As dawn broke over the horizon, the sun's rays painted the sky with hues of gold and crimson. Xpovac and Mihawk stood on opposite ends of a barren island. The landscape was devoid of vegetation, with only jagged rocks and cracked earth beneath their feet. In the distance, Xpovac's Pokémon stood vigilant near his ship, ensuring that no stray attacks would harm it during the upcoming battle. Mew hovered above, while Lugia circled in the skies, casting its shadow across the island as if it knew this would be no ordinary duel.
Mihawk's sharp eyes glanced at the strange creatures in the background, his curiosity piqued. "What are those beasts?" he asked in his calm, yet authoritative tone.
Xpovac, standing a short distance away, smiled. "That's my team. They're called Pokémon." He gestured toward them one by one, starting with the towering Tyranitar. "That's Tyranitar, an absolute powerhouse. Over there is Articuno, a Legendary bird of ice. Lugia's in the sky, another Legendary. Mew, my little trickster, and Lucario are around too."
Mihawk's gaze lingered on the Pokémon for a moment, his interest clear. But Xpovac cut the conversation short. "But you shouldn't worry about them," he said, pulling the massive Dragonslayer sword from his inventory. The weight of the colossal blade sent a powerful shockwave into the ground as he held it effortlessly. "Your opponent right now is me."
The air around Xpovac shifted, his overwhelming fighting spirit flooding the area with a palpable force. Mihawk felt the surge of intensity and for the first time in a long while, his heart began to beat faster in anticipation. His hand moved to his back, where he unsheathed his massive black blade, Yoru, the strongest sword in the world.
"So, it seems you're no ordinary swordsman," Mihawk remarked, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's see if you can prove yourself worthy."
With that, the battle began.
---
Day 1 – The Clash Begins
The first clash of blades shattered the silence, the sound echoing like thunder. Xpovac swung the Dragonslayer with terrifying strength, the sheer size of the blade creating a shockwave that tore through the ground beneath him. Mihawk, with his unmatched swordsmanship, parried the strike with precision, Yoru humming as it deflected the monstrous blow.
Their strikes sent massive tremors through the island, shaking the very foundations of the earth. Every swing from Xpovac felt like a tidal wave crashing into a mountain, while Mihawk's counters were like the precision of a sculptor chipping away at stone, every strike calculated and precise.
Xpovac's raw power was astounding, but Mihawk's mastery over swordsmanship gave him the edge. Though Xpovac was a formidable fighter, he lacked the finesse and years of experience that Mihawk wielded effortlessly. Each time Xpovac pressed forward with a devastating strike, Mihawk deflected it with ease, countering with quick slashes that forced Xpovac to adjust his stance.
"Impressive," Mihawk said, eyes gleaming with excitement. "But power alone won't be enough."
Xpovac grinned, wiping blood from a cut on his cheek. "Lelelelele. You better hope so, Vamp."
The battle raged on, neither side giving in. The ground beneath them cracked with every step, and the skies seemed to darken as if sensing the intensity of the clash. Xpovac's Pokémon watched from a distance, their eyes wide in awe at the sheer spectacle of their master's duel.
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Day 2 – Unrelenting Force
As the second day dawned, the battle showed no signs of slowing down. Both fighters were covered in wounds, their muscles aching from the relentless onslaught. Xpovac's swings had grown slower, his strength draining with each passing hour. Mihawk, too, was beginning to show signs of fatigue, though his movements remained sharp and deadly.
The landscape around them was unrecognizable. The island, once barren, was now scarred with deep gashes, and the earth split open from their powerful strikes. The sea around the island churned violently, waves crashing against the shore as if responding to the intensity of their battle.
At last, it came down to one final clash. Both men knew that this next strike would decide everything.
Xpovac stood tall, gripping the Dragonslayer with both hands, his muscles tensing as he gathered every ounce of his remaining strength. Mihawk raised Yoru, his sharp eyes narrowing as he prepared to deliver a finishing blow.
"Get ready Vamp," Xpovac muttered, a small smirk on his lips.
"Let's see if you can survive, boy," Mihawk responded, his voice cold and resolute.
Both fighters launched themselves at each other, their blades colliding with an earth-shattering impact. The force of the clash split the very sea itself, sending towering waves crashing outward. The island beneath them cracked open, splitting into two jagged halves. The shockwave from their clash shot toward the sea, but Lugia, high above, unleashed a powerful gust, keeping the devastating force from spreading too far. Mew created a protective barrier, ensuring that the aftermath of their battle didn't harm the surrounding area.
When the dust settled, both warriors stood motionless, their swords locked together in the aftermath of their ultimate clash. Then, slowly, they both collapsed to the ground, exhausted and battered beyond recognition.
Xpovac lay on the cracked earth, bloodied and bruised, his breath ragged. Mihawk, too, was heavily injured, though he remained slightly more composed, his gaze steady as he stared up at the sky.
"Mew…" Xpovac called out weakly.
The mythical Pokémon floated over to its trainer, gently healing his wounds with its psychic powers. It then moved over to Mihawk, offering the same treatment. Mihawk, though prideful, did not refuse the aid, simply nodding his thanks.
Xpovac let out a tired laugh, his voice hoarse. "That was one hell of a fight."
Mihawk nodded, his stoic demeanor unchanged. "Indeed. You've proven yourself... though your swordsmanship still lacks refinement."
"Yeah, yeah," Xpovac chuckled. "Guess I'll need to work on that."
As they rested, Xpovac pulled up his system interface and sent a recording of their duel to Morgan of the news den den mushi, knowing it would be broadcasted far and wide. The world would soon know of his strength and his name.
After a while, Xpovac spoke again, his voice soft but firm. "Zoro, Luffy's swordsman... he'll come for you one day. And when he does, he'll be wielding this." He motioned to the Dragonslayer, now resting beside him.
Mihawk's eyes gleamed with interest. "Zoro, you say? I look forward to that day. He has the potential… though he is far from ready."
Xpovac grinned. "He'll get there."
The two warriors sat in silence for a few moments longer before Mihawk stood, his body healed enough to move again. "Farewell, Xpovac. I'll look forward to our next encounter."
Xpovac gave a tired wave as Mihawk disappeared into the distance, his small boat carried off by the sea. With a deep breath, Xpovac turned to his Pokémon.
"Alright, team," Xpovac said, his voice tired but determined. "Let's head to the Grand Line. We've got work to do."
---
A New Journey Begins
Back on his ship, Xpovac set sail toward the Grand Line, his next destination clear in his mind: Alabasta. He hoped to find Ace there and was also preparing for Luffy's inevitable arrival.
After a few days of sailing, Xpovac spotted an untouched island, perfect for resting and training. He docked his ship and set foot on the sandy shores. The Pokémon scattered across the island, eager to explore.
Before resting, Xpovac turned to the system. "Let me know when Luffy reaches Alabasta. I'll be ready."
As the system acknowledged his command, Xpovac lay down under the shade of a tree, letting the calm island air soothe his tired body. The next phase of his journey was just beginning.