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The stalemate between Shiryu and Mihawk was shattered by a single, errant leaf. The razor-sharp field of sword intent that had locked them in place instantly disintegrated.
High above, Arthur immediately sensed that something was wrong. There were no trees near the beach. Even if there were, a leaf couldn't have been blown this far.
For a moment, he couldn't even tell who had interfered, only that someone on one of the ships near the port was making trouble—
"Hahahaha?" Arthur's laughter was laced with fury. "Is this some new way of asking to die?"
To have a duel at its peak interrupted... the feeling was as disgusting as an ant constantly teasing you.
The white clouds in the sky instantly crackled with lightning, a manifestation of Arthur's rage. Dark clouds pressed down from above.
"RUMBLE~"
Thunder roared, and electric serpents danced wildly—
The sudden change in weather naturally caught the attention of others. Some even raised their binoculars to the sky.
"In the sky... THAT'S A SHIP!!!"
"It's the Thunder Emperor! Is he also here to see Roger off?"
"Fuffuffuffuffu, such a dangerous figure has come to Loguetown."
Discussions erupted from all directions. In an instant, their gazes shifted from Mihawk and Shiryu to the sky.
Doflamingo leaned on the railing of his flamingo-headed ship, a wicked smile on his face.
"Doffy, a man like that... it's best not to fight him..." Trebol said, as if remembering something. His body, shrouded in mucus, trembled slightly.
Years ago, Trebol, Diamante, and the others had entered the New World, hoping to contend for supremacy. However, they had the misfortune of encountering an incomparably powerful emperor, whose Conqueror's Haki had crushed them on the spot, forcing them to retreat from the Grand Line in disgrace.
It wasn't until one day they met a child with the "disposition of a king," Donquixote Doflamingo, and crowned him their king, hoping to use his power to re-enter the New World.
Trebol and his group had bet everything on Doflamingo, pinning all their hopes on him—
"Fuffuffuffu, I understand... Right now, we have no chance of being his enemy," Doflamingo said, looking up at the sky and grinning.
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"RUMBLE~"
The storm clouds continued to roll, showing no signs of stopping.
In the next moment, a clear voice spread across the sea outside Loguetown's beach.
"To the ant who just so carelessly interrupted my crewmate's duel, consider yourself lucky I didn't spot you." A chilling gaze seemed to take physical form, sweeping over every ship below. Arthur's tone was utterly ruthless.
"If anyone dares to cross that line again, I will kill you. Of course, if you're looking to die, just step forward. I don't mind sending you on your way."
His domineering words were aimed at every single person below. To anger this group was to anger every supernova who would soon appear in the Great Age of Pirates.
With Arthur's personality and actions, he was making countless enemies. Any pirate who coveted the highest power in the New World, even knowing his terrifying strength, would still set their sights on him as a target.
After the new era began, he would undoubtedly be seen as a challenge by the rising stars.
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Arthur's voice had no effect on the duel between Mihawk and Shiryu. They were completely focused, nothing existing in their world but their opponent.
The duel entered a white-hot state from the very beginning. The hum of their blades echoed through the sky.
Their incomparably sharp sword auras locked onto each other, the razor-sharp intent enough to shatter one's heart and soul.
Shiryu's intricate swordsmanship, wrapped in his sword aura, suddenly thrust downwards, his figure moving like a thunderbolt.
A cold glint of light exploded from the polished blade of the Raiu, incomparably dazzling.
"CLANG!"
The Black Sword, Yoru, and the Raiu collided, sending sparks flying.
The instant their famous blades clashed, they were both coated in pitch-black Armament Haki. The tips of Yoru and the Raiu were pressed against each other.
Both men's eyes showed a hint of surprise as they felt the power transmitted from the blades, their bodies trembling slightly.
"Killing a man like you is what gives my life meaning!" Shiryu's expression became frenzied again. His sword slid off the Black Sword's blade and, at a strange angle, slashed towards Mihawk's throat.
"Then we'll see if you have the skill for it!"
Mihawk's gaze remained as sharp as ever. He tilted his head, avoiding the slash with an incredible movement. At the same time, he flicked the Black Sword, Yoru, upwards, parrying the Raiu, its momentum undiminished as it slashed towards Shiryu's heart.
A battle between equals was the best way to temper a person. It tested not only one's spirit, endurance, and decisiveness, but also required one to find the enemy's weakness for a fatal blow.
The strangeness of Mihawk's slash was impossible to defend against. It was aimed at a vital point, showcasing the speed of the Black Sword to its fullest. It seemed there was nowhere to dodge.
'My path of the sword will never stop here. I'm sorry... swordsman,' Mihawk thought with respect. He deeply admired those who single-mindedly pursued their path.
To respect an opponent, one should not hold back. One must defeat or kill them with all one's strength.
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"Captain..." Byrnndi World, watching the battle, seemed to want to see a change in Arthur's expression.
However, he was disappointed. From beginning to end, Arthur maintained his confidence in Shiryu, not even considering the possibility of him losing to Mihawk.
"Just watch. Shiryu will not lose."
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"VMMMMMMMMM~"
The Raiu vibrated in Shiryu's hand. Facing this inescapable slash, he actually revealed a cruel smile.
He forcibly shifted his position, causing the blade that was aimed at his heart to deviate, piercing from his left chest towards his right. Under Mihawk's somewhat uncomprehending gaze, Shiryu had traded a grievous wound for a chance to take his opponent's life.
The Black Sword, Yoru, was much longer than the Raiu, but... Shiryu's height and arm length surpassed Mihawk's.
Forcing a step forward, the slashing sword aura chopped towards Mihawk's neck!
Trading injury for life. Mihawk was not the least bit panicked. The moment the Raiu slashed over, the Black Sword, Yoru, famous for its weight and speed, once again struck the tip of Shiryu's blade.
"CLANG!!"
After the collision, both men retreated dozens of meters at the same time. They exchanged dozens of slashes, both emerging unscathed.
Shiryu had just demonstrated to Mihawk that the best defense is a good offense.
"The Thunder God Pirates... are they all monsters like you?" Mihawk asked in a low voice after they had taken their positions.
This question piqued the curiosity of countless onlookers, and there were even Marines secretly gathering intelligence.
"As long as the Captain exists, the Thunder God Pirates will always be the strongest..." Shiryu replied.
"We've tested our swordsmanship and our sword aura. Shall we decide the victor with our strongest slash?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking."
Both men fell silent at the same time, madly accumulating their sword momentum.
The vast, powerful sword aura suddenly vanished without a trace, all of their offensive power suppressed within a single, yet-to-be-unleashed slash.
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