Ringo, Northern Cemetery.
A gloomy sky loomed over Wano Country's largest graveyard, the thick clouds seemingly pressing down upon the entire burial ground. For centuries, the remains of successive shoguns, daimyo, and numerous prominent figures had rested here, their tombstones standing like silent guardians upon the barren land.
The cawing of crows occasionally pierced the silence, adding to the graveyard's solemn atmosphere. Among the numerous graves, the most striking was the tomb of Shimotsuki Ryuma. This legendary Sword Master, active during the "Golden Country" era, had never known defeat in his lifetime, his swordsmanship so exquisite it commanded admiration.
Legend told how he had single-handedly repelled countless invading Pirates and World Nobles, and even slain a dragon that had loomed over the capital. After death, he was revered as the "Sword God," enshrined in a temple alongside his beloved sword Autumn Water, worshipped by all the people.
King strode with heavy steps through the forest of tombstones, his black leather boots crushing withered leaves beneath them, producing faint rustling sounds. His objective here was clear - to find the Devil Fruit offered as a tribute.
A chilly wind swept up fallen leaves from the ground, the air thick with the scent of decay.
King's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, scanning the various shrines until it finally settled on one spot: an orange fruit lay quietly on the offering platform, emitting a faint glow in the dim light. This was precisely his target.
"Found it," King murmured to himself, his deep voice echoing through the empty cemetery. A flicker of delight crossed his eyes as he quickened his pace. Just as he reached for the fruit, years of combat instinct made him abruptly retreat. His figure swept back over ten meters like a ghost, the spot where he'd stood now marked by a cold gleam - an unsheathed long sword pointed directly where he had been moments before.
The sword wielder was a bare-chested man with well-defined muscles, his bronze skin covered with various sword scars. His eyes were as sharp as blades, his entire being radiating an intense aura.
The two faced off across the ten-meter distance, the surrounding air seeming to freeze solid. The crows' cawing ceased abruptly, leaving only the wind's mournful howl through the tombstones.
"Shimotsuki Ushimaru, by attacking me, have you prepared yourself for death?" A low, threatening voice suddenly sounded from the darkness. King's figure slowly emerged from the shadows, his right hand gradually closing around the hilt of his King of Hell. The friction between scabbard and blade sounded particularly grating in the silent cemetery.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru's gaze burned like torches as he responded fearlessly: "I was wondering who would dare trespass in the Northern Cemetery and covet the offerings to the dead." His voice was steady and powerful. "So it's you, King, underling of the Pirate Kaidou."
Their eyes met in midair, as if tangible sparks were flying. The surrounding temperature seemed to drop suddenly, even the wind becoming cautious, not daring to disturb the impending confrontation.
"Hmph, a mere Samurai of Wano Country dares to block my path?" King's lips twisted into a cold smile, his black Wings slowly unfolding behind him, blotting out the sky. His right hand tightened around King of Hell, the blade beginning to glow with an eerie purple-black light. The surrounding air started to warp and distort, revealing the terrifying power contained within this famous sword.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru's pupils contracted slightly, but his grip on the sword remained steady. He said in a low voice, "This is the resting place of generations of samurai. How could we allow a pirate like you to defile it?" Before his words faded, his figure flickered like a ghost before King, his long blade tracing a perfect arc as its edge aimed straight for King's vitals.
Clang!
The deafening clash of metal echoed through the graveyard, startling countless crows roosting in the withered trees. King stood unmoving, King of Hell firmly blocking Shimotsuki Ushimaru's strike. The ground beneath their feet cracked from the impact, sending flying debris and revealing the astonishing power contained in that single blow.
"Not bad speed," King sneered coldly, suddenly exerting force to push Shimotsuki Ushimaru back several steps. "But your strength is still far lacking." His tone carried clear contempt.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru steadied himself, the fighting spirit in his eyes burning brighter. Taking a deep breath, a pale blue aura suddenly enveloped him—the signature swordsmanship of the Shimotsuki family. "Witness the swordsmanship of the Shimotsuki clan!" he roared, his figure splitting into three afterimages that simultaneously attacked King, each carrying sharp sword energy.
A flicker of surprise crossed King's eyes, but he quickly regained composure. Swinging King of Hell violently, flames erupted from his back and instantly coated the blade. The raging fire shattered all three afterimages in an instant.
Flames and sword energy intertwined, blooming into dazzling sparks against the night sky.
Yet the real Shimotsuki Ushimaru had already appeared above King's head, his long blade descending with piercing sword energy. This strike concentrated all his power, determined to finish King in one blow.
But King's figure vanished before his eyes with unbelievable speed.
"In the darkness, my speed is unmatched," King's voice whispered coldly by Shimotsuki Ushimaru's ear, filled with killing intent.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru paled in shock, hastily raising his sword to block. But King's attack came too fast and fierce—he barely managed to parry it.
Clink!
The two long blades met midair with a screeching sound. Shimotsuki Ushimaru felt an irresistible force surge through him, sending him flying like a broken kite. His body slammed heavily against an ancient tombstone, shattering it upon impact.
Struggling to rise from the rubble, Shimotsuki Ushimaru wiped blood trickling from his mouth—the crimson stark under the moonlight. Yet his gaze grew sharper than a blade's edge. "I never expected one of Kaidou's subordinates to be this strong..." he murmured to himself, though his sword hand remained steady as rock.
Ten paces away, King descended slowly, his black wings gleaming with a metallic sheen in the moonlight. "How could a frog in a well like you possibly comprehend Kaidou's power?" His voice pierced like ice. "Step aside now, and I might spare your life."
Suddenly, Shimotsuki Ushimaru assumed a peculiar stance—long blade held horizontally across his chest, tip slightly lowered. This seemingly flawed posture made King frown for the first time. A piercing chill permeated the air as tiny ice crystals formed along Shimotsuki Ushimaru's blade.
"Shimotsuki Style: Frost Slash!"
With a furious roar, his figure instantly transformed into a streak of white light. Wherever it passed, the ground was coated with a thin layer of ice. King swiftly swung the King of Hell to block, but was shocked to find his movements becoming sluggish. The surrounding temperature had plummeted, freezing even the air itself. The moment their blades collided, a layer of frost actually formed on King's right arm.
"Interesting," King snorted coldly, the flames on his back abruptly surging and instantly melting the ice on his arm. He sharply beat his wings to ascend, looking down at Shimotsuki Ushimaru from above. "But tricks like these won't hurt me."
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