The Long-Forgotten Feeling of Pain

Times had changed. The once-untested boy had become the king of Kendo, seated atop the world for years.

Even Mihawk could not ignore that.

Mihawk's eyes gleamed as he gripped his blade with both hands.

Their blades clashed fiercely. Savage force poured from his opponent's arm without end, like a tsunami bearing down on him.

In that simple clash of swords, Mihawk almost felt as though he had seen the sea.

"A legendary Marine indeed!"

He murmured the words, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

Then he shifted his footing and turned his blade. Leaping into the air, he spun rapidly, the tip of the Black Blade thrust forward like a spear.

In an instant, sparks flew and a whirlwind howled.

Xia Le narrowed his eyes and stepped back, surprised by the sudden burst of power.

Mihawk's blade thrust out. In a hundredth of a second, it became hundreds of afterimages, whipping up a storm that rushed toward Xia Le.

Xia Le swung his sword.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

A fierce exchange began, sending ripples spreading in every direction.

A dozen seconds later, Mihawk withdrew, his expression grave.

Xia Le's Observation Haki was astonishing. It had undoubtedly reached the level of seeing the future, and the very pinnacle of it at that.

The force behind his swings was just as overwhelming.

His mastery of Kendo was also extraordinary.

To Mihawk, Xia Le seemed like an iron wall without a single opening, impossible to break through.

"Now this is a challenge!"

"It would be a tragedy if the World's Strongest weren't this powerful!"

Suddenly, he laughed.

His figure blurred as he attacked again.

Xia Le grinned, holding his sword in one hand as he strode forward. "I like your fighting spirit, Mihawk!"

"Show me the strength of