One Piece: Signing In as a Pirate Begins with Roger's Execution

When Mihawk spoke, the atmosphere became awkward.

Two kids were openly dreaming of the future, their innocent words carefree and unrestrained.

Then Mihawk interjected, abruptly shifting the mood into something strange and uncomfortable.

"Uncle Karl, is there something wrong with this guy's head?"

Kuina blinked innocently, while Zoro edged back a little in fear.

Those hawk-like eyes of Mihawk's were simply too intimidating.

"Ahem.

Mihawk, how old are you? Why are you arguing with kids like this?

They're so young! No matter what they say, it's just childish talk. And here you are, taking them seriously—bullying children, really?"

"Hmph!"

Hearing Karl's words, Mihawk turned away, his face red, offering no rebuttal.

He realized he might have overreacted.

Becoming the World's Strongest Swordsman was his dream, his driving ambition.

So, hearing someone casually mention it triggered his instinctive urge to retort.

But in doing so, he'd completely overlooked the ages of Zoro and Kuina, inadvertently creating this bizarre situation.

Karl, however, understood Mihawk's feelings.

Mihawk was still a hot-blooded youth, brimming with passion and speaking his mind freely.

But such behavior inevitably left behind embarrassing moments.

Like now, where Kuina was openly laughing at him.

Zoro, being the straightforward type, didn't seem to react much.

"Oh my, so many visitors at my humble home—what a rare sight!

Now, are you here to seek training, or to challenge my dojo?"

Koushirou, with four swords at his waist, walked in with a smile.

His gaze first fell on Mihawk, and his expression shifted to one of surprise.

"Hawk-like sharp eyes, and a presence teeming with potential—a promising swordsman indeed."

Koushirou stroked his chin, evaluating Mihawk.

Mihawk, on the other hand, stared intently at Koushirou, as if trying to pierce through him.

Yet Koushirou's demeanor was as calm as still water, radiating an ordinary, unremarkable air. There was nothing about him that seemed extraordinary.

The more this was the case, the warier Mihawk became.

His swordsman's instincts were screaming: this man was strong!

"Koushirou, it's been a while!"

"Karl, my dear brother, you're here? Sorry I didn't notice you earlier—looks like I need a new pair of glasses, haha!"

Hearing Karl's voice, Koushirou finally recognized him among the crowd in the yard.

The two shook hands briefly, exchanging pleasantries.

Koushirou then introduced his daughter, Kuina, and his first student, Zoro.

Afterward, he handed over the swords he had crafted for them.

Karl pointed to Mihawk with a smile. "I've brought you a talented individual.

See if you'd consider taking him as your student. With his potential, becoming the World's Strongest Swordsman is no problem.

If you train him into the World's Strongest, the fame of your Isshin Dojo will soar.

That would be a win-win for both of us."

"Haha, you've really thought this through. But this young man seems prideful—would he even agree?"

Koshiro patted Karl's shoulder, then turned to Mihawk with a more serious expression.

"If you can defeat me, I'll accept! But if you lose, I'll personally break the signboard of this dojo!"

Without another word, Mihawk unsheathed his sword.

Koushirou, seeing Mihawk's decisiveness, nodded approvingly.

"Good spirit. That's the attitude of a swordsman. The rest of you, step back.

If someone wants to challenge the dojo, I won't hold back."

Koushirou removed his glasses and casually tossed them onto a nearby wooden stump.

Though the toss seemed forceful, the glasses landed as lightly as a feather, making no sound.

Witnessing this, Karl clicked his tongue in amazement, noting that Koushirou's mastery had advanced further.

Mihawk's pupils contracted in shock. He felt that things were not going well.

Following the principle of striking first, Mihawk instantly appeared before Koushirou.

With a sharp slash from an incredibly tricky angle, Mihawk aimed for Koushirou's neck.

But Koushirou, with an equally strange movement, reversed his grip on Wado Ichimonji and easily deflected Mihawk's attack, gently flicking the blade away.

Though Koushirou seemed to use little effort, Mihawk felt a tremendous force transmitted through his sword, pushing him off balance.

Koushirou seized the moment, shifting his grip on his sword and delivering a precise strike that sent Mihawk flying several meters.

Parry! Redirect! Strike!

The sequence was seamless and fluid.

Yet, strangely, Mihawk bore no injuries.

He clearly felt the pain and cold bite of a blade touching his skin, but upon inspection, he found neither wounds nor even a tear in his clothing!

This left Mihawk wondering if Koushirou had switched to the flat of his blade mid-strike to avoid harming him.

"Why didn't you use the edge? Or are you trying to humiliate me with the back of your sword?"

Mihawk asked, angered.

But Koushirou simply shrugged, his smile unchanging.

"Don't misunderstand. I used the blade."

"Then why…"

Mihawk began to question but suddenly realized a frightening possibility.

Rumors spoke of an ultimate swordsmanship technique.

One so advanced that a swordsman could control the blade with such precision that they could choose what to cut.

If the swordsman didn't wish to cut something, not even paper could be sliced!

Achieving this realm of mastery required the highest level of swordsmanship, and even touching its threshold was a monumental feat.

Mihawk was leagues away from such mastery.

Yet, before him stood a man with no reputation, effortlessly demonstrating this supreme skill.

The realization stunned Mihawk.

Determined to test Koushirou further, Mihawk launched another flurry of attacks.

But the result remained the same—Koushirou countered each assault with ease, using a light, fluid technique to knock Mihawk back without causing harm.

The more this happened, the more shaken Mihawk became.

Finally, Mihawk unleashed his strongest technique, a blue sword aura powerful enough to cleave mountains and shatter the earth.

The aura, infused with Mihawk's will, roared forward with unstoppable momentum.

Koushirou, however, responded with a casual swing of his sword, releasing a silver sword aura twice as large.

The silver aura obliterated Mihawk's attack and shattered his confidence.

It grazed Mihawk, shooting into the sky before descending onto a distant hill, cleaving its summit clean off.

The ground trembled, and a deafening roar echoed as Mihawk sheathed his sword and knelt on one knee.

"I, Dracule Mihawk, admit defeat and accept the terms of our wager.

From today onward, I will be your student and join Isshin Dojo!

But I have one condition—I must become the World's Strongest Swordsman!"

Mihawk's piercing eyes burned with determination as he stared at Koshiro, awaiting his response.

"Haha, that's simple!"

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