At this very moment, the battle between Hawk-Eye and Kuina was nearing its final, decisive moment. (From the novel "Tianlai")
Even if the two are nearly equal in skill level, and their strength, Haki, and so on are similar, in the end, one of them will win and the other will be defeated.
Just like Admirals Aokiji and Akainu, whose combat strength is almost equal, in the original work, after fighting for the position of Fleet Admiral for several days and nights, a winner was finally decided.
laugh!!
A streak of cyan sword energy stretched across the land, Setsuna slicing the earth in two with a clean cut.
Buzz!!
A streak of silver light ripped through the sky, instantly cleaving a white cloud in two, which flew towards the endless horizon, bursting with dazzling light.
The interactions between Kuina and Hawk-Eye began to become increasingly less frequent.
At first, all that could be seen were the two figures constantly clashing, their swords flashing and their movements seemingly slowing down.
Or rather, at this point, the competition is about mastering the ultimate swordsmanship.
No one dared to linger near the two. The area within a hundred feet around them was completely deserted, with everyone watching from a distance, their hearts pounding with fear.
Although the navy and pirates were still fighting, people couldn't help but glance over from time to time amidst the battle. The sword energy that stretched out in all directions was truly awe-inspiring.
Kuina and Hawk-Eye's movements went from complex to simple, becoming slower and slower, but the sharpness of their swords became more and more refined, each strike seemingly containing the power of a hundred million swords.
In the end, their movements were like those of beginners practicing swordsmanship, the simplest and most basic slashing.
But this simplest slash seemed to trace a strange and invisible trajectory, as if it contained the true meaning of 'slash'.
At some point, Kuina and Hawk-Eye simultaneously retreated.
The two stood several meters apart, facing each other from a distance.
Their aura, their Sword Intent —everything was condensed to its peak. In the next instant, a chilling sharpness flashed in both of their eyes.
laugh!!
There was no light at all, yet it seemed as if countless rays of light had converged here.
Kuina and Hawk-Eye suddenly crossed paths in the arena, exchanging positions and standing there with their backs to each other.
This collision finally produced no aftershocks, as if all the aftershocks had been canceled out by that single strike.
Who won between the two of them?
This is a thought that comes to mind for many people.
Even if one doesn't understand swordsmanship and isn't particularly strong, watching this scene, one can inexplicably feel a sense that the outcome is already decided.
I don't know how much time has passed.
It felt like a fleeting moment, yet also like countless eras.
laugh!
At the end of Kuina's beautiful long hair, a strand of black hair suddenly floated up and fell onto the ice surface.
On the other side, Hawk-Eye stood there, a crack suddenly appearing at the collar of his shirt, which then split open.
bite!!
In addition, a tiny nick appeared on the Black Blade Yoru in Hawk-Eye's hand.
The outcome of this battle... could be described as a draw, or it could be described as a victory for Kuina.
However, Kuina's victory was not due to her swordsmanship, but rather to her sword, Hawk-Eye's black blade. Because of this sword, she had a slight advantage.
Apart from that, in other aspects, whether it's swordsmanship or Haki, the two are almost equal.
"Is this the pinnacle of swordsmanship?"
Hawk-Eye suddenly turned around and looked at Kuina behind him, his eyes filled with an emotion that no one could understand.
Hawk-Eye has stood at the top of the world's greatest swordsman position for a long time.
No one can surpass him in swordsmanship, and very few can even rival him. Kuina is one of those few.
As a swordsman, his goal is naturally to climb the endless path of the sword. However, although the path of the sword is endless, he has reached a point where he can no longer make any progress.
Neither Red-Haired Shanks nor Kuina are superior to him in swordsmanship.
This made Hawk-Eye wonder if... this was the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Is there anyone who can surpass this peak?
Is there still a path forward? This is the question Hawk-Eye has been grappling with ever since he became the world's greatest swordsman.
He once posed this question to Red-Haired Shanks, but received no answer; now he's posed it to Kuina.
"No."
Somewhat Hawk-Eye, after turning around, Kuina gently sheathed her sword and gave him a decisive no.
Kuina's eyes were crystal clear, as if she could see things that even Hawk-Eye couldn't.
Hawk-Eye stared into Kuina's eyes, then suddenly seemed to understand something, and turned to follow Kuina's gaze.
At the far end of that line of sight, there was a person.
Uya.
"You are right."
Hawk-Eye turned his head, the trace of confusion in his eyes completely vanished.
Uya's swordsmanship, capable of cleaving half of the Grand Line in two with a single strike, might no longer be considered human swordsmanship, but rather the swordsmanship of a god.
But without a doubt, this means that one can indeed go much further in the path of swordsmanship; it's just that he didn't manage to reach that point.
"The title of World's Greatest Swordsman... is yours."
Although Kuina did not surpass him in swordsmanship, even a slight victory is a victory. If he couldn't even bear the weight of victory or defeat, then he wouldn't be Hawk-Eye.
Upon hearing Hawk-Eye's words, Kuina showed a slight look of bewilderment.
The world's greatest swordsman...
She finally achieved her goal, breaking her father's words that girls cannot become the strongest.
But is this so-called title of "world's best" really what she wants?
No.
Kuina shook her head.
The confusion in his eyes vanished, and he regained a clearer understanding of his own heart.
Like Hawk-Eye, pursuing a stronger swordsmanship is what she truly wants to do, not just to achieve the title of the world's greatest swordsman.
As he watched Kuina's shifting gaze, a subtle, imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of Hawk-Eye's mouth—a smile, perhaps self-deprecation, or something else entirely...
Nobody knows.
Hawk-Eye simply turned around and left the battlefield, no longer participating in the Summit War.
Kuina stood quietly in the arena, then stepped forward. No one stopped her, no one dared to stop her, and she walked all the way to the execution platform, silently standing behind Uya.
Uya glanced at her, a faint smile appearing on his lips, then turned to look at Fire Fist Ace beside him, his gaze deep.
"So, you understand?"