colonel Naraku; after all, the highest power of the Navy must remain intact, Admiral Kizaru must make the most correct decision."
"..."
Kizaru slowly nodded.
The threatening tone of this was unmistakable.
Yakushi Kabuto's real intention seemed indeed to prioritize Kizaru's safety — it sounded somewhat human.
But if one understood them, Akatsuki, Yakushi Kabuto's true meaning was, either this Navy Admiral returns with Uehara Naraku, or he would never return...
Because the Hundred Beasts Sea Region is all allies.
Kizaru's travel went very smoothly.
When Kizaru reached the offshore of Wano Country, Uehara Naraku had long left Wano Country and was waiting offshore for the arrival of the Navy Headquarters Admiral.
At this moment.
Akatsuki's leader furrowed his brow, using the Radio Snail in his hand to contact one of his subordinates: "Hey, Mihawk, are you in the East Sea?"
"…Hmm."
Suddenly, from the other end of the Radio Snail came a sound of metal clashing against metal, Dracule Mihawk holding the Radio Snail while battling an opponent.
After a brief moment.
The sound of metal clashing ceased.
Dracule Mihawk slowly responded through the Radio Snail: "I am in the East Sea, near the Sea Restaurant Baratie here. I just met an interesting little fellow, thought he was naive, but he also has the heart of a swordsman..."
After finishing slowly, Mihawk then spoke in a low voice: "Now that things are over...do you have any orders?"
"Nothing much, I was just inquiring."
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but feel a touch of curiosity, stroked his chin, contemplating as he asked: "Take a look, is that interesting little fellow with green algae hair using Three Sword Style?"
"…Yes."
Mihawk's voice showed some hesitation.
East Sea, near the Sea Restaurant Baratie.
Mihawk had just defeated a green algae-hair Three Sword Style swordsman, holding the Radio Snail tightly, speaking into it with some gravity.
"Unbelievable..."
A drop of sweat slowly ran down Mihawk's forehead: "Even though Your Excellency is thousands of miles away, you can still know everything happening here?"
"Don't be tense."
Over the Radio Snail, Uehara Naraku reassured Mihawk's emotions, then chuckled before continuing: "Alright, I have no other matters, tell the little fellow in front of you, he actually has great potential to become a navigator."
After finishing, the Radio Snail was hung up.
Mihawk remained silent for a while, then put away his Radio Snail, turning to face the green algae-haired swordsman, an expression of apology flashing on his face.
"Apologies, Roronoa Zoro, originally I acknowledged your willingness to die generously for becoming the world's strongest swordsman, I should have respected the battle between us, but the call I received was from someone I couldn't refuse."
"No problem."
The green algae-haired swordsman curled his lips into a bitter smile, shook his head, and continued: "It seems I lost more than I imagined, even if you are distracted in battle, you can easily defeat me, is this the strength of the strongest in the world?"
The green-haired swordsman put away his weapon, turned around, and stretched out his arm towards Hawkeye, adopting a posture of seeking death.
"What is your meaning?"
Mihawk's gaze locked tightly onto the swordsman before him, recalling the time he was defeated by Uehara Naraku, when he too had that same generous to die demeanor!
"Kill me!"
A hint of seriousness flashed in Zoro's eyes as a slight smile began to creep onto his face: "Just kill me like this! If a swordsman dies with his back scarred, it's a swordsman's disgrace!"
"Remarkable..."
Dracule Mihawk slowly nodded.
The next moment, Mihawk suddenly swung the black sword in his hand, creating another giant wound across Zoro's chest, blood instantly gushing out!
This young swordsman...
He fell backward into the sea!
"Zoro!"
A heart-wrenching voice of anger echoed through the area!
A little guy wearing a straw hat instantly leaped towards Hawkeye Mihawk, ready to punch him.
"He's not dead yet."
Mihawk easily dodged the attack.
When Mihawk slashed, he held back, and Roronoa Zoro's injuries were not fatal, so he was quickly retrieved from the sea.
"Alright."
Dracule Mihawk's gaze fell upon Roronoa Zoro as his voice gradually heightened: "Wanting to die now is still too early, the world's strongest sword master, you haven't really seen yet!"
Just when everyone thought Hawkeye Mihawk, the world's strongest swordsman, was about to inspire this junior, Hawkeye Mihawk's expression suddenly shifted!
The world's strongest swordsman sheathed his black sword and exclaimed: "Slowly learn to know yourself, know the world, learn to become stronger!
When you truly become strong and witness the world's strongest power, real powerlessness will descend upon you. Move forward, Roronoa Zoro!
The pain you're enduring now is only the beginning; there is unimaginable despair awaiting you ahead!"
"..."
Everyone present had subtly peculiar expressions.
Why does this feel a bit odd?
Is this Hawkeye Mihawk really encouraging Zoro, or persuading him to abandon the path of the swordsman?
What does it mean that the pain has only just begun...
What does it mean there's real despair ahead?
Anyone hearing these words would uncontrollably want to give up, right?
Roronoa Zoro suddenly coughed out a few mouthfuls of water, forcefully spoke up: "Hey, no matter how much pain is ahead, I absolutely won't give up. The world's strongest great sword master, I'll never give up, not until death!"
"..."
A trace of appreciation appeared on Mihawk's face as he slowly nodded, exclaiming: "Then, remember the words you spoke today!"
Such a good swordsman talent...
Becoming a navigator would be too wasteful, wouldn't it?
After saying that, Mihawk slowly turned his head to look at the little guy wearing a straw hat beside him. His hawk-like eyes gradually regained sharpness, just as he was about to say something, the sound of the Radio Snail urgently rose.
Blub blub...
Blub blub blub...
A faint black line appeared on Mihawk's face, he suppressed his impatience, connected to the Radio Snail in his hand, and calmly spoke: "Anything else? I might have a more interesting young person here..."
One who made Shanks give up his arm...
Betting on this world's future pirate!
"Hmm, there actually is."
The voice of Uehara Naraku from the Radio Snail was somewhat erratic, he slowly spoke: "Is the young man you mentioned wearing a straw hat?"
"...Yes."
Mihawk calmly nodded.
At this moment, he was no longer surprised by Uehara Naraku's omniscience.
The voice of Uehara Naraku from the Radio Snail chuckled lightly and continued: "If he still wants to become the Pirate King, then help curb his king addiction!"
"What do you mean?"
Mihawk's gaze was slightly puzzled.
The next second, Uehara Naraku's malicious voice reached Mihawk's ears via the Radio Snail: "First help me beat him up, and by the way, tell him that a certain Colonel Uehara Naraku is heading to the East Sea, under orders to sweep out all pirates there..."
After saying that, Uehara Naraku hung up the Radio Snail.
"Huh?"
Dracule Mihawk couldn't help but frown, put away the Radio Snail again, and gazed bizarrely at the Straw Hat Pirate before him: "What's your name?"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy!"
The little straw hat guy raised a thumb, displaying a confident smile: "The man who will surely become the Pirate King!"