Sabaody Archipelago.
Recently, many travelers have arrived.
They came from all over, wanting to witness today's grand event up close.
"It's terrifying; seeing it in person is much more shocking than in pictures; over a dozen islands really became ruins."
"That ice-sealed island at the very front must be No. 1 Island."
"If only we could go to No. 1 Island, that's where Mr. Kevin died in battle."
Everyone craned their necks, looking out at No. 1 Island, which was heavily surrounded by the Marines.
It had already become one of the most famous islands on the Grand Line.
On the vast sea, even more people were paying attention to today's events.
Wherever there was a screen showing a live broadcast on an island, large crowds gathered outside it.
Those who couldn't watch.
Waited for the newspaper.
Many important figures.
Were also watching today's broadcast: the monsters of the New World, the Gorosei of Holy Land Mary Geoise, the nobles of various kingdoms...
Amidst eager anticipation.
On No. 1 Island, technical personnel checked the visual telephone transponder snails and signals to ensure the footage could be transmitted out.
Everything was ready.
At 10:00 AM sharp.
The visual telephone transponder snails were officially activated.
The footage was transmitted to other screens.
"There's footage!"
"Completely ice-sealed, this must be No. 1 Island, where Mr. Kevin's body is buried."
"I wonder who the seven Shichibukai are?"
"The World Government hasn't announced it yet."
"Are they really as strong as the newspapers say?"
"That giant circular conference table must be where the Shichibukai, the World Government, and the Marines negotiate, right?"
"Why aren't they coming out yet? No Shichibukai, no Marines, only an unfamiliar fellow, who must be a World Government official."
Everyone stared intently at the screen.
"It's time for the Seven Warlords of the Sea to appear.", said a ZF High Official.
He looked at Vice Admiral Weasel beside him.
Weasel nodded.
The visual telephone transponder snail.
Pointed towards the temporary lounge next to it.
A figure with an expressionless face walked out of the lounge, carrying a long sword on his back, his eyes sharp; through the screen, everyone could feel the direct gaze of a sharp hawk's eye, instinctively dodging their gaze.
They dared not look directly at Hawkeye Mihawk.
"It's Hawkeye Mihawk after all; Red-Haired Shanks definitely won't become a Shichibukai, so the Strongest Swordsman is Hawkeye."
"The first one to appear is Hawkeye; will the next six be even more terrifying?"
Hawkeye Mihawk's identity should have been the easiest to guess.
Red-Haired Shanks was also watching.
Seeing Hawkeye Mihawk's appearance, a smile of joy for Hawkeye appeared on his lips: "Strongest Swordsman, Mihawk, you've finally achieved your wish."
The image of Kevin couldn't help but surface in his mind.
Red-Haired Shanks sighed.
With his departure, Hawkeye Mihawk, you must also feel regret, right?
"Strongest Swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, please sit."
A ZF High Official pointed to one of the seven chairs.
"Strongest?"
Hawkeye Mihawk's eyes narrowed.
The ZF High Official was taken aback and said as a matter of course: "Red-Haired Shanks has lost an arm, Kevin is dead, on the Grand Line, the Strongest Swordsman is none other than you; besides you, who else would dare to call themselves the Strongest Swordsman?"
Hawkeye Mihawk casually rested his feet on the conference table.
His gaze couldn't help but sweep towards the ground.
Having achieved such power, he found that he wasn't as happy as he thought he would be.
His most desired opponents, Shanks and Kevin, he hadn't defeated.
It was a great regret.
"Hurry up and finish, I don't like it here." Hawkeye Mihawk glanced at the ZF High Official.
I agreed to join the Shichibukai.
It's because I see the convenience of the Shichibukai identity, not to cooperate with your show.
The ZF High Official chuckled a few times.
Fortunately, the visual telephone transponder snail had already moved to the lounge.
Doflamingo, striding with arrogant steps, walked out.
His expression was eccentric and overbearing.
He still didn't know that his family was gone and that he was now alone.
"How arrogant. Not even the high-ranking Marines are here."
Doflamingo strode, not towards the conference table.
He also walked towards the Marines on the side.
"Doflamingo, what do you want to do?"
Doflamingo's five fingers moved slightly.
Suddenly, two Marines let out terrified screams; they were being controlled to fight each other. Doflamingo grew even more arrogant: "Since the high-ranking Marines aren't coming, I should at least have the right to pass the time, shouldn't I?"
Everyone watched the screen in stunned silence.
The World Government and the Marines publicly announced that the Shichibukai would absolutely obey their summons.
Why was he so arrogant?
He completely disregarded the Marines.
Would such a Shichibukai truly benefit the world?
"Doflamingo, remember your place. Don't make things difficult for everyone." The ZF High Official's face darkened as he warned Doflamingo.
Other times, it would be fine.
But now, the whole world was watching.
"Tch."
Doflamingo scoffed, releasing the unfortunate Marines. Under the angry and helpless gaze of the Marines, he imperiously sat next to Hawkeye Mihawk, pointing at the ZF High Official and saying:
"No. 1 Island is my territory. After today, this place belongs to me. Kevin's grave will be a good spot."
"Whatever."
The ZF High Official was indifferent.
After today, Kevin would have no more use.
"Doflamingo, what do you want to do?" Hawkeye Mihawk turned sideways and glanced at Doflamingo.
"Oh? An Eagle Eye who usually doesn't care about others, you're also concerned about Kevin's remains?" Doflamingo looked at Hawkeye Mihawk in surprise.
Facing Hawkeye.
Doflamingo subconsciously reined in his arrogant demeanor.
"I don't care about other matters, but don't touch the sword Kevin buried underground." Hawkeye Mihawk reminded Doflamingo.
That sword.
Let it remain buried there.
It's not something you, Doflamingo, are worthy of touching.
"Kevin's sword?" Doflamingo was very curious.
Kevin possessed a Supreme Grade Sword, the Pirate King Roger's former sword, "Ace," which was not widely known across the sea.
Besides Red-Haired Shanks and Rayleigh, only Hawkeye Mihawk and Garp knew about it.
Garp also hadn't told anyone else.
"None of your business."
Hawkeye Mihawk was unwilling to say another word to Doflamingo.
Doflamingo's mouth twitched slightly.
Too arrogant.
If you weren't Hawkeye Mihawk, I would...
Never mind.
Doflamingo looked at his feet with interest, thinking to himself: "Before the Sun and Moon Pirates Remnants die, of course I won't do anything. Those women are not to be trifled with, but once they're dead, I'll have no fear. A new human trafficking auction house, built on the grave of the slave Kevin, is sure to be booming business."
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