This feeling was familiar.
Those black-red bolts of lightning were enough to make one tremble uncontrollably.
"Mihawk, don't you like pretending your basic attacks are nothing special?
Then why don't you try one of my basic attacks?"
The teasing tone beneath his calm words left Mihawk somewhat baffled. What did he mean, pretending his basic attacks were nothing special?
He was simply a pure swordsman.
He just wasn't good with words.
To him, that was normal.
After all, what proper swordsman would spend his energy on giving flashy names to techniques instead of improving his swordsmanship?
Watching the black-red radiance around Austin condense to an almost overwhelming density,
Mihawk's battle instincts, honed over many years, began frantically warning him. A cold sweat surfaced on his brow.
This was...
A savage grin spread across Austin's lips. Explosive force erupted beneath his feet as he flashed forward.
In an instant, dozens of meters of ground collapsed under the recoil!
Clang—
Ace, wreathed in black-red lightning, came crashing straight down upon Mihawk with a force that seemed capable of splitting heaven and earth.
Mihawk twisted sideways as well, lowering his body slightly as he unleashed a full-power slash toward Austin.
But the result was clearly far from satisfactory.
Screech—
Scarlet instantly filled his vision.
At some point, Black Blade Yoru had spun into the air. After several rotations, the blade buried itself in the ground.
Its hilt continued trembling, as if testifying to the immense force it had just endured.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
Austin dispersed the Conqueror's Haki wrapped around his blade and looked grimly at the resolute young man before him.
After sending Black Blade Yoru flying in that clash, Austin had actually held back. He hadn't truly intended to kill Mihawk.
But this kid...
Had acted like some hotheaded fool.