Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head, denying the possibility:
"Mihawk may have miscalculated. How could anyone master Conqueror's Haki Infusion—the most difficult technique—in such a short time?"
At that moment, Garp suddenly burst into laughter:
"Why not? Even Conqueror's Haki Infusion is just a slightly advanced skill in the face of a true genius. Back when I was chasing Roger and nearly caught him, didn't he also master Conqueror's Haki Infusion right after taking a punch from me, on the verge of death?"
Sengoku shook his head:
"But that was Roger, a monster standing at the very peak of an entire era. How could Ivan possibly compare to him?"
"Why not? We all know Ivan is a monster too. I actually believe he might truly master Conqueror's Haki Infusion in a short time!" Garp was full of confidence in Ivan.
High above the sea, under everyone's watchful eyes, Ivan deliberately pretended to be unfamiliar as he began attempting Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
From the initial failure to form Conqueror's Haki Lightning, to barely managing to wrap it around Snowfall, and finally, to completely infusing the black lightning into Snowfall—the entire process took no more than ten minutes!
In just over ten minutes, Ivan had thoroughly mastered the technique of Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
This scene left all the onlookers stunned.
Especially Mihawk, who hadn't intended for Ivan to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion immediately. He had planned to wait until Ivan mastered it in the future before battling him again.
To his surprise, Ivan had mastered it in such a short time.
This filled him with wild joy, transforming his usual elegant demeanor into fervent excitement.
Ten years after Shanks lost his arm, he had finally found a new opponent capable of threatening him!
Ivan controlled the Conqueror's Haki Lightning, infusing it into Snowfall.
He looked at Mihawk and smiled confidently:
"Thanks for the guidance. Now, we can continue."
A flicker of excitement flashed in Mihawk's eyes as he tightened his grip on Black Blade Night:
"Good. Let me see what kind of power you can unleash now that you've mastered Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"
As soon as he finished speaking, both of them moved simultaneously.
Their figures streaked like two bolts of lightning, crisscrossing over the sea. The moment Snowfall and Black Blade Yoru collided, an unprecedented roar erupted.
The two black blades clashed, sending dazzling sparks flying.
Shockwaves spread in all directions, carving deep trenches thousands of meters long across the sea's surface.
This time, Ivan no longer defended passively but took the initiative.
His sword techniques infused with Conqueror's Haki were sharp and swift, each strike carrying the power to destroy heaven and earth as he pressed his attack against Mihawk.
Mihawk's swordsmanship remained sharp, his use of Conqueror's Haki Infusion masterful.
At first, while Ivan was still somewhat "unfamiliar" with using Conqueror's Haki, Mihawk could continue to suppress him.
But Ivan's rate of improvement was astonishing. In a very short time, he perfectly integrated Conqueror's Haki Infusion with his own swordsmanship.
As their figures continued to clash over the sea, Mihawk gradually found himself at a disadvantage.
Time passed bit by bit, the battle growing increasingly intense. Both their breathing grew labored, and the wounds on their bodies multiplied.
Yet Ivan's offensive grew fiercer, his sword techniques ever more relentless.
Mihawk's movements gradually slowed, and a look of exhaustion appeared on his face.
He could clearly sense that Ivan's strength had already surpassed his own.
Whether in swordsmanship mastery or the application of Conqueror's Haki Infusion, Ivan had reached an entirely new level.
Facing Ivan in this state, even if he gave his all, he would find it difficult to contend.
Finally, in a fierce exchange, Ivan's Snowfall struck Mihawk's Black Blade Yoru with precision.
Under the immense force, Mihawk's wrist went numb, and Black Blade Yoru nearly slipped from his grasp.
At the same time, he was forced backward, crashing heavily onto the sea's surface, unable to use Moon Walk to return to the air.
Seeing this, Ivan did not press the attack. Instead, he used gravitational force to lift Mihawk from the seawater.
He looked at Mihawk, and even in victory, showed no trace of arrogance, instead offering him the utmost respect:
"I won, and it's all thanks to you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion."
Mihawk coughed a few times, his face showing no resentment, only a look of relief:
"That's right, you won. From this moment on, the title of the world's greatest swordsman belongs to you."
After the outcome of the battle was finally decided, all the onlookers in the distant Marineford were stunned.
The scene fell into a dead silence, followed by an earth-shattering wave of discussion.
Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Akainu, and countless Marine soldiers stared intently at Ivan.
The world's greatest swordsman had actually been defeated by a young man who had only just awakened Conqueror's Haki.
At this moment, they knew that a new top-tier powerhouse had risen.
The future of the seas would be completely reshaped by Ivan's emergence.
...
The rain in Marineford always carried a salty, damp scent.
As the location of the Marine headquarters, the island was perpetually swept by sea winds.
Driven by these winds, the rain pounded against rooftops with a dense rhythm, enveloping the entire island in a misty haze.
On the western side of the island, in the upscale residential district, stood Ivan's residence.
Unlike the solemn courtyards of other high-ranking Marine officials, Ivan's home was more refined.
At this moment, in the master bedroom deep within the residence, warm yellow light filtered through frosted glass, casting the silhouettes of three figures.
The air was filled with a faint fragrance, and the interior's furnishings softened the sound of wind and rain outside.
The soft velvet bed was rumpled, silk quilts scattered to the side, as three figures clung tightly together.
Rapid breaths intertwined, echoing the steady patter of rain outside the window.
After an indeterminate amount of time, two bird calls suddenly sounded from outside the window.
With these calls, the commotion inside gradually subsided.
The hurried breathing slowly eased, leaving only steady, even breaths.
Ivan slowly rose, his figure appearing even more imposing in the dim light.
He picked up the Marine Vice Admiral uniform nearby, dressed neatly, and glanced down at the two women lying on the bed, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Without disturbing them, Ivan gently tucked in the quilt and turned to walk toward the bedroom door.
Passing through the hallway, he entered the spacious, bright living room.
On the sofa in the living room, a slender figure sat quietly—it was Robin.
She had been there for a long time, dressed in an elegant white gown, her jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders, an open ancient book resting on her lap.
Hearing the footsteps, Robin slowly looked up, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips:
"Vice Admiral Ivan, what refined taste you have, sparring with two powerhouses at once. Aren't you afraid of straining your back with all that exertion?"
Hearing this, Ivan showed not the slightest hint of embarrassment. Instead, he strode over and sat down on the sofa:
"Only with you here would it truly be complete."