One Piece: Getting Stronger by Writing a Diary

"If you were willing to share your location, I wouldn't have needed to bet with Morgans."

"Luckily, I won fufu~"

"…Please, don't reveal my connection with Vegapunk too quickly."

"I might be in big trouble if you do…" Stussy murmured to herself, as her mind wandered to the words Arton mentioned about Vegapunk and her.

Although Arton didn't clearly state what had happened on Cake Island involving Vegapunk, Stussy had a premonition that her appearance in that place might mean she no longer held the identity of a CP0 agent under the World Government.

With the arrival of the new Four Emperors, Marine Admirals, and the Five Elders at Cake Island, the situation there would likely no longer allow her to leisurely maintain her CP0 agent identity.

"A fascinating man indeed… To obtain the power to resist the tides of the future... what kind of price will I have to pay, Arton?"

Stussy mentally closed her diary copy, her gaze deepening as she looked out the window.

"Soon, your news will be spread to every corner of this world."

"The Four Emperors, Marine Admirals, and the Revolutionary Army leaders will all take notice of you."

"Hehe, Smoothie and her crew might also find an opportunity to take action."

"Arton mentioned my name in the diary, so Smoothie and the others likely know that I possess a diary copy."

"Should I meet with them and form an alliance?"

As Stussy pondered this, she pulled out an invitation from her bosom. Clearly written on it were the words "Big Mom Pirates' Tea Party."

***

The next day, the sun rose as usual, and its warm rays spread across the vast sea.

For ordinary civilians, today was just another typical day.

But for the major powers on the sea, it was far from an ordinary day.

As the newspapers from the World Economic News Agency were distributed across the Four Seas, the first half of the Grand Line, and the New World, the headline "New Pirate Arton, Captain of the Blazing Blade Pirates, Sets Sail Strongly, Defeating Legendary Pirate Golden Lion with Mysterious Swordsmanship" caught the attention of powerful forces, including the Marines, the Four Emperors, and the underworld.

Likewise, it also caught the attention of the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, who had just arrived in the East Blue and was leisurely spending his time hunting down the Krieg Pirates.

"The ability to create legendary swords out of thin air, even surpassing them… and unleash slashes identical to those of Shiki?"

"The power to create a vast land filled with countless swords—Unlimited Blade Works…"

"…Every sword within Unlimited Blade Works possesses power that surpasses the Supreme Grade Swords."

Dracule Mihawk murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the somewhat blurry photos on the newspaper in his hand.

Each photo had captions such as "Excalibur," "Unlimited Blade Works," and "Shirou's Attack."

Each photo also featured Arton's figure.

However, due to the distance and resolution, the images didn't clearly reveal Arton's face.

Even Mihawk couldn't discern it.

Despite this, Mihawk's face showed an intrigued expression.

"It seems this journey to the East Blue won't be boring after all."

"Arton… I hope I can meet him."

With that, Mihawk set down the newspaper and continued letting the sea breeze carry his ship forward.

Time passed, though it was unclear how long.

The change in wind direction and the feeling of being watched made Mihawk open his eyes once more.

He turned toward the source of the gaze and saw a lifeboat drifting not far away.

Onboard were a pink-haired woman and a young girl clutching a sword.

It was the sword-wielding girl who had caught Mihawk's attention.

"Hmm? That sword?"

Mihawk's eyes sharpened as he noticed the blade reflecting the sunlight.

In an instant, his figure blurred, and he appeared on the lifeboat.

"What?! Mihawk... Dracule Mihawk!"

The sword-wielding girl, who was none other than Tashigi, gasped in shock and took a step back.

"Warlord Mihawk, we are with the Navy. Do not act recklessly!"

The pink-haired woman, Hina, frowned deeply as she looked at the uninvited Dracule Mihawk.

"Navy, huh," Mihawk glanced at Tashigi, his tone indifferent.

"No matter, I have no ill intentions towards you. I just want to take a look at the sword in your hand."

These last words were directed at Tashigi.

"My... sword?!"

Tashigi looked down at the sword in her hand and instinctively tightened her grip on it.

However, she only saw a shadow flash before her, and in the next instant, her precious sword, Shigure, was already in Mihawk's hand.

"No, don't take my sword! It's my treasured possession!"

Overcoming her fear of Mihawk, Tashigi tried to reach for the Shigure that Mihawk had taken.

Fortunately, Hina was quick to act, stepping forward to stop Tashigi.

"Mihawk, although the World Government allows the Warlords to legally seize possessions, this doens't include taking from the Navy," Hina said, trying to calm Tashigi down, her expression serious as she addressed Mihawk.

Mihawk ignored Hina and Tashigi, his attention fully on the sword in his hand.

The more he examined it, the deeper his frown became.

After a long moment, he looked at Tashigi and asked, "Where did you obtain this sword?"

"Why does it resemble 'Shigure' so much?"

"And yet, it's of a higher grade, even reaching the level of a Supreme Grade Sword."

Tashigi bit her lip, her eyes fixed intently on Mihawk, refusing to answer his question.

Mihawk raised an eyebrow and said,

"Answer my question, and I will return this sword to you."