Chapter 123: Hawkeye: "Let's duel, Sig!"

The moment Sig caught sight of Hawkeye, the bustling crowd in the square seemed to vanish into thin air.

The entire square appeared to have only two people left: him and Hawkeye, staring at each other from a distance.

Thump thump thump thump thump!

The Emperor's Engine was instantly awakened, his heartbeat drumming like a rapid rhythm, and an overwhelming pressure surged forth!

Sig tried his best to suppress the wild pounding in his chest, pretending nothing had happened as he shifted his gaze and took half a step forward, positioning a tall, burly man to block himself from view.

"I've been under too much stress lately, even hallucinating..."

Sig muttered to himself.

But in the next moment, the square suddenly erupted into a cacophony of murmurs as everyone stared in astonishment at the sudden appearance of Hawkeye.

"Hawkeye! That's Hawkeye Mihawk!"

"The world's greatest swordsman has actually appeared in Loguetown!"

"Wait, he's walking over here..."

As Hawkeye approached, the crowd standing between them felt an immense pressure and instinctively parted ways.

Soon, the once-crowded square opened up into a wide, empty space.

On one side stood Hawkeye.

On the other side stood Sig and his group, cloaked in their hoods.

"Boss!"

The bald man, seeing Hawkeye slowly approaching, showed no signs of panic. Instead, he seemed excited:

"Hawkeye's coming! I heard that strong individuals are drawn to each other. It's true after all!"

"I came at just the right time, just in time to witness the meeting between Boss Sig and Hawkeye Mihawk!"

By now, the surrounding crowd had retreated far away, leaving no cover in sight.

At this moment, Sig only had one thought in his mind:

"Someone, please call Sword Lord yosaku and Sword Saint Johnny! Aaaaaah!"

Thump thump thump thump thump!

The sound of the Emperor's Engine grew louder and louder.

Feeling the overwhelming pressure emanating from Sig, Hawkeye's lips curled slightly into a rare smile.

Was the other party also yearning for this duel?

To think that such intense fighting spirit would surge the moment they met.

At this moment, Hawkeye felt a sense of mutual respect for Sig, whom he had only met twice.

"That guy Shanks is reliable after all. Next time I see him, I'll bring him a barrel of fine wine."

For Hawkeye, it was rare to encounter a swordsman capable of challenging him on the path of swordsmanship.

To find another such individual was a true blessing in life.

Gazing at Sig from a distance, Hawkeye spoke in a deep voice:

"I never expected to encounter a swordsman like you in the weakest of seas, the East Blue."

"Sig, draw your sword. Let us have a match."

Hawkeye's sharp, eagle-like eyes bore into Sig as he reached for the black sword on his back, a faint smile on his lips.

The moment these words were spoken, the crowded square in Loguetown erupted in excitement.

"Hawkeye is actually asking to spar with someone?"

"That person's name is... Sig? Isn't that the mountain bandit who's been making waves recently?"

"East Blue's Mountain Bandit King, Sig? He's actually considered a worthy opponent by Hawkeye?"

At this moment, countless eyes in the square were fixed on the two figures standing off against each other: Hawkeye and Sig.

Sig felt as though ten thousand gazes were piercing through him, his back prickling with unease.

He sighed inwardly, lowered the hood of his cloak, and met Hawkeye's gaze head-on, his aura surging like a tidal wave.

Without even exchanging a few words, the tension between the two had already reached its peak!

Beside Sig, Stussy also felt a wave of nervousness.

She knew Sig's strength well and was aware of his strange, almost devil-fruit-like abilities.

But standing before Sig at this moment was none other than the world's greatest swordsman!

If it were Hawkeye Mihawk, perhaps he could withstand Sig's infamous move?

......

In the square, the two figures stood facing each other from a distance. Though their swords had yet to be drawn, the overwhelming pressure they exuded forced the onlookers to retreat further and further.

"Sig, the Mountain Bandit King of the East Blue! Truly, seeing him in person is better than hearing about him a hundred times! He really is a powerhouse!"

"What kind of battle will this be?"

Witnessing Sig's imposing aura, the crowd no longer doubted him and began to eagerly anticipate the fight.

Some even pulled out their Den Den Mushi (transceiver snails) to call their friends and family:

"Honey, come out and watch the duel between Hawkeye and the Mountain Bandit King, Sig!"

"Bro, hurry over! There's an incredible swordsman duel happening in the square!"

Under the watchful eyes and high expectations of the crowd, Sig's spirits were also lifted. His gaze gradually grew firmer, and finally, as if he had made a monumental decision, he spoke:

"I refuse!"

Hawkeye's imposing aura faltered slightly, and the surrounding crowd erupted in an uproar.

"Refuse?"

"Did I hear that correctly?"

Under the bewildered and shocked gazes of the crowd, Sig looked directly at Hawkeye with a serious expression and asked:

"Hawkeye, you must know the current Marine Admiral, Black Arm Zephyr, right?"

Hawkeye frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled by Sig's intentions, but he nodded faintly nonetheless.

Seeing this, Sig continued to explain:

"Zephyr has fought countless pirates in his lifetime, yet he has never killed a single one! He is known as the [Non-Killing] Admiral!"

"And I, Sig, have also fought countless battles in my life. In fact, I share a similar philosophy to Admiral Zephyr."

Sig did his best to make his expression appear sincere as he patted the sword at his waist.

He put on a stern face and explained earnestly:

"My sword is a sword of justice, a sword of mercy! I only fight for the ideals in my heart."

"A duel between swordsmen? I must refuse for such a reason."

As soon as these words were spoken, Kuro, who stood beside Sig, couldn't help but shudder.

He glanced down at his hands, still heavily bandaged, and suddenly felt a phantom pain in them.

Meanwhile, the crowd's expressions grew even more confused.

Justice?

Wasn't that something the Marines always talked about and even wore on their uniforms?

Since when did a notorious criminal with a total bounty of 400 million berries dare to claim he stood for justice?

"A mere mountain bandit dares to speak of justice? You're the one trampling on justice!"

"How outrageous! In the name of justice, we will arrest you!"

From the back of the crowd came a few angry voices.

The Marines of Loguetown had arrived late, and now they were all visibly furious, deeply offended by Sig's words.

Vice Admiral Momousagi's expression also darkened, but she raised her hand to stop the Marines who were about to move in and arrest Sig.

"Your job is to disperse the crowd. Sig is already being dealt with by Hawkeye," Momousagi ordered with a stern face.

In her eyes, there was no suspense in this duel between swordsmen.

If the Marines were to interfere now and disrupt the duel, it might provoke Hawkeye's hostility.

The Marines' task was simple: wait for the duel to conclude, then arrest Sig, who would likely be injured from the fight.

In fact, not having to personally deal with the powerful Sig was a good thing for the Marines.