Chapter Head Serialization・"Longing" Serialization Suspended Part II – Set Sail!
The reporters returned fully loaded with stories. The Handsome Knights raised their sails and set off.
Beside Annie, a pile of royal guards lay in a heap, groaning. The other guards subtly took a step back, quietly exposing their commander to the frontline.
Meanwhile, Cavendish quietly picked up Mari-An, stealthily sneaking behind the still-excited Annie, so that Mari-An could reach over and doodle a blue graffiti drawing on Annie's back with her paintbrush…
…
"Why does he keep staring at me?" Liam couldn't help but glance back.
He didn't care about the various glances from around him, in fact, he'd already casually overheard enough to know they needed to check in with the judges to receive a number badge or something. He was cheerfully holding Robin's hand and heading there together, but suddenly felt a prickling gaze on his back, something vague, yet distinct.
And this wasn't from any of the random nobodies.
The stares of small fry weren't nearly strong enough to register on his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki).
When Liam turned to look, his eyes locked, across several dozen meters and through the crowd, with a gaze from a large, uniformed man.
'Shiryu of the Rain.'
Liam recognized that bastard immediately. That military uniform fetish? Unmistakable.
In the distance, Shiryu curved his lips into a wicked, chilling smile, oozing murderous intent.
"He doesn't actually think he looks cool doing that, right?" Liam muttered.
Robin tilted her head. "Hm?"
The two arrived at the judge's table just as a group of participating swordsmen were protesting something loudly.
"What's going on?" someone nearby asked curiously.
Liam casually tuned in, 'ah, so that bastard Shiryu had just drawn his sword and slashed someone.'
But the judges? They merely smiled faintly, watching the protesting contestants without saying a word.
One passing Swordsman saw that smile and shivered instantly.
Everyone quickly understood…
They turned to look again and realized something chilling. Despite the dozens of Den Den Mushi carried by staff all over the venue, not a single camera had captured what Shiryu had done.
This Swordsman Tournament...
Whether inside or outside the ring, it seemed bloodshed wasn't forbidden at all.
The organizers were merely providing a stage, a battleground for swordsman from all over the world to clash and compete.
One of the young female referees finally offered a timely, cheerful reminder: "Remember, this tournament is to crown the 'World's Greatest Swordsman.'"
The gathered swordsmen immediately fell silent. Some even secretly let out a sigh of relief…
"Thank goodness my preliminary match isn't in the same bracket as that uniformed monster… who knows if he'll just go berserk and cut people down mid-match!"
"There are no rules?"
Liam rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Just when others thought Giorno might be scared, he suddenly gave a knowing smile and said: "What a thoughtful tournament organizer, to make things so convenient..."
"...?!" Every contestant and even the entire row of referees froze.
What's this guy up to now?! Why say something so bizarre?
Several participants instinctively braced themselves, afraid he might suddenly go wild and start slashing.
But when they looked at his hands, they froze. Then looked at the woman beside him, and froze again.
Both of them had empty hands. Not a single sword at their waists.
The woman had a backpack slung over one shoulder, but it clearly wasn't big enough to hide even one sword, let alone two.
"Even though there are no formal rules in the tournament, and there's no restriction on what kind of weapons a contestant can use…" The cute referee girl offered a kind reminder as Liam and Robin drew their number tags: "It's still best not to enter the arena unarmed! Many of the swordfighters are carrying famed blades... If you're barehanded, you're at a serious disadvantage, especially in the first preliminary round, which is a 100–200-person free-for-all. Without a weapon, it could be really dangerous!"
That last line was mostly directed at Robin. Compared to Liam, who stood a towering 2.4 meters tall and looked like a mountain, Robin naturally seemed far more delicate.
Liam smiled. In truth, under the right circumstances, Robin's combat power might actually surpass his.
For example, when surrounded by "raw materials" like Rayleigh, Red-Haired Shanks, Hawk Eyes, Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido… all the "he's-so-free-spirited" types, Robin's abilities would receive an unprecedented boost.
In a scenario like that, she could become an unstoppable, hyper-enhanced version of herself. Even Liam wouldn't dare go head-to-head with her in that state.
And speaking of a 100–200-person free-for-all... truthfully, that chaotic environment was tailor-made for Robin's abilities to fish in troubled waters.
"What's your number?" After drawing their badges, Robin peeked at Liam's.
"190," Liam showed her. "Looks like I'm up in the first match."
Robin showed hers: "Mine is… 521. That should be around the third match."
BEEP!
Inside the arena. Outside the arena. All over the world, on every screen broadcasting the Swordsman Tournament, the side footage and behind-the-scenes clips abruptly switched to the main event feed.
The stadium seats were already packed wall to wall with spectators.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Excited chatter rippled through the massive crowd as people stared at the enormous central stage, and at the 700–800 unique swordfighters gathered around its edges.
Flashbulbs flared from the stands, many spectators had brought cameras or Den Den Mushi to capture snapshots of their favorite fighters or just the vibrant atmosphere.
"…Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the World Economic News Agency and the esteemed Shichibukai, Lord Crocodile…" The golden-mustached host, who doubled as the event's MC, bellowed with passion into a Den Den Mushi on the giant central platform:
"So now, audiences here in the stadium, tourists vacationing outside the arena, and all supporters tuning in on giant broadcast screens all over the world, I now declare: The Swordsman Tournament, to determine the title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman', officially begins!!"
"WOOOOOOOOOAAAAAHHH!!!!"
The cheers from inside the arena surged like a tidal wave, so loud, they even echoed from the streets beyond the colosseum.
At the arena's edge, Hawk Eyes, Charlotte, Shiryu, other New World Swordsmanes, around 700 to 800 competitors in total, stood watching. Some were expressionless. Some trembled with excitement. Others visibly nervous.
Every eye was fixed on the giant central stage.
A stage now watched by the entire world.
This was where they would determine who truly was the strongest Swordsman on the seas.
"Now then, let's welcome our first 200 contestants for the preliminary round!!" The MC shouted into the Den Den Mushi, "They will battle here in a chaotic free-for-all until only ONE remains standing! That one will advance as the first of the final Top Eight!"
The tournament organizers clearly didn't want to waste time. There were eight preliminary rounds, but only eight contestants total would advance, each winner proceeding to a one-on-one elimination tournament.
Such a cruel format.
Every fight would be a bloody clash from the very beginning.
"WOOOOAAAAHHH!!!"
The audience roared again, the excitement bursting like gunfire.
Many of the contestants grew pale, tense with anxiety.
But Liam, as usual, remained unaffected, just as he was about to step forward onto the stage…
…Robin tugged at the corner of his shirt.
(End Of This Chapter)
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