Each slash was faster than the last!
And each strike was even more ruthless!
In the midst of countless flashes of blades, the demonic sword, Kitetsu, aimed at the neck, was instantly blocked by the black blade, Yoru. A sharp clashing sound of metal against metal erupted, sending bright sparks flying.
But even the fiercest onslaught must eventually come to an end!
In the instant both sides made their final strike, even though they were prepared, both Mihawk and The bald Elder were blasted away by the terrifying force from the final clash of blades.
The bald Elder, after landing, gently waved his sword, an expression of exhilaration on his face. "That was truly an exhilarating battle. It made me feel like I was back in my last duel when I became the world's greatest swordsman."
"I've heard of a swordsman from Wano named Ryuma who was known for slaying dragons. How would you compare to him?" Mihawk asked calmly. In his mind, as long as the path of the sword continued, countless brilliant sword talents would emerge in every era.
He didn't believe The bald Elder had fought against every top swordsman of each era.
"Ryuma? That brat! I wouldn't even bother fighting someone weaker than me," The bald Elder said, raising his left hand, gently brushing his fingers along the edge of Kitetsu.
"What a shame then. This ocean hasn't seen a swordsman worthy of your match in so long," Mihawk said, not adding much more.
The bald Elder spun the first-generation Kitetsu once, then sheathed it in one swift motion. He crouched slightly, locking his gaze on Mihawk, exhaling slowly.
In the next moment, his eyes lifted, and as he moved, an overwhelming killing intent surged forth!
Suddenly, behind The bald Elder appeared a mist, like a breath from the underworld, and within it emerged a towering, colossal figure.
This massive apparition had an angry face, seemingly nine heads, eight arms, and each head bore a thousand eyes. With each movement, the thousand hands appeared to fade, yet they all rested upon the hilt of Kitetsu sheathed at the waist.
Ashura!
Each of the thousand hands grasped the hilt of the giant Kitetsu sheathed at the waist of the enormous Ashura apparition, and both the phantom and The bald Elder prepared for a simultaneous sword-drawing strike!
Mihawk's fighting spirit surged as he gazed at the towering Ashura behind the bald Elder.
He could feel a powerful, invisible force locking him in place!
Mihawk grasped the black blade Yoru with both hands, positioning it vertically before him.
In an instant, the invisible pressure bearing down on him dissipated.
For Mihawk, there had never been anyone in the path of the sword that he feared.
At this moment, The bald Elder had fully gathered his power!
He stepped forward!
And slashed!
The terrifying Ashura moved in sync, and in that instant, the once intangible figure of the Ashura seemed to materialize, wielding the ultimate sword to strike.
Demonic Technique: One Slash Ashura!
In the blink of an eye, a slash filled with deadly intent soared toward the heavens!
"Are you getting excited too, Yoru?"
Seeing the Ashura charging toward him, the black blade trembled faintly in Mihawk's grip!
He suddenly exerted force with his feet, charging straight ahead.
Mihawk's sudden advance caused The bald Elder to freeze for a moment, but then a strong sense of unease welled up within him.
When his eyes refocused on Mihawk, his vision was completely filled with the image of a figure leaping high, sword in hand!
Mihawk held his long sword, and behind him was the enormous Ashura!
But at that moment, the menacing Ashura had already been sliced in half, its form slowly dissipating into the air.
In this scene, Mihawk's sharp, eagle-like eyes gleamed brilliantly, like the twinkling stars of the galaxy!
His black blade Yoru, raised high above his head, radiated sword energy, and with blood flying around him, it looked like a blood-red dragon dancing in the air!
Man and dragon, charging forward with the unstoppable momentum of slaying Ashura itself!
With the aura to cut through any obstacle in their path!
Descending from the heavens!
Buzz...!
The black blade let out a low hum...
In that moment, The bald Elder finally snapped back to reality.
Seeing the blood-red dragon descending from the sky, the color drained from his face. Throwing caution to the wind, he channeled all his strength into his toes, trying desperately to jump back, to escape Mihawk and the deadly slash coming from above!
But it was too late.
Before his feet could even take off, his strength seemed to vanish, and then an unbearable, body-splitting pain erupted from his chest!
The edge of the black blade Yoru had sliced from his left shoulder down to his right abdomen, almost splitting his entire upper body diagonally in half!
Cough! Cough...!
A torrent of blood gushed from The bald Elder' mouth and wound, raining down like cherry blossoms.
His body, too, was sent flying backward by the force of the strike. He sailed through the air in an arc, crashing to the ground, rolling several times before finally coming to a stop.
His sword, the first-generation Kitetsu, spun through the air before landing directly, piercing into his heart.
"I've lost…"
Feeling his life slipping away, The bald Elder spoke with a sense of melancholy.
He had thought he had no rival on the path of the sword, yet today, it was he who had fallen.
The pain from his wounds and the aching of his muscles caused Mihawk to stagger forward, nearly collapsing. Fortunately, he caught himself with the black blade Yoru, using it as a crutch.
The final blow that decided the match wasn't as easy as it appeared. Though he had slain the Ashura forged by the Five Elders' sword will, he himself was severely wounded.
If not for the momentary lapse in The bald Elder' concentration, he might have been the one to die.
"Seems like being steeped in the politics of power has dulled your sword's sharp edge. We were supposed to die together."
Mihawk spoke slowly.
"Haha... ha... cough... cough…"
The bald Elder laughed weakly, glancing at the first-generation Kitetsu pierced into his chest. Had he retained his former sharpness, even in his dying moments, this cursed blade would never have dared to betray him.
It seemed that by joining the Five Elders, he had indeed lost the most vital aspect of being a swordsman: his sharp edge.
Watching the three figures still battling fiercely in the distance, the light faded from The bald Elder' eyes.
Mihawk could no longer hold on, and as his consciousness faded, he faintly heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from afar.