At sea.
A young man stood on a small boat, wielding a massive sword, gazing with great interest at the gleaming silver battleship ahead.
"There's no mistaking it. That ship color, it must be him."
"The legendary blacksmith who forged a sword on the level of the Supreme Grade Blade, the genius craftsman, Hammer!"
As he finished speaking, the young man swung his greatsword again, and another flying slash tore through the air straight toward the Warhammer.
BOOM!
But this time, the slash was destroyed mid-air before it could even hit the ship.
"Which suicidal maniac just took a shot at my ship?!"
"Do you know how much this ship costs?!"
Standing boldly on the ship's bow, Hammer still held a clenched fist, the slash had been shattered by a single punch.
However, he frowned slightly, feeling the power behind the attack.
Then he looked at the attacker's face…
Yup, just as he thought...
"So you've come, Marine's top rising star, Hammer!"
The young man's face lit up with excitement upon confirming Hammer's presence.
He slowly raised his sword and assumed a stance.
"Come, let's battle! A duel between a swordsmith and a true swordsman!"
"No."
Just as the young man passionately issued his challenge, Hammer shot him down without hesitation.
He eyed the young man carefully.
Short black hair, sharp eyes… just missing the beard.
Hawkeye...
A younger Dracule Mihawk.
Yes, the one piloting the small boat and attacking the Warhammer was none other than...
The future Warlord, the World's Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk!
"Why?! Why would you reject my challenge?!"
Mihawk was stunned. Totally unprepared for a refusal.
"You're just some kid, not even a pirate. Why should I bother fighting you?"
"Hmm? Give me a reason, brat."
Mihawk was speechless.
'You need a reason… to duel?!'
Then he glanced at the sword in his hand.
The Supreme Grade Blade: Yoru.
One of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades in the world, crafted by the most elite smiths.
A massive black blade, its Hamon a chaotic, flowered T-shaped pattern.
Hammer's gaze lingered on Yoru.
The blade was noticeably broad, and the tip resembled a machete or hunting knife. The guard was ornate and oversized, perhaps serving as a counterbalance. Given the sword's length and heavy tip, the balance had to be expertly tuned near the hilt to wield it properly.
Its recognition as a Supreme Grade Blade likely wasn't just due to sharpness, but also its precise weight distribution, a testament to its maker's mastery in metallurgy and mechanics.
As expected, a true Supreme Grade Blade has its secrets.
But Hammer, formerly a master smith in Huaxia in his previous life, was confident; his current creations were already worthy of that level.
All he lacked... was proof.
And what better proof than this?
If his own weapon could defeat the sword of the future's strongest swordsman, then it would prove that his blade, even against a Supreme Grade, stood on top.
In an instant, Hammer had formulated the perfect plan.
He even let a faint smile slip from the corner of his lips.
Seeing this, Kuzan and the others felt a chill down their spines. Hammer was radiating something sinister.
"Hammer, can you not smile like that? It's creepy and pervy," Kuzan blurted out, blunt as ever.
Hammer immediately scowled and glared at him.
"If you wanna challenge me, at least state your name."
"Name?"
Mihawk looked confused but still responded honestly.
"I'm Dracule Mihawk! The man who will become the world's strongest swordsman!"
Hammer nodded. Suddenly, young Mihawk reminded him a lot of Zoro.
'Could that be why Mihawk took Zoro in as a student later on? Saw a younger version of himself and got sentimental?'
"Mihawk, huh... Not bad. If I'm not mistaken, your sword is Yoru, one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades, right?"
At those words, the nearby marines and even Kuzan gasped.
"Supreme Grade Blade? For real?!"
"Yes! Yoru, one of the twelve!"
Mihawk gently caressed the blade, his expression softening with reverence.
"Alright. Out of respect for that blade, I'll let you attack me."
"Three times. I'll allow three attacks."
"Lance! Lower the small boat!"
Hammer removed his Justice cloak, his aura suddenly turning unfathomably deep.
Lance quickly had marines lower a small boat, and Hammer leaped down to meet Mihawk face-to-face.
Just one small boat each, the two now stood opposite each other on the open sea.
Mihawk, overjoyed by the acceptance, readied his stance again. His presence turned razor-sharp, like a drawn blade. Even Kuzan couldn't help but be stunned.
"Sword aura...?! A kid this young?!"
Hammer nodded internally.
Impressive. No wonder he becomes the best swordsman, this kid's only 16 or 17, and already at this level...
"First Sword, Sword of Conviction!"
Mihawk gripped Yoru in both hands and unleashed a powerful flying slash, stronger and more concentrated than before.
Hammer: '...What the heck? "Sword of Conviction"?'
Why does this feel like Zoro shouting his attack names…
But the slash was already upon him.
"Small Hammer Forty!"
A hammer strike met the slash head-on, the shockwave shattered Mihawk's strike midair.
Mihawk's eyes widened. He knew the power of his own attack. Yet Hammer crushed it effortlessly?
"As expected of Vice Admiral Hammer! Take my second sword!"
"Sword of Justice!"
Yoru swung twice, two slashes intersecting to form a cross-shaped strike. Even the sea beneath rippled from the force.
"What the heck, Conviction, now Justice...?"
"Chest-breaking Hammer!"
Hammer raised both index fingers, infused with Armament Haki. He pierced through the cross-slash with sheer force.
"Impossible…"
"That's... Haki?!"
Though young, Mihawk had heard of Haki; his family had told him that true swordsmen must eventually forge their own Black Blade.
He hadn't awakened Haki yet, so seeing it now excited him deeply.
"Oh? You know about Haki? That's right, this is Armament Haki," Hammer said as he coated both hands in black.
"So this is Armament Haki... Someday, I'll have it too!"
"And I'll forge Yoru into my own Black Blade! Take my third sword!"
"Where the Blade Points, It Cleaves Gold and Diamond!"
Hammer: '...I get it now. This is why you later took in Zoro.'
Chanting your attack names really is a legacy that needs to be passed on!
But the two of you, one speaks in modern slang, and the other uses poetic ancient language.
And you still look down on him!
.....
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