Chapter Fifty-Six: Hawkeye!

“Hah, that bastard Camio really is strong. I didn’t even catch a glimpse of his shadow just now, and that fool was sent flying. Well, he brought it on himself!” Red laughed, keeping a close eye on Camio’s performance. That guy truly was impressive—no comparison at all. This was the difference in strength.

“Yeah, from now on, it’ll be his world. Even if the three of us joined forces, I doubt we could beat him. Maybe if all the Navy’s top fighters joined in, they could give him a run for his money, but who knows how that would turn out? That guy is just a monster,” Whitebeard said, his face troubled. Beside him, Kaido was secretly wiping cold sweat from his brow—Camio was nothing short of a legend.

“By the way, Whitebeard, have you ever seen that silver-haired woman who follows Camio around?” Red suddenly remembered Ice Phoenix. He couldn’t see through that woman, either. Why were all the people around Camio so extraordinary? Luckily, the woman he had with him today seemed to be just a normal person.

“You mean the silver-haired woman from last time? Yeah, I saw her. Honestly, I always felt she was no weaker than Camio. They're all monsters,” Whitebeard recalled her presence beside Camio—it was uncanny. Her aura was completely undetectable, yet her bearing gave her away. Compared to Camio, she was equally unfathomable.

Kaido listened to their conversation, beads of cold sweat rolling down his back. He had already decided that, if it ever came to it, he’d rather kill himself than provoke Camio. Was that guy even human? He was practically a god...

...

Standing in the void, Camio listened to the conversation below, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile. So they knew he was not to be trifled with; he’d thought they didn’t take him seriously. Looks like there would be fewer troublesome matters in the future. He liked this feeling—just waiting for the story to begin, then he’d have some real fun.

Beside him in the void, Hancock gazed at Camio’s smile, lost in fascination, prompting him to sigh inwardly. This girl really couldn’t change her nature.

He gently pulled her close, letting her lean into his embrace, then flashed away toward Amazon Lily. He had intended to check in on little Luffy, but after thinking it over, he decided against it. Red might have lost an arm, but it had given him a new hope. Wasn’t that enough? For pirates, losing an arm was hardly the end of the world.

Gliding slowly through the air, Camio and Hancock chatted and laughed. Hancock felt truly happy—being alone with her Camio, sharing little secrets without a care. Camio, too, was charmed by this innocent young woman.

Suddenly, a streak of green light shot violently up from the sea below. Camio frowned slightly, already recognizing the source. Shielding Hancock in his arms, he summoned the “Violet Emperor” in his right hand—another supreme blade. Would it prove sharper?

He channeled his energy, then swung his right arm fiercely downward, sending a purple blade aura to clash with the incoming attack.

“Boom!”

A loud explosion echoed as the blade energies collided, churning the sea below into chaos. Camio raised his brow, surprised to encounter Hawk Eyes here—he hadn’t seen him at Red’s place, so he must have been wandering about looking for strong opponents, only to stumble upon Camio himself. Well, time for a lesson; he was growing almost too handsome for Camio’s liking—just looking at him was irritating.

Camio looked down—below was a small island, not even a fifth the size of Amazon Lily, with only a few coconut trees. Hawk Eyes sat beneath one, sipping wine, looking utterly at ease.

Smiling lightly, Camio took Hancock’s hand and descended.

A sonic boom sounded as Camio appeared before Hawk Eyes. The audacious landing startled Hawk Eyes—not so much the manner of arrival, but Camio’s speed. When Camio appeared before him, the sonic boom reached him a full second later. He’d heard tales of Camio’s prowess, but just now Camio hadn’t even used any Devil Fruit power, yet he was still so strong. Clearly, Hawk Eyes had underestimated him.

“I like your eyes, and your temperament. Honestly, you’re really handsome!” Camio pulled up a chair and sat down, as Hancock filled his glass.

Hawk Eyes finally came to his senses, glanced at Camio, and was noncommittal about his remarks. His temperament? Did Camio know him? Handsome—well, he could accept that. But he didn’t know Camio; just saw him from afar, seemed strong, thought to come down and say hello, maybe find a worthy opponent for future duels. But why did Camio say such a thing?

“Uh, you must be Mr. Camio, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you here.” Hawk Eyes raised his drink and tossed it back.

“Oh, you know me? What was that strike just now about? You’d better explain,” Camio said, raising his glass and drinking, his expression dark. No one enjoys being ambushed.

Hawk Eyes smiled awkwardly—he really had no ill intent, just wanted to meet Camio and maybe challenge him to a duel. When he visited Red earlier, Red had mentioned Camio, and admitted Camio was stronger. If Hawk Eyes wanted a sword duel, he ought to seek out Camio. Now Camio was right in front of him—should he say it?

“Mr. Camio, I hope you’ll fight with me!” Hawk Eyes composed himself and spoke seriously.

Camio glanced at him with a wicked smile.

“Clang!”

A beautiful long sword suddenly appeared beside Hawk Eyes’ neck, its blade nearly touching his skin. Meanwhile, Camio’s right hand faded—just an afterimage. Camio clearly heard Hawk Eyes gulp.

Sweat poured from Hawk Eyes’ brow—he couldn’t follow Camio’s movements at all. Camio’s sword speed was beyond imagination. What was the point in dueling? He might as well dig a hole and bury himself.

“Still want to duel?” Camio smiled, withdrawing the “Violet Emperor.”

Hawk Eyes wiped his brow, muttering to himself about the pointlessness of it. He looked at Camio—just now, the sword had materialized beside his neck, and he actually felt a twinge of fear. How long had it been since he’d felt that? Not even with Red. Yet looking at the calm young man before him, Hawk Eyes felt uneasy.

“Forget it, I won’t duel you. Red was right—you’re a monster, challenging you would be suicide,” Hawk Eyes said gloomily, downing another glass.

Camio stood and made no comment, waving his hand lightly as a beam of light shot into Hawk Eyes’ forehead. While Hawk Eyes was stunned, Camio took Hancock and left, leaving only a parting remark: “Challenge me again in ten years. Let’s see how much the gap changes.”

Camio had not imparted any techniques—just given Hawk Eyes a method to cultivate his energy, which would speed up his training considerably. But as for their duel ten years hence, Camio had no real expectations—Hawk Eyes could train for a hundred years and still wouldn’t be a match. Why fight, then? Well, everyone knows the reason; no need to elaborate.

...

Two days later, Camio was nearing Amazon Lily. On the way, he spotted several nearly destroyed Navy warships, causing him to frown. The direction of their retreat was toward Amazon Lily—seems they met defeat there. Hmph! Reckless fools who don’t even pick their battlegrounds.

Soon, Amazon Lily appeared before him. Seeing the unchanged island, Camio smiled wickedly. The Navy? Before Camio’s woman, even they had to bow their heads.

...

In just a couple more chapters, the story will start for real. Hope you all continue to support!