"I've got you, Sword Dance!"
On Chaos Island, Mihawk used Armament Haki to grip Shanks's longsword tightly. At the same time, he swung his Supreme Grade Blade with his right hand. The agile blade-light seemed to come alive in his grasp, countless flashes instantly twisting toward Shanks to mince him apart.
If he fled, he would have to let go of his weapon and fall into a disadvantage in the coming clash.
If he did not flee, he would be chopped straight into mincemeat.
It seemed as though Shanks had suddenly fallen into a disadvantage, but if he could be defeated so easily, he would never have become one of the future Four Emperors.
Shanks decisively released his longsword, his figure retreating in an instant. The place where he had just stood became a death zone in the blink of an eye.
Mihawk's gaze turned grave as he snapped the longsword, now stripped of its Armament Haki reinforcement, in one hand. Blood seeped from his fingertips, but he paid it no mind and immediately chased after Shanks.
In a clash between high-level swordsmen, especially when their sword styles were so similar, what they often fought for was the initiative.
Breaking a longsword was nothing to him. These injuries had not been caused by breaking it, but had been left behind when Shanks thrust his sword earlier.
With Armament Haki empowering it, even a simple thrust from Shanks contained terrifying explosive force. Ordinary people could not block it at all, much less catch it with their hands. Even with Armament Haki of their own, it would still be difficult.
"You think I can't beat you without a weapon?" Shanks said as he dodged.
"Hmph. Isn't that so?" Mihawk replied coldly. The great blade in his hand grew faster with each swing,