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Chapter 1025: True Swallow Return
Chapter 1025: True Swallow Return
Kuro’s “Shinmeiryu Style” had been tested already, but Dracule Mihawk longed to see more.
The technique Kuro called the “Four Divine Beasts Mystic Art” was his true trump card. Then there was that new form of his—Killing Intent Encasement. These were the things Dracule Mihawk truly wanted to test.
But that would be a full-power battle, not a mere swordsmanship duel.
The title “World’s Greatest Swordsman” didn’t mean invincibility. Dracule Mihawk understood this perfectly. Though he was powerful, if this was purely about swordsmanship, there would be room for disappointment.
Otherwise, a clash of this scale would be too much for this island to contain.
If they were to truly compare swordsmanship, close-quarters combat would be the best choice. Then, let the clash be one of pure blade against blade!
“Switch blades, Kuro. That sword can’t compare to my Black Blade ‘Yoru’,” Dracule Mihawk said coolly.
Hearing this, Kuro glanced at the massive Black Blade.
Black Blades were symbols of unyielding hardness. Supreme Great Quick Blades were naturally durable, yet each possessed its own unique traits.
A swordsman’s combat power lay in their blade—the blade’s characteristics defined its master’s.
This Black Blade ‘Yoru’ was surprisingly “flexible,” allowing Dracule Mihawk to blend hardness and softness seamlessly. He could vary his slashes’ speed, hardness, airborne range, destructive power, length, and size at will.
Kuro couldn’t match this.
Though he hated to admit it, Dracule Mihawk’s slashes truly were peerless in their versatility. With just his Autumn Water blade, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Tch, don’t need you to tell me that.”
Kuro scoffed, glancing skyward. A burst of golden light suddenly descended from the cleared sky, drawing the spectators’ gazes upward.
“Kuro’s serious now.”
Klah pressed his lips together. “But if they go all-out, can this place withstand it?”
Though the island lay beyond the harbor’s shore, its proximity meant a full-power clash could reduce it to ruins.
Lida studied the two fighters, then murmured, “Don’t worry. Kuro has restraint. This doesn’t feel like a full-power battle.”
“That thing…”
Red-Haired Shanks stared at the plummeting golden light, his expression darkening. As a swordsman himself, he could sense the terrifying power hidden within.
“The stage fit for you has arrived!”
Kuro roared as the golden light neared. The brilliance faded, revealing a long golden strip. He reached out, grasping its front end. The gold dispersed, unveiling a lengthy hilt.
Boom!
As Kuro’s fingers closed around it, a surge of blood qi erupted, engulfing the island and spreading outward.
“Killing Intent!!”
Even before this domain reached the harbor, Red-Haired Shanks broke into a cold sweat. Though the pressure hadn’t reached him directly, he could feel its terrifying intensity—far surpassing the Killing Intent he’d clashed against earlier.
“I see… So it’s that blade.”
Red-Haired Shanks suddenly realized. “The Yokai Blade—the Killing Intent incarnate. Only this blade could unleash such power. A man brimming with Killing Intent, wielding a blade that freely releases it… It’s a perfect match.”
Ben Beckman shouted, “Everyone, stay alert! Don’t let the Killing Intent cloud your senses—it’ll distort your consciousness!”
The officers behind him recoiled, but the crimson dome expanded only to the harbor’s edge before abruptly retracting, focusing entirely on the golden remnants.
Kuro smirked contemptuously at the harbor crowd. Gripping the hilt, he swung it sideways, scattering the golden residue to reveal a long, cold blade.
“Reveal your might, Yokai Blade!”
In an instant, the blade transformed into a blood-red edge crackling with golden lightning.
As he spoke, Kuro blurred into motion, trailing a blood-colored shadow.
Dracule Mihawk’s pupils narrowed. Instinctively, he raised Black Blade ‘Yoru,’ holding it horizontally before him.
Clang!!
A blood-red blade met his Black Blade, sending ripples through the air and kicking up a faint dust ring.
Nothing more.
The power was restrained.
This was a pure test of swordsmanship—its refinement and precision would decide superiority.
To damage the battlefield or affect the surroundings would be a failure of swordsmanship itself.
Unleashing power was trivial. Mastery lay in restraint.
A faint smirk curled Dracule Mihawk’s lips. He pushed forward, forcing Kuro’s blade aside. His footwork advanced, his arm a blur as the massive Black Blade swept forward, trailing a wisp of emerald light.
Kuro’s eyes dipped slightly. Retreating half a step, he swiftly raised the Yokai Blade vertically, intercepting the emerald light.
Clang!
A crisp ringing sound echoed. A delicate dust ring rose, and the emerald light faded, revealing the Black Blade locked against Yokai’s edge.
Dracule Mihawk pressed forward, thrusting the Black Blade toward Kuro’s chest. Kuro’s foot flicked upward, his body springing into the air with the Yokai Blade as a pillar, upside-down. His arm moved.
“Drunken Gourd Lift!”
The blade swept forward, trailing a black-and-crimson arc aimed at Dracule Mihawk’s throat.
Dracule Mihawk planted his feet, yanking the Black Blade sideways to intercept. Sparks flew as the arcs clashed, deflecting the attack. The redirected slash hissed past his face, leaving a sharp vacuum sound.
With the trajectory broken, Dracule Mihawk twisted his blade, carving a massive half-circle before him. His body surged forward, sweeping upward at the inverted Kuro.
Clang!!
Another sharp collision rang out. Kuro flipped backward in midair, landing soundlessly.
A smirk touched his lips. Spreading his stance, he raised the Yokai Blade to his face, gripping it with both hands. His eyes glowed crimson. “Dracule Mihawk, in a pure swordsmanship duel… be careful.”
“Agreed. This is what I wish for.”
Dracule Mihawk swung the Black Blade, grinning. “Come, Kuro! Let this long-forgotten passion burn bright!”
“Careful the fire doesn’t freeze your blood…”
Kuro advanced, pulling the Yokai Blade backward, narrowing his eyes. “Witness… the true—”
Hooo!!
The Yokai Blade slashed forward, the blood-red edge splitting into three, locking onto Dracule Mihawk’s every possible movement.
“Swallow Return!!”
The true Swallow Return demanded a long blade!
(End of Chapter)
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