Collision of Peak Swordsmen, Sword Qi That Split the Red Line

"Next, I'm going to teach you how to behave."

The moment Lei En finished speaking, a bone-chilling aura erupted from his small body without warning.

The air seemed to turn thick and sluggish at that instant.

"Buzz—!"

Accompanied by a low hum, an ink-black color rapidly spread from Lei En's hand gripping the sword, instantly covering Yubashiri's entire blade.

Armament Haki!

And it was high-level Armament Haki condensed to the extreme, so dense it seemed ready to drip like water!

Mihawk, kneeling on one knee, suddenly shrank his pupils.

He stared fixedly at the black blade radiating an aura of destruction, feeling as though he could barely breathe.

"Th-this much Armament Haki?! How old is he?!"

A raging storm rose within Mihawk's heart, but rather than making him retreat, it ignited the most primal survival instinct and fighting spirit of a swordsman.

He violently bit through his gums, forcibly steadied his trembling hands, and held Black Blade Yoru horizontally before him.

A not-insignificant but comparatively thin layer of Armament Haki also coated his blade.

"Even if you're a monster... I'll never back down!"

Mihawk let out a hoarse roar and drove forward with both legs, actually charging head-on into Lei En's terrifying aura!

Lei En looked at Mihawk, still struggling like a trapped beast, and a trace of approval flashed through his eyes.

As expected of the future World's Greatest Swordsman. That resilience, refusing to bow even before death, truly suited that black blade.

"Since you've got such backbone, I'll show you what a true peak looks like!"

Lei En took a deep breath and gripped the hilt with both hands.

Roger's Swordsmanship's most tyrannical, most unreasonable ultimate killing move began frantically gathering at the blade's edge.

Although Lei En had yet to awaken Conqueror's Haki and could not unleash the true complete form, this modified strike was still enough to destroy heaven and earth!

He raised Yubashiri high and swung it down decisively at the charging Mihawk.

"Divine Departure!"

"Boom—!!!"

A massive black crescent-shaped Sword Qi burst from the blade like a mad dragon breaking free of its shackles, roaring as it surged forth!

Wherever the Sword Qi passed, the beach was instantly plowed into an enormous trench dozens of meters deep, while the rocks beneath were crushed into powder by the violent force.

Facing that unstoppable black mad dragon, Mihawk felt like a mantis standing before rolling wheels, laughably small.

Never had the shadow of death loomed over him so clearly.

"Aaaaahhh!"

Mihawk unleashed an unprecedented roar, pouring every last bit of his strength, Haki, and even life force into this strike without reservation.

"Yoru: Extreme Slash!"

A huge green slash, carrying his final pride as a swordsman, crashed head-on into the black mad dragon!

"Boom—!!!"

The instant the two waves of Sword Qi collided, time itself seemed to freeze.

There was no sound.

Only a blinding burst of light erupted violently at the center of the collision, making it impossible to keep one's eyes open.

Then came an explosive roar that seemed ready to tear apart heaven and earth!

"Crack!"

Centered on the two of them, the sea within several hundred meters was forcibly split open by the collision's force, forming a bottomless abyss!

The seawater rushing inward from both sides was instantly vaporized by the terrifying residual Sword Qi, sending white mist soaring into the sky.

And in the heavens.

The once-heavy clouds were directly cleaved in half by the Sword Qi shooting skyward, revealing a sliver of brilliant blue sky!

As if a god had swung a sword and split apart chaos itself.

"Crack... crack..."

The deadlock lasted less than a second.

Dense cracks appeared across the surface of Mihawk's all-out green slash.

"Im... possible..."

Mihawk stared in despair.

"Bang!"

The green slash shattered with a thunderous crash, turning into countless drifting sparks.

The black mad dragon continued onward without losing momentum, slamming viciously into Mihawk's chest!

"Pfft—!"

Mihawk threw back his head and spat out a mouthful of blood. Like a kite with its string cut, he was blasted away by that irresistible force.

He rolled across the beach for over a hundred meters, smashing countless reefs along the way before barely coming to a stop.

Mihawk lay on his back amid the rubble, covered in blood and without the strength to move even a finger.

His Black Blade Yoru was embedded in the sand not far away, letting out mournful cries.

Yet his yellow eyes contained no fear or dejection whatsoever. Instead, they brimmed with fanaticism, admiration, and an intense yearning for a higher realm.

He had lost.

Completely and utterly.

He was battered beyond recognition.

Yet he felt that this single sword strike had completely split open a brand-new door on his path of swordsmanship!

Soft footsteps approached.

Lei En leisurely sheathed Yubashiri and strolled over to Mihawk's side.

Looking at the utterly miserable young Hawk Eyes, he sighed like an old man and reached out with his little hand to pat Mihawk's bloodstained shoulder.

"Kid, your swordsmanship is somewhat interesting."

Lei En spoke in the tone of an elder lecturing a junior.

"But you're still far from the true peak."

"Go back and swing your sword tens of thousands more times. Build a solid foundation, and stop thinking about going out to look cool all day."

Mihawk gritted his teeth and used every ounce of strength in his body to painfully climb out of the rubble.

He did not refute Lei En's mockery, nor did he care about his severe injuries.

He straightened his back and gripped the black blade embedded in the sand with blood-covered hands, pulling it free.

Then, before Lei En.

The future World's Greatest Swordsman solemnly gave a deep bow.

"Thank you... for your guidance."

Mihawk's voice was hoarse, but his tone was incomparably resolute.

"I will remember today's defeat for the rest of my life."

He raised his head, his sharp eyes fixed intently on Lei En, as though he wanted to carve the appearance of this six-year-old brat into his soul.

"One day... I'll surpass the mountain that is you!"

Lei En looked at the stubbornness in the kid's eyes and laughed inwardly.

Surpass me?

By the time you can coat your attacks with Haki, I'll have already led the Heavenly Court to scatter Imu's ashes.

Still, he did not discourage Hawk Eyes. He merely waved a hand casually.

"Sure, sure. I'll wait for you."

Lei En yawned and rubbed his somewhat empty stomach.

That Divine Departure just now had not been at full strength, but it had still consumed plenty of stamina. He needed to hurry back and have Kuina make him some grilled meat to replenish himself.

He turned around and headed toward Shimotsuki Village on his short little legs without looking back.

"Oh, right."

As if suddenly remembering something, Lei En stopped, turned to look at Mihawk, who was still tending his wounds where he stood, and curled his lips into an extremely scheming smile.

"I heard you've got plenty of free time and like wandering all over the world?"