How can I become the Pirate King if you don’t work hard?.

Chapter 299 The New King
a few days later.

Rip-off bar.

A group of patrons gathered around the bar, vividly recounting the major battle that had taken place a few days earlier.

"These two represent two peaks of swordsmanship, and are even more like beings standing at the very top of the ocean!"

"As for that great battle..."

This doesn't need to be explained in detail; all people need to do is look out the window at the almost flattened forest and the jagged slashes across the ground to get a sense of the devastation.

Many people had watched the battle from afar, and they all showed expressions of fear.

“Those are definitely not monsters that should exist in this world. Swords, guns, and even rare Devil Fruit abilities are meaningless in front of those two.”

"Moreover, what's most astonishing is that Hawkeye lost to Knight Gawain and took the title of the world's greatest swordsman. It's foreseeable that his name will spread throughout the world!"

……

The bar came alive with exclamations and praises.

in the corner.

Hawkeye and Rayleigh sat facing each other, watching the other drinkers around them with great interest.

Hawkeye couldn't help but speak up:
"Did that guy leave?!"

"what."

Rayleigh nodded:
"After entrusting me to do the coating for his ship, he left."

"Didn't you ask him?!"

Hawkeye looked slightly surprised.

During this time, his relationship with Rayleigh grew closer and closer, partly due to Shanks' connection, and partly due to the legends of two different eras, as well as their mutual curiosity and respect.

In short, the two of them at this moment may not be partners, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them friends.

Hawkeye could also vaguely sense that Rayleigh's willingness to stay in the Sabaody Archipelago was because he was waiting for someone, and he couldn't help but say:

"Maybe he's the one you've been waiting for."

Rayleigh shook his head:

"No, the person I'm waiting for is in the future, and the birth of Knight Gawain was an accident."

"I talked to Gao Wen for a long time."

"I originally thought his purpose in going to sea was also to obtain One Piece, but it turns out that wasn't the case."

"Although he didn't say it outright, I could tell that his ambitions were perhaps even greater than Roger's."

"A man like this can see the world!"

Hawkeye paused for a moment, then slowly put down his wine glass. He wasn't surprised by Rayleigh's answer.

In his view, Gawain had abandoned his former will and principles in order to gain power, becoming impatient for quick success and even willing to eat a Devil Fruit for it.

But the crushing defeat a few days ago undoubtedly shows that Gao Wen has never forgotten his original aspirations.

In a way, Gawain's refusal to use his Devil Fruit powers was a way of proving to himself that he had never forgotten his crushing defeat in the East Blue.

Now that Gawain has reclaimed everything that belongs to him, it is worth pondering why he ate the Red Dragon Fruit.

What exactly is this man plotting? What kind of world does he envision?!

The more Hawkeye pondered, the less he felt he could see through it all.

This once frail young man has grown to a point where even he himself cannot understand himself in just two years.

While thinking.

Hawkeye also recalled how, back in the East Blue, Gawain chose to fight a battle with no chance of victory alone for the sake of his companions, and the answer in his heart became clear:

"I don't know what he's planning, but given that guy's character and style, he would never make the world any worse."

"The most righteous man in the East China Sea?!"

Rayleigh murmured.

At that moment, a rapid ringing of a Den Den Mushi (a type of electric scooped-up food item) came to my ears.

He fumbled around, but couldn't find the source of the ringing. When he looked up, he realized it was Hawkeye's Den Den Mushi ringing.

soon.

Den Den Mushi is connected.

A carefree yet incredibly unexpected voice came through the receiver:
"Mihawk, you actually lost to the junior you favored?!"

"Shanks?!"

The familiar voice startled Rayleigh slightly. There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the receiver, followed by an incredibly excited voice:

"Mr. Rayleigh? You're with Mihawk? So that guy really did lose to Knight Gawain?!"

"what."

Rayleigh nodded:
"The two of them had a huge fight and almost destroyed half of the Sabaody Archipelago."

"Even the nearby Naval Headquarters was alerted. Fortunately, a reasonable marine came; otherwise, even if I wanted to get away, it would have been difficult."

"However, I've met Knight Gawain; he's quite an interesting young man."

"Is this so..."

The redhead calmed down.

He still remembers.

When Hawkeye excitedly came to tell me that he had found an extremely promising talent in the East China Sea.

The excitement in his eyes was undisguised.

Unexpectedly, in less than two years, the young man from back then had already stepped on Hawkeye's shoulders and reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

Such a growth rate is simply monstrous!

Shanks didn't know how strong Gawain was, but he knew how strong Hawkeye was.

Before Shanks lost his arm, his swordsmanship was on par with Mihawk's.

In other words.

Even if he were to encounter one of the other Emperors of the Sea or a Navy Admiral, Hawkeye would be able to put up a fight.

The fact that Gawain could beat Hawkeye shows that Gawain is stronger, even overwhelmingly stronger!

"What an exciting young man! Will the fight for One Piece become even more difficult now?!"

"Hahahahahahahahaha...!"

Red-haired laughed a few times and casually joked with Hawkeye:
"Now you won't be lonely anymore."

"what."

Hawkeye raised his hand and straightened his hat.

His fingertips caressed the wine glass, the red wine inside swirling gently, leaving a rosy hue on the glass.

Hawkeye's gaze sharpened at that moment:
"I haven't felt this exhilarated in a long time. It's like my very soul is burning, all for the sake of defeating that guy..."

"Redhead, I need your help in my cultivation!"

The redhead looked slightly helpless:

Don't make this decision on your own!

"I will find you."

"Troublesome, you're still so stubborn!"

……

The two started arguing through the Den Den Mushi receiver.

Riley sat to the side, feeling as if time had suddenly turned back to more than twenty years ago.

Back then, the person arguing fiercely with Shanks was Buggy.

but.

This time, there was little trace of nostalgia or sadness in Rayleigh's eyes; instead, there was only anticipation for the future and for a new era.

"Where will the Great Pirate Era, which Roger single-handedly ushered in, go after the arrival of a monster-like newcomer like the knight Gawain?!"

"Just thinking about it makes my blood boil."

"After all, for better or for worse, this world is coming to an end, and all the wills of people will converge at that time."

"What that guy couldn't see, we will witness with our own eyes."

……

……

……

IWC.

Whole Cake Island. After Katakuri and Perospero escaped back to Whole Cake Island's headquarters, they immediately suppressed the news of Big Mom's defeat and capture, falsely claiming that Big Mom was injured and recuperating.

The two brothers then stepped in to quell the unrest within the Kingdom of Wan. After losing some territory, the Kingdom of Wan managed to stabilize.

But both Katakuri and Perospero knew that all of this was only temporary.

Once news of Big Mom's disappearance spreads, without the absolute force to suppress it, an even greater crisis will inevitably erupt within the Kingdom of Treasures, and the entire country may even be torn apart!
now.

Katakuri sat in Big Mom's original spot, holding the intelligence his subordinate had just delivered.

But the more I looked at him, the more his brows furrowed.

"That Hawkeye was defeated, defeated by Knight Gawain."

The crowd looked bewildered, and even a hint of unease lingered in their expressions.

Gawain first slew Shiki in Water Seven, and now, standing on Hawkeye's shoulders, he has become the world's greatest swordsman, making him the biggest threat to Whole Cake Island!

"How to do how to do?!"

"If that guy attacks now, we'll all die!"

One minister panicked and spoke recklessly, but his words were immediately stopped by those around him.

But the panic in everyone's eyes had already begun to spread.

Cracker stood up, his eyes filled with indescribable shock, and said incredulously:

"That's impossible! You haven't fought Hawkeye, so you wouldn't understand how terrifying he is. Even Mom—!"

"Crackler!"

Katakuri's tone was harsh, filled with an unquestionable air of authority.

Now that the old lady has disappeared, he, as the second-in-command of the Wan Kingdom, naturally took over the command temporarily.

But as he looked at the intelligence in his hand, he could only feel a sense of shock.

He was already speechless with shock when he heard from the old lady that Gawain had defeated the Golden Lion.

However, just a few months later, Gawain defeated Hawkeye and became the world's number one swordsman.

Gawain is now the biggest threat to World of Warcraft, especially now that Big Mom has disappeared.

"I acted impulsively, Brother Katakuri."

Cracker lowered his head sullenly, but still couldn't help but speak:

"Is Mom's injury still not healed?!"

"At this time, only the power of a mother can completely quell the turmoil within the country."

"What we are doing now can only suppress them temporarily. In time, those scum will inevitably be unable to hold back again."

Katakuri fell silent for a moment.

He glanced around and saw only faces filled with panic and exhaustion.

These people are his younger siblings, family members whom he must protect.

After counting the breaths.

Katakuri spoke up:

"My mother was seriously injured in the battle of Water Seven, and her mental state is unstable. She needs time to recover."

"Hold on for a little longer."

Katakuri's Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice carried a hint of difficulty:

"Once Mother recovers, everything will be fine."

The crowd's expressions softened slightly, and a glimmer of light returned to their eyes.

Katakuri watched all of this.

The image of the man from Water Seven, who stood alone in front of him for the sake of his people, involuntarily reappeared before his eyes.

Is it called... Iceberg?!

If you were in this situation, would you make the same choice as me?
No, how is your situation any different from mine?!

It's a real shame that I couldn't save you back then.

hiss--!
Katakuri took a deep breath and added:

"I promise."

"We believe in you, Brother Katakuri!"

"That's right!"

"As long as Katakuri and Mom are here, everything will be alright, and we can overcome all difficulties!"

Everyone rallied their spirits, forcing themselves to stay alert, and worked together to overcome the challenges ahead.

After Katakuri made detailed arrangements for everyone, the impromptu meeting came to a complete end.

……

A few minutes later.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, only Smoothie, Cracker, and Perospero remained seated in their places, not getting up.

"Mom...is she really still recovering?!"

Smoothie frowned and couldn't help but look up at Katakuri:
"Katakuri-nii, we all know that with Mom's constitution, no matter how serious the injury, she will recover as long as she is alive for a few days."

"It's simply impossible to recover for that long."

Katakuri raised his hand to adjust his collar, about to explain, when his action was interrupted.

boom!
Perospero slammed his cane down heavily on the conference table.

"Brother Perospero?!"

Katakuri stood there, stunned.

Keep it a secret from his younger siblings, stabilize the situation first, and then find an opportunity to rescue his mother.

This was a plan that Perospero had agreed upon with him long ago.

But now he noticed a change in Perospero.

He was a little uneasy.

"you……"

"Simuji, you guessed right."

Perospero took a deep breath.

His initial wavering resolve was completely solidified when he saw Katakuri reassuring everyone.

"My mother was not injured, but captured by a mysterious force."

"In other words, we don't even know where she is now."

The sound fell to the ground.

The office fell silent immediately.

Simujie and Cracker were both deathly pale and unable to utter a single word.

Big Mom's power is the foundation upon which Whole Cake Island survives. If something happens to Big Mom, Whole Cake Island, having lost the power of the Sea Emperor, will inevitably become a coveted prize in the eyes of various forces.

Compared to this, the domestic unrest is nothing!
Those pirates will devour the flesh and blood of all nations like vicious wolves, and countless brothers and sisters will die in the war!

"Are you kidding me?"

"Perospero!"

Katakuri couldn't help but interrupt Perospero, and this was the first time he had ever addressed his brother by his first name!

The situation is simply out of control.

But when he looked up at Perospero, he only saw a pair of bloodshot eyes.

Cracker, who was standing to the side looking bewildered, also showed a look of panic at this moment.

Before the three could react, Perospero continued:
"I know, of course I know!"

"But without that woman, the Kingdom of Wan may experience growing pains and lose a lot."

"But as long as we can get through this period, everything will be alright. There will be a new king in the Land of the Rising Sun, and that will be you, Katakuri!"

"Haven't you always been curious about what exactly happened after Knight Gawain's attack?!"

Perospero's tone was already somewhat manic, but what he said sent chills down the spines of the three people present:

"After that explosion, most of my younger siblings survived, but they all ended up in the belly of our mother who had lost her mind—no, in the belly of that monster!"

"Now, every time I close my eyes, all I see are my younger siblings' cries of agony as they die. I never want to experience that kind of torment again!"

“I am cowardly, I am incompetent, I am not a good older brother, but Katakuri… you are!”

(End of this chapter)