At that moment, Reno had no idea that his duel with Hawk-Eye Mihawk had unexpectedly won over the fiery chef Karumen—leading to her joining his crew without him even lifting a finger.
—Outside the Baratie—
Sparks flew.
Reno was grinning ear to ear, his eyes burning with intensity as he pushed forward.
Swordsmanship. Haki. Instant Step. Regeneration.
Ability after ability unfolded in dazzling succession.
Across from him, Mihawk's face grew darker with each passing second. He was powerful—yes—but this fight? It was turning into a headache.
Then, it clicked.
"Who is Golden Lion to you?" Mihawk asked coldly amid their clash.
There it was.
The moves. The aura.
They were unmistakably from Shiki, the Golden Lion.
Could it be… a disciple?
Is that old lion still alive?!
Reno noticed the look of realization in Mihawk's eyes but didn't care to explain.
Instead, he let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! Beat me, and maybe I'll tell you!"
Mihawk: Just say no if you don't want to answer.
Fine, then.
Clang!
Black Blade Yoru returned to its sheath.
Reno paused mid-swing, materializing a few steps away.
"You're done?"
He was just getting warmed up.
Mihawk let out a small breath, and for the first time, spoke frankly.
"Your swordsmanship and Haki are not on my level," he said. "But I'm not your match either."
It wasn't bitterness. Just honesty.
Reno's instant movement technique was completely beyond reason. Not even advanced Observation Haki could predict it. If Reno's Haki were stronger… he'd be unstoppable.
As a swordsman, Mihawk had faced legends, but this was new.
And what left him more speechless? Reno never got tired. Not a single gasp for breath.
What kind of monster is this guy?
Seriously—what was with the East Blue?
First, the Sea King that bit off Shanks' arm.
Now this?
He almost missed the days when Don Krieg was considered a threat.
Krieg: ???
Can I go now?
"You're right," Reno chuckled. "Haki's still my weak point."
His Conqueror's, Armament, and Observation Haki were all beginner tier—barely scratched the surface.
But Instant Step and regeneration gave him absolute control of the battlefield.
Even if he couldn't win...
He'd never lose.
Mihawk took a breath.
"Then at least tell me your name."
"Reno. Captain of the Reno Pirates. Just a rookie who recently set out."
Mihawk nodded silently.
Then, after a pause:
"Reno, what is your dream?"
Reno blinked.
"…What kind of question is that?"
But Mihawk didn't back down.
He stared hard at Reno.
This wasn't curiosity. It was intent.
With this much strength already, what would this man become once his Haki caught up? What was he aiming for?
Was it power?
Treasure?
The Pirate King's throne?
Or something else entirely?
Reno thought for a moment.
Then he turned away, hands resting behind his head.
As he casually strolled back toward the restaurant, he called over his shoulder—
"I want women. Lots and lots of beautiful women."
Mihawk: …
Well.
He won this round.
A smirk crept across Mihawk's face.
"Then Reno… I'll be waiting for you in the New World."
A man like that would never stay confined to the East Blue.
They would meet again.
Reno waved him off without looking back.
Mihawk left quietly aboard his eerie little coffin boat, still reeling from the fight.
He couldn't wait to tell Shanks.
About the Sea King.
About Reno.
And about this cursed, absurd sea called the East Blue.
Before leaving, he casually sliced Krieg and Gin in half—just because.
Don Krieg's dreams died with him.
As Reno approached, the crowd outside the Baratie instinctively parted. They stared in awe—and maybe a little fear.
"Reno-nii, that was amazing!"
"Captain!"
"Reno!"
Kaya and the others waved him over with sparkling eyes.
Reno smiled. "Yo."
Then, he noticed something… odd.
Among the girls now stood Karumen—who suddenly looked nothing like her usual bold, brash self.
She stood with a shy, fidgeting posture, avoiding his gaze like a bashful schoolgirl.
Huh?
"Ahem."
Nami cleared her throat and stepped forward, dragging Karumen with her.
"Let me formally introduce our newest crew member—Chef Karumen. She's officially joined the Reno Pirates!"
"…She what now?"
Reno stared blankly.
What happened while I was out?
"I didn't even say anything yet!"
Still, who was he to complain?
One duel = one new waifu.
Pretty sweet deal.
"You guys didn't threaten her or anything, right?"
All four girls quickly shook their heads.
Karumen stepped forward, her tone earnest.
"They didn't. I volunteered. From today forward, I'll be your crew's chef. Please take care of me."
Reno looked her up and down.
Wild. Gorgeous. Curvy. Fiery eyes. Strong presence.
Yep. He felt it.
Without another word—
✔ He paid the bill.
✔ He summoned the island cloud.
✔ He launched the Merry back into the sky.
All in smooth, precise succession.
The girls were stunned.
Then, in a blink—Reno and Karumen disappeared below deck.
"…I knew it!" Nami stomped her foot in frustration. "It's always the same!"
Nojiko, Kaya, and Makino exchanged glances—then giggled.
Makino stretched with a yawn.
"Guess we won't be getting any sleep tonight."
Nami shot a glare at Kaya.
"Did your engineers cheap out on the soundproofing when you built the Merry?!"
Kaya held up her hands helplessly.
"I didn't think it would come to this!"
Nami sighed.
"Another night of dark circles…"