Dangdang——!
The sword light flickered around the two of them.
Clash——!
After trading blows with Lock for a while, Dracule "Hawkeye" Mihawk realized something unsettling—neither of them could gain the upper hand. He stepped back a few paces, eyes narrowing as he searched for a weakness.
But soon, Mihawk noticed something strange. Lock's attacks, his timing, even the way he shifted his weight—it was all nearly identical to his own. Like staring into a mirror.
"Could this man be copying my techniques as we fight? What an intriguing opponent." Mihawk thought, his sharp eyes glinting as he studied Lock, who held his blade in the same stance as him.
Whoosh—!
Clang—!
The moment Mihawk hesitated, Lock was already there. His black blade swept down at frightening speed.
"Were you distracted just now, Hawkeye? That's dangerous…" Lock grinned, pressing harder into his strike.
Squeak—!
The force of their clashing blades made both black swords tremble violently, grinding together with a harsh screech.
Mihawk's lips curled faintly. "No, I was simply appreciating the chance to meet an opponent like you. Since that man lost his arm, I've found no one able to match me in swordsmanship."
"In that case…" Lock's eyes sharpened. "Why don't you stop holding back?"
Clang—!
Mihawk batted his blade aside and stepped back. "I wasn't hiding my strength. I only wanted to see how far you could push me without it."
With that, he coated his blade in Armament Haki. His black sword now gleamed with a sharper, more dangerous edge.
Mihawk pointed the blade at him. "Strong swordsman—your name?"
Boom—!
Lock mirrored him, covering his blade and hands with Armament Haki. "Lock."
Mihawk's grin widened. "Then this duel has only just begun."
Both lowered their stances, blades trembling with the intent of their swing.
"Come on, Dracule Mihawk!" Lock called.
Whoosh—! Whoosh—!
They flashed toward each other at blistering speed, leaving only afterimages where they'd once stood.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Each collision rang out sharp and clear, sword pressure slicing through the air. Trees in the distance were shredded in half by the stray force.
Boom! Crack—!
Their strikes grew more violent with every exchange. The ground beneath them split apart, rocks shattered, and the mountain they leapt onto began to collapse under the force of their battle.
Even as stone crumbled and the earth groaned, neither stopped.
"Haha! It's exhilarating to fight with you using nothing but the blade, Hawkeye!" Lock shouted, eyes burning with excitement.
"It's been far too long since I've had a true duel," Mihawk admitted, his usually cold expression softening into something like satisfaction. Ever since Shanks gambled his arm on the New Era…
For a man like Mihawk, invincibility was suffocating. Without an opponent, victory meant nothing. But here, with Lock pressing him so closely, he felt alive again.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
Clang-clang-clang!
They blurred across shattered rocks, trading blows that turned boulders to dust.
Bang-bang-bang!
Every time their blades connected, another stone split apart, another mountain slope gave way.
Finally, after the ground itself collapsed beneath them, they returned to the earth.
Whoosh—!
Mihawk slashed several arcs of flying sword energy, each one screaming through the air toward Lock.
Lock responded in kind, his sword waves cutting across the battlefield.
Chi-cha-hum—!
Clang! Clang!
The waves collided, shattering midair with a deep, vibrating hum. The shockwaves ripped the air apart, scattering dust and rock.
Both men dug their feet in, shifting into the same stance, bodies crouched low, blades ready.
"This next strike will decide it!" Lock shouted.
"That's exactly my thought… Lock!" Mihawk replied.
For a moment, the world itself seemed to hold its breath.
Their eyes shut tight, muscles tense, every ounce of strength pouring into their blades.
Then—snap.
Both opened their eyes, sharp light flashing. The ground beneath them cracked and split as they launched forward.
Ding——hum——!
BOOM!
The collision shook the battlefield. Trees bent under the force, the land split like glass, and mountains in the distance began to crumble.
Bang-bang-bang—!
Even the sky seemed to tremble as their clash ripped across the landscape.
When the dust settled, the two stood back-to-back.
Tick—tick—tick—
Blood began to drip from identical gashes, running from shoulder to waist.
"Puff—!" Mihawk spat blood, thrusting his sword into the ground to steady himself.
Lock exhaled heavily, blood staining his side. Despite the wound, a grin tugged at his lips. "Heh… It's been a while since I took a hit like this."
Mihawk chuckled hoarsely. "What a duel. Truly thrilling."
Both men stood bloodied, but their eyes burned with satisfaction. The injuries didn't matter. For Mihawk, finding an equal was worth any wound. For Lock, surviving a battle with the world's greatest swordsman was victory enough.
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A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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