Mihawk?
The world's greatest swordsman?
William was taken aback, somewhat not understanding what he meant.
To challenge this man, one must first pass Mihawk?
Seemingly sensing William's doubt, Kuro raised his head and said, "You're a swordsman, aren't you? You have a sword at your waist, that makes you a swordsman."
"I'm now the world's number one swordsman. That idiot Mihawk has been demoted. He's number two now."
“I’m not like Mihawk. He can accept any challenge, but I can’t. If you want to challenge me, you have to defeat Mihawk first. Only after defeating him will you be qualified to challenge me.”
Upon hearing this, William's pupils contracted, and he exclaimed in surprise, "The world's greatest swordsman?! You?!"
"What? I'm not worthy?" Kuro glared at him.
"No, I'm just a little surprised... Has your swordsmanship reached this level? I thought there was still some distance to go. Sure enough, my feeling before was right. You've been excessively strong since you were a child."
William pursed his lips, thought of the past, and sighed.
Kuro waved his hand. "What's the use of looking back? Look to the future, kid. The contract is signed, and you're the new Shichibukai. Alright, this is Marine Headquarters, not Pirate Headquarters. You're not suited to stay here any longer. Go back to your course."
"I don't want to stay any longer either."
William turned and left.
Why would he want to stay with the navy any longer? He'd rather leave now, since he'd already achieved his goal.
Just as William stepped out of the office and reached the entrance of the largest building, he suddenly paused, realizing he seemed to have forgotten something.
His bounty... is still 100 million.
Now that you've become a Shichibukai, shouldn't you grow up a bit longer?
"Forget it, the Navy will investigate this matter. I've already taken down so many people, my bounty should be increased before the official announcement."
William shook his head and continued walking forward, mainly because he was too lazy to stay there; there was a sense of oppression.
"White Admiral" William officially became a Shichibukai, overseeing a sea route.
This news was spread throughout the world by Newsbird within a few days.
"This kid..."
In the palace in the middle of that island, half desert and half forest, Crocodile looked at the freshly printed newspaper, his face darkening, and he chewed on a cigar, looking uncertain.
That kid who challenged him actually became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?
"I knew it! Even if Kuro is an enemy, it doesn't matter, he's still a fellow countryman from the East Blue!" Crocodile gritted his teeth and said, putting the newspaper aside.
Daz Bones casually remarked, "There's a rumor going around that Hawkeye himself admitted he was defeated by Lucilfer Kuro, and the title of the world's greatest swordsman now belongs to him."
"Hmph, do you think it's true or false?" Crocodile looked at Daz Bones.
The latter remained silent, unable to make a decision.
Crocodile smiled and said, "Let me tell you, this answer is true, because that man Kuro is indeed ridiculously strong. And I've also met Hawkeye; he's not a man who lies."
"When I was dealing with Barrett, I knew that he and Mihawk would have to fight, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon."
"The world's greatest swordsman..." Daz Bones crossed his arms, his gaze still cold, but there seemed to be a hint of longing and expectation in his eyes.
Although he is an ability user, he is also a 'swordsman' and desires that position as well.
But I never expected it to change hands so soon.
"But why isn't there any large-scale news coming out? Is Hawkeye trying to hide it? No, he's not that kind of person." Daz Bonis couldn't understand this.
Although he had only met Hawkeye a few times and fought him only once, during the Marineford War when Hawkeye slashed him with a single blow, he knew that Hawkeye possessed the spirit of the world's greatest swordsman, and he was not that kind of person.
"What they're hiding isn't Mihawk, it's the Navy."
Crocodile narrowed his eyes, looking confident and said, "The Navy is definitely making a big move. If this news is kept under wraps, then it's about Lucilfer Kuro. Recent news has included Akainu, Fujitora, and Green Bull, but not Kizaru. Whenever these admirals are involved, it's newsworthy, and there are reports afterward. Even vice admirals get reports, but Kizaru has been unusually quiet for months. There must be something wrong."
There was a time when even Garp's crossing of Reverse Mountain would make headlines, and the deployment of veteran lieutenant generals would inevitably generate news. Not to mention admirals, whatever they did would become news.
He always pays close attention to the news and tries to find information from it, whether it's news about pirates, the navy, or the revolutionary army.
But unusually, on the Navy's side, Kizaru is the only one who hasn't made a move.
As for Kuro, who is already world-famous and one of his capable subordinates, his recent actions have been quite strange. Even the battle against Blackbeard didn't generate much news, which is puzzling.
As for Kuro's trip to Wano Country, he only found out after making inquiries from various sources and combining them with 'rumors' that Kuro had gone there and clashed with Kaido and Charlotte Linlin.
The fact that he is now the world's greatest swordsman has been completely concealed.
What is the Navy planning? To shut down the entire Kizaru faction?
No, that's impossible. The navy isn't that stupid; those are two important combat forces.
"The current situation... I still occasionally see Kuro, but judging from the news, it gives the impression that only a small part has been shown, and there's a huge storm to come, as if some big news is brewing. But Kizaru's side has completely disappeared. Perhaps..."
Crocodile's pupils constricted as he realized something, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "That guy, is he about to be promoted to Admiral?!"
"general?"
Daz Bones was also somewhat moved. "Lucil Kuro? If he becomes an admiral, given his personality... another Akainu?"
"No, it's not just that."
Crocodile shook his head and said, "He is different from Akainu. He is much more cunning than Akainu. If he is promoted to admiral, the policy towards pirates will definitely change. It will not only be his personal policy, but also the policy of a third of the Navy. The survival of pirates will be further reduced."
The Seven Warlords of the Sea are now forced to charge towards the New World under his leadership. Although Crocodile doesn't care, this is indeed different from before. In Crocodile's view, this is Crocodile's strategy.
He greatly reduced the number of pirates in the first half of the Grand Line, and forced these combatants to fight against pirates in the New World. He had this ability even though he was only in charge of seven people.
If he were promoted to admiral and given real power, it would truly be a harsh winter for pirates.
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