Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 497 Mihawk and Uehara Naraku's First Encounter

The Grand Line.

A small boat was sailing slowly on the sea.

The small boat was tiny, and could only seat one person. It seemed that the boat could not withstand any storms on the Grand Line.

However, no one doubted that the small boat would encounter an accident at sea.

Because the owner of this small boat is none other than the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk. With his strength and superb driving skills, he can easily navigate through the waves.

Along the way, Hawkeye Mihawk piloted the small boat towards the waters near Fish-Man Island to watch the world's greatest battle between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Kaido Pirates, and perhaps decide whether to help the Navy...

Just as Hawkeye Mihawk was sailing with the wind and dozing off with his eyes closed, he sensed someone approaching his ship, seemingly heading straight for him.

It was a warship carrying citrus fruits.

This warship…

Mihawk slowly raised his head, revealing a pair of sharp eyes beneath the wide brim of his hat. His gaze was fixed on the warship in front of him, a hint of doubt flashing across his face.

"Hmm? A warship sent by the navy?"

"yes!"

A smiling man with narrowed eyes stood on the deck of the warship. His clear voice reached Hawkeye Mihawk's ears: "Mr. Dracule Mihawk, I am Captain Uehara Naraku of the Marine Headquarters, sent by Vice Admiral Kabuto Yakushi to greet you!"

"There's no need for that."

Hawkeye Mihawk calmly shook his head, his cold voice carrying an undeniable air of authority: "I will find the area where they are fighting myself. Watching from a naval warship might cause some trouble."

If I remember correctly...

Hawkeye Mihawk remembered that Uehara Naraku was once a subordinate of Crocodile, one of the former Seven Warlords of the Sea, who was later imprisoned...

So this guy was a spy planted by the Navy among the Seven Warlords of the Sea?

This kind of person...

Hawkeye Mihawk doesn't like it at all!

Moreover, this man named Uehara Naraku exuded an ominous aura, making Hawkeye Mihawk feel somewhat repulsed by him.

Perhaps this Uehara Naraku…

Are they also those annoying CP agents from the World Government?

Thinking this, Mihawk closed his eyes impatiently: "You lead the way, I'll follow behind..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hawkeye Mihawk suddenly realized something!

The next moment, Hawkeye Mihawk's Observation Haki instantly enveloped the entire warship, and his gaze subtly shifted...

How come there's only one Marine on this warship, Uehara Naraku?

That would be such a waste!

That doesn't make sense...

How did Uehara Naraku know that he, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had accepted the Navy's secret recruitment, and how did he know that it was Vice Admiral Yakushi Kabuto who invited him to this area of ​​the sea?

Jorah Mihawk's eyes snapped up again, his gaze fixed intently on Uehara Naraku on the warship's deck, as if trying to see right through him!

Uehara Naraku, the Marine Headquarters Captain, had no idea what Hawkeye was thinking, nor did he care about Hawkeye's attitude, and continued to smile with his eyes narrowed.

"Mr. Mihawk."

Uehara Naraku continued his tireless persuasion: "Traveling on our warship will be much faster, and we've already monitored the battle between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates. Admiral Kizaru is also waiting for you..."

"Don't block my way."

Hawkeye Mihawk slowly lowered his head, interrupting Uehara Naraku's words.

A hint of hesitation appeared on Uehara Naraku's face. He continued to explain in a low voice, "I came all the way from a very far place to welcome you..."

Clang!

Mihawk slowly stood up and drew the black knife from behind him!

Since I don't know exactly what's going on...

And now that I don't want to pay any attention to this naval captain in front of me, or rather, this little agent posing as a naval captain... there's no need to waste any more time!

Following Hawkeye Mihawk's usual approach, he naturally wanted to destroy the warship blocking his way with a single blow and continue on his own route.

As for killing Uehara Naraku...

Hawkeye Mihawk didn't intentionally plan to do such a thing; he simply wanted to destroy the warship to avoid wasting any more of his time.

"Mr. Mihawk, this is..."

A look of surprise flashed across Uehara Naraku's face as he stood on the deck of the warship. He looked at Hawkeye Mihawk, who had drawn his black sword, with a hint of fear in his eyes. He seemed to be completely stunned!

"Because you're too long-winded."

Hawkeye Mihawk swung his black blade wildly, unleashing a powerful slash that aimed directly at the warship, intending to split it in two!

"That's outrageous!"

A flash of anger suddenly crossed Uehara Naraku's face. He leaped up from the deck and kicked away the powerful slash!

Uehara Naraku landed back on the warship, angrily glaring down at Hawkeye Mihawk on the small sampan: "Dracule Mihawk, you're just a mere Shichibukai, how dare you attack the Marines..."

These words are...

He acted as if he were a naval admiral.

Hawkeye Mihawk's gaze returned to Uehara Naraku, a strange light flashing in his eyes, somewhat surprised that Uehara Naraku had shattered his slash with a kick...

This…

Is it really something a naval captain could do?

Even a vice admiral from the Navy Headquarters couldn't withstand his slash head-on!

At least from what we can see now, this Uehara Naraku should be a naval captain of extraordinary status and strength, no wonder the navy sent this guy to greet him...

Hawkeye Mihawk stared at Uehara Naraku, expressionless, sheathing his black sword. He coldly stated, "It was just a test… Even if you're the Marines, you can't arbitrarily break the agreement between the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Help me tow this ship!"

After saying that, Mihawk, carrying his black sword, leaped onto the deck of the warship: "Alright, hurry up and take care of this, let's get going!"

"yes!"

Uehara Naraku still glared angrily at Hawkeye Mihawk, gritting his teeth as if he was still dissatisfied with Mihawk's previous actions.

Uehara Naraku stared intently at Hawkeye, his face still flushed with anger, and said, "Then please rest a bit, Mr. Mihawk. I'll handle it immediately!"

Uehara Naraku glanced at Hawkeye Mihawk's coffin ship, a look of disgust on his face, and pulled the rope to drag the coffin ship behind the warship.

"Um?"

Hawkeye Mihawk glanced at Uehara Naraku's handling of the tugboat with surprise, his expression shifting slightly: "Huh? This is how you handle it?"

"Otherwise what?"

Uehara Naraku snapped his fingers silently.

The next moment, a sea breeze suddenly rose from the sea, billowing the sails on the warship and propelling it to sail swiftly!

Hawkeye Mihawk stared at the scene in astonishment.

Is this naval captain really serious, being able to control the sea breeze out of thin air?

Just as Hawkeye Mihawk was about to ask something, he suddenly remembered his vehicle being dragged around and reached out to stop Uehara Naraku: "Hey, wait..."

Unfortunately, it was too late…

As the warship sped along, the coffin boat that had just been towed capsized instantly, drifting in the sea like a plank of wood…

What kind of god-like navy guy is this?!

Does this guy even know how to handle a sampan or a seagoing vessel?!

Even though Hawkeye Mihawk is usually calm and unmoved by external things, his expression turned somewhat unpleasant when he saw his small boat being treated so roughly…

Hawkeye Mihawk had a feeling that his mood had soured after encountering this Marine.

Uehara Naraku was completely oblivious. He glanced at the Hawkeye's flagship that had been overturned by the warship, and his mood finally improved a bit. He smiled at Hawkeye Mihawk again.

"Mr. Mihawk, the journey will be long. Would you like a glass of juice?"

"..."

Hawkeye Mihawk shook his head, giving Uehara Naraku a cold look: "Just give me a bottle of red wine."

Lately, there seem to be fruit juice vendors everywhere on the sea...

After Hawkeye Mihawk participated in the raid on Sasuke Uchiha, he took the opportunity to check on Shanks, only to find the Red-Haired Pirates' vice-captain, Ben Beckman, drinking juice through a straw without touching a drop of alcohol…

Furthermore, Hawkeye Mihawk vaguely recalled that Kisame Hoshigaki and Doflamingo, the two former Shichibukai who had once taken action, also always drank fruit juice…

When exactly did this trend start...?

Why are there so many people drinking juice on the sea these days? Are they not drinking beer heartily enough or wine elegant enough? Why do they like drinking juice like children?

Uehara Naraku still had a smile on his face, but he shook his head and said, "Sorry, my family is strict. There's no red wine on the ship, only juice."

"..."

Hawkeye Mihawk was taken aback.

What a crappy warship! Is it really here to receive him?

Any naval officer who receives a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea should at least know that the Warlord's favorite drink is red wine!

Uehara Naraku seemed to realize he had been a bit rude, and after hesitating for a moment, he explained, "However, the juice on the ship is all freshly squeezed from fresh oranges."

After a moment of silence, Mihawk found a chair and sat down. He glanced at the orange tree on the warship and calmly said, "Alright, let's have a drink then!"

"OK."

Uehara Naraku nodded seriously, then casually picked up a cup from the table in the cabin and placed it next to Hawkeye.

The next moment, a sea breeze blew up.

A few oranges fell from the tree and floated above the cup.

Uehara Naraku suddenly spread his fingers towards a few oranges, and the next second those oranges were instantly sliced ​​into pieces!

Uehara Naraku suddenly clenched his fist again, and a tremendous force appeared out of thin air, slowly crushing the orange pieces.

Orange juice dripped into the glass...

"Um?"

Hawkeye Mihawk's eyes were fixed on Uehara Naraku's movements. This Marine Headquarters captain was indeed no ordinary man; this one move alone was quite astonishing...

Uehara Naraku, acting like a waiter, picked up his glass and walked to Mihawk's side, smiling as he asked, "Mr. Mihawk, would you like some ice?"

"..."

Mihawk remained silent for a moment, watching the smile on Uehara Naraku's face, before slowly nodding: "Okay."

"OK."

A wisp of cold air emanated from Uehara Naraku's palm, and an ice cube immediately appeared on the glass of juice in his hand.

Uehara Naraku slowly placed the glass of fresh, chilled juice in front of Hawkeye, smiling as he said, "Please enjoy. I hope Mr. Mihawk has a pleasant journey on this warship."

because…

The future of this world's greatest swordsman...

Perhaps, probably, maybe, it wouldn't be particularly pleasant.

Second update...

I thought my cervical spondylosis was cured...

My neck hurts even more now!

Please save your monthly passes, because they're doubled at the end of the month!

Aww, I need to start paying off my debts!

(End of this chapter)