Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece

They marched in unison to the grill, one person turning the food, another brushing on the sauce, and yet another adding firewood. Their movements were incredibly precise, and they even controlled the heat perfectly.

This is the power of a Devil Fruit that Uchiha Hakuba modified using chakra. Generally speaking, Paramecia-type powers require touching objects with one's hands to imbue the Devil Fruit with its power, but through the transmission of chakra, Uchiha Hakuba can now use this ability remotely.

Mihawk paused, his hand holding the wine jar still. His gaze fell on the puppets, a hint of surprise flashing in his hawk-like eyes: "Is this all you've got? I thought you were just a simple swordsman."

"Um."

Bai Yu took a swig of wine, the liquid sliding down his lips. He wiped it away with his hand: "I obtained the power of a Devil Fruit quite by chance. Besides saving my life, this power can also control these things, saving me a lot of effort most of the time."

"It's really convenient."

Mihawk gave a two-word evaluation, his tone carrying a hint of genuine approval.

"If possible, having these puppets would be very convenient in every aspect."

Uchiha Hakuba knew that Mihawk's praise was genuine, because this guy was a homebody who could stay on an island for a long time.

Connor clapped and cheered, then pounced on the meat skewers the puppet offered, his mouth greasy with food.

Robin sat by the campfire, flipping through the ancient book in his hands. Occasionally, he would glance up at the two people chatting happily, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.

As for Rangiku, she leaned against the tree trunk, shaking her sake jar, listening to the conversation between the two, occasionally chiming in to ask about cultivation methods, the atmosphere was incredibly lively.

After a few rounds of drinks, the two men started talking non-stop.

Mihawk placed the wine jar on the ground, gazed at the churning sea in the distance, and said with a touch of melancholy in his voice: "When you reach the level of what people call a great swordsman, the progress of swordsmanship, in the end, is mostly about constantly competing with yourself."

"When I was a child, I always practiced swordsmanship and kept getting stronger, but my peers could not keep up with me."

Hawkeye's voice was deep, carrying a hint of reminiscence.

"Until I met Shanks for the first time, that guy was the first person I truly respected, his swordsmanship was that level... so I came back to him..."

Bai Yu listened quietly, her grip on the wine jar tightening slightly.

He thought of the Uchiha clan's swordsmanship, and the blood-soaked sword techniques of the clan...

"Swordsmen on the Grand Line are as numerous as carp crossing a river."

Mihawk tilted his head back and took another gulp of wine, his tone carrying a hint of disdainful arrogance: "But those who can be called strong are few and far between."

"Vista the Flower Sword has agile swordsmanship, but his Haki is not strong enough. Shanks the Red Hair is not as strong as his sword."

Hawkeye chuckled: "And, I mean, there are those guys hiding in the shadows, like those guys who belong to the World Government. Although they're not pure swordsmen, they're all very well hidden."

"Their swords are each unique."

Mihawk's gaze fell on Bai Yu: "But your swordsmanship is very special. You said it's a family style?... It has a kind of resolute ruthlessness, a pure killing technique. It seems your family is not a benevolent one either."

Bai Yu smiled but didn't say anything.

There are no easy people in the Uchiha clan...

"Shanks has always had a good eye," Mihawk suddenly said, his tone certain. "There's a reason he invited you aboard. Your aura and your personalities are very much to his liking."

Bai Yu raised an eyebrow and took a swig of wine: "I still prefer to be in control."

"I know."

Mihawk nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "True swordsmen all like to walk their own path, even Miss Rangiku is no exception."

The more they talked, the more they clicked, discussing everything from swordsmanship techniques to the wonders of the Grand Line, from storms at sea to hidden treasures deep within islands.

One wine jar after another emptied, and the campfire burned brighter and brighter, making the two men's cheeks flush red.

Mihawk was always aloof and rarely opened up to anyone like this, so Bai Yu also unusually lowered his guard...

At some point, Mihawk raised his hand and patted Bai Yu's shoulder, the gesture carrying a rare air of familiarity.

His hands were large and strong, calloused from years of wielding swords. When he patted my shoulder, there was a warm feeling of mutual understanding.

"Let's have another match next time we meet."

Mihawk's voice was tinged with alcohol, yet remained resolute.

"This time, I'm going to find Shanks. I've been thinking about it, and he might have gone to another sea. He's such a complicated person, and sometimes I can't figure out what he's thinking."

Bai Yu threw his head back and laughed, then reached out and hooked his arm around Mihawk's neck, handing him the remaining half-jar of wine: "Let's go together. Our training has come to an end, and we're ready to head to the Grand Line."

"Absolutely, you're strong enough! But I prefer traveling alone, so let's talk about it next time, when we meet on the Grand Line!"

The two men put their arms around each other's shoulders, tilted their heads back, and drank the last sip of wine. The wine slid down their throats, burning their chests.

The puppets by the campfire were still tirelessly roasting meat, while Connor, already fast asleep, was drooling and clutching a meat skewer taller than herself, embedded in the sand. Robin gently covered her with a blanket and then held her in his arms.

A night breeze blew by, carrying the warmth of the campfire. Mihawk gazed at the distant sea and suddenly spoke: "The truth of the world lies at the end of the Grand Line. I think you'd be interested."

Hawkeye glanced at Nico Robin and continued, "If you want to know the truth, you'll need to be strong enough."

Bai Yu glanced at the eyebrows and eyes beneath the brim of his hat, which flickered in the firelight, then nodded, his voice low and strong: "Hmm..."

That night, the campfire burned for a long time, and empty wine jars littered the ground.

As dawn broke, Mihawk stood up, dusted himself off, picked up his black sword Night, and walked toward the simple little boat.

Until we meet again.

He waved his hand with his back to Bai Yu.

Until we meet again!

Bai Yu also stood on the beach, responding.

The small boat slowly sailed away from the shore, leaving a faint trail on the sea before disappearing into the morning mist.

Bai Yu watched the departing ship, a smile lingering on his lips.

Behind her, the puppet walked over carrying golden-brown skewers of meat, and Robin's gentle voice rang out: "It's time for breakfast."

"What a sumptuous breakfast! Is Connor awake yet? She stayed up with us all night, she must still be asleep."

"Yes, this child is truly adorable. So, shall we set sail?"

Robin watched Hawkeye leave and asked a question.

"Yes, we'll set sail in a couple of days. Let's prepare in the next couple of days, gathering all sorts of delicacies. We'll head to our last stop before reaching the Grand Line... Europa Town..."