Chapter 230: Bounty for Sig and Sand Crocodile
The sandstorm incident in Rainbase City directly occupied the front-page headlines of the World Economic News that day.
There were too many explosive points in that day's report.
A Shichibukai secretly launched a city-wide disaster and was consequently stripped of his Shichibukai title...
The notorious sea bandit king, Sig, defeated the Desert King in the desert.
No matter how serious Sig's injuries were, they couldn't overshadow the brilliance of him splitting open a disaster-level sandstorm with a single sword strike.
At the same time, the Marines also disclosed the new wanted posters for Sig and Crocodile.
Desert King Crocodile, due to the disaster-level sandstorm he caused, was considered extremely dangerous by the Marines, and his bounty was six hundred million!
Sea Bandit King Sig, possessing the formidable combat power to cleave a sandstorm with a single sword strike, had a bounty of one billion!
This battle in the desert shook the entire world.
"The battle between these two powerhouses could actually trigger a disaster capable of destroying an entire city?"
"Not only did they trigger a natural disaster, but Sig even managed to split it open with a single sword strike..."
"Can humans truly be this strong?"
The World Economic News was the world's leading newspaper; its audience wasn't limited to pirates but extended to ordinary citizens across the four seas and the Grand Line.
Usually, they only knew that these famous powerhouses were strong, but the extent of their strength wasn't common knowledge.
This battle, which unfolded right before the eyes of all the citizens of Rainbase City, answered their questions.
The battle between Crocodile and Sig was enough to decide the fate of the entire city!
And their sky-high bounties left countless pirates speechless.
"Is this the true strength of a Shichibukai?"
"Crocodile's original bounty was only 81 million, but that was when he first debuted. I thought he was really only at that level..."
"One with 600 million, the other with 1 billion, these astronomical bounties are comparable to only a few people even within the Yonko crews..."
"Is 1 billion really that high? After all, this is a great swordsman who can split open a natural disaster with a single sword strike. Even if it's only one strike, it's truly terrifying..."
Many people couldn't help but recall the duel in Loguetown almost a month prior.
At that time, Mihawk had challenged Sig to a duel, and a fierce battle ensued, but the result was highly controversial.
Based on Sig's account, the general consensus was that Mihawk had given Sig face, magnanimously declaring himself defeated in the duel.
Therefore, in their minds, the title of World's Strongest Swordsman still belonged to Dracule Mihawk.
But after this day, more voices began to emerge.
"Perhaps that time... Sig really won?"
"Perhaps it was a draw, and neither of them thought they had won?"
"I wonder if Mihawk can split open a natural disaster with a single sword strike... If he can't, then his title of World's Strongest Swordsman is just in name only, not as good as Sig..."
.......
On a certain island in the world.
The Red Hair Pirates, as usual, were holding a banquet.
However, Shanks' expression was a bit bitter, not quite matching the joyous atmosphere of the banquet.
He glanced at the wine glass in his hand, gently swirling it and sniffing the aroma, his brow furrowing unconsciously.
"Say, Mihawk, this wine you brought... isn't it expired?"
Mihawk didn't even look up, replying with a deadpan expression:
"Are you doubting my sincerity? This wine is from my personal collection. I brought this vintage wine for you because you told me about Sig before."
"Savor it carefully; the more you taste it, the more flavorful it becomes."
Mihawk spoke with an impassive face, but his wine glass remained untouched.
The duel in Loguetown had been a terrible experience for Mihawk.
He had come with high spirits and returned disappointed, almost losing his reputation as the World's Strongest Swordsman. It was completely different from the feeling he had anticipated from a duel with a strong swordsman.
"Finished drinking? If you are, let's have a long-awaited duel."
Saying that, Mihawk reached for the black blade, Yoru, behind him.
But at this moment, a pirate from the Red Hair Pirates came over with the latest newspaper.
"Captain, that Sig we encountered in the East Blue is really making a big splash this time!"
"He split open a sandstorm capable of destroying a city with just one sword strike!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Mihawk's hand froze in mid-air.
After the two finished reading the news in the newspaper, their expressions were different.
Shanks was lost in thought, suddenly remembering the conversation he had with Rayleigh on the Sabaody Archipelago.
Rayleigh had suspected that Sig was a spy from the intelligence agency CP... but later dismissed the speculation himself.
"Could he really be someone who knew Captain Roger?"
Shanks murmured to himself.
But in the next moment, he shuddered, straightened up slightly, and looked at Dracule Mihawk sitting opposite him.
At this moment.
Mihawk's eyes, with their peculiar golden pupils, suddenly sharpened. His entire being became like an unsheathed sword, his sharp aura making anyone who looked at him feel like they were sitting on pins and needles.
The World Economic News report included photos from the scene in Rainbase City. In the photos, one could see a gigantic sandstorm connecting the sky and the earth, raging at the edge of the city.
And beneath the storm, there was a lone figure standing in mid-air, facing the storm alone, creating a strong contrast.
But in the next photo, the incredibly conspicuous sandstorm had vanished, and the figure was still standing in the air, holding a sword in one hand and a young girl in the other.
"Did he split open the sandstorm? Then what was the matter with our duel?"
Mihawk muttered to himself.
"Is there anyone else in this world who can reach such a level with just swordsmanship?"
He abruptly stood up from his chair, Yoru already in his hand.
He had split mountains and cut seas, and sea kings the size of islands had been cleaved in two under his sword.
However, he had never actually tried against a disaster-level sandstorm capable of destroying a city.
"It seems you haven't had enough from that duel with Sig, have you, Mihawk?"
"Are you planning to go find him again?"
Shanks said with a chuckle.
Unexpectedly, after these words were spoken, those sharp, hawk-like eyes fell upon him.
"No, besides that sword strike that split open the natural disaster, Sig also has a strange technique that's difficult to deal with."
"Therefore, before dueling with Sig again, my swordsmanship must improve further!"
"Draw your sword, Shanks."
Mihawk's expression was calm, but the large black blade in his hand held a chilling edge.
"I see, using me as your whetstone? I thought you came here specifically to drink with me..."
Shanks laughed heartily, his heroic spirit evident. This time, he didn't refuse.
At some point, the sword at his waist had already been drawn.
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