Chapter 369: Dracule Mihawk
After hearing Barrett's concerns, Charlotte set down his wine cup.
"Safe? Why would we need to enter safely? Only those who survive to the end are worthy of reaching the New World. The New World has no place for the weak."
Charlotte cast a glance at those still celebrating their newfound membership in the crew.
"The Rockefeller Pirates aren't something you just join on a whim. The Navy will be their first trial. Only those who pass will be considered true members of the crew."
There were only a few possible Navy interception points: Sabaody Archipelago, Fish-Man Island, or the very entrance to the New World.
Charlotte had no plans to visit Sabaody. Fish-Man Island was a bit more complicated. As for the New World, he wasn't worried.
If the Navy tried to blockade them at the New World's entrance, Charlotte would actually be pleased—because that part of the sea wasn't just under the Navy's control.
There was a sleeping lion there, keeping a close eye on them.
Ultimately, the only real concern was Fish-Man Island.
As for pursuits on the open sea? Charlotte didn't care.
The Sea God Poseidon—his ironclad warship—was unimaginably fast.
Years of continuous upgrades had made it far swifter than any Navy vessel.
And with its armaments, Charlotte was confident to boast: the ship's 120 electromagnetic cannons could destroy an island with a full volley.
It was essentially a real-life Pluton.
With firepower like that, Charlotte had no reason to fear a naval blockade.
"Fish-Man Island..."
Charlotte lightly tapped the table.
Suddenly, a thought came to him. A smile crept across his face—he'd already figured out a solution.
"No more thinking about it. Drink!"
Charlotte pulled Barrett back in and continued drinking.
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The Next Day
"Captain, everything's ready!"
Barrett entered the captain's cabin to report.
"Then let's set sail,"
Charlotte nodded.
This time, it wouldn't just be Charlotte's flagship. With the addition of 500+ new recruits, Charlotte had pulled five or six large ships from his Castle Bracelet.
Ever since obtaining the Castle Bracelet, Charlotte had developed a habit of collecting things.
Anything valuable was stored away.
Just ships alone—he'd gathered over a dozen. All were over fifty meters long and in pristine condition.
Charlotte liked to collect—but not junk.
Once he returned to the New World, these ships alone would be enough to form a fleet of three to four thousand.
It would massively boost Charlotte's power and influence.
No longer would he need to worry about resources.
Once everything stored in the Castle Bracelet was deployed, Charlotte's forces would swell dramatically.
He could form an army of tens of thousands—crucial for his upcoming plans.
The fleet set sail from Whiskey Peak.
Apart from that first clash with the bounty hunters, nothing else had happened. Everything had been quiet—almost too quiet.
But that peace was short-lived.
Shortly after the Rockefeller Pirates left port, a tiny boat blocked the Sea God Poseidon's path.
No bigger than a coffin, the small boat floated alone on the sea—an ant before a whale.
"Hey! Are you crazy?! What are you doing blocking the way? Get out of here!"
The navigator at the helm shouted, trying to wave the small boat aside.
But the man in the boat didn't move. He sat still, head bowed, wearing a black hat and carrying a massive crucifix-shaped sword on his back.
Charlotte, sensing something unusual, looked over.
When he saw that iconic outfit and that gorgeous cross-shaped greatsword, he blinked.
"Dracule Mihawk...!"
The future World's Strongest Swordsman, right here?
But from his youthful features, Charlotte could tell this was a much younger Mihawk.
Charlotte's interest was piqued.
He walked to the bow, wine glass in hand, gazing at the young swordsman.
"Oh? Kid, you trying to die blocking the way like this?"
Charlotte raised his wineglass and asked lazily.
Hearing his voice, Mihawk finally raised his sharp, hawk-like yellow eyes toward Charlotte.
Then he drew the massive cruciform sword on his back and pointed it toward Charlotte.
"Rockefeller Charlotte, I'm here to challenge you."
The commotion drew attention.
Crew members began gathering.
When they heard this young kid had come to challenge their captain, they burst into laughter.
"Pfft! A brat like you? You still need your baby teeth and you're already challenging our captain? He's the World's Strongest Swordsman!"
The mocking erupted around the deck.
Charlotte shook his head.
"This generation's crew lacks elegance..."
Mihawk turned his sharp gaze toward the jeering crew.
Suddenly, it was as if their throats were seized—they fell completely silent.
Those hawk eyes radiated an oppressive aura.
"What... what kind of eyes are those...?"
The crew members felt like they were being stared at by death itself.
Charlotte just smiled faintly.
He drained his wine and waved toward Mihawk, gesturing for him to come aboard.
This might be interesting.
Mihawk hesitated for a moment, but his gaze soon grew determined. With a light step, he leapt onto the deck of the Sea God Poseidon.
Landing on the deck, Mihawk frowned slightly as he found himself surrounded by a sea of Rockefeller Pirates.
He had come to challenge Charlotte to test the gap between himself and the strongest swordsman in the world.
Charlotte approached, and the crowd parted to let him through.
"Kid, you want to challenge me? I'll give you that chance,"
Charlotte grinned, setting down his wineglass.
He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a nail clipper.
"This is the smallest blade I've got."
He gave a shrug.
Behind him, the crew roared with laughter again.
"Captain, that's just cruel!"
"Using a nail clipper against a challenger? So disrespectful!"
Charlotte just smiled and shrugged again. Then he held the nail clipper out toward Mihawk.
"You still want to fight?"
The little five-centimeter blade glinted between his fingers.
Mihawk stared at it, fists clenched but unmoving.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Afraid of this little thing?"
Charlotte tilted his head mockingly.
Mihawk's eyes stayed locked on Charlotte's. A flash of humiliation crossed his young face.
Then he reached back with both hands and drew his luxurious crucifix greatsword, pointing it squarely at Charlotte.
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