Sword Duel!

"Ian! Let's fight!"

Luo unconsciously raised his hand and picked at his ear with his little finger.

He wondered if there was something wrong with his ears, otherwise how could he be hearing such nonsensical things?

Luo gave Hawk Eyes a careful look, seemingly trying to determine if this guy was an imposter.

Not content with just looking, he even used his Observation Haki to scan Hawk Eyes back and forth.

Then I finally realized that the man in front of me was real, and what he had just said was probably not my hallucination.

So, are you serious?

Luo couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

Six years ago, Ian was already terrifyingly strong, and after these six years of honing his skills, this bastard's strength has reached an unimaginable level.

Ian is now able to suppress the combined attack of Kaido and Bullet with just his Haki, without even using his abilities.

Ian chuckled as he ruffled the little girl's chubby head, glancing at his best friend. "Oh, you look full of energy, Mihawk."

Ian scanned the man with his Observation Haki and nodded slightly. "He has indeed become much stronger, and undoubtedly now possesses strength comparable to Teacher Kai or Bullet."

Six years have passed, and Hawk Eyes has entered his prime.

"Don't look so pleased."

Hawk Eyes rolled his eyes. "I don't want your praise. Now, Ian, all you need to do is accept my challenge!"

"Is it really necessary, old friend?"

Ian laughed and said, "You participated in that battle six years ago. Do you think you were as strong as I was back then?"

Hawk Eyes was immediately lost in his memories.

The battle between the Beasts Pirates and the World Government six years ago was indeed the highest-level battle Hawk Eyes had ever experienced.

The reason it is considered high-level is that, despite possessing strength comparable to that of Marine Admiral, he was actually considered weak among those who participated in that battle.

The strength Ian displayed in that battle was something Hawk Eyes would never forget.

I've never seen anyone that strong.

At that time, Ian was already far superior to those monsters who were once called emperors.

That was just six years ago, when Ian was only seventeen.

In those six years, he must have already stepped into a higher realm.

but.

"That's exactly how it should be!"

Hawk Eyes's gaze was intense. "Ian, come on, let me see what the world you live in is like now!"

He has reached a complete bottleneck.

His swordsmanship Haki spirit had been honed to their peak, making further breakthroughs impossible. Even the Black Blade had been forged, and he now had no idea how to become even stronger.

But Hawk Eyes wasn't satisfied with that.

If he hadn't seen a wider world, he might have stopped there and fallen into confusion, since there was no future and no reason to continue striving.

But things changed after she saw Ian.

There are actually such powerful creatures in the world!

It can even become stronger!

There are even higher and stronger realms in this world!

Hawk Eyes desperately wants to see that kind of world!

Is that so?

Ian nodded slightly.

That makes perfect sense.

In the original work, Hawk Eyes was idle all day long, just waiting for Zoro to surpass him. He probably started to give up after he couldn't see a way forward.

"Come on, Ian!"

Hawk Eyes's eyes were gleaming. "Let me see the power you possess now!"

"That doesn't matter."

Ian smiled. "But before that, do me a favor, Mihawk."

"Help?"

My good friend raises an eyebrow.

I don't understand what kind of help Ian could possibly offer now?

What could this friend, who has already reached the pinnacle of power and wealth, possibly need his help with?

Knock knock knock.

Suddenly, a series of rapid footsteps came from outside the door.

"Um?"

Hawk Eyes glanced back instinctively, and the next second, the paper door was pulled open, and two figures rushed over impatiently.

"Ian! I heard Hawk Eyes's here!"

Zoro, with his green hair, had an excited look in his eyes.

Kuina, who rushed in alongside him, was equally excited. She immediately spotted Hawk Eyes, who was turning back to look at them. "Mr. Mihawk, it's been a long time!"

It has indeed been a very, very long time. The last time we met was probably back in East Blue.

"Come and fight us!"

Kuina said loudly.

"Forehead..."

Hawk Eyes's brow furrowed instantly.

Those words sound so familiar.

He turned to look at Ian.

Ian smiled and nodded at him.

Is this the favor I need from him?

"Snort,"

Looking at the two young boys and girls, Hawk Eyes's lips curled slightly, but his voice was cold snort. "If they were top-tier swordsmen, they would be able to sense the difference between us without even exchanging blows, wouldn't they?"

"Who cares about that kind of thing!"

Zoro just laughed excitedly, "The strongest is right in front of us now. If we do nothing, what kind of swordsman are we!"

"Give the young people a chance, Mihawk,"

Ian hugged Bonney like a big doll, resting his chin on her head, and chuckled, "Let them see what kind of power the so-called World's Greatest Swordsman really possesses."

Is that so?

Hawk Eyes nodded slightly. "Then let's do it."

"Great!!"

Zoro and Kuina exchanged a glance, both seeing unprecedented excitement in each other's eyes.

So later, on the usual battlefield of Onigashima, on the flat ground atop a skull.

Zoro and Kuina stood side by side, and not far in front of them stood the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.

Ian sat leisurely on a rock not far away.

Beside them, Yamato held the restless Bonney, telling the little girl not to run around.

The little girl waved her short arms and legs wildly, her face full of excitement. "Are they dueling? It looks like so much fun! I want to play too!"

"Don't get in the way, Bonney. We just need to watch quietly now."

Yamato suppressing Bonney, Yamato looked at Hawk Eyes in surprise, "But Mihawk's aura has become so strong, it's almost as strong as Dad's!"

"How could Zoro and Kuina possibly defeat him?"

"Isn't Miss Kuina in great danger?"

Sanji, who had also come to watch the battle, immediately became anxious. "No, I have to go help too!"

"Why are you interfering in a duel between swordsmen?"

Ace rolled his eyes, raised his hand and pressed on Sanji's shoulder, "It'll be alright, isn't Ian right here?"

Sanji finally breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, with Ian around, who could possibly dare to act recklessly in front of him?

Ahead.

Kuina had transformed into a slender, cat-like figure, yet her body appeared remarkably relaxed, her right hand resting loosely on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

Zoro had already tied a black bandana around his forehead, and he had drawn three swords, one in his mouth and the other in his palms.

"Oh?"

Hawk Eyes observed the two men with great interest.

Has this girl already become a power user?

In this way, the gap in physical fitness has actually been bridged.

but.

Hawk Eyes's gaze shifted, finally settling on Zoro.

Strictly speaking, it's concentrated in the three swords in Zoro's hand.

"It's not an easy thing to see four swords of Great Grade Sword quality at once."

Hawk Eyes said with a smile.

Kuina smiled.

Her Wado Ichimonji is of the same quality as the three swords Zoro wields.

You'll soon see how powerful they are!

Zoro laughed excitedly.

"Since this is Ian's request, then I will grant it."

Hawk Eyes slowly raised his hand and reached behind him, grasping the long hilt of the sword, and pulled the large, black blade from behind.

Zoro and Kuina's gazes both sharpened simultaneously.

"Black Blade?"

Kuina asked in astonishment, "You forged that sword into Black Blade?"

The Black Blade —that's the ultimate pursuit for a swordsman.

A truly indestructible divine weapon!

The jet-black blade slowly rose, pointing at the boy and girl. "Feel honored for it; you are its first opponents after it was forged into Black Blade."

"That would be an honor!"

In that instant, Zoro launched himself forward, his three swords gleaming with Black Haki.

"Onigiri!"

Three jet-black streaks tore through the air, their sharp edges threatening to shred Hawk Eyes.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Hawk Eyes's eyes.

No wonder Ian made a point of recruiting this kid to his team back then.

Indeed, he possesses extraordinary talent.

Hawk Eyes admitted that he couldn't have done something like this at his age, given that he could unleash such a powerful strike.

An incredibly powerful slash!

However, for him now, that's too naive.

If you want to compete in strength.

Hawk Eyes chuckled, flicking his Black Blade lightly, but the speed seemed to surpass even Inazuma.

A crisp clang.

Zoro's body involuntarily staggered backward.

What incredible power!!

He looked up in surprise.

He swung his sword in an instant, simultaneously deflecting all three of his swords!

This guy hasn't even used his Haki yet!

"One Sword Style - North Wind!"

Like a cold winter wind, Kuina lowered her body, placed her right hand on the hilt of her sword at her waist, and sprang to Hawk Eyes's side.

Hawk Eyes felt a flash of light before his eyes, and a brilliant slash erupted in an instant.

"Iai?"

When!!

A burst of jet-black Inazuma.

Kuina frowned; her slash struck Hawk Eyes's withdrawn greatsword, failing to budge it in the slightest.

"Kuina! Get out of the way!"

Zoro leaped into the air, shouting, "Onihiri!!"

The three strikes merged into one, transforming into a spiraling slash that descended.

Faced with such a massive slash, Hawk Eyes merely sneered, "Shall we compete in Flying Slash next?"

With a swing of his Black Blade, a turquoise slash shot into the sky, actually splitting Zoro's attack in two.

If Zoro hadn't dodged quickly, he probably would have been hit too.

The instant he landed, without hesitation, Zoro spun his twin swords.

"Three Thousand Worlds!!"

As his body spun, three swords instantly tore the world apart, and Zoro launched himself forward.

"It's still a long way off."

Hawk Eyes merely sneered and casually swung his knife.

The blade gleamed with a vibrant green light; with a single strike, Zoro's ultimate attack was countered, and he was sent flying once more.

But at this moment, Kuina had already moved closer again.

Before anyone knew it, the Wado Ichimonji in his hand had been sheathed once more.

"One-Sword Style: Iai - Chinami!"

In an instant, a radiant lotus flower enveloped Hawk Eyes.

This beautiful firework, each petal a slash.

"A sword of lightning speed?"

Hawk Eyes chuckled. "But it's still not fast enough."

Rub!!

A dazzling green blade of light stretched across the air.

Kuina didn't even see how Hawk Eyes swung his sword; she only saw the slash appear out of thin air.

Then she was cleaved away by a single blow.

"Miss Kuina!!"

Sanji screamed in surprise, and only after seeing Kuina perform a mid-air somersault and land steadily did he grit his teeth and complain, "That's a huge sword, and she can swing it that fast! This girl!!"

"Moss Head! What are you waiting for! Use all your strength!"

You don't need to tell me!

Zoro landed gently, his eyes falling on Enma, whom he held in his right hand.

Come on, Enma! I'll give you all my Haki!

Zoro completely lost control, allowing Enma to absorb his Haki at will.

He didn't just absorb it; he actively poured all his domineering Haki into Enma.

"Oh?"

Hawk Eyes finally became interested and looked at Zoro with surprise.

An invisible aura emanated from Zoro in waves.

Green Inazuma spread out from the three swords, and flame-like shockwaves swirled around the blades.

"Amazing!"

Hawk Eyes couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Although it relies on the sword in hand, the sword is the swordsman's weapon, and being able to fully master the sword is proof of being an excellent swordsman.

"Don't rush to praise!"

Zoro's eyes were fixed on Hawk Eyes, "King of Hell Nine Sword Style!"

Even with his current strength, he couldn't sustain the full force of his Haki into Enma for long, so let's just settle this with one decisive blow!

Green energy rippled around him, eventually solidifying into two more heads and four more arms on Zoro's shoulders.

Just like the legendary Asura!

"Asura!!"

Rub!

Zoro transformed into Inazuma, and green light exploded outwards, forming dazzling arcs!

At the end of that arc, Hawk Eyes's gaze became slightly more serious.

His wrist turned jet black and Haki, the energy flowing into the blade in his hand.

"A flash."

Rub!!

Two figures passed each other in an instant.

The next instant, blood spurted out.

"Ugh!!"

Zoro's eyes widened as a huge gash was ripped open in his chest, gushing blood as he collapsed backward.

The three beloved knives spun in the air before falling one after another and embedding themselves beside him.

"The gap is too big."

Ace shook his head.

"Zoro has done a great job."

Ian laughed and said, "Mihawk took it a little more seriously."

Zoro's full power is considered very strong among the disaster-level threats, but it's still too weak in front of Hawk Eyes. It's already quite remarkable that he was able to get Mihawk to use Haki.

"One Sword Style -Raikiri!"

A bolt of lightning shot towards Hawk Eyes's back.

Kuina had never been this fast.

His entire being and the knife in his hand had become one, as if he had transformed into a spear that could pierce through everything, ready to skewer Mihawk through the air.

but.

When!

Hawk Eyes simply slung the Black Blade behind his back.

Then, to Kuina's astonishment, the tip of her knife collided with Hawk Eyes's blade at the perfect moment.

"It's over."

A green Mystical Space Typhoon is sweeping across the world.

In the midst of this raging storm, a slender figure was mercilessly swept away.

Finally, it collapsed helplessly to the ground.

Well, Kuina's strength is a bit weaker than Zoro's; she's barely on the verge of becoming a disaster.

At that very moment, Sanji leaped up and caught Kuina.

"Miss Kuina, are you alright?"

Sanji was even more anxious than Kuina herself.

At the same time, Hawk Eyes's blade was already pointed at Ian.

"Perfect warm-up, Ian, let's go!"

Two more chapters to go!