Mihawk's third sword strike came at blinding speed.
In his hands, the greatsword Yoru felt weightless. Though it looked like he swung once, in reality he had slashed over a dozen times in rapid succession. These multiple strikes fused into a single terrifying flying slash.
Even swordsmanship newbies could tell this was no ordinary move.
Hammer, however, was completely unfazed. His right fist was cloaked in Armament Haki.
He punched the air again.
"Shockwave Hammer!"
This time, the strike was different. When Hammer's fist connected with the air, it rippled, actual shockwaves spread from the point of impact.
The hammer strike diffused irregularly, enhanced by the Armament Haki. The terrifying shock force and impact waves.
This was a move Hammer developed after witnessing Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi powers.
While his ability didn't create full-blown earthquakes, even a hint of that shockwave power massively amplified the destructive force of his hammer.
No surprise, Hammer had long admired the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Truly a top-tier Devil Fruit.
Mihawk's attack, like the two before it, was destroyed, completely ineffective.
"Is... the gap really that big?"
"Unbelievable. A blacksmith actually has this kind of power..."
Up until now, Mihawk had always assumed Hammer was just a smith who got promoted to Vice Admiral due to his craftsmanship.
All the headlines, he fought Whitebeard, joined in legendary battles, surely fake news, exaggerated by the press.
But now he knew...
He was completely, utterly wrong.
Hammer was terrifying. Far beyond anything Mihawk could handle right now.
"Three attacks done, Mihawk."
The words came calmly from Hammer.
Mihawk nodded. He was a man of honor; three attacks were promised, three he used.
"Now let me take a look at Yoru. I've always been interested in the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades."
Hammer leaped beside Mihawk and gazed at Yoru, clearly intrigued.
His intense stare made Mihawk instinctively tighten his grip on the sword.
He had a bad feeling...
And then.
"Yoink! Let go of that! Gimme!"
Hammer snatched Yoru out of Mihawk's hand with absurd speed and strength, catching him completely off guard.
Before Mihawk could react, Yoru was already in Hammer's hands.
"Hmm... good material. Extremely sharp. A bit heavy..."
"Yup, definitely a two-handed greatsword."
They say: Give a master blacksmith a blade, and they'll know its story.
Hammer analyzed Yoru in seconds, his hands delicately feeling its structure.
He lightly tapped the blade.
Duang~
The soft ring of steel echoed out.
Through the strike, Hammer could feel the internal structure of the blade.
"Very clever craftsmanship. Forged in one go."
"That hamon pattern from the heat treatment... tch. Why put patterns on a blade like this? Kinda pointless."
[Ding! Exposure to a top-tier weapon of this world, Supreme Grade Blade Yoru, has triggered a critical effect.]
[Applying bonus effect to Yoru: Sword Cry.]
[Randomizing Sword Cry... Ding! Chosen cry: 'Tearing the Night!']
Hammer: ????????
'Wait, what the hell is this?'
'Tearing the Night?" Isn't that... a song?! What bugged-out ability is this now?!'
'Why did such a ridiculous attribute get applied to a sword that's not even mine?!'
Just then, Mihawk noticed Hammer's flustered expression and became suspicious.
He had looked so deep and excited a moment ago, but now he seemed panicked.
"Vice Admiral Hammer? What's wrong? Is something wrong with my sword?!"
'Yes. Your sword.'
'Not mine. So… whatever happens, you deal with it.'
Without hesitation, Hammer tossed Yoru back to Mihawk and regained his composure.
"It's fine. I just really admire the craftsmanship of the Twelve Supreme Blades. Keep working hard, kid."
"You've got a long road ahead."
That statement actually made Mihawk pretty happy. But he wasn't done yet.
"I heard Vice Admiral Hammer forged a blade rivaling the Supreme Blades, Winterborne. May I see it?"
'See it? See what? Let's not.'
"Eh, I've got other duties to attend to. Maybe some other time. Gotta go."
Time to get out before this kid swings that sword again.
Of course, what Hammer feared happened anyway.
As soon as Mihawk got Yoru back, he casually swung it toward the sea.
A green flying slash sliced across the waves.
And then...
A raspy voice echoed out of nowhere:
"I tore my dreams apart... all night long..."
Hammer: !!!!
Mihawk: ????
Hammer looked like he was ready to die on the spot.
Mihawk stood dumbfounded, trying to locate the source of the bizarre voice.
Meanwhile, Kuzan, Lance, Shirley, and others at the bow of the Warhammer heard it too.
They were all craning their necks, trying to figure out where that strange singing came from.
"Hey... gotta admit, the original vocals are kinda nice."
"Lance! Set sail!"
Hammer could no longer stay; he had to leave immediately.
He was done with this cursed place.
"Weird sound... but I'm satisfied today."
"The sea holds many strong warriors. I'll visit them all!"
Mihawk made a dramatic declaration, gripping Yoru. But just before sheathing it, he gave another slash.
Another raspy lyric followed:
"Tore a page from an old phonebook..."
Mihawk: ????
Kuzan: 'I think I get it now...'
Lance: 'Mhm. Makes sense.'
Shirley: 'Wow! Swords can do that? I want one too!'
Mihawk's eyes locked onto Yoru. He glared in disbelief.
He slashed again.
"Two people struggled all night..."
Again!
"One night soaked in rain..."
Mihawk: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! Hammer!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SWORD?!"
Hammer: '...Don't ask me. I don't know either.'
Back aboard the Warhammer, Hammer looked helplessly at the now-deranged Mihawk.
"Look... I may have accidentally added a special feature to your sword."
"It's a song called 'Tearing the Night'. Pretty fitting, don't you think?"
"Now every time you slash, you get to enjoy some music. Sounds nice, right?"
"You don't have to thank me. Lance! Let's go!"
And off he went, completely ignoring the traumatized Mihawk.
"Tearing the Night"?!
He tore the 'Night'?!
Music... every slash?!
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO, HAMMER?!"
.....
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