Hiliu also heard the murmurs from the surrounding crowd, but he didn't react at all. At this moment, his eyes were fixed solely on Buggy.
Through his observations, he realized that Buggy had been holding back. This man might have already reached the level of a swordmaster—a level of power Hiliu had long yearned for. Facing such a formidable opponent was exactly what he had been seeking. If he could seize this opportunity, perhaps he, too, could break through to that realm.
After taking his position, Hiliu offered the proper salute between swordsmen, then said directly:
"You're strong—stronger than anyone I've faced so far. I suspect you've already stepped into the realm of the swordmaster. I want you to fight me with everything you've got. Don't hold anything back. Let me see for myself what that level truly means."
From the very start, Hiliu made his intentions clear. He didn't want Buggy to restrain himself. Even if it cost him his life, he wanted to witness firsthand the gap between himself and a swordmaster—perhaps even reach that level amid battle.
Hearing this, Buggy understood immediately. Hiliu had already seen through his strength and wanted an all-out duel. Looking him in the eye, Buggy replied without hesitation:
"An all-out fight is fine… but if you lose, you'll join my crew as my subordinate. In return, I'll give you a Devil Fruit— the Paramecia-type Clear-Clear Fruit."
For a man like Hiliu, there was no need to beat around the bush. If Buggy could give him the intense fight he craved—and win—there was a good chance Hiliu would accept. The offer of the Clear-Clear Fruit only sweetened the deal; Buggy guessed it might be the very fruit Hiliu had dreamed of obtaining.
Hiliu was visibly taken aback by the terms. He hadn't expected such a direct offer, nor for Buggy to put such a tempting prize on the table. The Clear-Clear Fruit… it was indeed a power he had always coveted.
After a brief moment of thought, coupled with the pull of such an enticing condition, Hiliu nodded decisively.
"Fine. If you can defeat me, I'll become your crewmate."
The idea of serving under someone stronger didn't bother him. He had no particular goal at the moment, and if this man could grant him what he wanted, following such a powerful figure was something he could accept.
With that, Hiliu unsheathed his blade—Thunderstorm, a famed sword. The moment it cleared its scabbard, the blade shone with a crimson gleam, and a faint scent of blood seemed to permeate the air.
Seeing that blood-red light and smelling that coppery tang, Buggy guessed the number of people who had died beneath this blade was far from few.
Hiliu struck first. Against an opponent one tier above his realm, his odds of victory were already slim. His only chance was to seize the initiative.
He charged in, Thunderstorm flashing through the air, sending several crimson arcs of sword-light hurtling toward Buggy.
Buggy, watching Hiliu close in, drew Flame Sun in one smooth motion, swinging several times in quick succession. Blazing arcs of fire-infused sword energy clashed head-on with the incoming crimson slashes.
Though Hiliu's strikes were fierce, they were met blow for blow. The collision produced a tremendous shockwave, forcing Hiliu to back up step by step. The stone beneath his feet cracked and scored under the pressure as the distance between them widened.
That single exchange was enough to put Hiliu at a disadvantage, and his expression grew graver—he now fully understood the gap between them.
Still, he did not retreat. In a burst of speed, he darted to the side, circling Buggy while unleashing a relentless flurry of strikes.
To an ordinary opponent, his speed might have made him seem like a blur—his afterimages forming a deadly ring of blades.
But to Buggy, this was nothing remarkable. He could still see Hiliu's movements clearly and parried every slash with ease.
After deflecting dozens of strikes, Buggy finally made his move. With a sweeping motion, he unleashed his technique—Flame Moon Slash—a crescent of flaming sword energy spinning toward Hiliu's path.
In an instant, the afterimages vanished, and Hiliu reappeared right in front of the attack.
He brought Thunderstorm up to block, but the power behind Flame Moon Slash was overwhelming. His face flushed red with strain as he was driven backward at tremendous speed. The ground tore beneath his feet, leaving two deep furrows as the force pushed him hundreds of meters away, well beyond the arena.
The crowd scattered in panic under the pressure of the attack's aftershocks.
Though Hiliu managed to block the strike, blood spewed from his mouth, and the lower half of his body sank into the fractured earth.
Seeing his state, Buggy did not press the attack. The outcome was already decided. Hiliu had been knocked from the stage—if this were a fight to the death, the next strike would have finished him.
Hiliu stood motionless, making no move to free himself from the ground, nor any sign of continuing the fight.
He knew he had lost. His opponent was simply too strong, far beyond what he could handle now. The gap between him and a swordmaster was a chasm.
A wave of frustration passed through him, but it quickly gave way to renewed determination. He firmly believed that one day, he too would reach that level.
At first, Buggy was concerned when he saw Hiliu's spirit falter. If the man were crushed beyond recovery, this whole endeavor would have been a waste—such a broken Hiliu would not be worth recruiting.
But Hiliu did not disappoint. After a brief slump, he steadied himself and stood tall again, brimming with fighting spirit.
This resolve and resilience pleased Buggy greatly. With that kind of willpower and ability to recover from setbacks, Hiliu's future achievements could rival, or even surpass, his own. This was a man worth bringing aboard—a comrade with limitless potential.
With a burst of Soru, Buggy appeared before Hiliu and extended his right hand.
It wasn't that Hiliu needed help getting free—his strength was more than enough for that. But Buggy wanted to leave a lasting impression on his mind.