The moment Bullet's words fell, the Howling Commandos behind him vanished.
They reappeared among the fleeing pirates, constantly using Shigan. With every strike, bursts of blood sprayed across the port. The merchants scattered in panic, afraid of being dragged into the slaughter.
On the ruined harbor, only two men remained still, facing each other without haste.
Mihawk pressed down the brim of his hat, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "It has been a while since I met such a strong opponent. Marine, state your name."
Bullet's cruel voice rolled across the port.
"Remember it well. The one who will kill you is named… Douglas Bullet."
Mihawk's sharp eyes locked onto him. "Dracule Mihawk."
Shua!
Two figures shot forward.
Boom!
A blazing blue fist clashed against the black blade, the impact unleashing a shockwave that tore the ground and sent the sea surging. Both men's eyes lit with excitement.
'That ghostly aura,' Mihawk thought, thrilled to feel such intensity for the first time.
'It cut me,' Bullet realized, a shallow wound marking his fist. The sting only fueled his grin.
Boom!
They split apart. Mihawk landed lightly, both hands gripping Yoru as he shifted the blade behind him. In an instant, black energy wrapped tightly around its edge. With a violent swing, he released a crescent slash.
Danger sparked in Bullet's nerves. He stomped the ground, tearing free a massive boulder tens of meters across. He pressed his palm forward, Armament Haki hardening it in a black coat.
The slash bit into the boulder, only to be consumed halfway through. Yet the part that missed the rock ripped the harbor wide open, splitting even a distant cliff in two.
Bullet grabbed the boulder with one hand and leapt skyward. Muscles bulged as he hurled it like a pitcher's throw, the colossal mass crashing down toward Mihawk.
The swordsman met it with one hand on his blade. A flash of bright green cut into the rock, followed by several smaller arcs bursting forth. The giant stone shattered into fragments, the leftover energy rushing toward Bullet.
He twisted his head, dodging cleanly, and kicked off the air to rocket downward.
Boom!
His fist cratered the ground. Mihawk stepped back with precision, countering with a slash aimed straight at his neck. Bullet turned, pushing off the earth with one arm, and whipped a kick into Yoru's side.
A dazzling streak of energy erupted.
Far in the distance, a mountain peak split apart, sliding slowly into ruin.
Both men leapt back, separating once again. Mihawk's hands blurred as he swung several times, green slashes cutting across every path of retreat.
Bullet grinned, savage and eager. Violent Haki surged, fusing with his Demon Mode.
"Demon Aura: Six Paths Asura King!"
His blue body swelled, fangs sprouting from his mouth. His shoulders and arms expanded threefold, transforming him into a beast resembling a massive ape. He lifted his thickened palm and crushed the incoming slashes like glass.
Mihawk's pupils shrank. He tightened his grip as the black blade pulsed with dark energy. Raising it high, he poured his full strength into the swing.
A low hum echoed.
In Bullet's eyes, the slash loomed, stretching without end. It seemed boundless, but he knew this was Mihawk's will at work; the actual slash was smaller.
Then grin om his face never left as he pressed his palms together, driving them straight into the heart of the attack.
The explosion roared across the island. His hands, coated in Haki, clashed against the sword energy, the force hurling him back through the air.
Just as he neared the sea, his aura surged, breaking a small gap in the slash. His hands flipped outward, gripping either side.
"Raaaahhh!"
Following a roar, the slash was wrenched apart. Both halves flew past him, ripping two huge trenches into the ocean that refused to close.
Bullet shot forward like an arrow. Mihawk braced, intercepting the punch with his blade. The impact forced him backward, feet carving deep lines into the earth.
"Such terrifying strength and Haki," he muttered.
Bullet's voice dripped with cruelty. "The last swordsman who hurt me was the one they called 'Dark King.' A pity. His head ended up in my hands."
Mihawk's expression did not change. "Then try me."
Boom!
They crashed to the ground, each a hundred meters apart. Bullet's right arm spun with energy as he slammed his fist down. A wave of earth surged forward like a massive dragon, towering dozens of meters high.
Mihawk drew his blade across the air. An invisible wall blocked the wave, detonating it into a storm of dust that swallowed the port.
Bullet filled his lungs and unleashed a roar.
"Haaah!"
The sound was like thunder, a shockwave tearing through the haze. The dust vanished, leaving Mihawk exposed.
A streak of black light tore across the sky. In the blink of an eye, the swordsman was at his opponent's side, Yoru slashing down toward his head. Bullet could not close his mouth in time, but his right hand snapped up, catching the blow. The sword energy cut into his skin, slicing through his Demon Mode, yet he crushed the attack in his palm and countered with his left fist.
Boom!
The punch smashed into the blade, force enough to drive Mihawk back with a grunt. Blood dripped from Bullet's hand, but his eyes shone with hunger. "Good. More."
He stomped the ground, the earth cracking beneath his feet as he charged again. Mihawk thrust his sword at every vital point. Even his Demon Mode could not shield his eyes. Bullet tilted his head, barely dodging, the clash of sword and body leaving afterimages in the air.
Snarling, he clapped his giant palms together around Yoru, locking it in place. With his left hand, he yanked it back. Mihawk's eyes widened, but he couldn't let go. Energy poured from Bullet's body into the blade.
Crack!
His right fist slammed into Mihawk's chest, breaking every rib in front. Simultaneously, Yoru burst with razor-sharp energy.
Bullet released just in time. If he had held on, his palm would have been severed. He shook his bloodied hand. The wound closed slowly, skin stitching itself together as his fist tightened.
He glanced at Mihawk, coughing blood a short distance away. "The fight is decided."
The air around Bullet's arms roared, streams of energy bursting from his body, forming the shadow of a demon behind him. He lunged, while Mihawk, face grim, raised his sword once more. His shattered ribs and broken body did not slow his hand. Their battle tore the port apart, dragging the fight inland.
* * *
By evening, a third of the island was gone. The land lay in ruins, canyons and broken earth stretching endlessly.
Bullet's body was riddled with cuts, his dried blood crusted across blue skin. Mihawk's left arm was gone, his right hand alone gripping Yoru as he knelt on one knee, chest caved in, blood pouring from his mouth. Bone shards had pierced his organs, and even his iron will could not mask the tremors of his body.
Still, he inhaled sharply and forced himself upright. His blade pointed at Bullet, who for once wore no smile. His eyes grew grave; he had seen what a dying man's strike could do.
Their feet pounded the ground, rushing forward.
Shua!
A blur, a simple pass.
They walked a few steps past each other. Mihawk exhaled softly. "What a pity…"
His hand brushed Yoru with reluctant care. He hadn't crossed swords with every master swordsman yet.
Bang!
A gaping hole burst through his chest, his heart pierced clean.
Dracule Mihawk collapsed, dead.
Bullet sneered through heavy breaths.
"As I thought."
Another wound tore across his own chest, forcing him out of his Demon Mode. He collapsed unconscious, body heavy against the ruined earth.
**
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