An intent sharper than any blade, a will that surpassed all rumor, manifested before Mihawk's eyes. For the first time in years, his blood stirred with excitement.
To cross swords with such a man had been his unspoken wish. And now, standing across from Thorne Ashveil, the desire to fight consumed him.
"This… this is the essence of swordsmanship itself!" Mihawk whispered, his golden eyes blazing.
His fighting spirit surged, no longer restrained. Against a swordsman who could shape intent into a tangible blade, hesitation was suicide. Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman, knew that truth better than anyone.
Ashveil, sensing Mihawk's resolve, let out a faint smile. With a wave of his hand, he released a barrier of Conqueror's Haki, shielding Urouge from the crushing aura that threatened to shatter his body.
The monk's throat went dry. He swallowed hard, sweat dripping from his chin.
"Thank you, Captain Ashveil… you're incredible!"
The protection in place, Ashveil's manifested sword above his head pulsed with life, greedily absorbing more of his Haki. For most swordsmen, the ability to form such an "Intent Blade" was the peak of mastery.
For Ashveil, it was merely one expression of his will. His Conqueror's Haki could shape anything—his sword was only one of infinite possibilities.
The pressure of two giants locked together. Winds howled through the forest, tearing branches free. The sea itself thrashed angrily against the island's edges, waves hammering the cliffs as though the world trembled in anticipation.
Birds scattered into the sky. Baboons screeched in terror and vanished into the caves of Kuraigana Island.
Ashveil's voice was steady.
"Mihawk, I'm going to make my move."
Mihawk's lips curved into a thin smile. "Good. I've waited for this day. Show me what true swordsmanship means!"
There was no fear in his eyes, only exhilaration. Even if death came from this clash, to fall before such a swordsman would be an honor.
The massive blade of light swung downward. The very air cracked, space itself seeming to tear. A blinding slash, wider than the forest and over a thousand meters across, screamed toward Mihawk with unstoppable force.
The sheer wind pressure uprooted trees and flattened the land before the attack even touched.
"Hawkeye Mihawk, let's end this in a single strike," Ashveil declared.
To hold back now would only be an insult to Mihawk.
The swordsman's grip on Yoru tightened. His golden eyes gleamed with wild brilliance.
"Excellent! One strike to decide the outcome. This is the way of true swordsmen!"
He raised his obsidian blade high. His voice was low but resolute.
"Nine mountains and eight seas form one world. A thousand such worlds shape a Minor Thousand World. Yet with a single blade, I can cut through all of creation. This is my strike… One Major Thousand World!"
His black slash roared forth, thunderous and suffocating, a tide of death racing to meet Ashveil's radiant cut.
The two forces collided.
Boom!
The island itself shook as if struck by a meteor. Winds exploded outward in circular waves, ripping apart forests and hurling stones into the sky. The ground fractured, wide canyons opening beneath their feet.
The very sea split apart as tsunamis rose high, slamming against the island's cliffs.
Urouge fell to his knees, hands trembling violently. His eyes were wide, his breath ragged.
"This… this is Captain Ashveil's true strength? Compared to this power, I'm nothing… just an ant before a god!"
Above, the two slashes tore at one another. Mihawk's black cut strained against Ashveil's white torrent. For a moment, they seemed equal. Then, with a shattering roar, Ashveil's attack devoured Mihawk's.
The radiant blade surged forward, unstoppable.
Mihawk's pupils contracted. The light filled his vision. The speed was beyond dodging. For the first time in decades, death loomed close.
But even as the strike bore down, a strange calm washed over him.
"To clash blades like this… with a man who has transcended swordsmanship itself. If this is my end, then so be it."
Memories of his endless pursuit of the sword flashed through his mind. His long stagnation. His yearning for progress. And now, the path forward revealed itself.
"So this… is Sword Intent. When swordsmanship reaches its limit, it evolves into this. If I had more years, perhaps I too could reach this realm."
He closed his eyes, bracing for the end.
The slash screamed down—and then curved.
Boom!
The attack roared past him, striking the land behind. The island split with a thunderous crack, the earth itself rending in two. The sea poured into the gash as waves surged like a tsunami.
When Mihawk opened his eyes, the world was chaos. The ground quaked, the skies thundered, and the sea howled. Yet he stood unharmed, the young man before him smiling faintly.
Ashveil lowered his hand. He had shifted the slash deliberately. Mihawk was not meant to die here.
"How was it, Mihawk? I won this strike. Will you honor our agreement?" Ashveil's voice was calm, but his words carried unshakable authority.
Mihawk's heart pounded. His pride as the World's Greatest Swordsman had been shattered and reforged in that instant. He had touched upon a new path, a revelation of the blade.
"So young, yet with such overwhelming power… Compared to you, my so-called genius is meaningless."
Slowly, Mihawk sheathed Yoru and bowed with the respect only a swordsman could give.
"You have my answer, Thorne Ashveil. I accept my defeat. You've rekindled the joy I once lost. Our agreement stands—I will uphold it."
For the first time in years, Mihawk's voice carried not pride, but genuine respect.
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Milestone,
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter