"Come on, Dracule Mihawk. Let me see how strong the world's greatest swordsman really is," Roronoa Zoro roared as his body shot forward like lightning, closing the distance in an instant.
At the same time, an overwhelming aura burst out from him, forming a dense purple wave of Haoshoku Haki.
Mihawk raised an eyebrow slightly. "Then be ready."
A powerful aura surged from him as well, wrapping around his body in a deep green glow.
Sunlight broke through the torn clouds above, reflecting off the black blade Yoru and casting a cold, ominous shine.
Clang!
The moment their blades collided, the world seemed to fall silent, leaving only the sharp sound of steel crashing against steel.
A bright white circular shockwave erupted outward, sweeping across everything in its path.
Wherever it passed, the land split apart cleanly, like it had been sliced through without resistance.
In an instant, the entire island was flattened into a vast plain.
As the shockwave continued to spread, even the surrounding space seemed to distort and split.
"Not good!"
Gion quickly pulled Perona down, forcing both of them flat against the small wooden boat.
The next second, the shockwave swept past and sliced the mast clean off the boat.
The cut was smooth and precise.
After it passed, Perona slowly lifted her head and looked toward the island. Her face turned pale instantly.
"S, so scary… Go, green-haired idiot!"
Even from this distance, the aftermath of their clash carried terrifying power.
"So this is the strength of the world's greatest swordsman…"
Gion kept her gaze fixed on the battlefield, her expression serious.
"These two have already reached the very peak of this world."
Back on the island, Wado Ichimonji and Yoru remained locked together.
Sparks burst continuously, lighting up their faces.
Mihawk increased the pressure in his grip. Gradually, Zoro began to slide backward under the force.
Feeling the immense strength behind the blade, Zoro clenched his teeth.
Then, Haoshoku Haki surged into Wado Ichimonji.
The clash intensified, and both of them were forced apart, sliding back dozens of meters.
Zoro exhaled slowly, a faint grin forming.
"So this is your real strength. Good. That makes this worth it."
Mihawk laughed. "If this is all you can do, you are not taking my title."
"Then stop holding back."
Zoro immediately bit Wado Ichimonji between his teeth and tied his green bandana around his head.
He gripped his other two swords tightly, then slammed his foot into the ground.
The earth beneath him cracked as he shot forward again at extreme speed.
At the same time, Haoshoku Haki flowed around all three blades.
Red and black lightning exploded outward, tearing through the air and lighting up the sky.
Mihawk's eyes sharpened slightly.
Zoro's control over Haoshoku Haki had clearly improved.
Without hesitation, Mihawk released his full power.
A terrifying aura erupted from him, spreading across the battlefield as purple-black lightning wrapped around Yoru.
Zoro felt it instantly.
As expected, Mihawk also possessed Haoshoku Haki.
But the thought only passed through his mind briefly before disappearing.
At this level, it would be strange if Mihawk did not have it.
Both of them moved at extreme speed.
In the blink of an eye, their blades collided again, stopping just inches apart.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted, and a dark distortion formed at the center of their clash.
Red and black lightning surged wildly across the battlefield.
A powerful shockwave expanded outward, tearing through the sky and splitting the clouds in half.
The ground beneath them shattered, and massive chunks of earth rose into the air under the force.
At that moment, nothing else in the world seemed to exist except the two of them.
"Haoshoku Haki…"
Perona stood frozen, completely overwhelmed by the scene.
Gion remained calm.
For warriors of their level, this was expected.
The impact forced both Zoro and Mihawk backward by hundreds of meters.
But neither of them hesitated.
They charged at each other again.
Zoro's three-sword style exploded forward like a storm, each strike carrying overwhelming force.
Sparks flew every time their blades met, and waves of sword energy carved the island apart piece by piece.
It looked like the end of the world.
Mihawk, however, remained composed. His movements were precise and controlled, each strike aimed directly at Zoro's vital points.
Even so, Zoro's strength and Haki forced Mihawk's arm to tremble slightly.
As the battle dragged on, Zoro began to feel the pressure.
Mihawk's strength and endurance were beyond what he had expected.
At the start, he could match him evenly, but after more than a hundred exchanges, he began to fall behind.
He remembered their first encounter on Kuraigana Island, when he could barely stand against Mihawk.
Now, he could fight him head-on.
Even if he was still at a disadvantage, the difference was clear.
After being knocked back once again, Zoro steadied himself.
Not enough. I need more power.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Memories surfaced, Koushirou's teachings, Rolan's guidance, and Mihawk's training.
His mind and his blade became one.
In that moment, he felt something deeper, as if the sword itself responded to him.
When he opened his eyes again, his gaze had changed completely.
He sheathed two of his swords.
Only one remained in his hand.
Both Haoshoku Haki and Armament Haki flowed into the blade, merging together.
"One-Sword Style, Black Blade, Overlord, Lion Song."
He swung.
A massive crimson slash tore through space, rushing toward Mihawk with unstoppable force.
Mihawk's lips curved slightly.
Without hesitation, he coated Yoru in Haoshoku Haki and swung forward.
Bang!
The two attacks collided violently, exploding into blinding light and thunderous sound that echoed across the sky.
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