"Come on!"
Shano beckoned to Garling and Sengoku:
"Either of you alone facing me is nothing more than a punching bag; dealing with you is boring!"
"Now, I'll simply give you both a chance to see if teaming up can do anything to me!"
"Don't be so arrogant, you brat!"
Saint Garling, transformed into "Tsukuyomi," let out a thunderous roar, purple-black flames surging around him as his massive body charged toward Shano.
At the same time.
On the other side, Demon Buddha Sengoku also endured immense pain, his eight crimson demon eyes lighting up simultaneously, hands pressed together as a thicker purple-black beam shot out with a bang!
"Buddha's Wrath: Amaterasu!"
Facing the pincer attack, Shano neither dodged nor flinched, instead, he laughed wildly, clenched his fists, and charged head-on!
"Perfect timing!"
...
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Sakura Yuki" of the Twelve Supreme Great Blade collided repeatedly with "Yoru," sparking blinding flashes.
In an instant, they exchanged more than ten rounds.
Swish!
Kuina and Mihawk passed each other, stepping back several paces, then raised their eyes to stare at one another.
"He truly is a man who once held the title of the World's No.1 Sword Master for years in the past."
Kuina's palm was slightly numb, yet she was completely exhilarated, a long-missing smile curved her lips, "Hmph, he's even stronger than rumored."
"You're not bad either."
Mihawk squinted slightly, speaking calmly:
"I remember you're the same age as Tashigi? To have honed your swordsmanship to this degree at such a young age, it's no wonder Shano values you so much, even entrusting you with the position of Deputy Captain."
Just moments ago, when Mihawk was approaching Shano for a duel, he was intercepted by this female Sword Master.
At first, he almost mistook her for his foolish disciple Tashigi, since their appearances were almost identical.
But the fierce aura was entirely different, and as a swordsman, his sharp instincts picked up on this detail.
Thankfully, he wasn't careless, or else if he had thought she was Tashigi and casually blocked such a strike...
Mihawk's eyes twitched.
"You're stronger than Flower Sword Vista."
He raised "Yoru" slowly, pointing it at Kuina:
"However, that's about it, if you want to defeat me, you're far from it as you are now, so Miss Kuina, please step aside. Compared to you, there is another opponent I wish to challenge more."
"Of course I know that, why else would I be here?"
Kuina sneered coldly at this, maneuvering Sakura Yuki with a flourish:
"The title of the World's No.1 Sword Master rightfully belongs to Lord Shano; if you want to reclaim this title from him, you'll have to get past me first!"
She also wished to measure just how far she was from this former World's No.1 Sword Master!
With those words spoken.
Kuina spoke no more, stepped forward, and at a speed difficult for the naked eye to catch, swiftly swung her sword!
Steel Cutting Flash!
In an instant, a tornado emerged, roaring like a giant dragon as it surged toward Mihawk!
What kind of strange swordsmanship is this?
Mihawk was a bit surprised, but his hands didn't slow, "Yoru" slashing decisively, its fierce Sword Qi instantly splitting the tornado in two.
Hmm?
Something's wrong!
Mihawk's eyes narrowed, the ground before him bare, no trace of Kuina?
Swish!
Almost at the same moment, Kuina's figure flickered like a ghost to his side, the tip of Sakura Yuki's blade, concentrated with a biting chill, unhesitatingly aimed directly at Mihawk's throat!
"Clang!"
At the last critical moment, Mihawk had no time to think, countered instinctively, the two Supreme Great Blades clashing again, erupting in countless dazzling sparks.
Good thing he reacted in time...
The opponent's speed was faster than expected, and as Mihawk's mind raced, he suddenly noticed, Kuina's smirk had not faded.
His heart was suddenly alerted!
Rich battle experience made him glance back instinctively, seeing the tornado he had chopped apart reform mid-air, transforming into countless sharp wind blades, attacking from behind!
Swoosh swoosh swoosh!
Along with the incessant sound, even though Mihawk had dodged desperately, his black cloak was instantly slashed with dozens of cuts.
Two wind blades even grazed, one on each side, across his cheeks.
Blood drawn?
Touching his cheek, Mihawk finally showed a surprised expression as he watched the wind blades and Kuina coordinate and attack once more, he had to retreat temporarily, creating distance.
"Are you a Devil Fruit Ability User?"
Once steady, he couldn't help asking.
That kind of control and utilization of wind was truly something a pure swordsman could achieve?
"Devil Fruit? Like Lord Shano, I do not require such powers."
Kuina lifted her chin, proudly stating, "When you walk the path of sword dao to its extreme, nothing is impossible!"
Mihawk was silent.
"Interesting."
After a moment, he took a deep breath, for the first time showing battle intent in his eyes:
"Seems I've underestimated you; so, I'll retract my previous statement, one who has honed their swordsmanship to this degree is indeed qualified to be my opponent! Come, Lady Kuina, let me see where your limit in sword dao truly lies!"
Lady?
The title had changed, Kuina remained expressionless, but inwardly she felt a tinge of satisfaction, after all, it was respect from the former World's No.1 Sword Master!