Chapter 26: The Marines Take Notice

News traveled fast in the Grand Line. By the time I'd returned to my temporary lodgings, the rumors had already spread. Word of my duel with Mihawk, the World's Strongest Swordsman, had rippled through the underworld, reached the ears of bounty hunters, and inevitably, found its way to the Marines.

Though I kept my identity secret during the fight, my actions in Mock Town had not gone unnoticed. For years, I had hunted pirates, taken bounties, and clashed with crews that operated well outside the law. The Marines weren't blind to these activities. But until now, I was a curiosity rather than a concern.

The Marines Discuss the Duel

Aboard one of the many Marine vessels patrolling the Grand Line, a meeting was underway. Captain Hino, a veteran officer known for his sharp mind and calculated approach, sat at the head of the table. Before him was a stack of reports, each more concerning than the last.

"Are we certain it was Mihawk?" Hino asked, his eyes scanning the assembled lieutenants.

"Yes, sir," replied Lieutenant Carrell, a younger officer who had been tracking underworld chatter. "Multiple eyewitnesses confirmed his presence on Sabaody Archipelago. And they all mentioned a second swordsman who fought him to a standstill."

"And the second man's identity?"

"That's the strange part, sir. No one knows. He didn't give a name, but…" Carrell hesitated, shuffling through his notes. "There are rumors it's the same individual who's been hunting pirates in Mock Town."

Captain Hino leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "A bounty hunter, then?"

"Not exactly," Carrell said. "He's not collecting bounties, at least not consistently. Some of the pirates he's taken down don't even have large rewards on their heads. He seems more interested in… skill. In proving himself."

Another lieutenant, an older woman named Ito, spoke up. "Why would someone like Mihawk bother fighting a no-name swordsman?"

Carrell cleared his throat. "The witnesses mentioned that he carries a Supreme Grade sword. Mihawk apparently recognized it."

Hino's brow furrowed. "A Supreme Grade blade… That changes things. A man with no name, a penchant for fighting strong opponents, and now he's caught Mihawk's attention? We need to find out who he is."

A Growing Curiosity

For now, I was still an enigma to the Marines. While they acknowledged my skill, they didn't see me as a direct threat. I wasn't leading a pirate crew, I wasn't waging war against the government, and I wasn't causing chaos across the seas. But my presence was enough to raise questions.

What kind of swordsman could match Mihawk, even for a time? Why was this person hunting pirates in Mock Town and testing his skills on some of the fiercest fighters in the area?

The Rumors Circulate

In Marine headquarters, the whispers grew louder. Some officers speculated I might be a rogue Revolutionary Army member honing my skills before an attack. Others thought I was an ambitious bounty hunter aiming to prove myself to the World Government in some unorthodox way. A few even suggested I could be connected to an ancient, forgotten lineage of warriors.

But without a name or a bounty, the Marines were left guessing. Captain Hino eventually issued an order:

"Send a reconnaissance unit to Mock Town. Find out who this swordsman is. I don't want a direct confrontation yet—just information. If he's not a threat, we'll leave him be. If he is, we need to be prepared."

My Perspective

I had no illusions about my anonymity lasting forever. Even without a name, the mere fact that I had fought Mihawk was enough to draw attention. People would speculate, make assumptions, and eventually, someone would try to uncover the truth.

For now, though, I would continue my training. I would remain an unknown swordsman honing my skills, pushing my limits, and preparing for the battle that truly mattered. If the Marines wanted to know more about me, they could try. But I wouldn't give them anything voluntarily.

I wasn't hiding out of fear. I was hiding out of necessity. The world wasn't ready to know who I was or what I represented. Not yet.

As I stared out at the ocean from the deck of a merchant vessel, I felt the weight of my next steps pressing down on me. The Marines might know I exist, but they didn't know who I was. And until Wano was free, that's how it needed to stay.