Interested in Exchanging a Few Moves with Me?

"That was too strong! He split the entire plain in two... What a terrifying slash!"

"With just one sword strike, he killed a pirate with a 700 million Beli bounty!"

"Is this the World's Greatest Swordsman?"

"Sure enough, none of those who can become Shichibukai are ordinary..."

"Uh, that's not quite right. Wasn't Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Shichibukai, killed before this?"

"It's not that the Shichibukai are strong—it's Hawk-Eye himself who is powerful!"

"..."

The people around them looked at Thorne, who had been cleaved in half, their faces filled with shock.

Hawk-Eye's strength had far exceeded their expectations!

They were merely people who made their living in the first half of the Grand Line. They had never witnessed the world-destroying attacks of those monsters in the New World. Seeing Hawk-Eye's display now practically made them question their lives!

After finishing everything, Hawk-Eye did not leave. Instead, he looked toward where Ian stood and said calmly, "With the sword aura you possess, you should not be an unknown swordsman. Are you interested in exchanging a few moves with me?"

Earlier, Hawk-Eye had seen Ian make his move. With a casual strike, Ian had unleashed a slash of that level, so his swordsmanship certainly could not be weak.

He was even stronger than Thorne, whom Hawk-Eye had cleaved in half!

And besides... Ian was somewhat inscrutable to him. That sword aura even gave him a faint sense of threat...

Hearing Hawk-Eye's words, everyone around them turned their gazes toward Ian, surprise appearing on their faces.

They had also seen the slash Ian unleashed earlier, but they had not thought it was particularly powerful. Many among them could produce a slash with that kind of force...

However, if Hawk-Eye treated him so seriously, then he probably was not some nobody, right?

Their excitement rose once more!

When it came to watching a spectacle, the livelier it was, the better!

Ian was taken aback. He had not expected Hawk-Eye to say something like that. After pondering for a moment, Ian smiled. "Since the World's Greatest Swordsman is in the mood, then... I would also like to know what level my swordsmanship has reached..."

Ian also wanted to properly test the power of the Nameless Divine Wind Style he had just acquired.

Which was stronger, his Nameless Divine Wind Style or Hawk-Eye's swordsmanship?

Ian rose to his feet and looked toward Hawk-Eye. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes, and Conqueror's Haki burst from his body, pressing down upon the entire area!

Those standing nearby felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon them, cold sweat pouring down their faces. The weaker ones fainted outright!

"W-What's happening? Why are people passing out?"

"Could it be a Devil Fruit ability?"

Seeing those nearby frothing at the mouth and falling unconscious, the expressions of many people present changed abruptly. They had no idea what was happening.

However, some well-informed people recognized the power and blurted out, "Th-This is Conqueror's Haki! This guy is actually a wielder of Conqueror's Haki!"

This was the first half of the Grand Line! There were already very few people who could use Haki, let alone the even rarer Conqueror's Haki!

This man was actually a wielder of Conqueror's Haki. No wonder everyone was so shocked!

"Conqueror's Haki..." Even Hawk-Eye narrowed his eyes. He had not expected to encounter a wielder of Conqueror's Haki here.

And judging from Ian's casual manner, he should be able to control his Conqueror's Haki freely!

Hawk-Eye's gaze grew serious as well.

Conqueror's Haki was not uncommon in the New World, but there were not many who could release it freely. Many could only unleash it unintentionally when their emotions fluctuated intensely!

Without guidance from a famous master, it was even difficult to completely master its release!

In other words, anyone capable of freely releasing Conqueror's Haki, even if weak, could not be weak by much!

Ian paid no attention to the discussions around him. At this moment, Hawk-Eye was the only one in his eyes. He could tell that Hawk-Eye was more serious now than when he had fought Thorne earlier!

A battle between swordsmen allowed no distraction whatsoever!

"Then I'll make the first move, Sir Mihawk!" Ian smiled faintly. Hyorinmaru at his waist suddenly left its sheath. This time, he did not use Hyorinmaru's ability, but its razor-sharp aura alone was enough to make people tremble.

With a tap of his foot against the ground, his body shot toward Hawk-Eye like an afterimage.

He was so fast that he became a streak of light, arriving at Hawk-Eye's side in the blink of an eye. He brought down an utterly unremarkable slash!

Such speed... A red gleam flashed through Hawk-Eye's eyes. He was surprised by Ian's sudden burst of speed, but his Observation Haki had already captured Ian's movements. Predicting the attack in advance, he raised Black Blade, Night before Ian's strike.

Boom!

Hawk-Eye blocked Ian's strike, and a thunderous boom rang out. Yet the ground beneath them could not withstand the force of their collision, abruptly collapsing into a huge crater!

"Sure enough, one cannot underestimate the people of this world. I never expected to find an expert like you in the first half..." A sharp light flashed in Hawk-Eye's eyes. With a push of his hand, he burst forth with force and sent Ian flying back. At the same time, he kicked off the ground and charged straight at Ian, raising the enormous Black Blade, Night high before bringing it down in a fierce slash!

This time, Ian blocked the attack. With a clang, he firmly caught Hawk-Eye's strike.

Yet in the next instant, Ian's brows rose. He sharply tilted his head aside as a subtle slash swept down past his cheek and fell behind him.

Ssh!

A deep gash suddenly appeared.

Ian withdrew and retreated, then looked at Hawk-Eye with a smile. "Is this the sword aura of a Great Swordsman? To think you can achieve something like this!"

He had clearly blocked Hawk-Eye's attack, yet another slash had still come for him. If Ian's Observation Haki had not been decent enough, he likely would have been struck!

Battling a swordsman truly was fraught with danger!

And Hawk-Eye was the strongest person in the world when it came to swordsmanship!

"Your swordsmanship should not be limited to this, should it? Let me see your true strength!" Hawk-Eye charged again and swung his blade, sending a majestic slash tearing through the air.

"As you wish!" Ian grinned, raising his hand. Accompanied by the roar of a tiger, he unleashed a slash of his own!

Boom!

The two slashes collided and clashed. Centered on the point of impact, rampant sword energy swept in every direction, carving crack after crack into the ground!

Rumble!

The two slashes exploded at the same time, and even more powerful sword energy surged out, stirring the surrounding space!

The two charged at each other simultaneously.

Ian's eyes widened as he erupted with Conqueror's Haki, bearing down on Hawk-Eye!

Sword aura surged around Hawk-Eye's body, blocking Ian's Conqueror's Haki without affecting him in the slightest!

The two closed in like streaks of light, swinging their swords at the same time. Hyorinmaru and Black Blade, Night collided!

Clang!

A crisp metallic ring echoed out, and a shockwave spread from the two of them as they held their blades against each other!

They looked into each other's eyes and both saw the fighting spirit within.

Their swords moved with their hearts. Their attacks became dense, colliding like a raging storm!

Clang, clang, clang...

As their blades clashed, the scattered sword energy grew increasingly dense. Everything within a hundred meters seemed to have become a forbidden zone, while savage ravines appeared across the ground and stretched far into the distance!

This was merely the sword energy spilling out from the collision of their attacks!

This terrifying scene was even more shocking and unbelievable than what had come before!