Even when holding back, Mihawk still utterly outclassed Shimotsuki Ryuma.
Perhaps, when Ryuma was alive, his strength rivaled Mihawk's current level. But now—revived in a zombie's decayed body—he could no longer fully display his swordsmanship.
Even though Mihawk restrained himself to test pure swordplay, Ryuma's sluggish, unresponsive movements soon left him overwhelmed.
"I lost."
Looking down at his collapsing body—strained to its limits—Ryuma spoke quietly to Mihawk.
A faint hint of regret flashed through Mihawk's eyes. He could feel it—if this man still had a living body, he would've been a worthy rival.
Ryuma slid Shusui back into its sheath and tossed it toward Mihawk.
"I no longer have the right to wield this blade. You already possess a great sword yourself, so… help me find a new master for it."
"Alright." Mihawk nodded solemnly.
As he did, Ryuma's exhausted body completely fell apart. A black shadow slipped out from within him and flew off into the distance.
Glancing once at Ryuma's true death, Mihawk picked up Shusui and turned back.
"...Mihawk!"
Moria was still reeling after Don's departure.
"Our target isn't you, Moria."
Mihawk stopped for a brief moment, gave the rotund Warlord a glance, then tossed Shusui toward Issho before leaping down from the ship.
Issho caught the sword mid-air, running his hand along the sheath. His expression softened, filled with quiet emotion.
So the legendary blade of Wano still exists…
That man—Shimotsuki Ryuma—was he truly the Dragon-Slaying Swordsman of legend?
Issho pondered silently before turning and jumping down from the massive ship as well.
From the railings of the Thriller Bark, Moria watched their small vessel sail away, its size pitifully dwarfed by his own floating fortress.
"Captain…"
Perona was still dazed.
"They're gone. Let's not bring this up again," Moria muttered, finally exhaling in relief.
They'd really just taken a sword and left?
True, Shusui was a treasured blade, but to Moria, it wasn't something worth dying for. Besides, after that brief exchange earlier, he knew full well—he stood no chance against that man.
Especially with Mihawk present.
Meanwhile, deep in a shadowed corner of Thriller Bark, a flicker of black energy darted through the air—slipping into the body of a skeleton.
"Yohohoho! My shadow has returned!"
The skeleton sat up abruptly, laughing in his eerie, hollow tone.
"Though… I've no idea why it came back."
——
Aboard Don's ship.
He drew the black blade, Shusui.
Its obsidian surface gleamed with a muted, dangerous luster. Fine, intricate patterns ran along the blade like living veins of power.
Gripping the tip between his fingers, Don bent it slightly. The steel flexed—but did not break.
After testing its resilience, he released it and nodded faintly.
"To forge a Black Blade isn't easy… That Dragon-Slaying Swordsman must've fought countless battles with this sword before tempering it to this level."
Issho, sensing Don's curiosity, spoke in explanation.
"You seem to know quite a bit about Wano," Don remarked, glancing at him with interest.
Issho only smiled faintly, remaining silent.
Since the man didn't wish to elaborate, Don didn't press further.
"The spine's thick, the balance heavy… not much lighter than my own blade. Can you use it?" he asked, looking to Robin.
She accepted Shusui, intrigued by the weapon that had prompted Don's entire detour.
Although she wasn't familiar with swordsmanship, being surrounded by three sword masters had piqued her curiosity.
After swinging it twice, Robin shook her head. "It's not for me. This is a man's blade."
"Then we'll keep it for now," Don said. "When we meet my junior or junior sister again, I'll pass it on."
"Your junior… and sister?" Mihawk raised an eyebrow.
Don chuckled. "Yes. They might already be swordsmen by now."
Kuina, Zoro…
He wondered how far they'd come.
"But I'm no longer the World's Greatest Swordsman," Mihawk suddenly added, referring to his defeat at Don's hands.
"I don't care for that title," Don replied lightly. "I'm not just a swordsman."
To him, the name Emperor of the New World sounded far more interesting.
Especially if he could claim it before Red-Haired Shanks.
——
Hours later, flames roared from beneath their ship as it burst free from the Devil's Triangle.
Sunlight flooded the skies. The darkness and fog that had swallowed them vanished behind.
"Full speed ahead—destination: Sabaody Archipelago!" Don commanded, pointing toward the direction indicated by the eternal log pose.
The ship surged forward.
"Shouldn't we head to Water Seven first?" Robin shouted over the rushing wind.
"No log to get there! We'll hit Sabaody first, then Water Seven to build a new ship!"
Their descent from Skypiea had skipped several islands along the Grand Line. With the Eternal Pose in hand, there was no need to retrace every route.
Besides, Don was eager to master the Conqueror's Infusion technique—and refine the full potential of his Haki.
And then there was Crocodile. He wondered how far the man had gotten.
At this rate, Don would likely reach Sabaody before him.
When that time came, perhaps Enel could serve as Crocodile's "sparring partner."
Whether the sand crocodile could handle him, though—that remained to be seen.
As Don's crew sailed toward Sabaody Archipelago, the world's attention was fixed elsewhere
on a war between Red-Haired Shanks and Charlotte Linlin, one of the Four Emperors of the New World.
"Captain, there's heavy Marine presence in nearby waters,"
reported Vice-Captain Beckman, striding over with the latest intel.
END OF CHAPTER
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