Pirate: I have a Hollow living inside me!

Whitebeard's tone was laced with disdain: "Want a few drinks? You've not only learned Roger's swordsmanship, but you've also picked up pretty much all of Roger's shamelessness..."

Red-Haired Shanks laughed heartily, not taking pride in it at all: "Hahaha, that's just Captain Roger's personality; he would never miss a banquet!"

Whitebeard smirked: "You do resemble Roger in some ways..."

"Men, bring the wine!"

Whitebeard was also a hospitable person.

He is not stingy in entertaining others as long as they do not come with ill intentions.

Redhead said bluntly, "Give me the best wine. I'm a picky drinker!"

Hawkeye said very politely to Whitebeard, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Whitebeard."

He glanced at the two men, then shook his head and said, "You really need to learn some manners, or you'll suffer a lot later..."

Redhead: "..."

Well, considering the other party treated him and was a senior figure, he decided not to hold it against them...

Red-Haired Shanks then looked towards Rocks and the others, chuckling sheepishly as he apologized again: "Well... I had a brain fart just now and caused trouble for this lovely little doctor. I sincerely apologize..."

He certainly hadn't considered that the Blackwing Demon Pirates had a small medic on board...

Others might be able to withstand his overwhelming aura of "greeting," but it would be quite difficult for a little girl.

Even his Conqueror's Haki, which he used to "greet" him, was much more subdued...

Xiao Yi waved her hand sheepishly, "No...it's okay, I wasn't hurt at all, you don't need to apologize..."

Redhead laughed heartily: "We still need it. I'll have someone send an apology gift later. The little doctor should accept it, otherwise what if your captain uses this as an excuse to beat me up?"

"Well……"

Little Yi looked at Lox, unsure of what to do.

Ruffalo patted Yi's head and said, "Since he wants to give it to you, Yi, you should accept it. Why not take it if it's free?"

Redhead clapped his hands and laughed, "Then it's decided."

Hawkeye spoke up at this moment, looking at Rocks: "It's been a long time, Blackwing Demon. This 'Swordsmanship Competition' is set up to complete the sparring between you and me that ended inconclusively."

"It's all for the title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman.' Are you mentally prepared? Don't give up halfway through this fight!"

"I've been waiting for this battle for a long time. From the moment I picked up my sword, the title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman' has been my goal!"

Rocks took a sip of his drink and grinned, "So, are you mentally prepared? The title of the world's greatest swordsman will change hands tomorrow!"

Hawkeye's eyes gleamed: "I look forward to your challenge!"

Seeing the two men on the verge of exchanging blows, the white-bearded man laughed heartily, a hint of anticipation in his eyes: "Gurara, I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow..."

The "Kendo rivalry" was once famous throughout the sea, and this time the "Kendo rivalry" will be even more interesting.

"But now... let's have a banquet!"

The people in the room ate and drank, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

The fact that the three "Sea Emperors" and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea were so harmonious at this moment was something many people did not expect.

The banquet lasted until the evening.

After saying goodbye to each other, everyone left.

Watching the departing crowd, Marco let out a breath and said to Whitebeard, "Dad, who do you think will win tomorrow's battle between Hawkeye and Blackwing Daemon?"

"Hard to say."

Whitebeard chuckled and said, "Hawkeye was once on par with Shanks, and he probably is now. He's the strongest of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"As for Rocks... you all know his record. He defeated that kid Akainu, and even Kaido couldn't do anything to him. His strength is terrifying."

"It's possible for either side to win or lose."

Without a real match, it's impossible to say who will win between the two of them.

Marco sighed, "The thought that the Blackwing Demon is the same age as Ace is unbelievable. How could such a monster exist in this world..."

"Gulala, I also can't understand how Duke managed to raise such a monster..."

Whitebeard is still puzzled.

Looking at the somewhat dejected Ace, Whitebeard chuckled again, "What's wrong? Did you get a setback? This isn't like you, Ace."

"The gap between me and him is too big."

Ace said with a wry smile, "Even if I used all my strength, I probably couldn't withstand that sword strike from the Blackwing Demon earlier..."

Ace had witnessed Rocks's previous display of Elbaf's Mighty Kingdom.

The terrifying attack left Ace momentarily stunned.

I was hit hard.

"..."

Whitebeard was at a loss for words to comfort Ace.

There is a difference between seeing something with your own eyes and hearing about it secondhand.

Although the Blackwing Archdemon's achievements are real, relying solely on newspaper descriptions doesn't convey a strong sense of authenticity.

Only after witnessing the Blackwing Demon's attack firsthand did they realize the vast difference in their abilities.

Having a peer like that, or even a peer who is used as a target, can bring a sense of frustration that is difficult to describe in words.

"Don't worry, Dad, I won't give up like this."

Ace exhaled, his eyes regaining their resolve: "Now is now, and the future is the future. As long as I live, I still have the potential to surpass him!"

Whitebeard smiled with relief: "Gurara, it's good that you haven't lost your spirit."

"A temporary strength or weakness doesn't matter. You'll reach that level eventually; it's just a matter of time."

As long as you don't lose your spirit, there's still a possibility.

Ace has great talent and potential; reaching their level is no problem at all, and the gap between them will narrow then...

……

Silent all night.

The next morning.

Rocks and his men landed on Broken Mountain Island.

Duanshan Island.

As the name suggests, there is a broken mountain here.

It looks as if it has been cut in half, creating a huge and smooth "platform".

This platform is the stage for the "battle of swordsmanship".

By this time, quite a few people had gathered here.

It was a mixed bag, with all sorts of people, not limited to pirates or swordsmen; anyone interested in this kind of thing came.

"Are you the 'Black Winged Demon' Locust?"

As Lockes and his companions were walking toward the central "platform," a strong man carrying a large sword suddenly blocked their path.

Rough yet confident words came from the burly man's mouth: "Just a brat, yet you've been given the title of 'Emperor of the Sea'? I don't think you're qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with the 'Four Emperors'!"

"Accept my challenge! Blackwing Demon! After defeating you, I will be the new 'Emperor of the Sea'!"

There will always be people in this world who want to gain fame by stepping on the strong.

The burly man in front of them was one of them...

He genuinely didn't believe that "Blackwing Demon" Rocks was qualified to stand alongside the other "Four Emperors".

They also have blind confidence in their own abilities!

He wanted to defeat "Blackwing Demon" Lox and become famous throughout the world.

He then gradually expanded his power, eventually defeating the other "Sea Emperors" and becoming the new Pirate King!

People nearby became interested after seeing the man who had stopped Rocks…

The "Kendo Showdown" provides a stage where, as long as you have the confidence, you can challenge anyone, and you're not even limited to swordsmen...

"Oh? Someone's actually challenging the Blackwing Demon? Interesting..."

"I know this guy. He's 'Mad Ape' Doctor, with a bounty of 763 million Berries. I've heard he's an arrogant fellow and quite strong. He even managed to escape from Vice Admiral Momousagi..."

"He does have some strength, but... how dare he challenge the Blackwing Demon?"

"That's why he's considered arrogant."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, their expressions showing anticipation for a good show.

Aside from a few dimwits, no one else thought this "Mad Ape" could be a match for the "Black Winged Demon"...

"Challenge me?"

Lockes was somewhat taken aback.

As far as I can remember, this seems to be the first time someone has challenged him to his face.

interesting……

The mad ape, nearly three meters tall, looked down at Rocks, grinning with a ferocious expression: "That's right, I will pull you down from the position of 'Emperor of the Sea'!"

Looking at this arrogant guy, Nami snorted coldly: "Little Luo, let me handle this. I'll electrocute this fool into a charcoal!"

"I'll do it myself. After all, they specifically challenged me by name. What's the point of making you take action?"

Lox waved his hand.

He said to the burly man in front of him, "I accept your challenge. You have three seconds to prepare..."

"Hohohoho, then let me show you the power of 'Mad Ape'! Starting with you, Black-Winged Great Demon, I will step by step ascend to the pinnacle of the new world!!"

"Roar!"

The mad ape let out a low growl, and its form began to change, transforming into a burly, muscular black gorilla...