In the arena, the bald Gorosei (Saint Nusjuro) and Mihawk seemed to move as if they had agreed beforehand. Almost simultaneously, they pushed off the ground, their muscles exploding with power, launching them toward each other like arrows.
Clang!
Their supreme-grade swords clashed fiercely in mid-air, sparking as metal struck metal.
…
Neither of them spoke, focusing solely on their swordsmanship, using their most refined techniques. Their blades clashed repeatedly, sending sparks flying with each strike.
After another exchange, they separated, taking a moment to size each other up.
As the strongest swordsmen of their time, both Mihawk and the bald Gorosei knew that the outcome could be decided in an instant, no matter how fierce the battle became. Despite their clothes being tattered from the intense fight, neither had sustained significant injuries. It was as if they were sparring, holding back just enough.
But they both knew this was far from sparring—neither could truly gain the upper hand.
Looking at Mihawk in the distance, the bald Gorosei's eyes grew sharper. After so many years, he had finally met a swordsman who could threaten his life. It was exhilarating.
The bald Gorosei took a deep breath, adjusting his stance. He turned slightly sideways, positioning his left shoulder at an angle toward Mihawk, both hands gripping his sword, hiding the blade of his Shodai Kitetsu (First Generation Kitetsu) in a low stance.
Mihawk narrowed his eyes. This was a classic sword technique—using a low stance to conceal the sword behind the body, making it difficult for the opponent to discern the attack's direction. Such an attack could come from any angle, making it incredibly hard to defend against.
Mihawk had used this technique himself before acquiring the black sword Yoru, but since obtaining the massive blade, he rarely employed it, as Yoru's length and shape weren't suited for such deceptive attacks.
Still, Mihawk didn't rush in. Instead, he held Yoru and waited cautiously for the bald Gorosei to make the first move. The distance between them was only about a hundred meters—nothing for fighters of their caliber, who could close the gap in a matter of steps.
As the Gorosei charged, Mihawk's hawk-like eyes focused on the hands gripping the hidden Shodai Kitetsu behind the elder's body.
Swoosh!
The bald Gorosei struck as he closed the distance, swinging his sharp blade upward from the lower right, aiming for Mihawk's chest. Mihawk was momentarily surprised, as the strike seemed out of range, given the Gorosei's arm length and sword's size. Yet, the elder struck without hesitation.
For an instant, Mihawk was caught off guard by the unexpected move. Fortunately, his body had already been on high alert the moment the Gorosei adjusted his stance. While his mind was briefly stunned, his body reacted instinctively.
Mihawk pushed off hard with his feet, leaping backward just in time to avoid a fatal blow. The tip of the Shodai Kitetsu merely grazed Mihawk's chest, leaving a gash but not penetrating deeply enough to break ribs. Nonetheless, the cut left a menacing scar that crossed the X-shaped scar already on Mihawk's chest.
The bald Gorosei, having landed the blow, pursued Mihawk relentlessly, clearly intent on finishing the battle. Mihawk, now fully alert, raised Yoru to block the elder's assault.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Blood flowed from Mihawk's chest wound, dripping onto the ground beneath him. Yet he seemed unfazed by the injury, his piercing gaze locked onto the bald Gorosei.
In such a life-or-death battle, the elder would not waste the opportunity presented by Mihawk's injury. In the blink of an eye, the Gorosei rushed forward again like lightning, using the same technique as before.
The air between them seemed to freeze as the Gorosei struck. Just when he expected Mihawk to defend as before, something changed.
Mihawk moved, charging directly toward the elder!
With Yoru held in both hands, Mihawk drew the sword back to his right side as he rushed forward. Seeing this, the bald Gorosei frowned slightly, surprised by Mihawk's sudden shift in tactics.
In an instant, the gap between them closed. Both warriors prepared their respective techniques, ready to unleash their full power.
But just before the bald Gorosei could swing his sword, he sensed a chilling danger, as if something sharp had brushed against his back. The feeling grew stronger, warning him of an imminent threat.
Mihawk's hawk-like eyes gleamed sharply as he made his move.
Thud.
Both swordsmen's blades struck each other at the same time, blood spraying from both as their attacks landed. Despite their injuries, neither Mihawk nor the bald Gorosei seemed to register the pain. They quickly adjusted their stances, readying their swords for another exchange.
The sound of metal clashing rang out across the battlefield like the roar of a dragon. Their terrifying sword strikes, imbued with immense power, seemed to slice through the air itself.
Mihawk unleashed his ultimate technique: "Self Style: All-Ending Annihilation!"
At the same time, the bald Gorosei countered with the lost secret technique of Wano: "No-Self Sword Style: Sacrificial Slash!" This deadly move focused on sacrificing one's own safety to strike a decisive blow—seeking life in the face of death!