The Sky Split Open!

'Boom!'

The two clashed again, and this time, both were forced back.

A fresh wound appeared on Ian's body, and Hawk-Eye was no different.

Both had been injured!

"As expected of the World's Greatest Swordsman!" Excitement flashed across Ian's face, a sharp gleam appearing in his eyes. "Nameless Divine Wind Style: White Tiger!"

'Roar!'

A howling sound rang out, seeming to stun everyone around them.

Then, an aura erupted from Ian's body, like a fierce tiger roaring toward the heavens, its sound waves rippling outward!

After that, Yoruichi slashed down. The might of a tiger suddenly gathered upon his blade. "Slash!"

With Ian's low shout, the blade's edge revealed its full sharpness. The tiger roared as the slash tore through the air!

This sword strike seemed capable of splitting apart everything in the world. Nothing could withstand it, nothing could remain unbroken. Its terrifying force rippled outward, causing the ground to collapse!

"What a powerful sword intent!" Hawk-Eye's eagle-like gaze sharpened. Faced with such a slash, even he did not dare be careless.

He raised the Black Blade, Night, and shouted, "First Form: Night Slash!"

An equally terrifying sword intent erupted from Hawk-Eye, transforming into a fearsome slash. The dark green attack seemed to illuminate everything in the world. In everyone's vision, all else vanished, leaving only that dazzling slash!

Under the shocked gazes of the surrounding crowd, the two terrifying slashes drew closer and closer before suddenly colliding in the next instant!

'Boom!!'

'Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!'

The most dazzling slashes collided. Waves of shock first spread outward, and in the next moment, rampant sword energy plowed through the surroundings once more. The entire battlefield suddenly shattered, deep ravines spreading in every direction.

It even reached the people watching from afar!

"Damn it, the aftershock is this strong?"

"Quick, get farther away! It's not safe here yet!"

Countless people were caught in the aftermath. Some unlucky ones were even struck by the residual slashes, an arm flying off as blood spurted endlessly.

This left countless people deeply shaken. They were already extremely far from the center of the battlefield, yet they were still affected by the aftermath!

Was this a battle between the world's greatest swordsmen?

It was far too terrifying!

The two slashes remained locked for a moment before their forces seemed to clash against one another. Both attacks changed direction and shot into the sky together!

'Rumble!'

After rising high into the air, the two slashes suddenly exploded. The clouds were instantly scattered by the terrifying shockwave, leaving the entire sky clear and cloudless!

In the field, the two charged toward each other again. Their swords moved with their hearts, clashing once more!

'Boom!'

The two held their swords in a deadlock. In only a moment, the ground collapsed with a thunderous crash, unable to bear the power erupting from their hands.

"I don't believe someone like you doesn't have Conqueror's Haki. Are you looking down on me?" Ian exerted force with his hand. This time, he coated his blade with Conqueror's Haki. A powerful force suddenly rose from Hyorinmaru's edge, forcing Hawk-Eye back.

Ian flashed forward and slashed again. His blade seemed to carry a mountain within it. As it came down, its sword pressure was as heavy as Mount Tai, making Ian's slash even more weighty and sharp. Even Hawk-Eye's expression changed slightly.

As the World's Greatest Swordsman, Ian did not believe Hawk-Eye lacked Conqueror's Haki or the ability to use Conqueror's Haki Coating.

Although attacks coated in Conqueror's Haki were rare even on the seas, Ian did not believe that Hawk-Eye, the current World's Greatest Swordsman, lacked it. Yet Ian had already used Conqueror's Haki Coating, while Hawk-Eye still had not!

Did Hawk-Eye think Ian was beneath him?

"Conqueror's Haki Coating is an ability mastered by only a handful of monsters even in the New World. I never expected to encounter it here in the first half of the Grand Line. It seems one truly cannot underestimate the people of this world." Hawk-Eye lowered his gaze, clearly somewhat surprised to see Conqueror's Haki coating Ian's blade.

This was the second time Hawk-Eye had said such words, which was enough to show how great his inner astonishment was!

He had never expected to encounter such a monster in the first half of the Grand Line!

Earlier, although he had sensed that Ian's sword intent was not weak, he had only thought Ian could contend with him for a while. He had never expected the swordsman before him to reach such a level!

"In that case, I will no longer hold back! When facing a powerful opponent, going all out is the proper respect one should show!" Hawk-Eye narrowed his eyes. This time, his entire presence seemed to grow heavier and more profound.

Those words alone proved that he truly had not used his full strength before!

Hawk-Eye was proud. Against insignificant swordsmen, he could not even be bothered to use the Black Blade, Night.

Even if his opponent was worthy of making him wield the Black Blade, Night, he would adjust his strength according to the opponent's level.

This was not arrogance. It was because he stood at the pinnacle of this world's swordsmanship. The loneliness of standing at such heights was not something just anyone could understand.

He yearned for opponents, yearned to battle powerful swordsmen!

But he was already the strongest, standing at the peak of the world's swordsmanship!

Opponents were hard to find. To fight his opponents as fiercely as possible, he would do everything he could to hold back, lowering himself to their level so he could enjoy the battle to the fullest!

This had already become one of his habits...

His battle with Demon Hunter Thorne had been like that.

He had seen Thorne's limits. The reason he had later defeated him with a single slash was because he had seen Thorne's momentary resolve and thus struck with full force.

However... the battle had ended with one strike...

Fortunately, he had encountered an opponent stronger than Thorne. In fact, Ian was strong enough to force him to use his full strength!

In the next moment, an invisible force wrapped around his Black Blade, Night, colliding with Ian's incoming sword strike!

'Boom!'

The two pitch-black blades rapidly approached and slammed fiercely into one another!

But this time, it was as if something separated the swords. The two black blades did not actually make contact, instead clashing from a distance!

This was... a collision between Conqueror's Haki Coatings!

As their attacks collided and their Conqueror's Haki clashed, the sky suddenly darkened as clouds rolled in overhead.

But in the next moment, it was as though something had cleaved them apart. The rolling clouds split down the middle, tearing open amid their churning!

Countless people stared blankly at the sky and muttered:

"Did the sky... get cut open?"

"Are they even human?"

Everyone who looked up at the sky at that moment saw a shocking sight. A massive gash stretched across the dark clouds, as if something had cut them apart!

This was the clash between those who wielded Conqueror's Haki Coating. Every movement they made could cause strange phenomena in the heavens!

"Now this is interesting! World's Greatest Swordsman!" Ian's face filled with excitement amid the deadlock. Now, he could finally judge exactly where his strength stood in this world!

"Then let me witness your swordsmanship, nameless swordsman!" Hawk-Eye was equally excited. This was the thrill of finding a worthy opponent!

His blood was boiling. He did not even know how long it had been since he had felt this way!

The last time seemed to have been his final battle against Red-Haired!

Now, he was once again experiencing that feeling of encountering a powerful Great Swordsman and fighting with everything he had!

They stared at each other, their battle intent and sword intent both blazing fiercely!

They... craved battle, a battle without restraint!