Chapter 82

"Colonel, you are too strong! To actually be able to injure that world's greatest swordsman with swordsmanship!"

"That's right! Colonel Karl, how did you do it! I admire you so much!"

Looking at the excited Navy soldiers, Karl felt very helpless. Where was he strong? If Mihawk hadn't gone easy on him, he would have been finished, wouldn't he?

But it could not be denied that from a commoner's perspective, he had indeed traded blows with Mihawk, and both were injured—that could be considered a draw, right? Plus the rumors of his draw with Ma Erke last time...

Oh no, I've become the 'Crocodile' of this situation!

In all honesty, the gap between him and both Ma Erke and Mihawk was still very large, especially Mihawk.

Although he had only recently become a swordsman, as long as one was a swordsman, one could clearly feel Mihawk's power.

He was like the 'Dugu Qiubai' of the Pirate World, standing at the pinnacle of swordsmanship, looking down on all living beings. He valued Karl only because of his great potential, hoping he could be like Zoro in the future and give him a real fight.

But, Mihawk, you son of a ***, my series of missions! My blade forging method! My Haki enhancement card!

"Colonel, how exactly did you become so strong? Is it through persistent, arduous training?"

"That's right, persistent training, watering one's strength with sweat—that is the secret to my power!"

Karl suppressed the grief in his heart and spoke with righteous indignation. Several chore boys nodded vigorously; Colonel Karl was absolutely right!

Only through effort can one become strong!

"Alright, stop crowding around. Hurry up and clean up the scene; don't let the Fire Pirates discover any clues!"

"Yes, sir!!!"

After finally having a moment of peace, Karl sighed. Failure is failure; there was no point in dwelling on it. Who told Mihawk not to play by the rules!

"The world's greatest swordsman, huh! Tsk tsk tsk~"

The Navy soldiers who were 'cleaning the scene' secretly pointed at Karl and whispered to their companions: "Hey, do you think Colonel Karl has a chance to challenge the throne of the world's greatest swordsman?"

"I think it's possible. Colonel Karl is the strongest young man I've ever seen. If he can injure Hawkeye now, in a few years, Colonel Karl will definitely be able to defeat him!"

"That's true. By the way, don't you have a Den Den Mushi camera? Did you record the duel just now?"

The Navy soldier who was asked smiled and patted his pocket: "Of course! When I have time, I'll send it to the news agency; I can make some extra money!"

"Sigh! I'm so envious! If only I had a Den Den Mushi camera too!"

The next day, early morning.

Bang bang bang~

"Colonel, it's bad! The Fire Pirates have run away!"

Karl, who was sleeping, scrambled out of bed and opened the door.

"What did you say?"

Nelson said, panting: "After the Fire Pirates arrived at Water 7, they didn't land at Scrap Island but entered Water 7 directly through the main gate."

"As a result..."

Karl frowned: "As a result, what?"

"Because we have been active in Water 7 recently, the civilians exposed our whereabouts. The Fire Pirates didn't hesitate to turn around and leave Water 7, fleeing toward the Sabaody Archipelago!"

"Sigh~"

After sighing, Karl rubbed his temples and said calmly: "Adjutant Nelson, mobilize the men immediately. I want everyone on the warship within 10 minutes!"

The Fire Pirates' numerous evil deeds made them the kind of pirates Karl detested most; otherwise, with so many targets, Karl wouldn't have targeted them specifically.

Karl would absolutely not allow a cooked duck to fly away right in front of him!