Violent shock waves tore across the sea. Facing the bone-piercing sword intent rushing toward him, Lorne laughed aloud. "Dracule Mihawk, I accept your challenge."
Hawk-Eye stood on the deck of his small black boat, both hands firmly gripping the hilt of Black Blade Yoru, his golden eyes locked on Lorne.
"Very good," Hawk-Eye said coldly, his voice cutting through the howling storm. "It has been many years since anyone in the New World dared face Black Blade Yoru head-on."
Lorne stepped forward into the wind, his burly frame standing like an unshakable golden mountain upon the Fearless's dragon-headed ram.
He raised his hands and slowly spread his palms amid the raging winds, showing all ten empty fingers to the News Coo circling overhead.
"Mihawk, I've heard of your swordsmanship-the pursuit of the ultimate edge and the purity of cutting through all things." Lorne's voice rolled across the sky like thunder. "Since this is a pure contest of martial prowess, I'll naturally show you the highest respect."
Hawk-Eye's brow furrowed slightly, his grip on his black blade never slackening. "What weapon do you intend to draw?"
"A weapon?" Lorne burst into laughter, shaking the waters of the entire bay into enormous waves. "Against pirate scum, I might use Pluton's main cannon. But against you, the World's Greatest Swordsman, I, Lorne, will use no weapon at all!"
The Visual Den Den Mushi circling high above instantly broadcast Lorne's every word and movement to every corner of the world.
At Number One Yarukiman Mangrove Plaza in the Sabaody Archipelago, the hundreds of thousands of pirates, merchants, and travelers gathered before the giant screen instantly erupted.
"Is this a joke?! That New Emperor Lorne actually said he'd fight the World's Greatest Swordsman bare-handed?!"
"That's Black Blade Yoru! One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades,