At this moment, Mihawk's heart was filled with indescribable emotions.
There was doubt toward himself…
and complete incomprehension toward Karl.
The longer he fought Karl—
the more powerless he felt.
How should he describe that feeling?
It was probably like being in love.
Giving everything you had—
all your effort, all your feelings—
only to receive absolutely no response.
To put it another way—
he had already slashed Karl hundreds of times.
And the only achievement he had to show for it…
was shredding Karl's Marine uniform.
Even when he finally managed to draw blood—
whoosh—
it healed instantly.
That helpless and empty feeling made it hard for Mihawk to breathe.
Before Karl was injured, it was like this.
After Karl was injured, it was still like this.
Then what the hell had he even been fighting for?!
Facing such an unfathomable opponent—
Mihawk only wanted to say one thing.
I'm tired.
Destroy everything already.
Please hurry.
SWOOSH—
A sharp flying slash shot past Mihawk's side.
Karl smiled faintly.
"What?"
"Out of strength already?"
Mihawk silently stared at Karl.
Only after a long while did he slowly speak.
"Yes."
"I'm already nearing my limit."
"But you…"
"I can't see where your limit lies."
"Hahaha."
"So…"
"You're planning to admit defeat?"
Mihawk laughed softly.
"Admit defeat?"
"No."
"One move."
"We decide victory with one move."
The moment those words fell—
Mihawk's entire aura changed.
The surrounding air froze instantly.
Even the endlessly moving waves suddenly became still.
Karl naturally didn't dare underestimate him.
He immediately refreshed his buffs.
The Raven in his hand transformed into a dazzling Sword of Holy Light.
Just as Karl prepared to use Future Sight Observation Haki to glimpse Mihawk's ultimate attack—
he froze.
Because in the future he saw—
there was only darkness.
No.
There was no future at all.
CRASH— CRASH—
The ocean before Mihawk suddenly split apart, revealing a massive abyss through the sea itself.
Only then did Mihawk slowly raise Black Blade Yoru.
The sword had yet to move—
but the intent had already arrived.
Karl's eyelids twitched violently.
He raised Raven with difficulty and roared:
"Crowfeather!!!"
Raven instantly entered its transformed state.
Layer after layer of raven feathers covered the blade.
The sword tip gradually turned into a bird's head.
The wings at the guard expanded wider and larger.
The entire weapon doubled in size in an instant.
This—
was Raven's ultimate form.
Because Raven itself was also a Devil Fruit user.
And it—
could awaken as well.
"Bloom!!!"
"CAW——!!!"
A gigantic golden flying slash instantly tore the ocean apart.
Carrying terrifying destructive force capable of annihilating everything in its path—
it surged forward unstoppably.
But Mihawk's slash was no weaker.
That dark green flying slash resembled the sharpest spear in the world—
violently piercing forward.
BOOM!!!
A deafening explosion erupted.
Even the distant Baratie felt the impact.
"My God!"
"A tsunami!"
"A massive tsunami!!!"
"Someone save us!!!"
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
The violent collision raised waves nearly one hundred meters high.
Within moments—
they would crash directly into Baratie and shatter the entire restaurant into pieces.
Zoro gritted his teeth and immediately entered a combat stance, preparing to cut apart the tidal wave himself.
However—
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Three flashes of sword light streaked across the sky.
The nearly hundred-meter wave was instantly sliced apart—
breaking into countless scattered masses of water that crashed powerlessly back into the sea.
Naturally—
that feat came from Karl.
As for why he still had time to act—
the answer was simple.
Because he had won.
Karl lightly landed on Baratie's deck and waved toward the terrified guests.
"My apologies."
"I originally only planned to dine here."
"I didn't expect to cause everyone so much trouble."
"N-No, it's fine…"
After briefly putting on a perfect display of Marine-civilian harmony—
Karl finally had a chance to breathe.
One full day and one full night without sleep.
Mentally exhausting.
Ain immediately sat beside him and quietly asked:
"So?"
"How did it go?"
"And where's Mihawk?"
Karl shrugged casually.
"What else could happen?"
"I won."
"He lost."
"That simple."
"As for where he is…"
"I honestly don't know."
"But with his vitality, he probably won't die."
"Though serious injuries are guaranteed."
Ain looked at Karl with admiration shining in her eyes.
"You're amazing."
"Wait…"
"If you defeated Mihawk…"
"Doesn't that mean you've become the World's Greatest Swordsman?!"
Karl rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm…"
"Probably."
"So many people witnessed the fight."
"If nothing unexpected happens…"
"It'll definitely be in tomorrow's newspapers."
Honestly—
becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman didn't feel particularly special.
As for benefits…
well—
his reputation had become even more outrageous.
Now he was simultaneously:
Marine Hero.
World's Greatest Swordsman.
And World's Most Handsome Man.
A pile of ridiculous titles.
Thinking about it that way…
it actually sounded pretty awesome.
Of course—
there were downsides too.
Karl defeating Mihawk meant countless swordsmen would now seek him out.
In the future—
he might not even be able to travel peacefully without some random swordsman jumping out to challenge him to a duel.
Knock knock knock.
Ain frowned slightly.
Hadn't the restaurant owner claimed this room was extremely private?
Then why was someone disturbing them?
"Come in."
As expected—
it was Zoro.
He looked excited.
His eyes burned with fighting spirit—
as though he wanted to duel Karl immediately.
But he restrained himself.
After all—
he had witnessed the entire battle between Karl and Mihawk.
Naturally—
he now understood exactly what level he currently stood at.
In short—
neither Karl nor Mihawk was an opponent he could defeat right now.
Yet he still came.
For no other reason—
he simply wanted to ask about Mihawk.
"You came to ask about Mihawk's condition, didn't you?"
Zoro nodded firmly.
"Yes."
"I want to know…"
"Is he still alive?"
"Heh."
Karl chuckled lightly and pointed toward the sea outside the window.
"I can tell you with certainty."
"He's alive."
"If you want to meet him again on the seas…"
"Then become stronger."
"No."
"You're the current World's Greatest Swordsman now."
"My goal should be you instead."
"No, no, no."
"Zoro…"
"You're mistaken."
Karl shook his head calmly.
"You want to challenge me now?"
"Sorry."
"You'll have to defeat Mihawk first."
"Otherwise…"
"You aren't qualified to challenge me."
"Understand?"
Zoro immediately became anxious.
"But…"
"You accepted my challenge before!"
Karl laughed.
"Did that count as a challenge?"
"Wasn't that just you desperately running toward me to get beaten up?"
"I don't consider that a challenge."
"Alright, alright."
"Remember your current identity."
"For Luffy's grandfather's sake, I won't pursue this matter."
"Ain."
"See the guest out."
Ain stood up from her seat and coldly stared at Zoro.
"Pirate."
"Are you leaving on your own…"
"Or do you want me to throw you out personally?"
"Choose."
"I'll leave myself."
Zoro deeply looked at Karl once more before turning around and leaving the private room.
Ain turned back curiously.
"When did you even meet that guy?"
Karl leaned back lazily.
"A while ago."
"Back then…"
"He was still really skinny."
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