Mihawk didn't give any pause. In seconds, he jumped down into the chasm with Yoru still unsheathed. As he fell toward Eiji, he swung his sword diagonally, slicing through the cliff walls like paper. The slash sent large fragments of rock plummeting toward Eiji.
Eiji immediately leaped from the cliff's edge, dodging the falling rocks. He returned to the battlefield above, with Mihawk quickly following.
*CLANK* *CLANK* *CLANK*
The battle resumed, this time with even greater intensity. Each slash they exchanged now had the power to tear the ground apart around them, creating craters and ever-expanding chasms.
"Haha… This is fun! I never thought I'd enjoy a fight this much. Thanks, Mihawk."
After gaining emotions through the Kanjo Kanjo no Mi, Eiji was no longer as cold and silent as before.
"It's been a while since I've had an opponent who could last this long against me, Chaosbringer. You're not bad either." Mihawk said nonchalantly, his expression unchanged.
*SLASH*
He then unleashed a horizontal slash, but Eiji agilely dodged to the side. As the attack missed, Eiji quickly launched a counter, aiming to thrust Shodai Kitetsu into Mihawk's side.
*CLANK*
Mihawk spun and parried Eiji's strike with one hand. The force of the clash sent Eiji flying back, but he quickly recovered and attacked again.
"Try this."
*SWOOSH*
In an instant, Mihawk unleashed a far stronger strike, swinging Yoru diagonally, infused with Busoshoku Haki.
"So fast!"
Eiji narrowly avoided the slash, but the wind from the blow flew toward the forest behind him.
*BOOM*
As the wave hit the ground, a thunderous sound rang out as the forest was completely wiped out, leaving a massive chasm where flat land once stood.
'Based on destructive power alone, Mihawk's slashes are stronger than Sukuna's Dismantle,' Eiji thought in awe.
"What's wrong? Getting tired? There's no shame in admitting defeat; you can challenge me again when you're stronger."
Seeing him pause, Mihawk assumed his opponent was out of energy.
"Tired? You're underestimating me, Mihawk. I'd only be tired if I was fighting ten million enemies at once."
"Besides your strength, it seems you're good at boasting too."
"Believe what you want. Anyway, let's continue."
Eiji shrugged, indifferent to whether Mihawk believed him or not. He then dashed forward with Shodai Kitetsu enveloped in Busoshoku Haki.
*WHOOSH*
*SWOOSH* *SWOOSH* *SWOOSH*
*CLANK* *CLANK* *CLANK*
The attacks kept coming, and Mihawk began to notice that while Eiji was inferior in swordsmanship, his skills were rapidly improving.
Each strike Eiji launched became more measured, every movement faster, more efficient. Mihawk raised an eyebrow, observing how his opponent was growing in the midst of the battle.
"You're improving quickly." Mihawk commented while parrying one of Eiji's slashes. "But how far can you improve before I defeat you?"
Eiji smiled faintly, his breathing steady despite the dozens of rounds they had fought.
"I won't know unless I keep trying, right?"
"…"
Mihawk paused his attack for a moment, looking at him with interest.
"Alright. Let's see how long you can last."
With those words, Mihawk increased the intensity of his attacks to a level Eiji had never seen before.
*SWOOSH* *SWOOSH* *SWOOSH*
The slashes were now so fast and powerful that the ground beneath them cracked entirely, creating an ever-deepening chasm.
Eiji could barely keep up, even with all his Busoshoku Haki, and it became increasingly difficult for his Kenbunshoku Haki to detect Mihawk's movements.
'So, he's getting serious… This is what I wanted!'
Far from being intimidated, his fighting spirit reached an all-time high.
Every slash he blocked, every attack he dodged, gave him a deeper understanding of swordsmanship.
'There's no better way to learn than in a real fight!'
*SWOOSH*
Eiji launched a counterattack with all his remaining strength. Shodai Kitetsu glowed with the dark aura of Busoshoku Haki, slashing with enough force to momentarily surprise Mihawk.
*CLANK*
Mihawk deflected the strike, but for the first time in this battle, he could feel real pressure from Eiji.
"Interesting. You're starting to push beyond your limits."
He could sense Eiji's Haki growing stronger than before.
"This is all thanks to you. Without an opponent of your caliber, it would have taken me much longer to make progress."
Realizing the breakthrough in his Busoshoku Haki, Eiji was elated.
Challenging powerful opponents in life-and-death battles was indeed the fastest way to strengthen his Haki.
'No wonder Luffy's Haki advanced so quickly. Given the enemies he's fought, it's natural for his Haki to progress impressively.'
Now Eiji understood why Rayleigh had advised him to seek out strong opponents if he wanted to advance his Haki.
"Still want to continue?" Mihawk asked casually, showing no signs of fatigue.
Honestly, it had been a long time since he faced someone who could keep up with him. So, he didn't want the duel to end too soon.
"Of course." Eiji answered lightly.
In the next moment, their figures clashed at such extreme speed that only faint silhouettes could be seen.
*CLANK* *CLANK* *CLANK*
*SWOOSH* *SWOOSH* *SWOOSH*
Their battle raged on, and Kuraigana Island, with each slash they exchanged, crumbled further. New chasms formed, and the ground seemed incapable of withstanding the power of these two swordsmen. Yet, despite the shifting terrain, Eiji and Mihawk continued to fight, each delving deeper into their mastery of swordsmanship.
❀❀❀
Under the twilight sky of Kuraigana Island, the wind carried the scent of death and destruction. The ravaged landscape stood as a silent witness to the epic battle that had just ended.
Lying on the ground, Eiji wore only his torn pants, his shirt long destroyed. Despite that, other than old scars from his past battles against ten million Cursed Spirits, there were no new injuries on his body. Each time he sustained damage, he quickly used the Reverse Cursed Technique.
On the opposite side, Mihawk's clothes bore signs of slashes, but he had only minor scratches that couldn't be considered serious wounds.
"That was an enjoyable duel, Kamiki Eiji."
After saying that, Mihawk turned toward his castle.
"This is the first time I've felt defeat."
After hours of fierce combat, Eiji had finally run out of stamina. After all, the person he fought was no ordinary man, but the World's Strongest Swordsman.
"Huff… Huff… Huff…"
Panting heavily, he staggered to his feet.
In this duel, he had lost. However, he didn't feel sad; instead, he was deeply satisfied.
Not only had his Busoshoku Haki broken through, but so had his Kenbunshoku Haki. Plus, his swordsmanship had grown more refined.
Those gains alone were enough to make Eiji overlook his first defeat.
"Now, who's my next opponent…"
Looking at the setting sun over the horizon, Eiji teleported back to his temporary residence.