In the days that followed.
Doflamingo packed every single day of Law's schedule to the brim.
He had Lao G teach him Rokushiki.
He had Diamante teach him swordsmanship.
He had Gladius teach him artillery.
By the end of each day, Law would be battered and bruised, and then Doflamingo himself would personally supervise him in tactical studies.
Brawling, slaughter, naval battles, strategic planning—these trainings covered every aspect of the future.
Step by step, Doflamingo passed down everything he had walked through himself, imparting to Law resources far beyond anything he had ever possessed in childhood, with no reservations at all.
Many of the officers couldn't understand why he valued this kid so much.
Only Corazon could faintly grasp a bit of Doflamingo's intent:
"He's treating Law completely as if he were his younger self…"
"And placing that kind of expectation upon him…"
Corazon's feelings toward Law grew increasingly complicated.
Law wasn't like Doflamingo, who had disregarded life from childhood.
From his actions, one could tell there was still a shred of kindness in his heart.
It was only because of sudden tragedy that he had become what he was today.
The Doflamingo of the past had been beyond saving—but this child, there was still hope…
...
The Grand Line, on a deserted island at the edge of the Calm Belt.
The Red-Haired Pirates' ship was moored at the shore, beside it a coffin-like small boat.
The crew was gathered at the beach. Nearby lay the carcass of a Sea King, with great slabs of its meat sizzling and dripping fat over a roaring bonfire.
Lucky Roux stared at the meat, drooling:
"You think this time, between Boss and Mihawk, who's gonna win and who's gonna lose?"
Yasopp laughed:
"Of course it'll be that idiot Boss."
Benn Beckman chuckled:
"That's right, hahahahaha."
The little monkey on his head, Monster, also squeaked with laughter.
The whole beach erupted into roaring laughter.
Ben Beckman shook his head:
"You lot…"
...
On a desolate mountain ridge.
A streak of red and a streak of black clashed violently.
The shockwaves stirred gales, sparks flying as swords collided.
Clang!
Shanks's "Gryphon" locked against Mihawk's black blade, Yoru.
Looking at Shanks grinning wide before him, Mihawk couldn't help but let a smirk tug at his lips. A good opponent was far too rare…
With added force, Mihawk pressed down with his black sword.
A slash of emerald-green sword energy ripped forth, driving Shanks back and carving into the mountainside.
Boom—!
A mushroom cloud dozens of meters high rose up, dust shrouding the battlefield—but it didn't affect him in the slightest.
Observation Haki couldn't sense anything, but sword intent never lied.
Mihawk leapt, bringing his black blade behind him, and cut into the heart of the dust cloud.
A streak of sword light ripped through the haze—yet Shanks was not there.
At some point, Shanks had already appeared at the side of the slope.
Grinning at Mihawk, who had just swung, he shouted:
"Try this one instead!"
His left leg stepped back, left hand carrying the sword swung behind him, aiming straight at Mihawk.
Scarlet currents of energy spiraled around Gryphon as he slashed forward.
A wave of sword energy charged with dangerous aura shot forth with explosive speed.
Boom—!
Mihawk's eyes narrowed.
"You've grown stronger again, have you."
Both hands gripped Yoru high, cutting down against the crimson crescent slash.
A wave of emerald sword energy collided head-on, another mushroom cloud billowing into the sky.
The violent blast swept across the land for hundreds of meters, Mihawk blown back before regaining his footing.
In his mind, he carefully recalled Shanks's slash just now.
The more he fought Shanks, the more he could sense the refinement of that technique.
Truly worthy of being the disciple of Pirate King Roger…
But there was no time for thought—what he desired now was an even more exhilarating battle.
His right hand raised Yoru, slicing toward Shanks.
The turbulent airflow between them split in an instant.
Mihawk's afterimages streaked across the ground as he charged toward Shanks.
Clang!!!
Their blades clashed, locked in stalemate for a heartbeat.
Then, carried by Mihawk's charging force and surging sword energy, Shanks was forced flying backward.
After retreating several steps, Shanks suddenly exploded with force beneath his feet, blasting back out of the suppression.
Pivoting on his right foot, his left hand swung Gryphon in a sudden arc.
A spinning wave of sword energy shattered the pressure, splitting into several crescent slashes streaking toward Mihawk.
Mihawk raised Yoru with elegant calm, his wrist flicking slightly.
The storm of sword energy was effortlessly deflected one by one.
Swoosh—
A surge of red energy suddenly crashed at Mihawk's front.
Clang!
This time, it was Shanks pressing Mihawk back, slamming him into the mountain behind, dust exploding skyward.
Rip—!
The haze was instantly torn apart, revealing the two figures as their feet struck the ground.
Black and red currents clashed with sparks, surging around the mountain as they raced up toward the peak.
Boom—!
The mushroom cloud erupted atop the peak, shaking the island.
From its middle, the mountain split in jagged sections, sliding apart.
High above the sky.
Two bursts of air pressure streaked toward each other.
Shanks and Mihawk both gripped their blades in both hands, sword energy swirling wildly around them.
Red light and green gleam lit their eyes, muscles bulging as they swung down at each other.
Zzz—
Zzz—
The clash of blades sparked crackling lightning.
Suddenly, Shanks's pupils shrank.
Before him, Mihawk's muscles swelled even further, his sword aura becoming even sharper, crashing down in a torrent.
A piercing arrowhead slash slammed Shanks into the forest below.
Boom—!
A crater dozens of meters wide was blasted open, trees collapsing in waves.
Mihawk, four years Shanks's elder, held that slight advantage—in a duel this evenly matched, it was decisive.
Of course, this was also because the two were purely testing swordsmanship.
Shanks, embedded in the earth, rose with a flip. Grinning at Mihawk above, he stomped the ground.
A crimson spiral of energy shot skyward at Mihawk.
Shanks gripped Gryphon with his left hand, his right pressing against his wrist.
Scarlet energy wrapped the blade, streaked with lightning.
Mihawk too was aflame with fighting spirit. Both hands gripping Yoru, emerald energy coiled along its edge.
His feet stepped in the air repeatedly, Geppo-style, charging down.
Red and green waves collided in midair.
Clang!
The twin sword auras clashed, releasing a sound that seemed to pierce the ears.
Hummmm—!
Even the Red-Haired Pirates far at the coast couldn't help but cover their ears.
Then, high above the island's center, a colossal white sphere of energy burst out.
Layer upon layer of sword aura carried raging shockwaves, expanding outward in all directions.
The aftershocks lasted several minutes. By the time Shanks and Mihawk emerged from the forest side by side, returning to the coast—
Six mountain peaks that had been caught in the blast had slid halfway down their slopes…
Shanks, ragged but grinning wide, shouted:
"Let's feast!!!"
Mihawk's lips curved into a faint smile.
The Red-Haired crew around them erupted with excitement:
"Ooohhhhhh!!!!"
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