Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece

The island is quite large. After passing through a sizable forest, there is another beach. Along the way, Bai Yu and the others have prepared the ingredients for dinner.

At this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun was slowly sinking into the sea, dyeing the clouds on the horizon a deep crimson gold. The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, swept through the dense forest, rustling the leaves softly.

Connor was skipping and hopping after a brightly colored butterfly, muttering to himself about whether roasted butterflies would taste good.

Whether butterflies taste good or not is unknown, but for butterflies, Connor is simply a devil.

With her hands behind her head and a blade of grass dangling from her mouth, Matsumoto Rangiku walked briskly. Since Shiraha and Robin were carrying all the food, she had plenty of free time. Occasionally, she would reach out and tug at Connor's ponytail, causing the little girl to turn around and glare at her with bared teeth.

"Shiroha, Shiroha, can we grill a sea king tonight?"

Connor finally gave up chasing the butterfly, ran to Bai Yu's side, and tugged at his sleeve.

"The big one I baked last time was super delicious!"

Bai Yu glanced down at her bright eyes, a faint smile curving his lips: "Okay, but you'll have to catch it yourself."

"no problem!"

Connor patted his chest, his little face full of confidence: "It'll be a matter of a dozen thunderclaps, very quickly."

Rangiku chuckled from behind, "You'd better watch out so you don't get swallowed by a sea monster. We'll have to go down into the sea to fish you out then."

"No way!"

Connor turned around angrily: "It won't waste much time."

Amidst their laughter and conversation, the group reached the seaside campsite. There, a makeshift grill stood, surrounded by piles of dry firewood and a large pot resting on a rock. Bai Yu had just put down his machete, preparing to gather some firewood to start a fire, when suddenly his brow furrowed slightly, and he closed his eyes.

"Um?"

A low groan escaped his throat, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

On the sea surface that is visible in sight, there is a very simple single boat floating.

The hull was dark brown and looked quite old. The sail was a tattered white cloth that swayed slightly in the sea breeze.

The most peculiar thing is that this ship has no power unit, yet it can sail smoothly on the windless sea, as if an invisible hand is pushing it forward.

On the boat stood a tall and upright man.

He was wearing a long black overcoat, the hem of which fluttered in the sea breeze. On his back was an exaggeratedly large sword, almost as tall as him, which looked exaggerated but at the same time exuded a chilling sharpness.

The man wore a wide-brimmed hat, the brim pulled low, obscuring his eyebrows and eyes, revealing only his hard jawline and tightly pursed thin lips.

His aura was truly sharp.

Bai Yu slowly opened his eyes, the surprise in his eyes turning into solemnity.

The opponent's aura, unique to seasoned swordsmen, was like a drawn sword, carrying an arrogant and aloof air that looked down upon the world.

"What's wrong?" Robin noticed Bai Yu's unusual behavior and asked softly.

Connor stopped, tilted his head to look towards the sea, and sniffed the air: "There's the smell of living people."

Bai Yu didn't speak, but simply pointed to the sea.

Looking in the direction he was pointing, the small boat was getting closer and closer, its hull cutting through the calm sea and leaving a faint trail of water.

Soon, the small boat reached the shore, and the man leaped in, landing steadily on the sand, splashing up a few tiny water droplets.

He slowly raised his head, revealing his eyes beneath the brim of his hat.

Those were sharp, hawk-like eyes, deep, cold, and scrutinizing. His gaze swept over Bai Yu and the other three, finally settling on Bai Yu, where he paused for a moment.

"Interesting, I thought Shanks would be on this island."

Bai Yu did not answer immediately, but looked him up and down, his gaze finally settling on the greatsword behind him.

Great swordsman Jorakeel Mihawk.

The name flashed through Bai Yu's mind like lightning.

How did he end up here?

Mihawk seemed to notice Bai Yu's gaze and raised an eyebrow slightly: "You know me?"

"The renowned swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, I can recognize you just by your appearance and aura."

Bai Yu spoke calmly, his tone serene: "I've long admired your name."

Upon hearing the words "Great Swordsman," Rangiku's pupils contracted slightly, and her grip on her sword tightened.

He had heard Bai Yu say that the Great Swordsman was one of the best swordsmen in the world.

A hint of curiosity flashed in Robin's eyes. She was quite interested in this guy, and although she didn't understand the ecology of the New World, the title of Great Swordsman was not something that just anyone could have.

Connor, however, tilted his head, stared at the greatsword at Mihawk's waist, and clicked his tongue: "What a big knife. It should be very convenient for cutting meat."

Mihawk's gaze swept over Connor, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. This girl seemed strange.

His attention then returned to Bai Yu: "You look like a very skilled swordsman."

This is not a question, but a statement.

Bai Yu raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the other party's keen insight.

Although he had been deliberately concealing his aura, Mihawk still managed to detect it. Sure enough, the strong had their own way of discerning strength.

"I guess so."

Bai Yu smiled noncommittally: "Shouldn't a great swordsman like you be on the Grand Line? Why are you in a place like the Calm Belt in the West Blue?"

Mihawk's gaze swept over the ship behind Bai Yu, a ship powered by Mana energy with a peculiar shape.

"I'm looking for someone. I heard he went back to the Western Sea."

Mihawk's voice remained indifferent, but he did not explain who he was looking for.

But Bai Yu understood immediately upon hearing this.

Shanks and Mihawk are old acquaintances who often spar in swordsmanship, and their relationship is both adversarial and friendly.

It must have been news of Shanks' return to the West Blue that reached Mihawk's ears, which is why he made a special trip from the Grand Line.

It's a pity Shanks isn't here.

"Shanks isn't here. We haven't known where he went since we parted ways with him six months ago."

Bai Yu said frankly.

"We've been here for a while now, and we haven't seen anyone from the Red-Haired Pirates since."

"You guys actually know Shanks? And you knew I was looking for him?"

Mihawk's brow furrowed even more. He had searched the West Blue for quite some time without finding any trace of Shanks. He finally guessed that Shanks might have come to the Calm Belt, since only a place that ordinary people dared not set foot in would suit Shanks's personality. But unexpectedly, instead of Shanks, he encountered someone Shanks knew.