After saying this, a trace of unnatural emotion flickered across Mihawk's eyes.
To be frank, even after more than a month aboard the ship, he still hadn't surpassed Redfield in pure swordsmanship. When he activated the power of his Supreme Grade Great Blade, Yoru (Night), he could seize the advantage—but that was a weapon's edge, something he disdained to rely on.
Wearing the crown of "World's Greatest Swordsman" felt hollow.
And when Redfield said Creed's swordsmanship was above his own, Mihawk felt it even more keenly.
So today, no matter what, he wanted a duel with Creed—to feel pressure at a higher plane.
Redfield had honed his swordplay; Mihawk hoped Creed would help him shatter his shackles and break through that ceiling.
"Fine. I've wanted to see your Supreme Grade blade as well—because I have one too."
With a turn of his hand, Creed brought out Samsara.
The instant Samsara appeared, the Yoru on Mihawk's back thrummed with a deep "won…won…" and released a razor-edged aura.
Creed's vision dimmed for a heartbeat, yet his five senses were unaffected.
He had already extracted Yoru's sword intent. It was only SSS+, but more than enough to resist the sword will Yoru itself radiated.
Samsara in his grip answered with a clear cry; sword intent surged to meet and contend with Yoru's will.
Two Supreme Grade Great Blades, both sentient—meeting, they immediately vied with each other.
"My black blade is named Yoru. What's yours?" Mihawk asked.
"Samsara. Let's take this to that island."
Creed pointed toward a distant shadow.
It was a barren island, no sign of life—perfect for a duel of blades.
"Good."
Excitement lit Mihawk's eyes.
The two left Creed's ship and alighted on the desolate isle. They slipped away quietly, but not beyond the senses of a top-tier monster like Redfield.
"Couldn't hold back after all, huh, Mihawk?"
Redfield was a little put out, yet eager all the same.
Though Creed's battle with Kaido had ended inconclusively, the one peerless cut Creed unleashed was etched in Redfield's memory—the strongest strike he'd ever seen. Still, he felt Creed hadn't perfected that sword; there was room to climb.
Would Mihawk, by unleashing all the might of Yoru, push Creed's blade one step further today?
"Either way, it's a once-in-an-era duel between great swordsmen! I'm not missing it."
He handed the helm to Robin, called for Brook, and the two went to spectate from waters off the island.
"The victor will be the World's Greatest Swordsman?! Yohoho… what an honor to witness this duel. But I believe Captain Creed will win," Brook said, less excited than Redfield, but brimming with confidence in Creed.
"No doubt. The only question is: how many moves will Creed need to defeat Mihawk?" Redfield nodded.
Lucky for Mihawk he couldn't hear them—otherwise he'd be furious. "I'm still the World's Greatest Swordsman, damn it!"
In the next instant, Creed and Mihawk faced off.
"Don't hold back. Otherwise, you might not last ten moves," Creed said mildly, eyes half-lidded.
Mihawk's initial sword-raising stance drew in, restrained.
"Not last ten moves? Creed, will you give me such a surprise?!"
His temper pricked—Mihawk didn't care much for titles, but this was the first time someone had slighted him on the path of the sword.
Boom!
A world-shaking sword pressure erupted from him, shaping into a black beast that could swallow heaven and earth.
Within a hundred li, the sky dimmed as if night fell.
Within the beast coiled matchless sword intent, tearing tiny cracks through the surrounding void.
"So this is Yoru's power…"
Creed sighed softly.
Behind him six divine rings rose; six sword intents spanned, crossed, and bred one another. Like a sun, they blazed with ten thousand rays, holding back the surging Night-sword will.
"At our realm, we no longer need many cumbersome forms. One move can decide victory."
Creed's voice was calm. "They're called 'Supreme Grade' blades for a reason—the word 'Supreme' stands before 'Great Blade.' Have you grasped the supreme will hidden within your sword?"
Mihawk's heart jolted.
Man and blade as one, he had indeed touched Yoru's ultimate mystery—and wrested some measure of control over it.
He had thought himself alone in this insight—yet Creed spoke of it as if stating the time of day.
"Don't tell me… you've grasped the supreme will too?" Mihawk asked, surprised.
"A little. Come—let's see which rules this day: Samsara or Yoru."
Creed shook Samsara. A ringing peal rose to the heavens, shattering the hush laid by Night.
The two terrible sword wills—far beyond human dominion—left even Redfield and Brook, watching from afar, stunned.
Only by witnessing it could Brook understand the extremity of the Way of the Sword: to cleave heaven and earth—to cut through all things.
Redfield, however, clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Knew it—Mihawk hid a card from me! So every Supreme Grade hides a pinnacle secret of the sword… I need to get one for myself someday."
The next moment, the duelists moved.
Supreme Samsara!
Supreme Yoru!
Boom!
Light collided with night. Black fissures in the void webbed from their clash, racing outward.
Beneath their feet, the barren island—though all bedrock and thick stone—was pulverized to dust by the exploding sword intent and sword aura.
In the span of a breath, the island—over ten li across—was erased.
For a time, within a hundred li of sea, there was only light—and dark.
"Move!"
Even seven or eight li away, Redfield sensed danger. In alarm, he shoved Brook aside and flashed forward, sword raised to ward off the stray tides of killing intent and slashing air.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Redfield hadn't expected it: even at a distance of more than ten li, the aftershocks alone forced him to exert himself.
And then—delight.
Within those aftershocks were seven consummate sword intents—a rare grindstone for him as well.
"Won…"
His blood-red sword intent surged skyward. Amid the seven-hued brilliance of sword auras, he propped up a heaven and earth to contend against them.
Rumble—rumble—rumble—rumble—rumble!
Countless ringing blades, thunder like ten thousand storms. Across a hundred li of ocean, unmeasurable seawater was driven up by absolute sword will, reversing into the sky like a celestial river.
Before long, the riot of light and shadow finally drew in and stilled.
(End of Chapter)
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