Only by using the purest swordsmanship to fight Mihawk will he truly give up. At that time, whether he wins or loses, he will have given Mihawk an explanation.

If he contacts me again next time, I'll have a reason not to accept him.

The two stood facing each other, letting the sea breeze blow, ruffling the white fur on Mihawk's hat brim and Kuro's cloak.

"Tsk, Mihawk, that idiot, why did he have to fight Kuro at this crucial moment?"

Lida looked at the island with some displeasure. "If Kuro gets hurt, I don't think these people will be so kind as to leave."

"Hey, little girl, watch your mouth."

One of the officers laughed and said, "We are the 'Red-Haired Pirates'."

"Yeah, a pirate crew, pirates, you know."

Lida scoffed, "How could free pirates possibly be loyal?"

"you..."

The cadre's face darkened, and just as he was about to step forward, he suddenly stopped and froze.

Danger!

There's a dangerous aura!

"Don't move."

Farrell Joshua drew his pistol and pointed it at the officer, saying, "Although I don't know the specifics, the Navy is currently the weaker party, and this is within the territory of the Principality of Faya. I can't interfere with the conflict between you pirates and the Navy, but I have said that you can't cause trouble here, otherwise, I am not afraid to take action."

"Hahaha, no, no, it's not that bad."

Shanks patted the officer on the shoulder, then said to Joshua, "Let's watch a show. I'm here firstly because I'm interested in you, and secondly, I'm only here to deal with Teach. I wouldn't take advantage of someone in distress."

As he spoke, he glanced at Lida and said, "Mihawk told me that you are Jinni's exclusive possession. If you get injured, that guy will abandon you, and then you'll have been asked to help for nothing."

...

Outside Mary Geoise, after Sakazuki left, he went down to Red Harbor and made a phone call directly from there.

"The matter has been taken care of, Borsalino."

He held a Den Den Mushi in his palm. The Den Den Mushi pouted and said in surprise, "Oh~ I'm really surprised. I didn't expect it to be so quick. I thought those five old men would think about it for a long time."

“The deed is done, there’s no point in thinking about it anymore, Borsalino, it’s mostly up to you,” Sakazuki said in a deep voice.

He even sounded a little dissatisfied when he said this.

The reason why Astaya exists is because Shanks was actually lured there.

Sakazuki may seem impulsive and easily angered, but he is not as simple as he appears. Otherwise, he would not have been sent by Sengoku to sow discord between Squardo.

He didn't make deals with pirates, but he always managed to leak information. Luring Shanks to Astrea was a scheme they had set up. Shanks had always been in contact with Mihawk and knew what Mihawk wanted to do, so given his personality, he would take the opportunity to hold a banquet for Mihawk and then reveal that Clow Reed would be coming.

They didn't hide Kuro's trip to Astrea from them at all; they deliberately let Shanks know.

Sakazuki was quite dissatisfied with this, because he didn't want to play these games with pirates. When it came to pirates and evil, the solution was to exterminate them all.

But all of this is to make way for Kuro and allow Borsalino to officially retire, so a compromise must be made.

"Well, don't get upset about this. As long as you've done it, that's good enough. Kuro can definitely do it." Kizaru said with a smile.

Sakazuki smiled slightly upon hearing this: "I believe that too."

Two people of the same generation would naturally not address each other as "old man," but they are also good friends, so it's natural for them to chat.

"And you, what about your position? Is it the same as Garp and Sengoku's?" Sakazuki asked.

"Well, that's certainly possible. Being a Grand Inspector or something is not bad either. Perhaps... I could also teach the new recruits?" Kizaru laughed. "These things are fine with me, but just in case, I'll go over there myself, just in case Red gets any funny ideas."

“That’s what I called you about, Borsalino. Go to Astia and bring Kuro back,” Sakazuki said.

"Hehehe, let's set off now."

After hanging up the phone, Sakazuki looked up at the sky, his smile widening.

Their era has indeed officially ended. As soon as Kuro takes over, it will mean that the new generation of the Navy is beginning to hand over power to the old guard.

As for Fujitora and Green Bull...

Those recruited from both worlds were not within their 'traditional' naval factions, and naturally would not be considered by them.

If we disregard global conscription, then Kuro is the only one who can reliably transition into the workforce.

His promotion to admiral now will also benefit him in the future. In time, he will be able to take over as marshal, and the navy will reach a state of maximum stability under his command.

Whether or not it can resolve the so-called pirate era, at least it can prevent decline.

That's enough!

...

On the island, the sea breeze blows.

Mihawk held up his black sword and said in a deep voice, "Jorakel Mihawk wields one of the twelve Supreme Grade Swords, the black sword 'Night'."

Kuro drew Shusui, ran two fingers over it, and flicked it, saying, "Luxe Kuro, wielding one of the Twenty-One Great Swords, the black sword 'Shusui'."

Their eyes met, and with a 'whoosh,' they charged forward simultaneously.

Kuro transformed into a blur and rushed forward. Halfway there, he suddenly leaped up, and a golden lightning bolt shot up from the blade of Shusui as he slashed down from mid-air.

when!

At that moment, Mihawk, who had also rushed forward, swung his black sword horizontally, the blade blocking Qiu Shui's blade.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle!!

With a single slash, the ground beneath Mihawk's feet sank downwards, cracking open like a spiderweb, revealing fissures as if sliced ​​by a sharp weapon.

Mihawk jerked his sword forward, causing Shusui's downward slash to slide down the black sword 'Night'. At the same time, he twisted his body, pulling away from the collision with Shusui, and slashed at Kuro above.

Kuro suddenly lowered his body, and just as his head dropped, the huge black sword grazed past where he had been standing, catching some of his hair. Kuro twisted his wrist, and Shusui, like a venomous snake, darted through Mihawk's wide, sweeping swings, aiming straight for his chest.

Mihawk took a step back, pulled his arm back, and the large black blade that was slashing horizontally was retracted. Using the force of his arm, he slashed down and struck the back of the straight-thrusting Qiu Shui blade, pressing Qiu Shui down.

Bang!

Kuro jumped up and kicked the black sword hard, then pulled away the Autumn Water. The back of the blade and the edge of the sword crossed and sparked. After he pulled it away, he used the force to spin in mid-air before landing on the ground.

"Tsk..."

Kuro glanced at Shusui and said to Mihawk with some displeasure, "You're quick with your reflexes, though, carrying such a heavy sword."