Chapter 49: World's Greatest Swordsman

What kind of operation is this?

Do swordsmen nowadays play so elegantly? Could it be that he, the world's greatest swordsman, was outdated?

Complaining aside, Mihawk still learned to display his black blade Yoru in a similar fashion.

"This sword is named Yoru, the blade is five feet eight inches, net weight 18 jin 4 liang, blows hair off, cuts iron Move Move Like mud."

After saying it according to Karl's format, a strange feeling suddenly emerged in Mihawk's heart, as if his connection with Yoru had deepened. Interesting!

A wonderful spirit burst out in Mihawk's eyes, and the next second he couldn't wait to rush toward Karl and slash.

"Clang~"

Karl held the sword with both hands to block Mihawk's attack, sighing in his heart at Mihawk's immense strength. He could become the world's greatest swordsman absolutely not just because of his sword skills; his physique was equally outstanding.

Mihawk's expression didn't change, and he continued to launch fierce attacks at Karl, using exquisite sword skills to press Karl until he couldn't catch his breath.

Clang, clang, clang!

When the two swords met, they made crisp sounds, sparks flew, and sword marks were everywhere around them. The surrounding Marine soldiers had already retreated hundreds of meters to avoid being accidentally injured.

"Is Colonel Karl's sword skill so powerful? He's actually fighting the world's greatest swordsman to a standstill!"

"Yeah! Look at Colonel Karl, he's simply at ease."

In reality, Karl was under immense pressure, his spirit highly concentrated, because once he lost focus, Mihawk's sword would strike his vital points.

"Not bad, your sword skill is indeed exquisite, but why does it feel a bit rusty? Have you not used a sword for too long?"

Karl couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him. What "not used a sword for too long"—he had only just started today, okay!

He couldn't do what Mihawk did—talking while swinging his sword with ease—and all he could do was respond with his sword.

Karl held Raven with one hand, parried Mihawk's great sword, then flipped his wrist, held the hilt with both hands, and followed up with an upward strike.

"Interesting."

Mihawk leaned his upper body slightly backward, effortlessly dodging the lethal tip of the blade, then countered with a backhand strike aimed at Karl’s shoulder.

"CLANG!!!"

With no time to twist away, Karl could only rest his blade against his right shoulder, spine facing back and edge facing forward, to avoid accidentally wounding himself.

This maneuver successfully blocked Mihawk’s attack, but the sheer force still made Karl’s shoulder sink, nearly forcing him to his knees.

Mihawk nodded slightly: "A clever move."

Karl’s face flushed red. *Damn it, why is this guy so good at acting cool? So what if he’s the world’s greatest swordsman?*

Hawkeye: *Sorry, being the world’s greatest swordsman is exactly that great!*

"Bang~"

Karl clenched his left fist, turning it pitch-black, and slammed it hard against the body of the Black Blade Yoru, knocking it aside. He seized the moment to exert force with his right hand, the blade instantly sweeping toward Mihawk’s neck.

If he didn't dodge, even Mihawk would have met his end right there.

But how could that be?

Utilizing the recoil from Karl’s punch, Mihawk smoothly spun his blade in a flourish, colliding perfectly with the edge sweeping toward his neck with a crisp *ding*.

"Such refined Armament Haki. How is a man Move Move Like you only a Navy Colonel?"

Facing Mihawk’s question, Karl smiled slightly: "A few days ago, I was still just a Navy Major!"

*Oh!* Now Mihawk understood. *That explains it! This man’s strength is more than enough for a General-rank officer; he just hadn't been promoted yet!*

With that, Mihawk decided to turn up the intensity for Karl.

It was this decision that caused Karl to be wounded within a mere dozen seconds.

"It seems you are still lacking a little..."

Mihawk stood holding his blade, blood slowly dripping from the edge onto the ground—it was Karl’s blood.

"Oh, is that so? In that case, I’ll have to get serious too."

Karl drove his sword into the ground and condensed a ball of Holy Light. The blade wound on his chest healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, returning to normal within a few breaths.

"A Devil Fruit user?"

Mihawk frowned slightly as he watched Karl, whose body was glowing with a golden halo. Karl’s strength had clearly increased by a notch; could this be his ability?

*Zheng~*

"Lord Mihawk, please enlighten me!"

"One-Sword Style: Instant Radiance!"

Karl held his sword in his right hand and lightly brushed his left hand over the blade. The black steel he touched turned into a dazzling gold, as if forged from light itself.

Mihawk’s gaze remained calm as he gripped the Black Blade Yoru with both hands and swung it upward from below.

The next moment, Karl gripped his sword with both hands, his entire body erupting in a blinding flash that made it impossible to keep one's eyes open. Karl’s figure flickered, his blade carving a golden arc.

*Ding~*

The two figures began to cross. Karl was behind, Mihawk in front, both maintaining their swinging postures.

Another crisp sound followed. Mihawk had blocked Karl’s attack, but as the light faded, a spray of blood erupted from Mihawk’s waist.

A gruesome blade mark appeared on Karl’s body from abdomen to chest, blood gushing out wildly.

Although wounded, Mihawk was not angry; instead, he was pleasantly surprised: "Instant Radiance—what a fine name. A single moment of radiance is enough to dispel all darkness."

The watching Navy soldiers were stunned!

What was happening? The world’s greatest swordsman had actually been wounded!

Although Colonel Karl was also wounded, the two were clearly not on the same level as swordsmen. Karl was just a rising Navy Colonel!

Could it be that Colonel Karl already possessed the qualifications to challenge the world’s greatest swordsman?

Karl turned around and gave a bitter smile: "If you hadn't held back, I’d probably be dead by now!"

It was true; in that last move, Karl clearly felt Mihawk pull his strength back. Otherwise, his injuries would have been far more severe than just a cut.

"Young Navy man! You cannot die yet!"

"Although you do not yet have the qualifications to make me go all out, no matter how many years it takes, I will be waiting for you at this peak position."

Mihawk’s voice carried a hint of excitement. After Shanks lost his arm, he had finally found another swordsman with limitless potential.

Although Karl was still young and his swordsmanship green, that was precisely his advantage. As long as he could grow stronger, they would surely meet again on the sea.

To decide the victor with the swords in their hands!

Hearing this, Karl felt a strange sense of familiarity, but he still revealed a smile: "I believe that day won't be too far off."

*Click~*

Mihawk sheathed the Black Blade Yoru on his back and walked toward Karl. As he brushed past him, he whispered: "I hope you don't make me wait too long..."

With that, Mihawk passed Karl, jumped onto his coffin-boat, and gradually disappeared from Karl’s sight amidst the "rhythm" of the vessel.

"Hiss~ Huff..."

Under the effect of the Holy Light, the gruesome blade mark began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye. Nelson and the others gradually gathered around.

"What do you all want?"