The morning mist enveloped Suotuo City as Marco strolled through the streets with Qing Yu perched on his shoulder. After several days of rest, he was preparing to continue his journey to Spirit City. Qing Yu stood on his shoulder, curiously observing the morning market and occasionally letting out clear, melodious cries.
While having breakfast at a food stall, Marco overheard a conversation between several Soul Masters at the neighboring table.
"Did you hear? 'God Knife' won again last night!" a burly man exclaimed excitedly. "That's fifteen consecutive victories now!"
"Really?" his companion asked in surprise. "And this was at the Soul Ancestor level?"
"Absolutely true!" the man slammed the table. "And the most amazing part is that he still hasn't used any Spirit Ability! He relies solely on his knife!"
Marco's chopsticks paused slightly. Achieving fifteen consecutive victories at the Soul Ancestor level without using Spirit Abilities was truly extraordinary.
Another tall, thin Soul Master joined the discussion: "I've seen his matches with my own eyes. His eyes are as sharp as an eagle's. His Martial Soul is a large knife as tall as a person, with a unique shape like a cross."
A cross-shaped large knife? Marco's heart stirred—this description reminded him of a familiar figure.
Marco's heartbeat quickened slightly. This dedication to the knife, this unconventional style—it increasingly resembled that person from his memories.
Qing Yu seemed to sense his master's emotional change and gently pecked his ear. Marco snapped out of his thoughts and decided to gather more information.
"Brothers," Marco politely interjected, "may I ask when this 'God Knife' appeared in Suotuo City?"
The Soul Masters looked Marco over, noting his impressive appearance and the extraordinary Qing Yu on his shoulder, then enthusiastically replied: "Young brother, you must be from out of town? 'God Knife' suddenly appeared half a month ago and participates in one match every night at the Great Soul Arena."
"What does he look like?" Marco pressed.
"He's very tall, with golden eyes like an eagle's," the burly man gestured. "He dresses very elegantly—white shirt, black pants—like a noble young master. But his aura is particularly cold; no one dares approach him."
The more Marco heard, the more it sounded like the figure from his memories. He thanked the Soul Masters, having already decided to visit the Great Soul Arena that evening to investigate.
Throughout the day, Marco heard discussions about "God Knife" everywhere in Suotuo City. This mysterious Soul Master had become the city's hottest topic. Some said he came from a hidden sect, others claimed he was a scion of a great family undergoing training, and some even speculated he might be a secretly cultivated genius from one of the top three sects.
As evening approached, Marco arrived early at the Great Soul Arena. To his surprise, despite there being two hours until the match began, the area outside was already packed with people. The excited audience members discussed the night's match, clearly all there for "God Knife."
"I heard 'God Knife's opponent tonight is 'Silver Bear'!" a young Soul Master exclaimed excitedly.
"'Silver Bear' is a veteran Soul Ancestor! His Martial Soul is the Silver Armor Bear with extremely strong defense!"
"I wonder if 'God Knife' can continue his winning streak..."
Marco bought a ticket and entered the spectator area, only to find the best seats already taken. He had to settle for a seat in a more distant area, but even here, he could feel the intense atmosphere of the venue.
Qing Yu seemed startled by the noisy scene, pressing tightly against Marco's shoulder. Marco gently stroked its feathers, his gaze fixed intently on the arena below.
Before the match began, the host's impassioned voice echoed through the venue: "Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight's main event—the mysterious powerhouse 'God Knife' versus the veteran Soul Ancestor 'Silver Bear'!"
Deafening cheers erupted throughout the arena. Amid the fervent atmosphere, a tall figure slowly ascended the platform.
The moment Marco saw that figure, his breath caught. The tall, upright stature, sharp golden eyes like an eagle's, stern features, and the uniquely shaped long knife on his back—this was unmistakably "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk from One Piece!
Though his hair was common black and he wore simple attire—a white shirt with black straight-leg trousers—the aura of overlooking the world and that dedication to the way of the sword were identical to the figure in Marco's memory.
God Knife stood quietly at the center of the arena, oblivious to the cheers around him. His gaze was calm and profound, as if contemplating something. The long knife on his back was wrapped in simple cloth strips, revealing only the cross-shaped hilt.
At that moment, his opponent also stepped onto the stage. It was a burly, muscular man who, after Soul Fusion, was covered in silver bear fur, with two yellow and two purple Spirit Rings pulsating around him. This was Silver Bear, a Soul Ancestor renowned for his defensive prowess.
After the referee announced the start of the match, Silver Bear launched the first attack. Roaring, he charged at God Knife, his third Spirit Ring glowing as thick silver armor covered his arms, smashing toward his opponent with a sound that tore through the air.
Facing this powerful strike, God Knife merely sidestepped slightly, the long knife on his back already unsheathed at some point. It was a simple, ancient-style long knife, its blade gleaming coldly, the cross-shaped hilt appearing particularly distinctive.
With a casual swing, the long knife precisely struck the weakest point of Silver Bear's assault. Silver Bear grunted, his attack instantly collapsing.
Gasps of astonishment burst from the crowd. Marco inwardly marveled; this single strike, though seemingly simple, contained an exceptionally high level of swordsmanship.
Silver Bear, clearly enraged, activated his fourth Spirit Ring. A brilliant silver light enveloped his body as he transformed into a silver whirlwind charging at God Knife. This was his ultimate Spirit Ability—Silver Bear Rampage!
Confronted with this ferocious assault, God Knife remained composed. Holding the knife with one hand, he shifted his steps lightly, the long knife tracing elegant arcs through the air. Each swing perfectly deflected Silver Bear's onslaught, the blade seeming to slice through the very air wherever it passed.
Most astonishingly, from start to finish, God Knife had not released a single Spirit Ring nor used any Spirit Ability. Relying solely on his knife, he fought evenly with a fully unleashed Soul Ancestor.
Unable to gain ground after prolonged attacks, Silver Bear grew impatient. Bellowing, he launched a series of fierce assaults, but each was effortlessly deflected by God Knife. The long knife seemed to come alive in God Knife's hands, every movement both graceful and lethal.
Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in God Knife's eyes as the long knife thrust out at an uncanny angle. Swift as lightning, it pierced through Silver Bear's defenses, the tip halting just before his throat.
The arena fell silent for a moment before erupting into thunderous cheers.
"God Knife! God Knife! God Knife!" the audience chanted excitedly, hailing the victor.
Silver Bear stared blankly at the knife tip before his throat, and after a long moment, he said bitterly, "I've lost."
God Knife sheathed his blade, gave Silver Bear a slight nod, and turned to leave the arena. From start to finish, he didn't speak a word, nor did he show any emotion.
Marco sat in the audience, his mind roiling with shock. This level of swordsmanship, this fighting style—how similar it was to the Hawkeye Mihawk from his memories! Although in this world, he used Martial Soul instead of real swords, that understanding of the way of the blade, that air of looking down upon the world, was almost identical.
After the match ended, Marco followed the crowd out of the Great Soul Arena. The night sky over Suotuo City was ablaze with lights, but his thoughts remained fixed on the stunning match he had just witnessed.
Returning to the Rose Hotel, Marco stood by the window, gazing at the distant stars. Qing Yu had already fallen asleep, her small head tucked under her wing, looking utterly peaceful.
"Hawkeye Mihawk..." Marco murmured to himself. Though reason told him it was impossible, that "God Knife" was simply too similar to the figure from his memories.
He decided to stay in Suotuo City for a few more days to continue observing this mysterious "God Knife." If possible, he even wanted to find an opportunity to speak with him. After all, encountering someone in this world who might be connected to his past life was a rare chance indeed.
At the same time, he began considering his next steps. But this sudden appearance of "God Knife" might just change his plans.
Qing Yu shifted slightly in her sleep, emitting soft snores. Marco smiled faintly and covered her with a small piece of soft cloth. It seemed this traveling duo of man and bird were about to face another unexpected turn in their journey.
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