Challenge Hawkeye

The surface of the sea suddenly churned. The water, which had been fairly calm, began to roil as if someone had suddenly lashed it with a whip, ripples spreading rapidly in circles.

The atmosphere aboard the Gale instantly froze.

"Captain, something's happening!"

Bart's voice was extremely low, tinged with tension. His steel-like muscles tightened even further, like a beast poised to strike.

Lin Feng narrowed his eyes and stared ahead. The unusual waves seemed like some kind of omen, heralding the arrival of unrest.

Amid the waves, a small boat abruptly entered their view, moving at an astonishing speed—practically flying across the surface of the sea. Its design was rather eerie. From a distance, it looked like a coffin sailing across the water, its lines sharp and its prow resembling a sinister gaze. It was clearly no harmless vessel.

"What kind of ship is that?" Bart could not help asking, his tone filled with doubt and vigilance.

Lin Feng said nothing. His gaze merely grew more solemn. He recognized it. The style of the boat, along with that overwhelming pressure rushing toward them...

"Hawkeye?" Lin Feng murmured to himself, his voice soft yet grave.

The small boat drew closer and closer without slowing down, heading straight for the Gale. A figure sat aboard it. His black cloak billowed loudly in the sea wind, and a wide-brimmed hat concealed most of his face. Yet the half that was exposed had cold, hard features, with a distinctive tuft of hair on his chin.

The World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk.

It was definitely him.

Lin Feng took a deep breath and tightened his grip around the hilt of the Demon God Blade.

"Why did this guy suddenly come here?"

Bart also recognized the newcomer and immediately sucked in a sharp breath. "Haw... Hawkeye?! Why would he come here?"

"He means trouble."

Lin Feng uttered those few words calmly, but only he knew that beneath that calm, his fighting spirit churned like molten lava.

[Beep! Quest triggered: Challenge the World's Greatest Swordsman. Reward unknown!]

"Challenge Hawkeye?" The corners of Lin Feng's mouth lifted slightly as he smiled. This voyage really is full of surprises.

Good. This is the perfect chance to test just how far my current strength has reached.

Hawkeye's small boat finally slowed when it was still some distance from the Gale. At last, he leaped lightly and came to a steady stop beside the Gale.

The next second, Hawkeye moved.

His figure flashed, and he appeared on the Gale's deck like a phantom. He landed without a sound, so lightly that it seemed impossible.

"Whitebeard Pirates, Lin Feng."

Hawkeye spoke in a low voice with a metallic quality that sounded sharp enough to cut.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Hawkeye Mihawk." Lin Feng met his gaze without retreating or avoiding it.

"The World's Greatest Swordsman. What a rare guest."

Hawkeye's gaze seemed almost tangible as it swept over him, as though appraising a fine work of art.

"I heard about what happened in Alabasta." Hawkeye spoke slowly, his tone so flat that it was impossible to tell whether he was pleased or angry. "Interesting."

"I only did what needed to be done." Lin Feng shrugged, neither confirming nor denying it.

"I'm more interested in you."

Hawkeye suddenly changed the subject. The corners of his mouth curved into the faintest arc. Rather than a smile, it was more like an appraisal edged with a blade.

"How about exchanging a few moves with me?"

Lin Feng paused for a moment before smiling. Now that's Hawkeye—simple, direct, and never wasting words.

"Just what I wanted."

Lin Feng drew the Demon God Blade and pointed its edge straight at Hawkeye. His fighting spirit erupted in an instant.

Hawkeye moved as well. Yoru slid silently from its sheath. Its blade was pitch-black, as though it could absorb all light. Merely holding it emanated an oppressive force that made it difficult to breathe.

"Sun Breathing, Total Concentration: Constant!"

Lin Feng attacked first. His breathing technique instantly reached its limit, and his physical abilities surged. With a tap of his foot, he shot forward like an arrow released from its bow.

"One Sword Style: Iai Slash!"

Drawing and striking flowed together in a single motion. His blade flashed, wrapped in golden-red flames, and slashed toward Hawkeye like rolling thunder.

"Fast! Too fast!"

Bart's vision blurred. Lin Feng had already reached Hawkeye, his blade flashing so quickly that Bart could barely make out its trajectory.

Hawkeye's eyes shifted slightly. Faced with this fierce attack, he merely moved to the side and casually swung Yoru.

"Clang—!"

The crisp collision of metal shook their eardrums, sending sparks flying in all directions.

Lin Feng's Iaijutsu had been effortlessly blocked by Hawkeye.

"Not bad speed. Your strength is decent too."

Hawkeye's assessment was as calm as if he were commenting on the weather. "But it's still not enough."

Before his voice had even faded, Hawkeye counterattacked.

Yoru moved. There were no flashy techniques, only a simple slash, yet it contained terrifying strength and skill.

The blade cleaved through the air with a sharp whistle, moving so fast that it seemed like a black bolt of lightning.

Lin Feng's pupils contracted. His instincts screamed danger. He abruptly leaned back, narrowly avoiding the slash.

A few strands of hair drifted down, severed by the aftershock of Yoru's strike.

"Hiss—!"

Lin Feng sucked in a sharp breath. That was close. This guy's attacks are truly terrifying.

So this is... the strength of the World's Greatest Swordsman? Lin Feng was shaken inwardly, but an excited smile appeared on his face. "Interesting!"

"Again!"

Lin Feng roared and charged at Hawkeye once more. Flames surged along the Demon God Blade, and sword flashes poured out like a violent storm.

Hawkeye's expression remained calm. In his hands, Yoru seemed to possess a life of its own, flexibly and precisely blocking every one of Lin Feng's attacks.

Clang, clang, clang, clang—!

The deck rang incessantly with the collision of blades. Sparks flew everywhere, and waves of force rolled through the air.

Bart stood to the side, watching in stupefaction. He could not get involved at all and could only clench his fists tightly, sweating for Lin Feng.

"Captain, keep it up!" he could not help shouting, his voice filled with tension and anticipation.

As he fought, Hawkeye observed Lin Feng's swordsmanship, and a trace of admiration flashed through his eyes.

"A unique breathing technique combined with this flame swordsmanship. It is indeed somewhat interesting."

Hawkeye spoke with a hint of approval. "But if you want to defeat me, you still have a long way to go."

The next moment, Hawkeye's aura suddenly soared.

An even more terrifying sword intent erupted from him like a volcanic eruption, instantly enveloping the entire deck.

Yoru's blade grew even deeper and darker, like a bottomless abyss devouring the light around it.

"From here on, I'll be a little more serious."

Hawkeye's voice turned low and solemn, his sharp eyes locking firmly onto Lin Feng.

"A little more serious?" Lin Feng's heart tightened. He knew Hawkeye was about to get serious.

"Couldn't ask for more!"

Lin Feng roared. His fighting spirit fully erupted, Sun Breathing circulated at its limit, and Armament Haki covered his entire body. The Demon God Blade also burst forth with unprecedented radiance.

"Come on. Let me see the true power of the World's Greatest Swordsman!"

With a roar, he charged Hawkeye once more. This time, Lin Feng held nothing back and poured out every ounce of his strength.

"Sun Breathing: Eleventh Form—Solar Halo Dragon!"

A golden-red dragon-shaped blade aura roared forth with the momentum of burning the heavens and boiling the seas, lunging straight at Hawkeye.

"Oh? This move is somewhat interesting."

Hawkeye's eyes brightened, and Yoru in his hand erupted with even greater power.

"Peerless Slash!"

Hawkeye shouted softly and swung Yoru, its fierce sword aura slashing toward the dragon-shaped blade aura.

"Boom—"

The two powerful forces collided, producing an ear-splitting explosion that shook the entire sea.

"Pfft—"

Lin Feng was sent flying once again, blood spraying from his mouth as the injuries across his body worsened.

"Cough, cough... Is this... the strength of the world's greatest?"

Lin Feng knelt on one knee, using the Demon God Blade to support his body. His eyes were filled with unwillingness and longing.