A New Era Begins
Throwing aside his wandering thoughts, Bai Yu responded with a confident grin.
"My goal is to conquer the world, transcend it… and finally, enter the New World!"
Seeing that Smoker was about to speak, Bai Yu scoffed.
"Shut up, smoke man. I'm not talking about the New World you're thinking of—the one on the Grand Line. I mean a world beyond this one, indigenous."
"Indigenous?"
Hawkeye's gaze sharpened.
Why is Bai Yu so determined to reach this so-called 'New World'?
And his abilities—abilities that seemed to transcend this world—were indeed terrifying.
"Ching!"
The sharp sound of steel echoed through the air as Hawkeye sheathed his sword.
Bai Yu blinked.
"…Why did you stop?"
"I believe your words… and I acknowledge my defeat."
Though Hawkeye's demeanor was cold as ever, his words were calm and measured:
"You're far inferior to me in terms of raw strength, but in overall power… I cannot compare. After all, your abilities…"
He trailed off, feeling exhausted just thinking about it.
Some abilities, like the power to rewind his Haki and sword techniques, simply defied logic.
And no matter how many fatal blows he landed, Bai Yu just… ignored them.
"So what now?"
Bai Yu's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
He could feel it—his prime was approaching.
"A swordsman keeps his word," Hawkeye replied.
Locking eyes with Bai Yu, his voice grew firm:
"But right now, regardless of your abilities, you're still too weak. I'll return in two years."
"Someone blocked one hand in the new era… then I—"
"I will block the future of the entire new era."
Red-Haired Shanks: ???
…The hell did I do to deserve this?
Smoker's mind spun as he processed what he had just witnessed.
Hawkeye…
Planning to join Bai Yu's crew?!
Even if not immediately, they had clearly made a pact.
"Did… Did I just talk my way into this?!"
Bai Yu blinked in surprise, still unsure how he had convinced Hawkeye.
…Was my "talk-no-jutsu" skill secretly maxed out or something?
But two years…
Two years was too long.
"If I unlock a few more abilities, I might catch up with Hawkeye in just a few months," Bai Yu mused to himself.
After all—
If Luffy could level up multiple times in a matter of days,
Then Bai Yu could definitely surpass that pace.
Hawkeye's voice cut through Bai Yu's thoughts:
"I've seen a power beyond this world within you. Only through you can I glimpse the possibility of surpassing everything."
And with that—
Bai Yu understood.
Hawkeye didn't care about wealth, status, or promises.
No offer of material rewards would sway him.
The only thing that could move him—
Was the hope of progress.
Red-Haired Shanks?
After breaking ties, there was no going back.
As for anyone else?
Hawkeye had two words for them: "Ha ha."
Only Bai Yu—
With his power beyond this world—
Could show Hawkeye a future worth chasing.
"This… This is bad!"
Watching from afar, Smoker clenched his fists.
He had no idea what the two had discussed—
But he could feel it.
Something was happening.
Something that would shake the entire world.
"Bai Yu! We're back!"
A cheerful voice called out as the island cloud drifted closer.
"Hee hee, look at what we brought! You'll love it~!"
Nami waved excitedly, holding up her "gift" with a bright smile.
"…Why did you kidnap her?"
Bai Yu raised an eyebrow as he eyed the cloud-bound Tashigi.
"Huh?"
Nami blinked, confused.
"…You don't like it?"
Bai Yu chuckled, shaking his head.
"I appreciate the effort—and your attitude is excellent."
"But… return her."
"Huh?!"
Nami and Tashigi both stared in shock.
Bai Yu released the cloud lock binding Tashigi and waved her off with a smile.
"Go on. Smoker's waiting for you. Go back."
"…O-Oh, okay…"
Still dazed, Tashigi stumbled back toward Smoker.
Her mind was a complete blank.
Hawkeye watched silently.
Nami's head buzzed in confusion.
And Smoker frowned, unsure what to make of the situation.
Just as Tashigi reached Smoker—
"Hey, beautiful Marine!"
Bai Yu's voice suddenly rang out—loud and clear:
"I hereby announce that you've officially been kidnapped by me!"
Swish!
In the blink of an eye, Bai Yu teleported beside Tashigi—grabbed her—
And teleported back just as quickly.
Bai Yu grinned in satisfaction.
"Alright! Time to set sail for the Grand Line."
Hawkeye: ???
Smoker: ???
Tashigi: !!!
"Ohhh, I get it now…"
Nami clapped her hands in sudden realization.
Then she stared at Bai Yu incredulously:
"You have to do it yourself, huh?!"
"You didn't want us to kidnap her—you wanted to do it personally?!"
"Exactly."
Bai Yu shrugged.
"I like doing things myself. It makes me happier that way."
Smoker: "PUT HER DOWN!"
Ignoring Smoker's furious roar, Bai Yu smirked.
"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let you live."
"If you don't want to die… then get lost."
Swish!
In the next instant—
Bai Yu teleported back onto the ship—
Bringing Hawkeye, Nami, Tashigi, Nojiko, and Makino along with him.
"Island Cloud—rise!"
With a wave of his hand, Bai Yu guided the ship upward.
In the blink of an eye—
They vanished into the sky.
"TASHIGI!!!"
Smoker's anguished shout echoed across the sea—
But there was nothing he could do.
"…Hawkeye…?"
Smoker still couldn't believe what he had witnessed.
Why… why did Hawkeye agree to this?
"Something big is going to happen…"
Smoker muttered to himself.
Though he couldn't fully comprehend the events that had just unfolded—
He could feel it in his bones:
A force that could reshape the entire world…
…Had just begun its journey from the East Blue.
Aboard the Island Cloud Ship
Hawkeye surveyed the deck with his usual calm demeanor.
"…Did you just teleport me onto the ship as well?"
"Yep."
Bai Yu nodded casually.
"Not just you—I can teleport people and ships to any place I've been before."
"So, no matter what happens—this ship is absolutely safe."
"…You don't understand what that means, do you?"
Hawkeye's gaze sharpened.
"You forced me to teleport here…"
"I resisted—and nothing happened."
"Wait, what?!"
Bai Yu blinked, startled by the realization.
"My abilities can ignore the difference in strength?!"
Thinking back, he had never actually tested whether his teleportation could bypass stronger opponents.
…So even someone as powerful as Hawkeye couldn't resist it?!
"Well…"
Bai Yu cleared his throat, trying to act nonchalant.
"I guess I didn't realize until today that most of my abilities… are basically unstoppable."
"They're all pretty close to the level of actual 'rules.'"
"I thought they only worked on people around my level."
Hawkeye: …
Is this what they call divine favor?
From what he had seen so far—
Bai Yu's abilities alone made him practically invincible.
If he continued to grow stronger—
Even the world's top powerhouses might not be able to defeat him.
And if that happened…
Perhaps Bai Yu really would open the door to a new world.
Red-Haired Shanks…
You've placed your bet on the Straw Hat.
But I—
I'm betting everything on Bai Yu.
"Put me down at sea," Hawkeye said abruptly.
He tossed Bai Yu a small device—
A Log Pose.
"This points to the island where you can find me."
"When you're ready—come find me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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