"Buzz!"
The moment Mihawk drew the black sword from his back, it felt as though all color had drained from the world.
"Not good."
Just as Mihawk was about to swing his blade at Gajeel, Erza charged toward him without hesitation.
"Requip!"
In an instant, Erza swapped her heavy armor for a lighter outfit and, wielding a katana, slashed toward Mihawk.
Clang!
In the blink of an eye, a rain of cherry blossoms filled the sky...
Splash!
As Gajeel plunged into the sea, Erza's sword clashed with Mihawk's.
Boom!
The shockwave from their swords colliding stirred a tidal wave, blinding the eyes of all watching.
When the dust settled, the flagship of Don Krieg had been flattened into a massive plank. Mihawk, holding his black blade, and Erza, wielding her demon blade with a red tassel, stood at either end of the wooden platform.
"What just happened?"
"Did the Shichibukai and a Navy Rear Admiral just start fighting?!"
Everything had unfolded too fast. Those dining inside Baratie were utterly confused.
When they finally gathered their senses, they saw Mihawk and Erza—supposedly on the same side—locked in a standoff.
"It looked like their blades clashed once... and then they teleported over the ocean?"
A diner rubbed his sore eyes, trying to make sense of it.
"No."
Zoro, who had been watching Mihawk and Erza intently, spoke up. He immediately dismissed the diner's words:
"They exchanged blows at least ten times in just a split second..."
"Even though Mihawk clearly had the upper hand and was in control of the fight, he couldn't take down that crimson-haired woman so easily."
Zoro paused, calmly tying his bandana, his eyes filled with fierce fighting spirit and excitement.
"Interesting."
"Without a doubt, they're both swordsmen at the very peak of the world."
Zoro declared with certainty.
"You planning to jump in?"
Luffy looked at Zoro, sensing his fighting spirit.
"Yeah."
"After all, he's the one I came here for."
Zoro began walking outside.
On the plank, Mihawk and Erza stood facing each other.
"You're a skilled swordswoman. State your name."
Mihawk was the first to speak, eyes fixed on Erza.
"Erza Scarlet."
Erza declared her full name proudly.
"Dracule Mihawk."
Mihawk responded in kind.
The tension between them soared, the air itself thick with the aura of an imminent duel between master swordsmen.
"Mihawk!"
"You're a Shichibukai—are you really going to raise your blade against a fellow Navy officer?"
"Are you not afraid the World Government might revoke your title?!"
At that critical moment, Fullbody finally found a use for himself. Peeking from behind the door in a mixture of cowardice and courage, he shouted at Mihawk.
"Heh~"
"Sure, you're Navy..."
"But your earlier actions could definitely be seen as provocation."
"So what follows is nothing but legitimate self-defense, in defense of my Shichibukai status."
Mihawk gave a faint smile.
"And one more thing..."
His tone suddenly sharpened. Like an eagle, his piercing eyes locked onto Fullbody, cutting through everything in their path.
"Remember this well, soldier. I never needed the Shichibukai title. It's the World Government that needs me to be one. Don't get the order wrong. And don't forget who I was before I became a Shichibukai."
"Ugh..."
Fullbody collapsed like a puddle of mud from a mere glance from Mihawk. He dared not move, let alone retort.
"This is getting messy."
Eden frowned.
Knowing Mihawk well, Eden realized it wasn't the Navy's insult that sparked his interest—it was Erza's powerful swordsmanship.
In this situation, a third party would need to intervene, or a duel was inevitable.
And the only one capable of doing that was Eden himself.
While Mihawk might be stronger in sheer power...
They were at sea now.
And at sea, unless facing the "natural counter" Kuzan, the sea dragon magic of Eden made him unmatched.
"Boom!"
With the sea trembling, Eden rode atop a towering wave, planting himself between Mihawk and Erza.
"Such a fun game—mind if I join in?"
Though seemingly speaking to both, his words were clearly meant for Mihawk.
"A user who can control seawater?"
"Truly unheard of..."
"But I'm not interested in battling someone with such an ability right now."
"So if you're smart, get lost, pirate from the East Blue!"
"Interrupting a duel between two swordsmen is incredibly rude..."
Mihawk glanced casually at the wave beneath Eden's feet, his eyes flickering with curiosity—but only briefly. His interest remained fixed on Erza.
"Wait a moment..."
"That guy's my prey."
Just as Eden felt the headache building, Zoro barged into the battlefield, bandana on, sword in hand, pointing Wado Ichimonji at Mihawk.
"Hmm?!"
Mihawk spared Zoro a glance—and immediately lost interest.
"You should know your place, small fry. Challenging me is far too early for you."
"Come back when you're a true swordsman."
"Don't throw your life away so soon."
His words dripped with disdain.
"As a swordsman, I've long accepted death."
"If I die here, it just means I wasn't good enough."
Zoro's eyes burned with fighting spirit, utterly unafraid.
"Sigh..."
"Apologies."
"Would you mind waiting five minutes?"
Mihawk locked eyes with Zoro. He saw not impulse, but resolve.
Unable to refuse, yet not wanting Zoro to interfere with his duel with Erza, Mihawk turned to her:
"Sorry."
"I know exactly what happens when a duel between two swordsmen is interrupted."
"But I truly cannot pass up this man. He is the reason I set out to sea."
"After this battle, if I'm still alive, do whatever you want with me."
"Even cast me into the deepest pit of hell—I won't complain."
Zoro feared missing this opportunity—one he may not get for years.
He feared Mihawk might not be in his prime after a duel with Erza.
He'd waited too long.
Even if it meant death, he wanted to fight Mihawk at his strongest.
"Eh?"
Erza stared at Zoro, puzzled.
Interrupting was no big deal to her—she didn't mind.
She wasn't a pure swordsman.
She was a mage.
She used swords, axes, hammers, shields, bows, even guns.
"What's going on?"
Just then, Gajeel surfaced from the sea.
~# Every 20 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter