Chapter 1020: Fight! I'll Fight You!
Chapter 1020: Fight! I'll Fight You!
Astartes.
Faya Principality.
Amudan Port.
Kuro felt numb—no, more like utterly paralyzed.
Truth be told, Shanks was one thing. That guy was all about avoiding fights. But with Hawk-Eye here? Totally different story.
Locking onto those piercing eyes, Kuro sighed. "Guess this can't be avoided, huh?"
Zzzzrrr!
Dracule Mihawk's massive Black Blade slid from its sheath on his back, blade tip leveled at Kuro. "Whether you like it or not, today's the day we settle this. I don't care about the World Government or my Shichibukai position anymore. I've waited for this chance a long time—now's the moment!"
Dracule Mihawk had waited since his East Blue days. Aside from Roronoa Zoro, who he'd chosen as his successor, Kuro was the only one he'd recognized as a potential challenger back then. He'd restrained himself for years.
Back in East Blue, when Kuro still wielded ordinary blades, he'd held back.
During the Marineford War, even with better swords in hand, he'd held back to focus on fighting Whitebeard.
In the New World, after Kuro obtained the Yokai Blade and suffered serious injuries through multiple battles, he'd held back again.
But now—six months of recovery had brought his essence spirit to peak condition. And Dracule Mihawk had finally run out of patience!
Here stood the perfect opponent he'd searched for across the Grand Line's history. Even as a Devil Fruit user, Kuro's swordsmanship remained formidable. That Killing Intent Encasement technique? Definitely no cheap ability—pure, hard-earned strength.
And wasn't a swordsman's weapon itself a form of "ability"? As long as Kuro kept using blades, he'd always be a swordsman!
Earlier there'd been no chance. Kuro stayed holed up in his headquarters, where Dracule Mihawk knew he'd never accept unsolicited challenges. Other opportunities? Impossible to predict Kuro's movements.
But now—Red-Haired Shanks had summoned him here, promising Kuro's arrival. The perfect opportunity!
A fair duel between equals!
"Ah, a clash between the World's Greatest Swordsmen—I'd love to watch too!" Red-Haired Shanks grinned, his posture clearly saying "You're not leaving."
With a Yonko and Hawk-Eye combined, stopping someone wasn't difficult.
Kuro could run, sure. But then again—how would that look?
"Fine, you want a fight? Let's fight!"
Kuro gritted his teeth. "Don't come crying later, Dracule Mihawk! Once that World's Greatest Swordsman title's gone—it's gone for good!"
Dracule Mihawk smirked. "If that happens, doesn't it just mean I've found someone worth surpassing?"
He wasn't the World's Strongest, but he was the World's Greatest Swordsman. When it came to swordsmanship—no one outranked him.
"You bastard..."
Kuro shot Shanks a glare then took a deep breath. "Fine! Fight it is! But Dracule Mihawk—after this match, win or lose, I'm only doing this once. If I lose, you leave me alone. If I win, you're granting me one condition."
With the situation escalating, backing down wasn't an option.
"Agreed. But I'll know if you're holding back—don't insult me." Dracule Mihawk said.
"Hey, I never agreed to let you fight here!"
Faritear·Joshua suddenly barked. "This is my city! If you want to fight, go elsewhere! No—leave Astartes entirely! Neither Marines nor pirates will dictate terms here!"
"Captain." Ben Beckman whispered, glancing at Faritear. "This interesting situation doesn't seem weak to me."
"I know." Red-Haired Shanks grinned at Kuro. "How about a change of scenery?"
"No need to complicate things."
Kuro raised his hand skyward, fingers sweeping downward in a summoning motion. "I'll handle the battlefield!"
Boom!
Shanks' Conqueror's Haki-induced storm hadn't fully cleared when the sky darkened again. A massive shadow materialized above them, drawing involuntary upward glances.
"What the—?"
Faritear·Joshua's brow beaded with sweat, his expression stunned as he stared at Kuro.
He recognized this—Golden Lion. He kept up with international news. Knew this man had slain the "Devil's Heir" Bartholomew, with reports claiming he soloed Blackbeard's officers and erased entire Marine task forces using fortress-level strength.
There were even stories of him clashing with two Yonko in Wano Country without backing down, though most dismissed that—two Yonko at once? Impossible.
Everyone knew Beasts Pirates' Governor and Big Mom Pirates' Charlotte·Big Mom had allied. That combined power—no single person could resist it.
Yet so many rumors meant one thing: this man's strength was real. The Navy even dubbed him "Old Era's Nemesis." Calling him weak? Unthinkable.
But this was just... absurd!
A colossal island descended from the heavens, blanketing Amudan Port in darkness like an eclipse. The landmass settled with a thunderous crash, forming a new island directly in the harbor.
Kuro launched himself skyward, landing on the newly formed island. Drawing his blade, he faced Dracule Mihawk at the portside.
Dracule Mihawk smirked. His body surged forward—not as effortlessly as Kuro's flight, but with raw, explosive power. Leaping midair, he unsheathed Black Blade. A flicked slash propelled him forward, landing with a resounding thud beside Kuro.
They stood facing each other, neither moving first.
"Not changing swords?"
Dracule Mihawk eyed Kuro's Autumn Water.
"Patience. We're still warming up. Whether you're even worth drawing the Yokai Blade remains to be seen. Compared to you, I've got more tricks than just swordsmanship." Kuro replied.
A slight ache throbbed in his head.
Technically, he wasn't a pure swordsman anymore. The World's Greatest Swordsman title demanded exclusivity. But pure swordsmanship? Kuro could fight without abilities—without even "Wu Sheng Kong Sha."
He knew using those would mean endless future clashes with Dracule Mihawk.
If they fought, it'd be a duel of swordsmanship alone.
Today, he'd meet Dracule Mihawk blade-to-blade, with nothing held back.
(End of Chapter)
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