"Girl… did you really defeat Siegel?"
Zhep stared at me curiously. I only gave a silent nod — no need to explain anything else. What's done is done.
"I used to cross paths with that guy Siegel all the time. We were old rivals back in the day," Zhep said with a sigh. "Didn't expect him to die in your hands… guess even tough guys have to obey the tides of time."
Sure enough — the younger waves crash over the older ones… and the older ones end up washed ashore.
"It wasn't a big deal," I replied casually. "He caught a few of my mermaid friends. If he hadn't… I wouldn't have bothered killing him."
My tone was light, but there was no hiding the confidence underneath.
"Friends… with mermaids?" Zhep blinked in surprise. "Kiana, you really are full of surprises."
Well, that reaction was normal. In this world, almost no one treats mermaids as people. Most just see them as valuable merchandise and little else. The barrier between humans and merfolk… is more like a wall.
"Ohhh, Kiana-chan! You're powerful and admirable!" Sanji swooped in next to me instantly, eyes sparkling. "But hey—don't worry. Just leave everything to me later. I won't let a girl fight!"
…A boy trapped in a girl's body here, FYI. But sure, go ahead and treat me like a delicate flower.
"Uncle," Luffy suddenly said, thinking hard for once, "if we help protect the restaurant and beat those guys, does that mean we don't have to do chores anymore?"
Zhep raised an eyebrow. "Do whatever you want. Just… don't die out there."
"Yoshi! Then leave it to me!" Luffy grinned like an idiot. If ditching chores was on the line, he'd fight Kaido right now with a smile.
BOOM!!
Two thunderous crashes blasted across the ocean. Everyone turned toward the entrance on instinct.
Outside the gate—the giant flagship of the Krieg Pirates had been cleanly sliced into three perfect sections.
One swing.Just one strike of sword energy turned the calm seas into chaos. The immense ship vanished beneath the waves as the ocean churned violently.
The shockwave almost sent the people of Baratie tumbling. Usopp clung to the stairway railing with his whole body trembling.
"W-W-What just happened?! What was that?!"
"Let's go check it out!"
Zhep was first to rush outside. Everyone followed—
—except me.
I kept drinking my red wine at the table… calm and silent.
Hawkeye Mihawk… he's finally here.
As an iconic powerhouse in the world of One Piece, Mihawk is an anime legend I remembered vividly from my past life. Judging from that strike alone… I tried comparing it to my current strength.
Could I cut a ship into thirds like that?
The answer was simple:Not even close.
Right now… I couldn't unleash a slash with that level of destructive power. Mihawk's swordsmanship level is comparable to the Crimson Armor's ultimate skill — Amaterasu. The difference between us... wasn't small.
So yeah. Just now, reality slapped me across the face.
I'd been riding the high of killing Siegel. Felt pretty good. Thought maybe… just maybe… I was climbing into the big leagues already.
But Mihawk? He just reminded me how far I still had to go.
If I want to reach the level of power my own Crimson Armor's Amaterasu could truly unleash… I'll need a massive upgrade. Maybe after my level rises significantly… and my armor rank reaches SS? No idea yet.
Because I've never fought a monster like Mihawk before. So honestly… I don't even know what tier I'm in right now.
But I do know one thing very clearly —my Crimson Armor, only Level 56 and A-rank armor, right now…
…has absolutely no qualification to stand against Mihawk.
Currently, my strongest option is still Moonlight (S-rank base armor). But without proper weapons and stigmata to match it, even she might not surpass Shadow Dancer. Rachel's attack boost is insane, after all.
"A seriously strong pervert," I muttered, staring toward the shouting outside the doors.
"Hey, Ai-chan. Question."
I pulled out my phone and spoke seriously.
"Oho? What does Captain want to ask Ai-chan?"
"Assume I have full 5-star weapons and full-level stigmata… SS-level armor at Level 80. What would that compare to in this world? Could I beat the guy outside?"
"Let's see… the guy outside? The giant red dot on the minimap? Let me analyze his data!"
Ai-chan closed her eyes and played adorably with her little cabbage-shaped head. After ten seconds, she chimed:
"Captain — if your equipment was fully maxed like you said… it'd be a full blind-crush. According to analysis, his strength is equivalent to an armor with an SS score of 50."
"…Are you sure? That low?"
"Ai-chan would never lie to the Captain! Believe me, hmph!"
My heart settled instantly.Wait… Mihawk — who once clashed equally with Shanks, one of the Four Emperors — only has that level of power? If that's true…
Then once I get a fully graduated armor set… wouldn't I be on the same level as the Four Emperors?! No… if their fight wasn't watered-down in the original… Shanks is slightly stronger than Mihawk, right?
That means Shanks is probably…
SSS Rank, Level 75 Armor equivalent?!
The other Four Emperors shouldn't be too far apart either… so let's say:
Level 70, SS Rank armor?
And me?Level 80. SSS rank.
Easy clap!!
Thinking about it made me grin. If I keep leveling up… wouldn't I become invincible in this world?
Remember — I don't just have one armor. If one runs out of health, I just swap! Wheel battles!Could I 1v2… no… even 1v3 the Four Emperors?!
Nobody would ever dare say that out loud.But me?
I just did.And hell yeah, I believe it.
As long as I get four or five fully graduated armors… I'll be unstoppable. I'll eat Big Mom's dessert in front of her face, smack Kaido's little brother on the head… and who's gonna complain?!
Don't forget — Rose, Ghost Armor, Anti-God — full power DPS armors that teach the seas what it means to be a real man.
And finally, I'll stand before them all and whisper:
Yae Sakura Basara… do whatever you want.
"Eh-heh-heh-heh-heh!"
The corners of my mouth rose uncontrollably as my imagination soared.
"African Captain? Black Captain? Wake up and wipe your drool already!"
Ai-chan's perfectly timed jab pulled me back to reality.
"…Tch. Sorry. Got carried away."
I wiped the drool from my lips. The road ahead is long. With crystals needed for upgrades… I haven't earned the right to laugh yet.
But… maybe… just maybe… I can have a preview of that power.
Actually — I could go out there and stomp Hawkeye right now.Do you believe it?
What, you don't? Hmph. Then let's check my backpack.
Three Level 80 S-rank graduation outfits,one Anti-God Witch Armor 14-day trial card,one Imperial Dress: Don't Forget trial card,and Execution Dress: Shion trial card…all 14-day use cards.
Now do you believe it?
Of course, I won't waste them so easily. Knowing that Mihawk is only Strength Level 50… honestly makes me even more determined not to use them. Who knows what rewards future logins might bring?
That 14-day Level 80 graduation armor…that's basically a 7-day Four Emperors VIP Experience Card.
Would you use that at your current level?Nope. Not me.Not unless I'm forced.
In my past life, I'd used trial cards like these — but they were only SS-level, fully equipped. This time… it's Level 80?! That must be the devs being kind for once. Mercy to a stranded player.
Anyway… enough thinking.It's time to go see Hawkeye show off.
I set down the empty wine glass, lifted Rachel onto my shoulder, and walked outside.
"What?! You're telling me Nami sailed off with all the treasure?!"
Usopp grabbed Johnny by the collar the moment he climbed aboard Baratie.
"S-Sorry! We weren't guarding the ship, Brother Zoro!"
Johnny and Joseph looked devastated. Zoro had told them to watch the ship — but Nami had fooled them both.
"…So she really did it."I sighed after walking out and hearing the news.
"I can still see the Merry!" Luffy stood atop the railing and squinted at the waves. "Zoro — hurry up and chase her!"
"Forget it. Let her have the boat. What kind of fool chases a woman like that?" Zoro said, annoyed.
"No. I need her as my navigator."
Luffy's expression turned unexpectedly serious. The two locked eyes in silence… until Zoro sighed.
"…Fine. I'll go after her."
Johnny and Joseph insisted on going too — their failure to guard the ship weighed on them.
But just as they prepared to depart—
The survivors afloat near the shattered Krieg ship suddenly screamed:
"C-Captain Krieg!! That man—! That hawk-eyed man is chasing after him!!"
"…Hawkeye?"
Zoro's entire expression shifted. The three blades at his waist trembled with a hungry hum.
I stood to the side, staring at him.
Really?You're gonna draw your swords now?
I was planning to give you that sword, you idiot.Don't go breaking it already!!