Hawk-Eye regarded Albert with surprise in his eyes. As he brandished the black sword behind him, he remarked, "I initially intended to pass the time, but I didn't anticipate meeting a swordsman with such aspirations in the East Sea. Now that I've encountered someone like you, young man, what is your name?"
Albert positioned his sword in front of him and replied, "I'm Albert, a swordsman and just an ordinary adventurer."
Hawk-Eye's expression shifted slightly. "Oh, an ordinary adventurer, huh? Hehe, you don't appear to be ordinary at all."
Albert nonchalantly shrugged. "I genuinely want to be an adventurer."
Regardless of who you are, you're worthy of fighting me. Hawk-Eye lifted his black sword and aimed it at Albert.
Albert raised a hand and slowly said, "Not so fast. Would you let me see your Armament Haki first?"
Hawk-Eye scoffed. "Hmph, are you begging your foe?"
Albert replied coolly, "Yes and no. I want to face you; first, to gauge my strength, and second, to learn Armament Haki. After all, the world is vast, and if I want to push further, I need to strengthen my abilities."
Hawk-Eye regarded him with a hint of admiration. "Good, such grand ambition. You're right; the world is enormous, and it's a shame not to explore it. So watch closely."
Once Hawk-Eye finished speaking, Albert, using his Observation Haki, detected the Armament Haki enveloping Hawk-Eye's black sword. Ordinary people wouldn't perceive the change in the sword, but thanks to his proficiency in Observation Haki, Albert could sense the Haki's presence.
Albert observed how Armament Haki was applied, and excitement coursed through him. He finally grasped the technique to utilize it. Closing his eyes, he concentrated and drew the Armament Haki from within.
Swish...
When he opened his eyes, his arm had turned entirely black.
Armament - Hardening!
Albert could acquire Armament Haki so swiftly because his body was ready to learn it. Although he hadn't had a teacher, he would soon awaken it on his own—just a bit sooner than expected.
The previous version of Albert had something valuable but couldn't access it due to not having the key. Now, having seen how Armament Haki worked, he had found his key and unlocked that treasure.
Hawk-Eye was slightly taken aback by how fast Albert learned Armament Haki, but given his experience, he wasn't overly shocked. He was aware that there were far more formidable individuals than this in the New World.
Albert applied Armament Haki to his long sword, causing it to turn into a black blade. He weighed the sword and declared to Hawk-Eye, "Now, we can begin."
Hawk-Eye nodded, "Alright!"
His words were like a starting signal, and before he finished, both lunged toward each other.
Clang...
A muted clash ensued as their long swords crossed one another in an X formation, and they quickly retreated, swift and agile, continuously unleashing waves of sword energy.
Boom boom boom...
The sounds of their sword energies filled the air, and the chaotic aftermath surged toward the ocean and the onlookers, creating waves and forcing the crowd to scatter in panic.
Is this... the might of the world's greatest swordsman? And who is Albert? Are they even human? How can they be this powerful?
Damn, the world is vast.
It's absurd; we were still dreaming of controlling the Grand Line.
Ah, the world is terrifying; Mom, I want to go home.
...
Krieg's face was grim, shaken profoundly by the battle's aftermath. He felt an overwhelming sense of futility.
Overhearing the clash between Hawk-Eye and Albert, Zoro strained to rise, fixating on their duel and murmuring, "So this is how distant the world is? Is this the strength of the world's top swordsman? It's incredible. Damn it, I won't let my ambition fade away. Now that I've seen how far the world stretches, I will catch up with you."
Beside him, Luffy exclaimed with excitement, "Zoro, Albert is amazing! I really want him to be my crew mate!"
Zoro nodded but was already engrossed in the fierce engagement between Albert and Hawk-Eye.
Clang...
A resounding metallic grind reverberated through the air, causing a buzzing sensation in the ears of the spectators.
On the damaged deck, Albert gripped his sword with both hands, colliding with Hawk-Eye's black sword. Albert's right foot, energized with Armament Haki, aimed a kick at Hawk-Eye's midsection. Hawk-Eye, however, pushed back hard, forcing Albert's sword aside.
Unsteady, Albert stumbled back a few steps.
Drip, drip...
At that moment, Albert's shirt at the chest tore open, and blood began to drip from within, staining the deck. Although the wound was minor, he had lost a move.
Realizing he had let his guard down, Albert knew he had been too reckless. In their previous exchanges, he was barely keeping up, yet he sensed his swordsmanship advancing more rapidly than ever.
Indeed, a strong opponent proved highly beneficial for refining his skills.
"Your attacks won't inspire me," Hawk-Eye stated, not pursuing Albert but wearing a frown.
"What's the rush? Allow yourself to enjoy this," Albert replied, positioning his sword at the ready. "Now, let's engage in a serious fight."
Shave!
In an instant, Albert vanished—Navy Six Forms - Shave; yes, it was Shave. He had been contemplating it for a while, and during this duel, he had glimpsed its application from Hawk-Eye's movements, learning it intuitively.
Watching as Albert disappeared, Hawk-Eye felt a hint of disappointment and swiped his sword violently to the side.
Clang...
With a clash of metal, Albert reappeared next to him, redirecting Hawk-Eye's blade with a combination of push and draw, then thrusting his own blade toward him.
Martial art Sword!
Deriving from manhua, Albert had initially lacked a formal method for practicing the martial art Sword. He had roughly formulated it, and this match with Hawk-Eye helped refine and correct any flaws.
Hawk-Eye, previously somewhat let down, now regarded Albert with astonishment. Though his black blade was deflected, as a master swordsman, Hawk-Eye would not be easily bested. He adjusted his stance and parried Albert's thrust.
Clang clang clang...
Being swordsmen, both had simplified their techniques, reaching a realm beyond conventional moves. They could keenly identify each other's weaknesses, first countering with their blades before looking for openings to retaliate.
Albert's martial art Sword manifested unparalleled defensive capabilities.
He continuously maneuvered in circular patterns, skillfully fending off Hawk-Eye's strikes while occasionally launching counterattacks.
Thus, they engaged in an intense back-and-forth, exchanging blows without gaining an upper hand. As their arm movements quickened, the rings of clashing metal increased, creating blurs of motion.
Seemingly sharing an unspoken understanding, neither moved their feet; their blades simply collided, with Albert now guiding Hawk-Eye's black sword aside, all the while honing his swordsmanship into mastery.
When Albert unified his style, clarity enveloped him; the air, ocean, and entire world slowed down. What had previously been a desperate defense transformed into smooth blocks, as if all blades were under his command—having entered the realm of a true swordsman, Albert attained mastery amidst their life-and-death battle.
Hawk-Eye noticed the transformation in Albert, his face lighting up with excitement. "Haha, excellent! Let's go again!" He suddenly unleashed a slash.
Albert deflected Hawk-Eye's black blade and chuckled, "Don't you find this tedious? A battle of endurance like this will take quite a while, and I'm in a bit of a hurry."
Hawk-Eye smirked. "That's fine; let's see who slips up first and decides the victor."
In the midst of their blade clashes, Albert abruptly altered his technique, ignoring the black blade thrust toward him and driving his long blade straight at Hawk-Eye's chest.
Whoosh...
A soft breeze flowed as Hawk-Eye's black blade halted just five centimeters from Albert's heart, while Albert's sword paused twenty centimeters from Hawk-Eye's chest.
Albert lowered his gaze, helplessly contemplating the black blade so close to him. His blade simply wasn't as long as Hawk-Eye's.
Swish...
Hawk-Eye retracted his sword, laughing, "Haha, you aimed to wound us both, but my blade is just a bit longer."
"You're right," Albert admitted, lifting his head.
He casually picked up a scabbard from the ground and slowly slid his blade into it: "I'm in a rush; let's settle this with one decisive move, shall we?"
"Alright," Hawk-Eye responded coolly.
The two squared off, Albert's expression serious, his left hand gripping the scabbard and his right hand firmly on the hilt, summoning all his strength.
Buzz...
A massive black sword aura surged toward Hawk-Eye, sweeping everything in its path like the end of the world.
Hawk-Eye's demeanor turned serious as he braced his black blade with both hands and unleashed a green sword aura, directly meeting Albert's black sword aura.
Buzz...
The clash of the black and green sword auras erupted in a violent hum, sending invisible shockwaves radiating outward and stirring massive waves that obscured everyone's view, leaving them uncertain of who had the advantage.
"Look at the sky!"
Oh no... it's splitting...
At that moment, the clouds above began rolling inward, forming a colossal rift that stretched endlessly, with sunlight breaking through and illuminating Hawk-Eye and Albert, giving them an ethereal glow like they wore royal cloaks.
Standing opposite each other, Hawk-Eye sheathed his blade on his back while Albert's blade was reduced to just the hilt—the blade itself shattered.
"How about we call it a draw for today? Let's fight again in the future; I'm really pressed for time," Albert casually tossed aside the hilt and addressed Hawk-Eye.
"Alright," Hawk-Eye agreed, then solemnly added, "I suggest you find a proper blade."
Albert glanced at the discarded hilt and nodded in understanding, "Yes, I'll seek a worthy weapon and then challenge you once more."
Hahahaha...
Both enjoyed their thrilling duel, boarding their ships and departing.
Once the two were well out of sight, Krieg's expression twisted into a menacing sneer as he glared at Baratie: "Haha, they've left, now it's our turn, little..."