Chapter 53: Nameless Sword Style: Killing Blade
"Nameless Sword Style: Killing Blade!"
On the distant deck, Zoro, who had already fallen unconscious, struggled to open his eyes upon hearing this name.
"Ralph... you bastard... even naming techniques... like this..."
Before he could finish speaking, his strength failed him again, his head lolled to the side, and he fell completely unconscious.
Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk's lips silently repeated the name.
"Nameless Sword Style... Killing Blade..."
He lowered his head to look at his chest.
There, a small puncture wound marked his exposed chest, almost exactly where he had stabbed Zoro's chest with his small knife.
It was merely a superficial injury.
Given his physical prowess, the wound had nearly healed in this short time.
But the blood that flowed was real, and the potentially fatal danger in that instant was real too.
Therefore, when he said earlier that he had lost, it was no exaggeration.
This hole was made by Ralph using "Shigan."
Not only that...
The cross pendant on his chest—that very cross-shaped short knife he had just used to test Zoro's resolve—was gone.
In other words, during their earlier clash, Ralph not only struck him but also stole his possession.
"If your accumulated power had reached a certain level."
Hawk Eyes raised his head, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Ralph, "with that move just now, in that situation... you could have taken my life."
Ralph forced a weak smile upon hearing this: "You flatter me."
"It's no flattery."
Hawk Eyes' tone was serious,
"What you used wasn't just Shigan, was it?"
Ralph nodded, "Indeed, it wasn't just Shigan. I added some... well, subtle thieving techniques."
He paused before continuing to explain:
"This reduced some of Shigan's power, but it gained faster speed and a more concealed trajectory. Moreover, calling it 'Shigan' here isn't appropriate."
"Oh?" Hawk Eyes raised an eyebrow.
"When swordsmen cross blades, all techniques can be called swordplay."
Ralph pretended to be profound, "Even bare-handed, as long as it's an extension of swordsmanship will, it's a form of sword technique."
Hawk Eyes remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding:
"In this world, there is indeed the No Sword Style, though few use it, and even fewer master it."
He shifted the topic back to the earlier move:
"My only chance to win was to fully activate my Observation Haki the moment I drew my sword, but I underestimated you."
The world's greatest swordsman openly admitted his mistake, his tone devoid of any concealment, filled only with pure pursuit of swordsmanship, "The light burst when you struck—it wasn't just to obstruct vision, was it?"
Ralph's eyes lit up.
Mentioning his carefully crafted technique seemed to revive some of his fading energy:
"Of course not! This strike incorporates all the abilities I've mastered so far."
"Just talking about the light burst when striking—it applies optical principles from navigation. The sunlight's intensity, angle, air humidity, refractive index on the sea surface..."
"Only by calculating these precisely could I create that effect that briefly blinded everyone."
"But that wasn't just to dazzle your eyes."
Ralph's lips curled into a sly smile, "Still need to utilize light refraction to create mirage illusions for me."
Hawk Eye's pupils slightly contracted.
His memory returned to the moment when Ralph's figure disappeared and reappeared—he had indeed struck a target, but the sensation felt wrong.
Then the real attack came from another direction.
So it was a mirage?
No.
If it were merely that, with his perception, even if he were underestimating his opponent, he shouldn't have completely failed to detect any flaws!
Seeing the change in Hawk Eye's expression, the mischievous grin on Ralph's face widened:
"Exactly, optical illusions alone aren't enough. So within that beam of light... I also incorporated hypnosis."
This was the fundamental reason for Hawk Eye's defeat.
Against a powerhouse like Hawk Eye, if he fought seriously with full concentration, his formidable willpower would never be affected by Ralph's elementary hypnosis.
But...
Hawk Eye had underestimated his opponent.
Not only did he not utilize Observation Haki to its fullest extent, he even underestimated Ralph's capabilities.
He thought Ralph was at the first level, at most the second, but Ralph had employed three layers, two of which consisted of obscure knowledge he had never even heard of.
As Hawk Eye himself had said, he wasn't the type who uses full strength even when fighting a rabbit.
He preferred to match his strength according to the opponent he faced.
He honestly revealed this characteristic of his.
And Ralph straightforwardly exploited this trait.
"In other words..."
Hawk Eye summarized, "You used visual interference, optical illusions, plus psychological suggestion—triple insurance to ensure you could charge before me, evade my slash, and deliver that."
"Correct."
Ralph nodded, "But my strike was still blocked by you, otherwise how would my sword have shattered?"
"Indeed."
Hawk Eye admitted, "You forced me to miss with one slash, then I used a second! But even so, this wasn't your final move."
Ralph smiled wryly:
"Against ordinary opponents, landing that strike would have ended it. But you're Hawk Eye! When I saw you use a second slash to block my attack, I knew I had to employ my ultimate technique."
His voice lowered slightly:
"Truthfully, I value my life greatly. That final tap on your chest—if you had any countermeasures left, I would have lost at least an arm if not my life."
Saying this, Ralph raised his hand.
Hanging from his finger was a cross-shaped pendant glinting coldly in the sunlight.
It was the very small knife Hawk Eye always wore on his chest, the same one he had used to completely overwhelm Zoro earlier.
"Fortunately, I succeeded."
Complete silence fell over the arena.
Everyone understood the peril underlying this conversation.
Ralph had used all his abilities, all his knowledge, and even exploited his opponent's personality traits to achieve this outcome.
And Hawk Eye, the world's strongest, frankly admitted he had fallen into this scheme due to underestimating his opponent.
"Remarkable."
Hawk Eye uttered these three words.
But then he asked:
"Aren't you afraid that by explaining everything so thoroughly, I might learn this technique, or that it would never work on me again?"
Ralph laughed, "This move was originally pieced together from various skills according to my own capabilities. The complexity of knowledge involved isn't something someone like you, devoted purely to swordsmanship, could easily master."
"Moreover, my navigation skills, hypnosis, Shigan, even my stealing techniques can all continue to improve. Therefore, this technique's 'Mirage' can also continue to increase in power."
"Even producing more variations."
Finally, Ralph said in a light tone:
"Besides, I'm not some green-haired guy who wants to be the world's greatest. Who would challenge the world's greatest swordsman for no reason every day? Life-and-death crises—experiencing them occasionally is enough."
Hawk Eye actually cracked a wicked smile upon hearing this.
"Don't worry! Under my arrangements, you won't have it so easy on the Grand Line. Those swordsmen seeking fame will find you. Perhaps before long, the name 'Nameless Sword Style: Killing Blade' will resound across the seas."
Ralph curled his lips:
"That's not certain. Maybe my next move won't be from this series at all—it could be a completely different style."
Hawk Eye was left speechless again.
He stared at Ralph for several seconds before finally shaking his head and muttering to himself:
"God is unfair... Why bestow such terrifying talent in the way of the sword upon someone who doesn't take it seriously at all?"
Though his voice was soft, it carried clearly across the quiet sea, reaching the ears of many.
If Zoro were still conscious, hearing this would likely make him pass out from excitement again.
Hawk Eye said no more.
He took one last look at Ralph, glanced at the unconscious Zoro on the deck, then turned around.
His black coat fluttered in the sea breeze.
The world's greatest swordsman stepped across the wooden debris on the sea surface and returned to his small boat in just a few steps.
The coffin-shaped boat turned and slowly sailed toward the open sea.
This time, no fool dared to block his way.
The remnants of the Krieg Pirates watched Hawk Eye depart, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Only when the small boat became a tiny black dot on the horizon did a violent coughing sound erupt.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Everyone turned to look and saw Krieg—who had been lying on the ground—staggering to his feet!
"Argh...!"
Krieg rubbed the back of his head, where a large bump had formed.
The timing was so coincidental that it made people suspect:
Had this guy been awake all along, pretending to be dead while lying there?
"That annoying guy is finally gone!"
Krieg steadied himself, his voice booming like a bell, "Now back to business!"
He suddenly turned his head, glaring at the owner of the sea restaurant Baratie.
"Red-Leg Zeff! Hand over the sea restaurant and your logbook! But before that..."
Krieg angrily scanned the area:
"Which bastard sneak attacked me just now?!"
As soon as he said this, everyone's gaze unanimously turned toward Ralph.
The latter was casually playing with the cross knife he'd taken from Hawk Eye, acting as if nothing had happened.
He held it by the string, making the cross swing back and forth before him, sunlight dancing on its surface and reflecting sparkling spots.
Krieg followed everyone's gaze and instantly understood.
"Y-y-y-you?!"
His voice trembled with rage, "You dare sneak attack me, Krieg, the overlord of the East Blue?! Damn bastard, die!"
Mechanisms on his golden armor suddenly activated!
"Click, click—"
Armor plates on the shoulders, arms, and chest flipped open, revealing seven or eight dark gun barrels!
"Die!!!"
Krieg roared, about to pull the trigger.
Just like when he had sneak attacked Hawk Eye earlier, something unexpected happened!
A flash of white light!
Once again, that blinding white light erupted violently over the sea!
"Ah! My eyes!"
"He's back!"
"It's the same sword strike that defeated Hawk Eye!"
"He was pretending all along! Trying to lure us in!"
"How despicable!!"
The remnants of the Krieg Pirates screamed in terror, raising their hands to shield themselves from the intense glare. Some even threw themselves flat on the ground, fearing they might become the next target of that mysterious sword technique.
Krieg himself instinctively shut his eyes, momentarily forgetting to fire the gun barrels mounted on his armor.
He had woken up quite early and overheard the final exchange between Hawk Eye and Ralph, leaving a deep impression of the power behind "Nameless Sword Style: Killing Blade."
That was a move that could even give the World's Greatest Swordsman trouble!
The light lasted for about three seconds before gradually fading.
Normal daylight returned to the sea surface.
Everyone in the Krieg Pirates, including Krieg himself, frantically checked their own bodies.
Who had been struck by that sword just now?
Where had it hit?
Was anyone dead?
"Huh? I'm fine?"
"Me too!"
"Where are the wounds? Why aren't there any wounds?"
"Could it be... he missed?"
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances before finally turning their eyes toward the floating debris.
Ralph was no longer in his original position.
Unnoticed by anyone, he had returned to the deck of the sea restaurant Baratie and was now lying in someone's arms, enjoying an astonishingly soft cushion.
The short-haired girl wearing a straw hat looked down at Ralph in surprise, completely unaware of when he had slipped into her embrace.
Ralph's face was pale. He forced his eyes open with great effort and looked up at Lufia, his voice so weak it was almost inaudible:
"Lufia... I really can't go on this time..."
"What?!"
Lufia's eyes widened instantly. "Ralph, are you... Are you going to die?! Don't!!"
Ralph managed a strained, awkward smile.
"...No. What I mean is, I'm really exhausted. Dealing with these guys... you'll have to handle it yourself."
Lufia stared blankly for two seconds.
"Giggle!"
She flashed her signature bright white teeth, her smile as radiant as the sun after rain.
"No problem!"
Lufia nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling beneath her straw hat.
"You and Zoro are my most important campanions! You both rest well! These guys..."
She turned her head, her gaze sweeping over the Krieg Pirates.
"...I'll send them flying all by myself!"
Before her words fully faded, a figure had already flashed to Lufia's side.
Blond hair, curly eyebrows, a crisp black suit—it was Sanji.
"That's right! Leave the honor of fighting alongside Miss Lufia to me, the sous chef!"
He performed an elegant bow, then, while looking at Lufia, continued speaking to Ralph:
"And you, get off of Miss Lufia right now!"
However, in the next second, Sanji's expression froze.
Because, after hearing his words, Lufia thought for a moment and then shifted Ralph from her own arms into Nami's embrace beside her.
"Nami, I'm entrusting Ralph to your care!"
Lufia said with a smile. "I'm off to fight!"
Nami instinctively caught Ralph, paused for a moment in surprise, then nodded. "O-okay..."
Sanji: "..."
He stood frozen in place for three seconds.
"Whyyyyyyy!!!"
Jealous flames surged from Sanji's eyes, almost materializing into substance.
No, just why?!
How could he get intimate contact with two beautiful ladies in succession!
The jealousy that had nowhere to vent and the envy that had nowhere to place ultimately transformed into blazing fury!
And the target of this rage naturally turned toward those scoundrels trying to seize the Sea Restaurant!
"You Krieg Pirates trash!!!"
Sanji spun around abruptly, "Come meet your doom!!!"
Meanwhile, Ralph lay with his head resting on Nami's lap, receiving a system notification in his mind—he had gained Hawk Eye's recognition, achieving friend status.
Acquiring rewards...
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