With those words, silence fell.
Everyone was stunned.
Rock had personally acknowledged that Mihawk was the strongest swordsman on these seas.
The weight of those words far exceeded any title printed in newspapers, any rumor among the people, or even the World Government's tacit recognition.
Because the one who had said them was Azure Dragon.
He was the man who had crossed the old era and personally witnessed countless supreme monsters like Rocks, Roger, Whitebeard, and Golden Lion.
To receive the words "strongest" from his mouth was recognition enough to surpass the world's judgment.
At the center of the desolate island.
Mihawk stood quietly, Black Blade Yoru hanging at his side, a bright glint appearing in his Hawk-Eyes.
Ten years.
He had waited ten years.
This battle had come far too late.
But now, the promise of a swordsmanship match had finally been fulfilled.
And he had received this man's personal acknowledgment.
The next moment.
Mihawk's sword intent rose once more, as though it had shattered some invisible shackle.
The air around the black blade twisted slightly, its edge becoming even purer.
Even the Marine soldiers watching from afar felt their eyes sting.
"Is this... the World's Greatest Swordsman?"
"After that battle, his presence is actually still rising..."
Everyone had assumed that this swordsmanship contest, delayed for ten years, had come to an end.
However.
Rock suddenly raised his hand and casually tossed away the standard-issue long blade in his hand.
Whoosh—
The blade tore through the air, turning into a streak of cold light as it flew back toward the warship.
Clang!
The blade embedded itself precisely in the ground before the Marine soldier from earlier.
The young Marine stared at his recovered sword, standing frozen with his mouth slightly open.
The next moment.
Rock rolled his wrist, his