Three days later, on the deserted island, Mihawk and Kuina stared at each other, their bodies radiating a sharp aura.
Ever since Mihawk accepted Kuina's challenge, Lin Yuan had brought the two of them to a nearby uninhabited island, where he would watch the battle from the sidelines.
In fact, it wasn't just three people who came this time; many high-ranking members of the Abyss came to observe, and even the executives of the Whitebeard Pirates and Big Mom Pirates arrived here.
They all gathered on the Flame Clouds that Lin Yuan had set up, and only Lin Yuan could prevent others from detecting them.
This is not only a battle between Kuina and Mihawk; if Mihawk wins, Lin Yuan will also accept his challenge.
Mihawk did not refuse; on the contrary, he happily agreed. His path was to challenge all the swordsmen in the world, and how could he possibly refuse the opportunity to fight two masters of swordsmanship?
Moreover, under Lin Yuan's tutelage, Kuina had already broken through to the level of a great swordsman, and her strength was incomparably formidable.
"As expected of someone from a family of swordsmen, your father, Koshiro, was also a formidable swordsman. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Mihawk remained as cool as ever, even speaking with great style, but even though he was the World's Greatest Swordsman, Kuina had no reason to be afraid.
After all, from a young age, Kuina's goal was to become the top swordsman, and being able to fight Mihawk was her lifelong dream.
"Hehe, then please enlighten me, Mr. Mihawk. However, you misunderstand something. Although my basic skills were taught by my father, my swordsmanship was instructed by Lin Yuan."
Mihawk was stunned. Wasn't the woman in front of him Lin Yuan's woman? And how come his master was also Lin Yuan? Was this family really that chaotic?
Quickly regaining his composure, Mihawk cleared his mind of distractions and drew his old ally, Black Blade Yoru.
Kuina, equally unmoved, drew her Wado Ichimonji, instantly.
Mihawk glanced at the Wado Ichimonji in Kuina's hand and frowned slightly.
"This sword is decent, but it hasn't been properly nurtured. Although I had some advantages, the path of the sword is never fair. Therefore, I will still unleash my true strength!"
Kuina looked at the Wado Ichimonji in her hand, a gentle smile appearing on her face, which then instantly hardened.
"I couldn't ask for more!"
"Clang..."
"Clang..."
Mihawk and Kuina attacked almost simultaneously, unleashing a terrifying Flying Slash right from the start.
Two slashes, one white and one green, collided, instantly tearing the earth open with more than a dozen ravines, each tens of meters long.
After the attack, the two vanished from their spot, raising their swords to kill each other.
"Clang clang clang..."
Almost instantly, the two exchanged more than a dozen blows, and neither gained the upper hand for the time being.
A smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face. So many years have passed, and he never expected that the little girl who died young would have reached this point and be able to stand up to the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Although Lin Yuan believed that Kuina was still weaker than Mihawk, decades of accumulation were something Kuina could not match.
However, Kuina wouldn't lose anytime soon. Mihawk said he would go all out, and he did, but he still couldn't defeat Kuina quickly.
Compared to Mihawk's basic attacks, whose swordsmanship has reached a state of simplicity and naturalness, Kuina is still somewhat lacking.
However, over the years, Lin Yuan has fully utilized Kuina's strengths. Swordsmanship is not necessarily about strength, but also about agility and versatility.
Kuina's movements were like leaves falling in a whirlwind, seemingly without any discernible pattern, yet she displayed agility to the fullest.
In a clash of strength, Kuina is no match for Mihawk, but she is able to use Mihawk's strength to her advantage and unleash attacks far exceeding her own power.
Mihawk was also shocked by Kuina's fighting style. Kuina's style was entirely based on borrowing her own strength; the greater the force of her attack, the faster and more ruthless her counterattack.
"Hmph, I didn't expect to find such swordsmanship. I must say, you're the second young person who has truly impressed me."
A smile appeared on Kuina's face as she exhaled a slight breath.
"That's truly an honor. Every swordsman aims to defeat you, and they're even proud to spar with you!"
Mihawk's gaze was firm, and he spoke in a cold tone.
"Unfortunately, very few who can fight me survive; most pay the ultimate price!"
"Hahaha, but you don't have that ability when facing me; you simply can't do it."
Kuina wasn't afraid at all and said nonchalantly.
Mihawk's eyes grew even colder; he had actually been looked down upon!
"That's not necessarily true. Are you that confident?"
"Hehe, no, but Lin Yuan said that with him around, you can't hurt me at all!"
Mihawk was taken aback, then turned to look at Lin Yuan, who was watching the show from the side, and for the first time, an ugly expression appeared on his face.
You said it!
"Well, I won't interfere with your swordsmanship duel unless Kuina is about to be injured!"
"Well!"
Mihawk was a little annoyed. If this was how it could be played, then he might as well take on two opponents at once!
However, this is just wishful thinking; if he were to actually fight two opponents, he couldn't guarantee he would survive.
If Kuina is this powerful, then how terrifying must Lin Yuan's swordsmanship be, given that he can teach Kuina? He couldn't wait to spar with Lin Yuan.
"Buzz..."
Mihawk's eyes changed as he gripped the Black Blade Yoru in his hand; he needed to end the battle as quickly as possible.
Kuina took a deep breath and became serious as well. Swordsmen's duels were not like those of stamina monsters, who fought for days on end. Their battles were often much faster.
"Secret Technique: Phoenix's Cry Across the Nine Heavens!"
Kuina enveloped her entire body in Armament Haki, and at the same time, a layer of Wado Ichimonji covered her as well, causing her to leap dozens of meters into the air.
"Clang..."
A white light appeared, Wado Ichimonji slashed rapidly, forming a phoenix several meters in size from countless sword lights, which then charged fiercely towards Mihawk.
A glint of light flashed in Mihawk's eagle eyes as he sensed the enormous phoenix formed from sword energy, and boundless fighting spirit erupted from his body.
Mihawk switched from wielding the knife with one hand to two, and his aura suddenly intensified.
"Huh!"
Lin Yuan, who had been watching the battle, showed a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected that Mihawk would also Conqueror's Haki and be able to integrate it into his swordsmanship.
However, he quickly came to terms with it. Thinking about it, it made sense. How could the World's Greatest Swordsman, who possessed the strongest swordsmanship, not Awakening this? Now, it seemed normal.
Lin Yuan slightly raised his fingers, ready to strike at any moment.
Mihawk doesn't really have any special moves; he does make his basic attacks his ultimate attacks, but that depends on what kind of combat power he uses.
Black Blade Yoru raised, its terrifying aura causing Mihawk's clothes to flutter wildly, before slashing fiercely at the charging madman.
A massive green slash, a thousand meters long, seemed to fill the heavens and earth. The terrifying slash collided violently with the phoenix, producing a metallic clang.
"Boom..."
Before everyone's eyes, the confrontation between Mihawk and Kuina actually cracked the space itself, and the enormous phoenix suddenly exploded.
Although Kuina's attack was slightly weaker, the terrifying green slash was interrupted and deflected to the side.
"Boom..."
The deserted island trembled violently, and a terrifying crack appeared in the middle, piercing through the entire island and splitting it in two by Mihawk's attack.
Kuina's Phoenix Explosion was equally powerful, creating a crater a kilometer wide in the center of the island, and the rampant sword energy cracked countless fissures throughout the area.
The people standing atop the Flame Clouds wore solemn expressions, never expecting that these two individuals had reached such a level of strength.
Mihawk didn't immediately sheathe his Black Blade Yoru, Yoru. Instead, he stared intently at Kuina, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Kuina, her hands resting on the Wado Ichimonji, was breathing heavily, a trickle of blood oozing from the corner of her mouth. Ignoring the blood, she spoke solemnly.
"Cough cough, I lost!"