One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 51 Longing is Contagious

"Ah...choo!!" Shanks suddenly felt uneasy after sneezing.

Just now, he sensed a hostility directed at him, but it seemed to disappear quickly in an instant.

Despite the clear sky and calm sea, he felt a chill that seemed to penetrate to his very bones, and he instinctively gripped his straw hat tightly.

Hey, is something targeting him?

That shouldn't be the case. Although his dream is grand, he's just a small-time pirate right now. Is there some big shot specifically targeting him?

If you ask Beckman, he'll probably explode again.

If it were him, he would definitely say, "Ah, Captain, is all you ever do is bother me with these delusions? Shut your mouth before I get my gun."

Yesterday, the banquet caused the crew to get drunk, and the ship ran aground. Beckman had to start repairs because most of the crew were still sober.

In short, Beckman's expression just now was like that of a demon from hell, so it's best not to provoke him.

"Are you happy on my ship, Mihawk!"

Shanks looked at the main character of yesterday's banquet.

There was a young man with short black hair, a short beard, a black top hat adorned with white fur, a burgundy patterned shirt, a black vest, and white trousers. At this point, one might think he was just a handsome young man.

However, the intimidating power of those sharp, eagle-like yellow eyes was no less than Beckman's demonic expression just now; a single glance from them would send chills down one's spine.

Although he is calm and collected, he is also unconventional and has an exceptionally high level of swordsmanship, combining both strength and flexibility. He enjoys challenging other skilled swordsmen and has earned the nickname "Eagle Eye" due to his unruly personality and formidable eyes.

Of course, he was also one of his targets, but after the competition, they became friends, although Beckman always thought it was just wishful thinking on his part.

“Compared to your first mate, I should be considered happy.” Mihawk answered Shanks’ question, but his eyes remained fixed on Shanks’ rapier.

"Hey, hey, do you still want to compete? If this continues, Beckman will kill me. He was almost driven crazy by the last time he damaged the ship." Shanks quickly waved his hand. Shanks was still quite afraid of his first mate, after all, he was the "brain" of their pirate crew.

“Really? What a pity.” Mihawk removed his hand from the knife with a hint of regret.

"By the way, Mihawk, how about joining my pirate crew? It'd be really interesting," Shanks extended an invitation.

“I refuse. I have no interest in being a pirate.” Mihawk coldly refused.

"Aren't you really going to reconsider? You've been making too many moves lately, challenging both the Marines and pirates to fights. If this continues, you'll end up with a bounty on your head." Shanks wanted to make one last effort.

"It doesn't matter. If I have a bounty on my head, there will always be guys who want to challenge me. It might even be a good thing for me," Mihawk calmly analyzed.

"It's hopeless."

Suddenly, I can understand Beckman's helplessness towards himself. In his eyes, both he and Mihawk are probably a bunch of crazy guys.

But he is a pirate. Being wild and free is the exclusive right of pirates. They don't need to abide by the law or bear responsibilities. They only need to move forward towards their dreams. For this, no matter how much they pay, it is worth it.

"Captain, are you thinking about something dangerous again?" Beckman, who had just come aboard for repairs, became uneasy when he saw the faint smile on his captain's lips.

Whenever he makes this expression, it means his head is starting to hurt again, and Shanks is about to cause trouble again.

"Ah, Beckman, I want to see Whitebeard, the strongest man on the sea. It's been years since I've seen him."

“That’s quite courageous, but he’ll get killed.” Before Beckman could even comment, Mihawk spoke up.

"Are you serious?" Beckman's expression was terrifyingly grim.

"of course."

……

"Dad, what's wrong? You suddenly look terrible." Marco looked at Whitebeard.

Despite his seemingly rough and careless appearance, Marco, who has a pineapple-shaped hairstyle, is actually a meticulous person and also the ship's doctor on Whitebeard's ship.

Beside him stood a man over six meters tall, with long blond hair and a red captain's hat, exuding an imposing aura. Yet, the expression on his face as he looked at his crew was tender, for these were his children, his family. These things were more precious than treasure, and had always been his deepest desire.

"Maybe I'm just overthinking it. I had an uneasy feeling earlier, like some troublesome guy was about to come to me."

"Is it possible that some ignorant fools are eyeing Dad's head again? Those hotheads are no match for you, Dad. We're enough." Teach chuckled as he ate his favorite cherry pie, waving his fist.

"Gurararara, who knows? But more than a threat to my life, I felt like some troublesome guy was coming." Whitebeard frowned again. There were at least a thousand, if not eight hundred, people on the high seas eyeing his head, after all, he had the title of "the strongest man".

The Navy has put in a lot of effort regarding this title, and probably hopes that this situation will come to fruition.

Of course, even without this title, Whitebeard would still be the undisputed great pirate and emperor of the sea.

The intuition of great pirates who have roamed the seas for a long time is often very accurate; this may be an inexplicable sixth sense.

Of course, Whitebeard believed his life was still safe.

Currently, no one can take his head; he is confident of this. After Roger's death, no one in the pirate world can rival him.

But the last time I felt this uncomfortable was when Oden died.

He knew, of course, that Kaido had carried out the attack, but he couldn't lead his crew to Wano Country.

Since Oden was already dead, even if Kaido were killed, it would only cost more children their lives, so Whitebeard held back.

However, this does not mean he has forgotten Oden's death. Given the opportunity, he will take it back from Kaido sooner or later.

"Marco, tell your brothers to be on high alert, gurarara."

“I understand, Dad,” Marco immediately replied.

Who is it that wants to visit me? To kill me?

I really hope it's Kaido. That way, I might have a good enough reason to avenge Oden.