Hawk-Eye Mihawk

With a sharp whoosh, a crescent-shaped slash tore along the ground. Everywhere it passed, it carved a long gash. The attack swept through like bamboo, instantly cutting down several people who had approached, blood spraying wildly!

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

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

Seeing the slash hurtling toward them, he sprang to his feet and hurriedly raised the greatsword beside him in front of his body!

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, smashing a massive crater into it!

As for the others beside the burly man, they were directly struck by a shockwave and sent flying backward, each one slamming into the ground and leaving behind a crater!

The people around them were all stunned by the sight. Who was this guy?

He actually possessed such strength?

A flying slash—another great 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 of his sword left them utterly shocked!

Moreover, the crowd became even more excited.

Hawk-Eye had not even arrived yet, but another unexpected development had already appeared...

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

"Very sharp senses," Ian commented calmly without moving from where he sat.

Over there, the burly Thorne climbed out of the crater, his expression incomparably grim. He looked at Ian and coldly asked, "Who are you?"

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

"I never expected the first half of the Grand Line to be so full of hidden talents. There's actually a powerful great swordsman like you here. Perfect. Before Hawk-Eye arrives, I'll use you to warm up!" Thorne said teasingly as he licked his lips and looked at Ian.

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

Ian had merely attacked too suddenly. Although Thorne had reacted in time, his hasty response had caused him to suffer a slight loss, which was why Ian had sent him flying so easily.

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

Ignoring Thorne's threat, Ian instead looked in a certain direction. A strange smile appeared at the corner of his lips as he said lightly, "You should think about how you're going to survive against that guy first."

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

The surrounding crowd had thought that the provoked Thorne would attack that fellow, only to see Ian and Thorne both looking in the same direction. As though it were some contagious disease, everyone present turned to look as well!

They saw a man slowly approaching from that direction. He wore a black cloak, carried a pitch-black cross-shaped greatsword on his back, and possessed eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

At the sight of him, it was as though someone had pressed pause on the entire scene. Everyone fell silent, their expressions turning solemn!

"The World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawk-Eye Mihawk!"

"Has he finally arrived?"

"That guy has such a powerful sword aura!"

"Looking at him feels like having a sharp sword hanging over my head. It fills me with fear..."

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

Low murmurs arose throughout the crowd after they saw him.

Some people even had sweat trickling down their foreheads. That sense of danger made them instinctively 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'm not late," Hawk-Eye said indifferently as he walked over. His gaze swept across everyone present one by one, finally lingering on Ian. His eyes suddenly sharpened as he murmured inwardly, This guy... what a sharp sword aura...

His gaze flickered, and he shifted it away from Ian to Thorne. "It's been a long time, Demon Hunter Thorne," he said calmly.

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

The man before him was his target this time!

Moreover, Hawk-Eye's strength had long been etched deep 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 showed how extraordinary Hawk-Eye was.

No matter where he appeared, the aura surrounding him would make him the center of everyone's attention.

He possessed an aura like a sharp sword. Though he was clearly a person, he gave Yun Ye an incredibly keen sensation!

It was as if merely looking at him would get one cut apart by a blade!

Hawk-Eye... this guy is definitely stronger than Donquixote Doflamingo... Ian murmured inwardly. From Hawk-Eye, he could vaguely sense that this man was far stronger than Donquixote Doflamingo!

"Since someone wants the throne of the World's Greatest Swordsman, naturally I cannot stand by and do nothing. Then... let me see how much you have improved in swordsmanship over the years, Demon Hunter Thorne!" Hawk-Eye's eagle-like eyes suddenly became sharp, and his right hand reached for Black Blade, Night on his back!

"As you wish, Hawk-Eye Mihawk! This time, I'll defeat you and become the new World's Greatest Swordsman!" Thorne grinned, revealing a savage smile.

His right hand seized his greatsword, and his aura abruptly changed. With a tap of his foot, his muscular body burst forth with extraordinary speed, charging toward Hawk-Eye like an afterimage!

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

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

Clang!

The two blades collided with a ringing clash of steel. Centered on their swords, a shockwave surged outward in all directions!

Sharp tearing sounds rang out as the shockwave cut into the ground like blades, carving gashes across it!

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

"You are indeed much stronger than before, but... it's still not enough!" As Thorne withdrew his sword, Hawk-Eye smoothly raised Black Blade, Night from below, colliding with Thorne's greatsword once more!

With a boom, this time it was no longer the sound of steel striking steel, but a thunderous explosion!

Thorne felt a powerful force travel through his greatsword, making his right hand tremble violently. His body involuntarily staggered backward!

Each step made the ground shake and left another crater behind!

Only after retreating several steps in succession did he completely dispel the force...