Chapter Sixty-One: Encounter with the Grizzly Once More!

The ocean had returned to its tranquil state, as if the fierce battle moments ago had never occurred. Of course, had this fight taken place on land, the devastation would have been unspeakable.

Kamiel stood atop the water, his right hand holding the black blade, his left gripping Hawkeye's arm. The Purple Emperor had retreated to its shell. Hawkeye, having expended too much inner energy, was utterly exhausted and had lost consciousness during the explosion.

Kamiel gently infused some of his own energy into Hawkeye's body. Hawkeye's eyelids twitched, then he awoke, lightly stepping onto the water to stand.

"Hey, how do you feel, Mihawk?" Kamiel smiled, returning the black blade to Hawkeye, his gaze playful as he observed the still trembling swordsman, unable to fully recover.

Hawkeye circulated Kamiel's energy throughout his body, regaining some strength. He gave a wry smile, "Nothing more to say. Your strength is just monstrous." Indeed, Kamiel's power could no longer be described as simply formidable.

Hawkeye sheathed the black blade on his back, surveyed the surroundings, his brows furrowing deeply.

Kamiel nearly laughed at Hawkeye's grim expression. With a wave of his hand, a coffin-shaped vessel materialized before Hawkeye. He had stowed Hawkeye's small ship in his ring at the start of the battle. If Kamiel hadn't happened to notice it, this coffin-like vessel would have been lost to the sea.

Hawkeye leapt lightly onto his ship, not questioning how Kamiel had managed to save his vessel.

"Time to go. Let's meet again in the New World." Hawkeye settled into his seat.

"Alright, we'll drink together at Red's place next time," Kamiel replied with a smile.

Hawkeye nodded, glanced at Zoro, then at Robin, giving her a slight nod. Robin responded in kind. Raising the sail, Hawkeye departed.

Kamiel turned toward Baratie. The people there watched Hawkeye leave, sensing that these two heroes would soon depart as well.

"Let's go home," Kamiel said softly, but Robin heard him clearly.

Robin nodded, glanced at the crowd, and smiled sweetly, "We're leaving now. I hope we'll meet again someday." She waved, then leapt onto the water, walking toward Kamiel.

Meanwhile, the Straw Hats were still digesting the battle they had witnessed. The duel between Kamiel and Hawkeye had been invaluable to the three main fighters of the crew—sword, fist, leg; the forms and angles of attack—they could grasp some insights and thereby grow stronger.

"Hey, Luffy, what's your dream?" Kamiel suddenly became interested and called out to Luffy, who stood not far away.

Having recovered, Luffy paused at Kamiel's question, then replied loudly and without hesitation, "I want to become the Pirate King!" From his tone, it was clear he wasn't joking—he was utterly serious.

Kamiel nodded slightly, "Keep at it." Saying nothing more, Kamiel drew Robin into his arms and soared skyward at incredible speed, soon vanishing from the Straw Hats' sight.

Shanks—is that the friend you mentioned? He really is strong. Luffy gazed after Kamiel as he disappeared on the horizon, recalling how Red had spoken of Kamiel many times back in Windmill Village, even showing Luffy Kamiel's wanted poster. Though nearly ten years had passed, he still remembered that bounty, equal to Gol D. Roger's, with a mixture of awe and worry.

...

On an island in the first half of the Grand Line, Kamiel and Robin appeared in a small town.

"Is this where that group you mentioned is?" Robin asked curiously. Kamiel nodded.

"Yes, it should be here. Let me scan the area." Kamiel closed his eyes, unleashing his powerful spiritual sense, which quickly enveloped the entire island.

"Ah, they're actually over there." Kamiel tapped his forehead in exasperation.

He took Robin's hand and led her in that direction.

After turning a few corners, they reached the edge of a seaside cliff. Skirting the cliff, they came upon a vast bay, where several pirate ships were moored. Chaos reigned here.

Kamiel glanced around. On the cliff was a massive cavern, likely formed by nature.

He guided Robin along a narrow path hugging the cliff's edge.

The pirates quickly noticed the two newcomers. When they recognized their faces, shock spread among them. One quick-witted pirate seemed to realize something and hurried deeper into the cavern.

The others erupted into chatter.

"Is that—could it really be Kamiel D. Elros and Nico Robin? Why are these two legendary figures here?" Several pirates whispered, full of questions about the appearance of such powerful individuals. Seeing the pair make no hostile moves, they breathed a sigh of relief.

"The captain's here—the captain! Looks like one of the Emperors wants something from him!"

"It's Mr. Kamiel," a few pirates murmured, remembering something.

Soon, a burly man emerged from within, almost running.

He appeared before Kamiel almost as soon as he was seen.

Kamiel smiled, "Joria, you’ve done well for yourself these years, haven’t you?"

Indeed, it was Joria, captain of the Grizzly Pirates. After parting ways with Kamiel, Joria took his crew out of the New World and returned to the first half of the Grand Line to train and fulfill Kamiel's task. The mission, difficult yet not impossible, was to become a Warlord of the Sea. Training in Kamiel's techniques, Joria's strength soared, and he now rivaled the Emperors, making him a top-tier Warlord.

Joria laughed heartily, "Haha, Brother Kamiel, finally I see you again. I thought you’d forgotten me, heh." He hadn't expected Kamiel to come here. The rumors from ten years ago still echoed along the Grand Line, and Kamiel's fifteen-billion bounty poster still hung on pirate ships. When Kamiel set his task, the Warlords hadn’t yet existed. After the Emperors appeared, the World Government sought seven powerful pirate organizations to form the Warlords. Knowing this, Joria trained hard, and five years ago was chosen.

"Well, let's not linger on the past. There are some things I may need your help with in the future. Just see what you can do when the time comes," Kamiel said with a smile.

"What kind of things?" Joria was puzzled. Kamiel was already an Emperor, able to challenge the Marines—what could he possibly need help with?

"It's simple. I'll give you something, and when it's needed, I'll let you know." Kamiel added, "Also, if the Navy plans any major operations, inform me. After ten years of rest, it's time to make a move."

With a subtle motion, a white ring appeared in his palm. After explaining how to use it, Kamiel gave some instructions and then departed with Robin.

Joria felt grateful—knowing such a powerful man brought many benefits.

The ring was a spatial ring, not large, about ten square meters, but even so, it was extremely precious to Joria. The ring bore Kamiel's soul imprint, allowing communication like a Den Den Mushi, but without words—just conveying intent through the ring.

Kamiel soon returned to Amazon Lily, and upon seeing his two women, there was no shortage of affectionate conversation.

...

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