Chapter 1026: Is a Wound on the Back a Swordsman's Humiliation?
Chapter 1026: Is a Wound on the Back a Swordsman’s Humiliation?
In the instant the blade moved, the Yokai Blade’s blood-red edge flared into a crimson glow, splitting rapidly into three arcs aimed at Dracule Mihawk’s neck, his heart’s flank, and the other side of his waist. This technique sealed his evasion space—retreating backward became his only option.
Yet before the wild Katana, retreating even an inch meant its blade would surely connect. This was a guaranteed killing strike at close range!
Dracule Mihawk’s eyes widened slightly. His arm shot straight forward, forgoing evasion entirely as he thrust his equally long but massive Black Blade Yoru toward Kuro’s throat.
Hmng!
Kuro’s Yokai Blade halted mere inches from Dracule Mihawk’s neck, the remaining two crimson arcs fading away. Simultaneously, the tip of Yoru froze at Kuro’s throat.
Both were a hair’s breadth away—one stroke from severing Mihawk’s neck, the other from piercing Kuro’s throat.
Hiss.
A soft sound rang out. Dracule Mihawk’s neck bore a fresh cut, while Kuro’s throat now had a pinpoint wound.
“You’re surprisingly ruthless,” Kuro grinned, baring his teeth.
“Because there was no way to dodge,” Dracule Mihawk replied, smiling. “So I could only do this.”
If Kuro had continued his strike, Mihawk’s head would have rolled. But Kuro’s own throat would have been pierced too. In a pure swordsmanship duel, both would have perished.
Hmph!
After a brief pause, Kuro’s lips curled into a sinister grin. He tilted his head aside, sidestepping the massive Black Blade pressed against his throat. His arm slammed downward, driving the Yokai Blade toward Dracule Mihawk’s head.
Clang!
As Kuro moved, Mihawk’s hand shifted sideways, swiftly intercepting the descending blade. A crisp metallic ring echoed as Yoru’s edge met the Yokai Blade. At contact, Mihawk’s arm swept forward, the Black Blade scraping against the blood-red edge, sending sparks flying as it aimed for a direct slash at Kuro.
Kuro recoiled, stunned. His Yokai Blade kept pressing downward while he yanked it inward, pinning Yoru at the center and locking the blades in a cross.
Ka-ka-ka.
The blades trembled faintly as both men stood firm, neither yielding an inch. The clash of strength made the steel quiver.
Kuro’s physical strength was formidable—he’d long been capable of effortlessly blocking Lida’s attacks. Mihawk’s strength paled in comparison, but his massive Black Blade granted him an edge. Kuro’s blade was slender and narrow, while Yoru’s sheer size overwhelmed it.
For a fleeting moment, they held their ground, then simultaneously stepped back and swung at each other.
Dang!
The blades crossed midair before clashing apart. In an instant, Mihawk flipped his grip. The Black Blade erupted into eerie black radiance, slicing downward in a deceptively sharp leftward arc aimed at Kuro’s waist.
Hmph!
This blindingly fast strike pierced Kuro’s body, reducing him to rippling afterimages.
Dracule Mihawk’s pupils contracted. His form darted forward two steps, his blade continuing its arc without hesitation. Like a rotating disc, it swept a full circle at blistering speed, spinning toward his rear.
Dang!!
The Black Blade’s edge collided with the blood-red blade surging from behind.
“You’re impressively quick,” Kuro remarked, smirking.
“Likewise,” Mihawk replied. “Your evasion speed is no joke either.”
Kuro had anticipated Mihawk’s counter through the earlier opening, so he’d evaded instantly. As expected, he’d exploited that minuscule gap to attack. Yet he hadn’t foreseen that even after using Afterimage Slash to dodge and strike, his blow would still be blocked.
Hiss.
Another soft sound. Mihawk’s brows furrowed, but his smirk deepened.
To onlookers, a tear now marred Mihawk’s side, revealing a shallow wound beneath his torn clothing.
“He’s starting to fall behind.”
Red-Haired Shanks chuckled at the sight. “Such swordsmanship mastery truly stirs the soul.”
“Indeed,” Ben Beckman nodded. “Both are formidable. At this level of refined combat, this clash could last a long time.”
When the duel focused purely on swordsmanship finesse and restrained attack intensity, their physical endurance meant a prolonged battle.
Long ago, when Mihawk faced Shanks, the fight had dragged on until Shanks, amused, had simply declared a banquet. Later, after losing his arm, Mihawk lost interest in such frivolities.
But now, a new challenger emerged—one worthy of staking the title of World’s Greatest Swordsman. This battle would be long indeed.
Dang!
On the island, their blades clashed again, locking in stalemate.
“I notice you don’t seem angry.”
Kuro, still locked in the blade struggle, asked, “Isn’t there a saying? A wound on the back is a swordsman’s humiliation. If you hadn’t dodged swiftly, that strike would’ve landed on your back.”
“Oh? You agree with that saying?” Mihawk countered.
“What do you think?” Kuro grinned.
The concept of a ‘wound on the back’ being a swordsman’s humiliation was something Kuro could admire but not necessarily endorse.
In combat, striking an opponent’s back was perfectly normal. Every swordsman’s style differed. Kuro himself specialized in backstabbing, using speed to exploit blind spots. There was nothing dishonorable about it.
“I appreciate the sentiment,” Mihawk said. “But a swordsman’s combat style varies. There’s no objective superiority—only strength decides the truth, doesn’t it?”
“Exactly. The victor stands justified; the fallen have none.”
Kuro forcefully shoved aside Yoru, swiftly sheathed the Yokai Blade at his waist, then drew it with his left hand mimicking a scabbard, unleashing a crescent of bloodlight.
Crescent Moon Slash!
Mihawk stepped back, raising Yoru vertically to block the erupting bloodlight.
Kuro’s smirk widened. His arm yanked downward, his voice a whisper: “Full Moon.”
The crescent bloodlight abruptly curved, bypassing Yoru and carving a circular sigil directly onto Mihawk’s chest.
“As expected—exquisite.”
Mihawk merely murmured his approval before thrusting Yoru forward. The Black Blade’s radiance surged, catching up to the circular bloodlight and latching onto the Yokai Blade’s end like a predator seizing prey.
Dang!!
Blades clashed once more, prolonging their deadlock.
(End of Chapter)
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