Nami and Robin couldn't help but tremble when the image of Mihawk rowing with his sword popped into their minds. That kind of thing... even they would have to kill people to keep it quiet. After all, the imposing man sitting on the boat looked so dignified—if this were known, people would probably burst into laughter.
The two looked at each other and began communicating silently. Facing Evan, they used the journal to talk. The subject of the diary must never be exposed.
"Zoro?" Nami looked toward the restaurant, and Zoro's figure flashed by. He was heading straight for the remains of the Krieg Pirates.
"This guy wants to challenge Mihawk," Evan said calmly. He wasn't going to stop Zoro from chasing his dreams. Everyone has a dream they must fulfill.
[Is Zoro going to see the gap in strength between himself and Mihawk? He's ready to put his life on the line to become the strongest swordsman in the world. Besides, he's carrying more than just his dream.]
[He also carries Kuina's dream, so he's determined to win the title of the world's number one swordsman.]
[But he's thinking too far ahead. Zoro is nowhere near Mihawk's level yet. He won't be somewhat decent until he defeats King two years from now.]
[The current Zoro is very different from the original version. If Mihawk draws Yoru against him, it'll be over in an instant.]
Evan watched the battle in silence, not intending to intervene. This fight was meant to end in defeat—but Zoro was prepared to die here. Evan had warned him before, and Zoro had still made up his mind. If he backed down now, he'd be stuck at this level forever.
"Zoro, you idiot," Kuina muttered sadly. She knew the difference in strength between them. He left because of his two ambitions. She couldn't see him anymore and could only rely on the diary to watch him grow. But Kuina still felt this was good—thanks to Evan's diary, she could keep up with what was happening at sea.
"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: Three Thousand Worlds!" Zoro roared, unleashing a wave across the sea.
His two swords shattered in his hands, and the light faded slightly from his eyes. Behind him, Hawkeye wore a faint smile. He hadn't expected to meet such an interesting young man during a trip to East Blue. He cut Zoro's swords with a single strike.
Zoro fell into the sea. Luffy couldn't help him. He was about to rush toward Mihawk—
"Luffy, wait a minute!" A bolt of lightning arced across the air, and a figure appeared in front of him.
"Evan!" Luffy shouted in surprise.
"You're no match for this guy. Leave it to me!" Evan's lower body turned into an electric arc. In an instant, he appeared in front of Mihawk.
"Oh? Someone this strong in East Blue?" Mihawk narrowed his eyes, noticing Evan's Goro Goro no Mi powers. He didn't expect to encounter a Logia user in such a weak sea.
"No matter how 'weak' East Blue may seem, it produced a Navy Hero, a Revolutionary Leader, and the Pirate King. The reason East Blue is considered the weakest is due to suppression from the World Government and the Navy."
"Mihawk, you seriously injured my crewmate. I can't let you go."" This boat carries my past joys and my savior." Evan's eyes sparked, and thunder rumbled through his body. He stood over the sea like a god descending upon the world.
Through the Goro Goro no Mi, he wielded power capable of bringing disaster.
[No matter what I say, I'm still the Straw Hat's vice-captain. Watching my crew get hurt like that and then pretending nothing happened—how could I live with that?]
[I want to step away dramatically, but it won't be that easy.]
Lightning flickered and danced across Evan's body.
"Even though you're not a swordsman, you're qualified to fight me,"Hawkeye said quietly, raising Yoru behind him.
Everyone in the restaurant held their breath. Luffy, Zeff, and the others stared at the unfolding scene. Zeff was stunned—he hadn't expected someone this powerful to be on such a small ship. Sanji stepped back, mouth agape, overwhelmed by the display.
Boom! A blinding flash of white light exploded. Everyone lost sight for a moment.
Hawkeye quickly dodged midair, firmly gripping Yoru in both hands to avoid the lightning strike.
"El Thor!" Evan's calm voice sounded godlike. Lightning gathered at his fingertips. In the next moment, it surged forward.
The lightning pierced Mihawk's chest—but the body vanished. Evan realized he had struck only an afterimage.
"60,000,000 Volt Jamboule!" The lightning condensed and shattered the air, forming a giant blue Thunder Dragon.
Its overwhelming power took everyone's breath away.
Boom! The arc exploded, annihilating the remaining Krieg pirates. The survivors looked on in disbelief. They hadn't expected the Devil Fruit's power to be so terrifying.
Zash! A slash instantly split the Thunder Dragon. It then struck Evan.
It was Mihawk's Black Blade. It was already too late for Evan to dodge.
The sword slid down his body—but surprisingly, he wasn't seriously injured.
Both fighters froze for a moment, eyes filled with mutual surprise. Mihawk hadn't expected Evan to take the hit rather than turn into lightning to avoid it. Though Mihawk cut him, it didn't do much damage.
Boom! The sea behind Evan shattered violently.
Everyone else stood stunned and numb. The strength of these monsters was completely beyond their reach. Even the aftermath of their fight was too much to bear.
[Tch... Hawkeye Mihawk's strength is honestly on another level. Even though I spread my lightning across the area, I didn't sense the attack from behind.]
[If not for the inspiration I took from Katakuri's future vision, I'd be laid out just like Zoro right now.]
[Alright, so he bullies me while I'm young—but I'll come back and bully him two years later.]
Evan's expression remained calm as thunder swirled around him again. His body transformed completely into lightning.
"This is my final move… Form of the Demon God: Adramelech! If you can stop it… I have nothing more to say.