This should have been nothing more than a normal sword clash.
All Shiryu needed to do was draw his blade back to guard his waist
Or simply sidestep and retreat.
With Shiryu's Observation Haki, he could naturally predict the correct next move.
But! The "correct" move wasn't the one he wanted!
If they kept fighting like this, who knew how long the duel would drag on?
What he wanted wasn't a contest of swordsmanship…
He simply, purely, wanted to split the man before him in half!
As for whether he himself would die? He couldn't care less!
The katana did not change its trajectory. Following the recoil of the clash, Shiryu swung down once more!
If this blade struck, it would cleave Mihawk's head in two.
"A gamble of life for life, huh?"
Rosen watched the two men before him. Even without deliberately using Observation Haki to pry into their thoughts,
He could faintly sense their wills it was a clash of blades with lives on the line.
In Rosen's eyes, the outcome was clear: Shiryu would be cut clean in half, with no chance of survival.
As for Mihawk he likely wouldn't die.
If Mihawk tilted his head even slightly, that slash would land on his shoulder instead.
But! He was Mihawk! At such a moment, dodging was unthinkable!
Because the swordsman before him had already wagered his life.
As his opponent, he would unhesitatingly stake his own life in return
Even though he had far more chips left to play.
That was his pride as a swordsman.
That was the spirit that allowed him to rise to the title of "World's Greatest Swordsman."
Even if Mihawk didn't evade, Shiryu who would be the first to be cut in half
Would inevitably lose strength, his blade falling without the same edge it held now.
That was Rosen's prediction through Observation Haki. After all, he couldn't actually foresee the future.
Mihawk wouldn't die. But he would be heavily injured.
"I can't let the two of you end it here!"
Swish!
In an instant, Captain Rosen's figure vanished.
...
...
At that moment, within Shiryu and Mihawk's deep gazes, each saw the reflection of the other.
Observation Haki screamed warningsbut Shiryu paid no mind.
The pitch-black blade gleamed with the brilliance of death.
"Carry my will—Thunderstrom!"
(T/N: Thunderstorm is the katana's name)
Shiryu staked everything, unleashing the single strongest strike of his life!
Shhh—!
And just then, a figure suddenly appeared between them!
At a speed so great even Observation Haki couldn't perceive it, he swung out two blades!
Ding! Ding!
At the last possible moment, Rosen appeared beside the two.
With a reverse draw, he pulled out Oto and Kogarashi.
One blade intercepted Yoru.
The other clashed against the katana.
For an instant, the air itself fell silent.
Buzz! Buzz!
A violent gale erupted from the collision of power!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The rocky ground of the deserted island split apart.
At the shore, Moria's ship was blown away from its mooring.
Onboard, the crew shielded their heads with their arms.
"Well now, interrupting a duel where both sides have wagered their lives… doesn't really suit a swordsman's pride."
Captain Rosen spoke calmly.
"But as it happens, I don't give a damn about so-called pride. If either of you mind, feel free to try killing me!"
As he spoke, Rosen narrowed his eyes and revealed what he thought was a flawless smile.
After a brief standoff
Mihawk sheathed Yoru, once again slinging it across his back.
It was his way of showing his stance.
Shiryu naturally wouldn't raise his blade against his captain.
He merely gripped katana, standing there as blood poured from his wounds, lost in thought.
Captain Rosen, grinning, slid his twin blades back into their sheaths at his waist.
"I've seen the gap between us," Mihawk said, looking at Rosen.
"But it won't last for long."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Kuwahihihi! What a terrifying young man. How about joining my crew, young swordsman?"
Captain Rosen laughed.
"Your swordsmanship is strong. But beasts have always walked alone."
Mihawk replied coolly, not even turning his head.
"Want to learn? I could teach you."
Mihawk stopped in his tracks, looking back at Rosen in puzzlement.
"Well, you could say that being invincible gets lonely. Training up a powerful opponent isn't the worst kind of fun."
"I won't bow to anyone as a disciple."
"In your dreams! I've no interest in all that master-disciple nonsense. A deal! Understand? I teach you swordsmanship, and you help me cut people down!"
"Deal."
...
East Blue.
Moonlight shimmered over the sea.
Waves glistened silver, and even under the darkness, the ocean carried its own beauty.
On a wooden twin-track sailing ship, lights blazed bright. The air rang with celebration.
"Cheers!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The crew raised their cups in unison!
"To celebrate everyone joining the new crew cheers!"
Captain Rosen roared.
At that moment, the ship held a grand banquet to mark the formation of a new pirate crew.
For men on the sea, life and death were things long left behind.
So long as there was a reason or even some excuse they would drink and feast.
Every round of sake, every wild toast, could be their last joy.
So they threw themselves into the night, savoring every drop of laughter and cheer!
Even Shiryu, swathed in bandages like a mummy, clinked cups with Mihawk.
Once bitter enemies, locked in a life-or-death struggle,
Now comrades part of a celebration where all were bound to share joy.
With the magnanimity of the two, naturally, neither held back. They laughed and matched each other drink for drink.
And in its own way, that too was a competition.
Rosen threw an arm around the ship's doctor, insisting he drink.
The doctor, though, kept trying to stop Shiryu, determined not to let a man covered head to toe in wounds drink himself to death.
"Don't worry about him! That guy's constitution isn't that of a normal human. Can't cut him down, and you think booze will kill him? Come on! Drink!"
Glug! Glug!
With that, Captain Rosen drained his own cup dry then grabbed the entire barrel, pressing it toward the doctor!
"Captain! Captain! I'm just a normal human! I can't handle this much!!"
The doctor struggled desperately, shoving the barrel back toward Rosen.
"Oh? Then if you won't drink, I will!"
Glug! Glug! Glug!
Thud!
And down went Captain Rosen.
"Hehehehehe! What's a banquet without a performance? Nighttime is my stage!!"
Moria rose to his full height—nearly seven meters tall—instantly becoming the center of attention.
"Shadow Dancer!"
A black shadow appeared at his side, identical in form to Moria himself.
Moria and his shadow lifted their arms together.
"Next up dance time!"
With that, the two towering figures linked arms and began to dance!
"Woooooaaahhh!!"
The crew erupted in cheers! It was their traditional act at every feast!
All joined in, swaying together!
"Old Mo! Who would've thought you had this talent?!"
Somehow back on his feet, Rosen swayed drunkenly, looking as if he too had joined the dance.
"As captain, I've decided on Old Mo! From now on, you're the crew's official dancer!"
"Damn it, Captain! I was supposed to be a combat officer!"
"To celebrate our new dancer cheers!"
"Woooooaaahhh!!"
The lively banquet made the night all the more colorful, all the more fleeting.
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T/N:
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