Mihawk's qualifying arena was right next to Issho's.
So, the moment Issho got serious, Mihawk clearly sensed the powerful aura radiating from him.
Although Issho had not used swordsmanship, Mihawk could still tell from the sharp sword intent when his blade left its sheath that Issho's attainments in swordsmanship were anything but ordinary.
"I knew I hadn't misjudged him!"
Mihawk could not help but voice his praise, then muttered to himself:
"I truly look forward to fighting you, Issho."
"It seems I need to speed things up as well."
The instant those words were spoken, the air in the arena seemed to freeze.
Because of Mihawk's presence, the atmosphere in this arena was completely different from the other qualifying arenas.
The horn signaling battle had sounded some time ago, yet no one had made the first move.
Everyone watched Mihawk with fearful, nervous, or eager eyes, gathering their strength as they prepared to face the attack of the world's greatest swordsman.
The air was so quiet that it hardly resembled a battlefield.
Not until then did Mihawk draw the broad-bladed black sword from his back and raise his head, revealing the sharp Hawkeye gaze hidden beneath the wide brim of his hat.
Killing intent instantly surged forth, and the contestants all swallowed in unison.
If the rules had allowed direct surrender, quite a few of them would likely have cowardly forfeited the moment Mihawk looked at them.
"Let's finish this quickly."
Mihawk sighed softly, and the black blade Yoru slashed out a pitch-black afterimage through the air.
Amid a thunderous roar like tigers howling and dragons chanting, a broad sword aura came screaming forth, blanketing heaven and earth.
The sky changed color in an instant, as though night had fallen.
Everyone went pale with shock, utterly at a loss.
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