Shanks stepped forward first.
The next instant, a red blur shot across the sea.
His cloak streamed behind him in the sea wind. Haki shattered the waves beneath his feet, sending towering swells across the water.
This was his choice alone, so he would be the one to cross that line.
On the bow of a distant warship, Issho slowly raised his head.
"If that's your choice, I can't pretend I didn't see you."
As he spoke, he eased his Shikomizue from its sheath.
Hum—!
Invisible gravity slammed down, and the entire sea sank.
The waves beneath Shanks were crushed into a vast basin. Water rose high on every side, like the walls of a deep well in the sea.
The Navy observation ship rocked violently. Many sailors went pale and clung to the rails to keep from being thrown overboard.
But Shanks did not stop.
Red light flashed in his eyes as he drew Griffin.
Conqueror's Haki Coating wrapped around its blade, and black-red lightning erupted.
Boom!
His slash tore a rift through the invisible Gravity Field. The sunken sea exploded into a thousand waves.
Issho's brow twitched.
"What a fierce sword."
Almost at the same instant, Mihawk drew his Black Blade.
For a moment, the sea wind seemed cut in two. Between heaven and earth, only a pitch-black edge remained.
Mihawk said nothing more.
He raised his hand.
Then brought it down.
A green sword strike swept across the sea, cleaving through the waves toward Shanks.
Shanks swung Griffin across his body to meet it head-on.
Boom—!
The clash between the two great swordsmen carved a trench miles long through the sea, sending water surging away on both sides.
Sword energy sliced wildly across the surface. Even the distant Red Force shuddered under the shockwaves.
Every member of