"You really know how to come up with boring games!"

"Boring?" Dante shot a disdainful look at Mihawk, who was sitting in the audience seats beside him. "If it’s so boring, why are you still here? The banquet already ended. Why not return to your castle?"

Mihawk’s expression remained perfectly calm. "Perhaps you misunderstand me. I didn’t come to the East Blue for some banquet. I accepted a mandatory order from the World Government to find the East Blue Overlord, Hargon D. Mock. I’m on a mission."

"If I’m not mistaken, the East Blue Overlord should be in the New World right now," Dante replied leisurely. "But we’re in the East Blue! If you don’t believe me, you can go ask Mock yourself."

Mihawk stared in silence at the shameless Marine Captain.

Go ask Mock? Where? Romance Dawn? Or the New World? Naturally, he didn’t bother pursuing the topic. It was just a World Government order, something to be acknowledged in name only. Which Shichibukai actually obeyed those people’s commands?

He watched the chaotic Straw Hat Contractors below with a blank expression. Finally, his gaze landed on Zoro, who was pacing impatiently. "I heard he is your kouhai? And he’s planning to challenge you?"

A faint hint of amusement colored his tone.

"I wonder how capable he is. It really makes me look forward to it."

Dante raised an eyebrow, watching Mihawk’s narrowed eyes. ’This guy didn’t deliberately stay behind just to watch the show, did he?’

"Don’t worry," Dante said smoothly. "Compared to an insignificant Marine Captain like me, I’m sure the World’s Greatest Swordsman interests him much more!"

"Is that so? If his skill is decent, I’d welcome any swordsman’s challenge." Mihawk paid no mind to Dante’s provocation, speaking with his usual elegance. "But his strength doesn’t look like much. He’s not even as good as Kuina."

"He may not be much now, but I believe he’ll become a great swordsman. He might just surprise you."

"Oh?" Mihawk sounded genuinely surprised by Dante’s confidence. He looked down at the green-haired swordsman again, this time with a trace of real interest in his eyes. "He may not look like much, but if you say so, I’ll look forward to it."

Just as Mihawk finished speaking, the competition below officially began.

"Brought to you by Kuma Shipyard, Kuma Smart Foot spa..."

After rattling off the familiar string of sponsorships, Genny, the same host who had commentated the duel between Mihawk and Dante, raised his microphone and shouted.

"The First Conomi Tower Building Competition is about to begin!"

"The contest will be divided into two phases. First, the resource gathering! Participants must sail boats provided by the Conomi Islands to the neighboring deserted island and harvest the materials needed for their tower."

"Second, the construction! Teams must transport their timber back to their designated zones and build. You must gather enough resources within the time limit. Finally, the team that builds the tallest and sturdiest tower wins!"

"Now, let’s welcome our fifteen participating teams. Let’s hear your applause!"

As the host finished speaking, cheers erupted, and all eyes turned to the massive Projector Den Den Mushi.

"That’s the Iron Axe Contractors from Shemira Island! Their captain is famous, his logging technique is unmatched. He wields his axe so smoothly it’s like an extension of his own arms. That’s why locals call him Iron Axe Arden!"

"I’ve heard of him. He can do the work of ten loggers single-handedly. He was even named Employee of the year of that region!"

"That’s nothing. See the Robot Team? They’re from the Kuma Shipyard, the ace factory of the Conomi Islands. I heard their leader, Captain Franky, comes from the Grand Line. He’s an incredible shipwright. How could ten loggers compare to him?"

"That guy in the speedos yelling ’super’? He looks like a pervert! If you ask me, the Straw Hat Contractors is the strongest. Their captain, Helmeppo..."

"Huh? Straw Hat Contractors? Shouldn’t the kid in the straw hat be the captain?"

"That idiot? What qualification does he have to lead?"

"Then why call it the Straw Hat Contractors?"

As each crew appeared on screen, the crowd discussed them animatedly. Finally, after the last team was introduced, Genny spoke again.

"The competition begins now!"

The projection zoomed in, seamlessly splitting into smaller screens that displayed all fifteen teams at once.

At Genny’s booming announcement, the eager participants sprinted toward the transport boats provided by the Conomi Islands. Their plan was simple: set sail, outpace the competition to the resource island, and rush back first to begin construction.

In an instant, the teams sprang into action under the audience’s watchful eyes.

"Congratulations to the Iron Axe Team for securing the first boat! They’re already heading toward the deserted island. But don’t be discouraged if you didn’t get the lead, the competition has just begun. Everyone still has a chance!" Genny commentated smoothly. "All teams have set off! Who will be the first to bring back resources? Oh wait, one team hasn’t left yet. That’s... the Straw Hat Contractors? What are they doing?"

"The other teams have all left. Why haven’t they moved? Hey, they seem to be arguing!"

"No, their captain, Luffy, has already set off! He took a boat and left alone!"

"Is this some kind of strategy? I really don’t get it!"

--**--**

What the audience didn’t know was that the host wasn’t the only one confused. The rest of the Straw Hat Contractors had no idea what was going on either.

All four of them stared furious at the Straw Hat Kid, who had already steered a boat out into the water and was waving back at them cheerfully.

"Everyone, Shishishi, I’m heading out first!"

"Heading out? Heading out where?! We’re a team!"

This game required someone to chop wood, someone to transport it, and someone to build the structure. They had just been discussing how to divide the labor when their so-called Captain simply ran off on his own.

Usopp started cursing Luffy under his breath. "Can’t work with him! I absolutely cannot work with him!"

"Chopper, weren’t you supposed to keep an eye on him?" Helmeppo dragged a hand down his face in despair. "How did you let him run off?"

"Luffy saw you all arguing... I mean, discussing, so he left on his own," Chopper said with a troubled look. "I tried to stop him, but I couldn’t. He just yelled ’I’m number one!’ and ran away!"

"That guy is never reliable," Zoro scoffed, his tone flat. "I told you, I’d sail over and chop everything myself. You all just needed to transport it back. We would’ve won easily."

’And what right do you have to say that?’ Helmeppo shot Zoro a helpless look. ’Who knows where you’d end up steering that boat?’

He didn’t even know how to begin complaining about these two, especially now.

"With you at the helm, we’re guaranteed to lose," Sanji flicked his cigarette ash and sneered. "I said I’d sail the boat."

"Who did you say would make us lose, Curly Brows?!"

"You, Moss Head!"

"Curly Brows!"

"Moss Head!"

"How about..." Watching the two inexplicably start barking at each other again, Helmeppo couldn’t help but sigh.

They had soaked their feet peacefully together just yesterday. Why were they at each other’s throats today? He hesitated before offering, "Why don’t we just forfeit?"

The two arguing men suddenly stopped.

Zoro rested a hand on the three swords at his waist. "Although that kid isn’t reliable, with me here, we won’t lose."

"The Moss Head is right for once, but..." Sanji took a drag of his cigarette, his tone equally calm. "It’s because *I’m* here that you won’t lose."

"It’s because I’m here, Curly Brows!"

"You? Please. It’s because of me, Moss Head!" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The shouting match resumed instantly.

Helmeppo fell completely silent. ’With you three around... how are we supposed to win anything?’

===============

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