In the dense forest of Kuraigana Island, Urouge charged headlong at the strange baboons. Swinging his massive pillar-shaped weapon, he aimed a crushing blow at the leader.
With a thunderous crash, the strike gouged a deep crater into the earth. Dust and shattered rock flew outward, yet when the cloud cleared, the towering baboon stood untouched.
Urouge's eyes widened.
"What?! An animal… actually dodged me?"
The imitation baboons shrieked in eerie unison. Several of them, wielding giant iron hammers, leapt from the trees above. Mimicking Urouge's attack, they slammed down at him with brutal force.
"Damn!" Urouge growled, raising his weapon horizontally across his chest.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The repeated impacts shook the ground. Sparks scattered as iron met steel. The overwhelming force pressed Urouge's feet deeper into the dirt, cracks spreading outward beneath him.
His arms trembled.
"These beasts… their strength is no joke!"
Gritting his teeth, he tried to push back. "I'm one of the Supernova! I carved a name for myself across the Grand Line. Sure, the New World has monsters I can't match yet, but to struggle against baboons…?"
Pain tore through his body as the wound from Akainu's magma strike reopened. The searing throb made his grip falter.
"Wuwu—!"
The surrounding baboons shrieked gleefully. Dozens more grabbed crude weapons and surged forward, their battle cries echoing through the forest.
Pinned beneath the hammer-wielders, Urouge's arms shook violently. Sweat poured down his forehead.
"This is… humiliating! A Supernova, crushed by a pack of animals?!"
The moment the baboons closed in for the final strike, a calm voice cut through the chaos.
"I say, Urouge, you're not their opponent right now. Don't push yourself."
Thorne Ashveil stepped forward, his gaze steady.
In an instant, the entire troop of baboons froze. Their weapons slipped from their claws. Their wild eyes widened with instinctive terror.
Wuwuwu… wuwuwu…
The cries turned to panicked wails. The creatures shook uncontrollably as if a predator far beyond them loomed overhead.
Ashveil exhaled softly, his will spreading like a storm. The weight of Conqueror's Haki flooded the forest.
"You lot, I'll let you go this time. But don't disturb me again."
At once, the baboons dropped their weapons and fled, their howls trailing as they vanished into the trees.
The silence that followed only deepened Urouge's humiliation. His face burned red. He had stepped up to impress his Captain, only to be rescued like a child.
Lowering his head, he muttered, "Understood, Captain Ashveil… I won't act so recklessly again."
Ashveil smirked lightly. "Good. Train properly on my ship. If you can't even handle a group of baboons, you won't last long in the New World."
Despite his massive frame, Urouge looked like a chastised boy. Inside, however, he vowed to himself that he would grow stronger—strong enough to stand proudly at his Captain's side.
Their journey continued until, just beyond the looming silhouette of the Ghost Castle, a figure stepped into their path.
Sharp, hawk-like eyes locked onto them.
Urouge froze, his heart hammering. There was no mistaking those eyes.
Dracule Mihawk. The World's Greatest Swordsman.
Dressed in his signature black hat and long coat, a massive cross-shaped blade strapped across his back, Mihawk radiated an aura sharp enough to cut stone. The Black Blade Yoru glinted ominously in the fading light.
"I don't recall inviting guests onto my island," Mihawk said, his voice calm but edged with steel.
A chill raced down Urouge's spine. "So this is the presence of the World's Greatest Swordsman… He hasn't even unleashed Conqueror's Haki, yet my body still trembles!"
Ashveil, however, remained unshaken. His expression was calm, his gaze steady.
Comparing himself to his Captain once again, Urouge felt a deep pang of defeat.
"I thought becoming a Supernova meant I had finally reached the peak. But here in the New World, I'm nothing. Captain Ashveil, Admiral Akainu, Rayleigh, Mihawk… they're all mountains I can't climb. Even baboons dared mock me! And yet, my Captain, not even twenty years old, crushed the Blackbeard Pirates, executed Celestial Dragons, and even defeated Akainu…"
Ashveil spoke smoothly, a faint smile on his lips.
"Mihawk, forgive the intrusion. I came here specifically to see you. I didn't bring a gift, so I ask for your pardon."
Mihawk's eyes narrowed. "You're the one who killed Sakazuki. If you've come to recruit me into Whitebeard's crew, you'll be disappointed."
His voice was firm, his purpose clear. "Justice, evil—it doesn't matter. My path is swordsmanship. Only by crossing blades with the strongest can I sharpen myself. That's why I seek Whitebeard."
Ashveil chuckled lightly. "Whitebeard's power won't refine your swordsmanship. If you truly want to advance… I can teach you."
The swordsman frowned. "Teach me? You? Arrogant boy."
But before he could dismiss the thought, something stirred.
Above Ashveil's head, a pure white blade shimmered into existence, forged not of steel but of will itself. Its tip aimed straight at Mihawk.
The swordsman's eyes widened, his breath catching.
"This… this is Sword Intent…! The realm where 'no sword surpasses the sword.' Controlling the blade with pure will alone!"
Excitement flooded Mihawk's face, his usual calm cracking into raw hunger. For years he had stagnated at the pinnacle, unable to move forward. Now, before him, stood proof that a higher realm truly existed.
Ashveil's smile deepened. "Mihawk, I'll defeat you in the way of the sword. In return, will you lend your blade to the coming war at Marineford?"
Mihawk's lips curved upward, his blood surging with anticipation. Slowly, he drew Yoru, the Black Blade gleaming under the twilight.
"Very well. Show me your way of the sword, Ashveil. I look forward to your guidance!"
The forest itself seemed to shiver as two monstrous auras collided, and the battle of blades was about to begin.
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