"Ah, this isn't really the time for a family drama, is it?"
Below, Kuzan, standing on a large chunk of an island fragment that had fallen earlier, scratched his head helplessly. "Can we focus on Shiki, at least?"
In the sky, the battle between Shiki and Mihawk had indeed entered a heated phase.
The blades of both men were wrapped in thick Haki-infused lightning, and every clash shook the sky.
"They're evenly matched."
Red-Haired Shanks, also standing on a large rock below, stroked his chin. "That's Shiki, the man who nearly pushed Captain Roger to his limits. Has Mihawk gotten stronger?"
He certainly hadn't forgotten the Battle of Edd War.
That battle had pushed the Roger Pirates to the brink. If it wasn't for a sudden storm sinking Flying Pirates' fleet, perhaps the journey of the Roger Pirates would have ended right there.
Shanks knew better than anyone the power of Shiki; it was strength that could rival Roger's.
But now, that same powerful Shiki was locked in a battle with Mihawk, unable to gain the upper hand.
Could it be that Mihawk secretly grew stronger without anyone noticing?
No.
"Shiki has gotten weaker."
Shanks sighed.
The once-mighty golden lion had definitely weakened from his peak.
"Is this all you've got?"
In the sky, Mihawk, stepping on the air as he attacked Shiki, smiled faintly. "If this is all you've got, Shiki, you're only facing death today."
Even though he wasn't the weakest among those surrounding Shiki, he was far from being the strongest.
Shiki's expression darkened.
He suddenly paused mid-swing. "Then let me show you, kid, my true strength!"
"Oh?"
Ian was somewhat surprised.
Could Shiki have some hidden trick up his sleeve?
Then, he saw Shiki gently wave his hand. The two swords, which were originally embedded in his legs, floated down and landed directly into his hands.
"Eh!"
Luffy exclaimed in astonishment, "So that's how the structure works?"
Ian was also quite surprised. Shiki certainly lived up to his reputation.
"Oh!"
Mihawk's eyes also brightened. "Interesting!"
"What's even more interesting is this."
Shiki turned into the wind, and in the blink of an eye, he had already closed the distance to Mihawk. The two swords slashed with incredible precision!
The twin blades whipped up the wind, creating a storm of steel and fierce wind!
Clang!
Amidst the exploding black lightning, Mihawk was instantly sent plummeting from the sky.
"Oh?"
Ian was amazed. "Is this what it means to be a swordsman?"
The power in his legs was certainly stronger than that of his arms!
But after Shiki gripped the sword in his hands, he instantly brought down Mihawk, who had just been able to hold his own against him earlier.
What he relied on was certainly not brute strength.
It was swordsmanship.
Swordsmanship capable of touching the breath of all things.
"Kekekekekehahaha! Lion's Might: Thousand-Cut Valley!!"
A storm-like barrage of slashes rained down.
Vice Admiral Garp's face grew serious.
The mighty lion of years past was gradually awakening!
In the midst of the slashing windstorm, a green sword wave suddenly pierced through everything, turning the swordsman into a spear as Mihawk, the Hawk-Eye, soared upward with a howl.
In the next moment, he collided once again with Shiki.
"You little brat! You've had enough fun! Now let me show you!"
Shiki suddenly grinned strangely. "I am the true king of the skies!!"
Mihawk's eyes suddenly changed.
He missed a step!
A strong wind whipped up in the air, and the atmosphere around him instantly became a chaotic whirlwind!
This meant... his Moon Walk technique had failed!
"Tsk."
Ian clicked his tongue.
The Float Float Fruit activated!
The air was under control!
Mihawk was in big trouble.
How despicable, this Shiki.
What? This isn't the world's greatest sword-fighting tournament anymore, and it's not just a swordsmanship contest?
Then it's fine.
"Lion's Might - Crushing Slash!!"
As Mihawk fell, Shiki swiftly closed in like a phantom, with the black lightning dancing wildly on the twin swords in his hands!
Mihawk's pupils constricted, but he was still smiling, still swinging his sword!
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
A series of sharp explosive sounds rang out. Blood splattered into the air, falling straight down, and the surrounding air was sucked away, creating a vacuum. Unable to rely on the air, Mihawk was eventually struck in the chest by Shiki's sword.
Even though he used Haki to defend in that instant, a huge gash was still cleaved into his chest, and blood poured out in torrents.
But Shiki was still not satisfied.
"This is the true pirate! Die, kid!"
Sword raised high, and he laughed maniacally. In the next instant, he was about to split this ignorant little brat in half.
But at this moment...
"Divine Departure!!"
A powerful Conqueror's Haki slash surged forward.
Shiki's expression suddenly changed, and he slashed backward to shatter the mighty strike.
Shiki spoke nostalgically, "I never expected to still see Roger's moves!"
Red-Haired Shanks stood below, gripping his sword, with lightning flickering on its blade. "Shiki, how about we have some fun now?"
Boom!
Mihawk successfully fell not far away.
He clutched his chest, his face pale, kneeling on one knee, striking a classic superhero landing pose, and said somewhat disgruntled, "Shanks, that guy is my opponent."
"Since you've already lost, stop being so stubborn, Mihawk," Ian chuckled from the sky. "If it weren't for Shanks, you might have been cut in half just now."
"…"
Mihawk's expression stiffened.
Shanks, however, grinned and looked up at Shiki. "Shiki, my friends have all been knocked down by you. Although it was his duel, let me have a chance to avenge him."
"Jekekekekehahaha!"
Shiki laughed loudly. "You think—"
Then his eyes suddenly widened. "You don't plan to fall, do you!"
He flew downward.
Faster than his figure was the roaring momentum!
The violent Conqueror's Haki instantly crushed toward Shanks.
Shanks grinned, his own wild Conqueror's Haki meeting it head-on. The two forces collided in midair, causing the ground below to shatter in an instant.
In a split second, Shiki fell like a meteor, his twin swords trailing long black lightning as they struck down.
Damn it, Sealed Dust, Final Slash!
Shanks gripped his swords with both hands, his right foot crushing the earth beneath him. He swung his blade upwards, just like when Roger battled Whitebeard in the past.
Boom!!
The overwhelming Haki shattered the earth and tore apart the sky.
"Ah, it cracked again!"
Ace looked up.
The dark clouds started to dissipate once more.
Below them.
Shanks gritted his teeth, thinking to himself: "What a heavy strike! I'm definitely far behind Captain Roger."
But it was at that moment.
"Ice Block: Exploding Plover Beak!"
Shiki suddenly retreated, swinging his sword to shatter the massive ice bird that came at him. However, even so, the explosion of the ice bird sent a chilling wave that splattered across his face, leaving frost all over him.
The entire arena fell silent.
Everyone stared at the man whose body was half-covered in ice.
What the hell is this guy doing? Doesn't he realize the atmosphere? Shiki and Shanks were about to clash!
"Kuzan?"
Vice Admiral Garp was stunned.
Vice Admiral Kuzan scratched his naturally curly hair in surprise. "Wasn't the duel between Shiki and Mihawk already over? No need for a one-on-one now, right?"
Shanks was stunned.
Shiki was stunned.
Even Garp was stunned.
Even Ian was stunned.
As expected, the cold could effectively improve a person's intelligence.
"Shiki!!"
Without hesitation, with a roar, Vice Admiral Garp charged towards Shiki, who was below.
Ian twitched the corner of his mouth. The wheel battle was one thing, but now they had to have the three heroes fight the old man?
Although Vice Admiral Garp was also an old man.
**********
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