Chapter Sixty-Nine: Traveling Together

"You just now..." Chu Yi's calm voice drifted over, but "Hawkeye" selectively ignored it.

At this moment, he was lost in thought, wondering how his wooden sword, which had accompanied him for so long, could have been broken by Chu Yi. Without a doubt, the wooden sword "Hawkeye" used was nothing more than an ordinary plaything—worth a few dozen Berries, typically a child's toy. One reason he chose to face his opponents with a wooden sword was, naturally, the loneliness of invincibility; the other was that "Hawkeye" was also honing his swordsmanship.

To become stronger, he had to abandon his iconic "Black Blade." Much like the legendary solitary swordsman in martial arts novels, when one's swordsmanship reaches an extraordinary height, even a wooden sword—or a random branch picked up from the ground—becomes the strongest blade in the world.

Reflecting silently on his earlier duel with Chu Yi, "Hawkeye" narrowed his eyes, a sudden realization glimmering within them.

"So that's it..."

"When we crossed swords, it appeared he was simply blocking with his blade, but in that instant, he unleashed sword energy hidden within it, destroying my sword from the inside?"

"Interesting... Truly interesting!"

At this thought, "Hawkeye" gazed at Chu Yi with renewed fascination. Previously, he had believed Chu Yi was making a careless move by blocking with the Blade of Asura, but now he saw that Chu Yi's adaptability was truly remarkable.

As for Chu Yi?

Managing to fool "Hawkeye" into believing their match was a draw, Chu Yi appeared relaxed but was sweating inwardly. If he hadn’t improvised, integrating the technique of the Tang Grass Shatter Punch into his swordsmanship, using sword energy to destroy "Hawkeye’s" wooden sword from within...

If he hadn’t been lucky enough to blend the Tang Grass Shatter Punch into his swordplay and immediately invent the technique "Shattering Sword"...

He would have been utterly defeated in this contest of swords! There would have been no room for argument, no chance to boast as he did now.

Of course, his bravado was only surface deep; within, Chu Yi had long since admitted his defeat. In swordsmanship alone, he truly had lost.

But if he were to use his Devil Fruit abilities...

Hmph!

The ultimate outcome would not be so easy to predict!

Admitting that his swordsmanship fell short of "Hawkeye's," Chu Yi refused to concede that his overall strength was inferior. So, as he looked calmly at "Hawkeye," he was eager to unleash his Devil Fruit powers and thoroughly trounce the young "Hawkeye," while silently reminding himself that he must reclaim his dignity in swordsmanship.

Otherwise, this defeat would become a thorn in his heart!

And so, the two stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, until finally "Hawkeye" nodded, acknowledging that Chu Yi's earlier words were correct, thus giving both a way to step down.

After their sparring concluded, "Hawkeye," always taciturn, saw no reason to linger. He turned to leave, taking with him the broken wooden sword, a sign that he kept his promises.

Seeing "Hawkeye" about to depart, Chu Yi raised his brows and called out with a smile, "Hey! You haven't told me your name yet. How am I supposed to find you in the future?"

"Dracule Mihawk. That's my name."

Hearing Chu Yi, "Hawkeye" paused and turned, his voice cold. "And you? What's your name?"

"Chris D. Chu Yi!"

"Oh..."

Still silent, "Hawkeye" nodded, more composed than Chu Yi, and turned to leave again, indicating that he had remembered Chu Yi's name.

Watching "Hawkeye" try to leave several times, Chu Yi felt awkward.

Indeed...

Someone like "Hawkeye" was destined to have no friends. The "Red-Haired" Emperor was much easier to talk to!

With a sigh, Chu Yi was unwilling to miss out on a perfect training partner. Mimicking Shanks's manner, he stepped forward, attempting to put his arm around "Hawkeye’s" shoulder to draw them closer.

Unfortunately...

Chu Yi was simply too short! Even transformed into his Asura form, with an adult’s build, he still had to stand on tiptoe to reach "Hawkeye’s" shoulder.

Behind them, watching Chu Yi chase after "Hawkeye," standing on tiptoe to put his arm around him, Tiger struggled to contain his laughter, while Smoker and Lucci looked on in bewilderment, completely unsure what Chu Yi was up to.

Under the gaze of the three behind him, Chu Yi only felt more embarrassed.

Just then, "Hawkeye" finally revealed his good side.

Feeling the unusual weight on his shoulder, the taciturn "Hawkeye" didn’t say anything to make Chu Yi uncomfortable. Instead, as Chu Yi tried to get closer, he paused for a moment before saying calmly, "So... are you inviting me to dinner?"

"Y-yes!"

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Chu Yi laughed, "You must be hungry, right? Come, try Tiger’s cooking—the fish is just finished roasting!"

"Alright!"

Following Chu Yi back to sit down, "Hawkeye" showed no hesitation, picking up a piece of grilled fish and chewing elegantly.

Watching "Hawkeye" eat so heartily, Chu Yi reached for a piece himself, tasting it and immediately giving Tiger a thumbs-up.

Sharing a meal naturally led to more conversation, and before long, Chu Yi discovered that "Hawkeye" had come here to hone his swordsmanship.

When he learned that "Hawkeye" had begun his solitary wanderings to train, Chu Yi, now comfortable and sociable, laughed, "I say, Mihawk, Tiger and I are also wandering and training. Why not join us? You said you've challenged all the famous swordsmen in the seas, but have you faced any fish-man or merfolk sword masters?"

"As it happens, Tiger and I are headed to Fish-Man Island next. With Tiger as your guide, challenging the fish-man and merfolk swordsmen will be much easier. What do you say?"

After Chu Yi finished, "Hawkeye" glanced skeptically at Tiger, asking, "Are there swordsmen among the fish-men? I’ve never heard of that..."

"Hey, don’t underestimate fish-men!"

Seeing "Hawkeye’s" doubtful expression, Tiger grew annoyed and retorted fiercely, "Fish-man swordsmen are far stronger than your human swordsmen. You’d better be careful on Fish-Man Island—don’t end up dead there!"

"Oh... As long as there are strong swordsmen."

Completely ignoring Tiger’s threat, "Hawkeye" turned to Chu Yi and said, "Since we’re headed the same way, let’s travel together."

That’s the answer I wanted!

Successfully recruiting "Hawkeye," Chu Yi felt relieved to have a perfect sparring partner for the journey, and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly:

"Me, Tiger, and the future world’s greatest swordsman—such a lineup, not to mention a small place like Fish-Man Island, we could even storm the Holy Land Mariejois again and it would be..."

"A piece of cake!"