Hawk-Eye Mihawk

With a sharp hiss, a crescent-shaped slash surged along the ground. Everywhere it passed, it carved a long gash. The slash swept through everything in its path, instantly cutting down several people who had approached, blood spraying wildly!

The slash did not lose any of its power and continued toward that group!

The burly man who had been sitting there with his eyes closed suddenly opened them. His expression changed slightly, and a red glint flashed deep within his eyes—the sign of Observation Haki being activated!

Seeing the slash coming toward them, he abruptly rose to his feet and hurriedly raised the greatsword beside him in front of himself!

With a boom, although his greatsword blocked Ian's slash, the force contained within it still sent him flying. He traced a graceful arc through the air before crashing heavily into the ground, blasting out a massive crater!

As for the others beside the burly man, they were directly struck by a shockwave and sent flying backward, each of them smashing a crater into the ground!

Everyone around them was startled by the sight. Who was this guy?

He actually possessed such strength?

A flying slash—another master swordsman?

Most of those drawn here to watch the battle between Hawk-Eye and Demon Hunter Thorne were swordsmen.

Seeing Ian casually unleash a flying slash with a single swing shocked them immensely!

Moreover, the people around them became even more excited.

Hawk-Eye had not even arrived yet, but they had not expected another unexpected development...

Given Demon Hunter Thorne's temperament, there was no way he would let off someone who dared provoke him!

"Sharp senses." Ian remained seated, offering a calm assessment.

Over there, the burly Thorne climbed out of the crater, his face extremely gloomy as he looked at Ian and said coldly, "Who are you?"

Ian glanced at him and laughed. "Just someone here to watch the show."

"I didn't expect the first half of the Grand Line to really be hiding such talent. There's actually a powerful master swordsman like you here. Perfect—before Hawk-Eye arrives, I'll use you to warm up!" Thorne said teasingly after licking his lips.

Ian's slash had been powerful, but it was not enough to make him wary.

It was only because Ian had attacked too suddenly. Though he had reacted in time, his hasty response had caused him to suffer a minor loss, allowing Ian to send him flying.

Had he been prepared, a slash of that power would not have affected him at all!

Ian ignored Thorne's threat. Instead, he looked in a certain direction, a strange smile appearing at the corner of his lips as he said lightly, "You should be thinking about how to stay alive against that guy."

Thorne froze. Then, as if his Observation Haki had sensed something as well, he sharply turned his head, his expression becoming solemn!

The people around them had expected the provoked Thorne to attack that guy, but they saw Ian and Thorne both looking in the same direction. As though infected by some contagious disease, everyone present turned to look as well!

Over there, a man in a black cloak slowly approached. A cross-shaped black greatsword was strapped to his back, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

Upon seeing him, it was as though someone had pressed pause on the entire scene. Everyone fell silent, their expressions turning grave!

"The world's greatest swordsman, Hawk-Eye Mihawk!"

"Has he finally arrived?"

"That guy... what a powerful sword aura!"

"Looking at him feels like a sharp sword is hanging over my head. It's making me feel afraid..."

"Just as the rumors said, he has eyes like an eagle..."

Low murmurs rose from the crowd after they saw him.

Some even had sweat streaming down their foreheads. That sense of danger made them involuntarily retreat several steps!

The newcomer was none other than the current world's greatest swordsman, the former Marine Hunter, Hawk-Eye, Dracule Mihawk!

"Looks like I wasn't late." Hawk-Eye walked over slowly, his tone calm. His gaze swept across everyone present before finally pausing on Ian. His eyes suddenly sharpened as he muttered inwardly, This guy... what a sharp sword aura...

His gaze flickered, and he shifted his eyes away from Ian to look at Thorne. "Long time no see, Demon Hunter Thorne."

"Hawk-Eye, you've finally come!" Thorne's expression became incomparably grave after Hawk-Eye appeared. He did not even glance at Ian again.

The man before him was his target this time!

Moreover, Hawk-Eye's strength had been deeply etched into his heart!

Back then, he had been easily defeated by him!

This time, he had come for revenge!

Ian also looked at Hawk-Eye, his gaze flickering slightly. His first impression alone was enough to show that Hawk-Eye was different from ordinary people.

No matter where he appeared, that aura around him made him the center of everyone's attention.

He had an aura like a sharp sword. Clearly a person, yet he gave Yun Ye a piercingly sharp feeling!

It was as though a single glance at him would leave one cut apart by a blade!

Hawk-Eye... this guy definitely possesses strength greater than Donquixote Doflamingo's... Ian muttered inwardly. From Hawk-Eye, he could vaguely sense that this man was much stronger than Donquixote Doflamingo!

"Since someone wants the title of world's greatest swordsman, naturally I cannot simply stand by. Then... let me see how much your swordsmanship has improved over these years, Demon Hunter Thorne!" Hawk-Eye's eagle-like eyes suddenly became razor-sharp as his right hand reached for Black Blade, Night on his back!

"As you wish, Hawk-Eye Mihawk! This time, I will defeat you and become the new world's greatest swordsman!" Thorne bared a savage grin.

He grabbed his greatsword with his right hand, his aura abruptly changing. With a tap of his foot, his muscular body exploded with astonishing speed, charging toward Hawk-Eye like an afterimage!

In an instant, he arrived before Hawk-Eye. He swung his greatsword and brought it down. "One-Sword Style: Rend!"

"I hope you can. I've grown tired of sitting in this position. I hope someone can pull me down from it!" A red glint flashed in Hawk-Eye's eyes as he spoke calmly. He drew Black Blade, Night and brought it down in a slash of his own!

Clang!

The two blades collided with a metallic ring. Centered on their swords, a shockwave poured out in all directions!

Sharp hissing sounds followed as the shockwave cut gashes into the ground like a blade!

"Then let me drag you down!" Thorne sneered. The instant he pulled back his sword and retreated, he suddenly stepped forward. With a bang, the ground shattered beneath him, and borrowing that momentum, he delivered another heavy slash!

"You are much stronger than before, but... it still isn't enough!" As Thorne withdrew his sword, Hawk-Eye swept Black Blade, Night upward from below, once again colliding with Thorne's greatsword!

With a boom, this time there was no metallic clash, only a thunderous roar!

Thorne felt a powerful force transmit through his greatsword. His right hand trembled violently, and his body involuntarily staggered backward!

Every step made the ground quake and left a crater behind!

Only after retreating several steps did he completely disperse the force...