Naruto: Copy System#609+610: Don Krieg, Ruler of the East Blue, The Arrival of Mihawk

If anyone had known who Luffy’s father really was, Zoro probably wouldn’t have followed him.

"Are you and my grandpa on good terms?" Luffy asked Shin with a carefree attitude.

He showed no fear of Shin, but Zoro's eyes narrowed with calculation.

Don't be fooled by Zoro's terrible sense of direction—he wasn't an idiot. He could read the fear in Zeff's eyes when the chef looked at this man. This stranger was dangerous, powerful beyond their understanding. Zoro hoped Luffy wouldn't do anything stupid.

"Your grandpa and I aren't exactly friendly. You know how it is—one's a Marine, the other's a pirate."

"That's right." Luffy nodded simply.

"Owner, this meal is on me," Shin said to Zeff.

Zeff froze for a moment. If Shin wanted them here, he wasn't about to kick them out again. He'd only tried to get rid of them earlier because he was worried these morons might piss Shin off.

True, if they pissed off Shin Uzumaki, it had nothing to do with Zeff directly—but this was his territory. He didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.

But now that Shin had spoken, Zeff had no choice but to comply. Driving them away after Shin's declaration would be a direct insult, and the consequences would be severe.

"Thank you, you're a good person." Luffy instantly labeled Shin as one of the good guys.

"I'm not a good person. Remember this—on these seas, good people don't live long." Shin gave Luffy a meaningful look.

Luffy scratched his head, puzzled by the warning.

Shin didn't elaborate further and returned to his seat.

"You seem interested in that idiot?" Robin asked after he sat down.

"Don't even joke about that. I don't swing that way." Shin said quickly.

Robin rolled her eyes. Obviously that's not what she meant.

"Actually, that kid isn't as simple as he looks."

Shin chuckled and continued. Though Luffy was simple-minded, he was far from stupid. And his background was anything but ordinary. If you had to pick who had the most insane connections in the entire One Piece world, it'd hands down be Luffy.

Navy, Revolutionary Army, pirates—he had allies everywhere. Wasn't that incredible? If Luffy was ever in real danger, would his father Dragon really stand by and watch?

On the Navy side, if not for Garp's influence, Luffy would have been captured long ago in the original story. Aokiji had multiple chances to capture him but gave Garp face instead. It was also fortunate that Luffy never encountered Akainu. Call it luck or fate.

On the pirate side, at least Shanks stood as his protector. Shanks had wagered an entire arm on him. Losing that arm had affected his combat power significantly—the impact wasn't small.

BAAAAAAAAAAM!

Just then, the door of the Baratie restaurant was suddenly knocked open, and then a pirate who looked miserable walked in.

“WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE? QUICKLY BRING ME FOOD.”

"You wanna die?" Zeff moved instantly, his leg a blur as he kicked the intruder out with explosive force. What the hell is happening today?

Having a powerhouse like Shin Uzumaki here was enough stress. Why did idiots keep showing up to test fate? If you want to die, at least pick a better time.

Shin glanced at the newcomer—Gin the Man-Demon—commander of the Krieg Pirates. His strength was respectable, at least.

In the original story, he'd come here begging for scraps too. Started off acting tough, then got thrown out by the Baratie cooks. It was Sanji who finally gave him water and fried rice, which left him sobbing with gratitude as he bowed down in thanks.

Since Gin was here, Krieg couldn't be far behind.

Speaking of Krieg, the man's luck was absolutely terrible. Called himself the ruler of the East Blue, but after entering the Grand Line, he met Mihawk within a week and got sent running back with his tail between his legs.

Gin got thrown out. This time, nobody offered him so much as a crumb. Zeff's face stayed stone-cold. When he saw Gin still hanging around outside, he chased him off for good.

If Shin hadn't been there, Zeff might've actually helped the guy. He understood starvation better than anyone—he and Sanji had been through that hell together.

That's exactly why Sanji couldn't stand people who wasted food.

————

"There might be quite a show coming up." Shin said with a faint smile.

"A show? You mean that pirate who got kicked out?" Hancock asked.

"Yes and no." Shin kept his answer cryptic, maintaining the suspense. His crew was probably used to his mysterious hints by now.

Though internally annoyed, they didn't press further. They knew he wouldn't elaborate even if asked.

Not long after, Gin returned—and this time, Krieg accompanied him.

"Back again? Are you really that eager to die?" Zeff's eyes turned glacial.

"So it's you, Red-Leg Zeff!!" Krieg recognized him. Rumors said he'd also entered the Grand Line once.

"Krieg..." Zeff's recognition was immediate. They were both East Blue legends—how could he not know him?

"I strongly advise you not to cause trouble right now." Zeff said flatly.

If Krieg really wanted to start something now, death was his only outcome. Zeff was confident he could handle the current Krieg. After all, the man was so weakened by hunger he probably couldn't defeat even a regular chef.

"I'm not here for trouble. Just food. Don't worry, I'll pay once I'm full." As Krieg spoke, a cunning glint flashed in his eyes.

Zeff was silent for a moment, then said, "Don't enter the restaurant. Stay outside."

To prevent any incidents that might endanger the Baratie, Zeff refused to let them inside.

A cold light flashed in Krieg's eyes, murderous intent flickering toward Zeff. He'd never endured such humiliation.

However, recognizing his current weakened state, he compromised, nodding to Zeff with a fawning smile.

Zeff said nothing more, ordering the kitchen to prepare food for them to eat outside. They were absolutely forbidden from entering the restaurant.

Soon, like a starving animal, Krieg devoured everything ravenously until he was full, strength returning to his limbs.

"Gin, let's take this place." Krieg's expression turned cold and ruthless.

"Captain, this doesn't feel right." Gin hesitated, torn between duty and conscience. They'd just been shown mercy—how could he repay that kindness with violence?

For all his reputation as a ruthless pirate, Gin had his own code of honor. Right now, he couldn't bring himself to act.

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Sensing Gin's reluctance, cold calculation flashed through Krieg's eyes. He despised disobedient subordinates above all else.

"Gin, are you betraying me?" Krieg's voice carried lethal promise.

He gripped his massive war spear, dangerous energy radiating from his form.

"No, Captain. Never." Gin said quickly.

He would never betray Krieg. Gin's loyalty ran deep—though loyalty to such a heartless man was ultimately worthless.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Krieg's one-ton war spear shattered the Baratie's doors with devastating force.

"Women... So many beautiful women!!" Krieg's eyes lit up greedily as he spotted the Kuja Pirates inside.

"That disgusting gaze. Who gave you permission to look at me like that? Die."

Hancock's eyes flashed with arctic fury. A sword light erupted from her blade—pink energy that carved through space itself. Krieg, barely through the doorway, was bisected in an instant.

Gin stood frozen in shock.

Their captain, the ruler of the East Blue, was dead. Cut down in one strike by a woman. The surviving pirates scattered like roaches, fleeing in panic. Gin wanted to run too, but his loyalty to Krieg wouldn't let him.

That devotion ran deeper than fear or common sense. Even staring down impossible odds, he couldn't walk away from his duty.

Shin observed Gin with mild interest. Though he recognized Gin wasn't entirely evil, attacking now meant certain death.

Besides, what pirate was truly kind? Gin was merely decent compared to the worst of his breed.

"I'll avenge our captain!" Gin roared, tonfas in hand as he charged Hancock.

Another flash of pink sword light. The energy tore through Gin's body effortlessly. He followed his captain into oblivion.

————

"Hmph. Ignorant fool." Hancock sheathed her blade with practiced elegance.

Zeff's forehead beaded with cold sweat. Was this the true power of the Kuja Pirates? Even East Blue's strongest pirate, eliminated with a casual strike.

This level of swordsmanship transcended mere skill—this was the realm of true swordmasters, perhaps even a legendary Great swordsman.

Zoro stood abruptly.

Witnessing Hancock's swordsmanship had shaken him to his core. Her skill surpassed his by dimensions he couldn't even comprehend.

The urge to challenge her burned in his chest. He took a step forward—

Luffy's hand caught his arm, pulling him back with a bright smile.

"Zoro, sit down and eat! Where do you think you're going?"

Luffy wasn't stupid. He'd read Zoro's intentions instantly, but Zoro stood no chance whatsoever.

"Exactly, Zoro—don't do anything stupid. She could take all three of us down without breaking a sweat." Usopp said frantically.

Challenge that woman? She'd cut him down before he could draw his blade. Zoro was completely outclassed.

Luffy had intervened to save him. He didn't want his newly recruited crewmate to vanish in the blink of an eye.

Just as Zoro was about to protest, a green sword aura suddenly carved through the air toward them.

"That's Mihawk's signature." Olvia's gaze pierced the distance. On the distant sea, Mihawk stood on his small craft, blade drawn.

"So this is the show Shin mentioned." Robin murmured in understanding.

Now she grasped what entertainment Shin had anticipated. It was Mihawk himself.

But how had Shin known he would come? And why would the world's greatest swordsman suddenly appear in a backwater like the East Blue?

Indeed, someone of Mihawk's caliber visiting the East Blue was almost unthinkable—yet here were both Shin's crew and Mihawk.

"What terrifying sword pressure."

Zoro forgot about challenging Hancock entirely, his gaze locked on the sea.

Though he couldn't yet see Mihawk, he could feel the overwhelming sword intent radiating from that direction.

Zoro didn't recognize it as Mihawk, but he knew with certainty—this was an extraordinarily powerful swordsman, someone who existed in realms beyond his current understanding.

Zeff's forehead dripped with perspiration. What in hell's name is happening?

Another monster in the East Blue?

————

"Is this a challenge?" Hancock's voice turned sharp as steel. She drew her blade in one fluid motion, pink sword energy shattering Mihawk's incoming attack.

The sea itself split beneath her counter-strike, unable to heal for long moments. Her sword aura continued onward, racing toward the distant Mihawk.

"The Kuja Pirates, as expected." Mihawk murmured to himself, raising his blade to deflect the incoming energy.

Originally, Mihawk had been merely bored, pursuing a pirate crew—the Krieg Pirates. The self-proclaimed ruler of the East Blue had encountered terrible luck upon reaching the Grand Line.

He met Mihawk, and a bored Mihawk at that. So naturally, he'd carved Krieg's fleet to pieces.

He'd pursued Krieg all the way back to the East Blue on a whim, never expecting to encounter the Kuja Pirates here.

The Kuja Pirates moved like ghosts—finding them was never easy.

Mihawk had assumed they'd be in the New World. Finding them in the East Blue was unexpected—but fortuitous. Mihawk had been seeking a chance to challenge Shin.

Rumors claimed Shin Uzumaki's swordsmanship reached transcendent levels, and that he'd personally trained Hancock in the blade.

In his battle with Hancock, Mihawk had tasted defeat. Though she'd employed her Devil Fruit abilities rather than pure swordsmanship, a loss was a loss. No excuses.

So he'd surrendered the title of World's Strongest Swordsman. After defeat, what right did he have to claim such a title?

Mihawk's pride wouldn't allow such dishonesty.

Soon, Mihawk's small craft reached the Baratie.

"It's Mihawk!"

Zoro's excitement erupted upon seeing him. The World's Strongest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk himself.

Though Mihawk had been defeated once and relinquished his title, Zoro remained ignorant of this fact—as did most of the world.

"Captain, I need to challenge Mihawk." Zoro's voice carried absolute determination.

Hearing his resolve and the word "Captain," Luffy understood his crewmate's conviction. He released Zoro's arm, stepping back.

He could feel Mihawk's overwhelming presence. The aura alone made him feel as if he might be cleaved in two.

If Mihawk attacked seriously, he could probably kill him with a single strike. Zoro definitely stood no chance—their strength levels were comparable.

But Luffy also understood Zoro's dream. He could only offer his support. To fall while pursuing one's dream wasn't shameful.

Just like his own ambition to become Pirate King—no matter how impossible it seemed, he would walk that path to its end. Luffy's declaration wasn't mere words.

"Mihawk, I challenge you!!" Zoro stepped forward, his voice ringing across the water.

Mihawk's eyes flicked to Zoro for a moment.

The kid's stubborn determination was worth noting. In different circumstances, he might've entertained the idea of putting him in his place.

But Mihawk was here for a reason. He'd been hunting the Kuja Pirates for months, and they'd finally surfaced in the East Blue.

His real target was Shin.

He needed to see for himself what the so-called World's Strongest was actually capable of.