Konoha's Medical Ninja: One Punch to beat up Madara

Chapter 379: Chapter 379: Learn to compromise



(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited

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Among other things, Colt had a mastery of pretension at a level akin to the Six Paths.

Even someone as stoic as Hawkeye found himself unconsciously affected-it was terrifying.

Hawkeye no longer had the strength to respond to Colt's praise.

His face was pale, and beads of sweat dripped continuously.

Everything he had just experienced felt real; both his body and soul bore the brunt of significant damage.

At this point, Hawkeye no longer doubted Colt's identity.

This intentional display of swordsmanship was exactly like the attack he had encountered before.

For Hawkeye, it was a pity-everything had ended before he could even draw his sword a few times.

Such a shame for a swordsman.

"Kill me," Hawkeye muttered, his voice filled with despair. Yet he still turned to face Colt.

"A scar on the back is a disgrace to a swordsman."

Struggling, he rose to his feet, trembling, and spread his arms before Colt.

"Don't think I don't know who said that," Colt replied, looking at him with disdain.

Hawkeye's face turned a bit red as he coughed and turned his head.

Someone had once proclaimed those very words to him, but now, the irony of the situation weighed heavily on him.

Colt didn't press the matter further.

Instead, he raised an eyebrow and got to the point:

"Although I don't want to kill you, now that you know the connection between me and Kisame, you're left with two choices."

Hawkeye's gaze remained steady as he looked at Colt.

"There's no need to choose. As a swordsman, it is an honor to die under your blade."

His words exuded loyalty to the way of the sword.

"Don't be so hasty. Listen to the second option I'm offering." Colt motioned for Hawkeye to sit down, pointing to a nearby rock.

"I admire people with pure hearts, but sometimes, it's a joy to lower your bottom line a little," Colt said with a smirk.

Hawkeye twitched slightly, incredulous. Could someone's bottom line truly be adjusted so casually?@@novelbin@@

Colt leaned closer, continuing his argument:

"If you die, it means you'll never see me wield a sword again. Your skills as a swordsman will stagnate and perish at such a level. Are you truly willing to accept that?"

With that, Colt unsheathed Kaminari and waved it gracefully in front of Hawkeye.

The sword energy shimmered, a spectacle that Hawkeye caught with wide eyes.

What a magnificent sword!

This was no ordinary weapon; its elegance spoke of both exquisite craftsmanship and unparalleled sharpness.

For the first time, Hawkeye hesitated.

Every word Colt said struck a nerve deep within him.

Death wasn't terrifying.

What death represented, however an end to growth, a denial of future duels-was far worse.

After a long pause, Hawkeye asked softly, "What do you need me to do?"

He had made up his mind.

If Colt's conditions weren't excessive, his principles could be... flexible.

Colt grinned.

People like this, who knew when to yield, were always useful.

"First, you cannot reveal any connection between us to anyone," Colt stated firmly.

Hawkeye nodded, understanding that whatever Colt and Kisame were planning had nothing to do with him.

"Especially not to the red-haired one. Do you understand?" Colt added with emphasis.

"You have my word. I, Dracule Mihawk, swear in the name of my black blade, 'Yoru."" Hawkeye's tone was solemn.

"Good. Second..."

Half an hour later, Hawkeye left the fortress with a blank expression.

Without uttering a word, he headed to the docks.

When Robin and the others returned, they noticed Hawkeye leaving alive.

They understood that the world's greatest swordsman had now joined their side.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been walking out upright.

No one lingered on the matter.

With Colt in charge, there was little room for error.

All that remained was to wait patiently and prepare for their next move: the journey to Enies

Lobby.

****

Elsewhere, information from Marine and CP organizations poured into Colt's hands daily, allowing him to monitor Luffy's movements.

Currently, the Straw Hat Pirates have finally reached Alabasta, the desert kingdom.

In the palace, Luffy stared wide-eyed at the blue-haired princess before him and asked, "Vivi,

if we take down Crocodile, will the country go back to normal?"

"Luffy, what are you saying? Crocodile is one of the [Shichibukai]!" Usopp exclaimed,

struggling to keep his voice steady.

"What's the big deal? A [Shichibukai] is just a pirate, right? If we beat him, Vivi can be a princess again!" Luffy replied with innocent determination.

Vivi could only offer a bitter smile.

If only things were that simple.

In reality, her father, King Cobra, was a figurehead.

The true power in Alabasta was held by Crocodile.

Unlike the original timeline, Crocodile had stopped using dance powder long ago, securing

his control over Alabasta's economy.

Backed by the CP organization and trading with Doflamingo, his influence grew rapidly.

While he no longer pursued Pluton, his grip on Alabasta had only tightened.

In just two years, Crocodile had reshaped the nation, making it impossible for anyone, even

Vivi, to dislodge him.

Ironically, Vivi, who still couldn't grasp Crocodile's true intentions, found herself following the same path: infiltrating Baroque Works as a spy.

But now, Baroque Works had been legitimized, operating as a powerful and wealthy

organization.

Meanwhile, Luffy's unshakable resolve only grew stronger as he saw Vivi's hesitation.

"Don't worry, Vivi! We'll take him down and make everything right again!" Luffy declared, his voice ringing with conviction.