chsdbacks Chapter 34 The Red-Haired Pirates' Visit
Chapter 34 The Red-Haired Pirates' Visit
"Wow...that's amazing!!"
Sniper Yasopp, holding his beloved sniper rifle, watched through the scope as two figures clashed and collided at high speed amidst the ruins.
"Who's that guy who's going at Hawkeye's throats?! His sword... it's inhumanly fast!"
He was stunned: "Every move...it's like they've anticipated Hawkeye's next move! This skill...it's monstrous!"
"Indeed, I've never seen Hawkeye so clearly seen."
Lucky Roux, clutching a large chicken leg, was so startled by the terrifying pressure of the sword that he forgot to eat the meat.
Shanks's gaze turned incredibly solemn as he stared intently at the figure that moved like silver moonlight through Mihawk's domineering swordplay.
"It's not just about speed and accuracy..." he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"His sword... has become almost 'empty.' Every strike is perfectly natural, without a single superfluous element, as if... the sword is him, and he is the sword! This level of mastery..."
Beckman took a deep breath to calm his shock and said in a deep voice, "Captain, in terms of pure swordsmanship skills, understanding and application of the sword... this stranger..."
He paused, then uttered a startling conclusion: "I'm afraid... he has surpassed Mihawk!"
Shanks nodded slowly, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "If Mihawk's sword is the sword of the 'King,' proving the way with force and dominating the world."
"This person's sword... is the sword of the 'Immortals.' Their paths are different, making it difficult to determine who is superior. But in terms of the pinnacle of 'skill'..." He paused, then said, word by word:
"His swordsmanship is so exquisite that there is probably no one else in the world who can match him!"
It's astonishing that even the "Five Emperors," Red-Haired Shanks and First Vice-Captain Beckman, would give such a powerful evaluation.
This is enough to show just how astonishing the swordsmanship that Sasaki Kojiro displayed was!
At the top of the ruined tower, Mihawk and Kojiro separated once again.
The two of them stood atop a tilted stone pillar, their robes fluttering in the surging air.
Both of them had a few minor scratches on their bodies, but the excitement and fighting spirit in their eyes were burning at their peak.
"Warm-up...it's time to end." Mihawk slowly raised "Night," the tip of the blade pointing at Kojiro.
The terrifying sword aura condensed wildly, the air whistled at the tip of the blade, as if space itself was slightly distorted!
He sensed the arrival of the red-haired man and the others below, but this did not distract him in the slightest.
At this moment, he only had eyes for the opponent before him, someone worthy of his full effort.
Kojiro's languid smile vanished completely, replaced by an almost devout focus.
He slowly held the "drying" knife horizontally, the tip pointing diagonally downwards, and his whole aura became ethereal, as if he had merged with this ruin and this world.
A profound sword intent locked onto Mihawk, as if no matter where the opponent attacked from, it was already anticipated by the blade.
"Secret Sword—" Kojiro's clear voice rang out, carrying a strange sense of rhythm.
Mihawk's bright yellow eyes suddenly narrowed, his Observation Haki and senses blazing – he had sensed it!
An unprecedented, deadly threat that could strike from three directions simultaneously!
"Yan..."
Just as these ultimate moves were about to collide at the critical moment!
"Hey—!!! Mihawk! And that swordsman! Give me some face, how about you stop for a moment?"
Shanks's loud, cheerful voice, imbued with an overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, pierced through the layers of ruins and clearly reached the top of the tower!
The impending ultimate clash was interrupted by this sudden burst of Conqueror's Haki.
Mihawk frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure at being disturbed flashing in his eyes, and the sword aura he had been gathering paused for a moment.
He sheathed his sword and stood there, his gaze still sharp as ever, coldly fixed on the massive Red Fox in the harbor below the cliff.
And the red-haired man at the bow of the ship, with a cheerful smile and a single arm under his cloak, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Kojiro's profound sword intent slowly subsided.
He, on the other hand, appeared more casual. The interrupted "swallow return" dissipated naturally like flowing water.
With a flick of his wrist, he deftly sheathed the "Dried Goods" with a soft "snap." A lazy smile returned to his face, tinged with curiosity, as he gazed towards the harbor.
On the ruins of the ancient castle, the surging sword intent slowly subsided, leaving only silent sword marks as proof of the earth-shattering swordsmanship contest that had just taken place.
"Tsk, what a spoilsport." Mihawk's voice was low, carrying a hint of coldness, and clearly reached the redhead's ears.
"Shanks, you'd better have a very good reason to interrupt this duel."
Red-haired Shanks laughed heartily, then leaped up, easily skimming off the bow of the ship.
With a few leaps, it landed steadily on the edge of the tower where Mihawk and Kojiro were.
Beckman followed closely behind, landing a little behind. His sharp gaze swept over Mihawk and finally landed on the uniquely charismatic Kojiro, with a deep scrutiny.
"Reasons? Of course there are, and they're definitely substantial!" Shanks' smile faded, and a rare hint of seriousness appeared in his eyes.
He patted the Griffin at his waist. "But before we get down to business..." He turned his gaze intently to Kojiro, his admiration and awe undisguised.
"This must be the Heroic Spirit swordsman summoned by the Holy Grail War, right? His swordsmanship just now... was breathtaking!"
"Purely in terms of skill, even Mihawk would have to admit defeat! How shall I address you?"
Kojiro nodded slightly. The information he received upon entering the world of the Holy Grail War told him that this Holy Grail War was not a secret.
His demeanor was casual yet exuded elegance: "Servant, Assassin. There's no need to hide my real name, I am Sasaki Kojiro."
"You flatter me. My skills are but a few minor tricks, each with its own merits compared to Master's Sword of the King's Way."
He readily accepted the praise and also pointed out the core of Mihawk's swordsmanship.
"Assassin? Assassin? Ha!" Shanks laughed heartily, clearly surprised by this class and the swordsman's aura displayed by the person before him.
"Are you kidding me? That impressive swordsmanship came from an assassin?"
Sasaki Kojiro... Could he be from Wano Country?
Redhead's smile remained unchanged: "I am Shanks, and this is my first mate, Ben Beckman."
Beckman nodded calmly, his gaze still sharp: "Lord Sasaki, your swordsmanship just now was indeed the most exquisite I have ever seen in my life."
This is extremely high praise, coming from the mouth of the Red-Haired Pirates' strategist.
Mihawk neither confirmed nor denied Shanks' assessment that he was "slightly inferior."
He scoffed and steered the conversation back on track: "Enough nonsense, Shanks. You came all this way to see me, to interrupt this rare duel, not to praise my Servant, were you?"
He keenly sensed that Shanks' purpose in coming here was definitely not to reminisce.
Shanks' smile vanished completely, and a barely perceptible worry flashed in his eyes.
He was silent for a few seconds, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before slowly opening his mouth, his voice much lower.
"Mihawk, you participated in that 'Holy Grail War,' didn't you? You summoned this Lord Sasaki."
"So what if it is?" Mihawk raised an eyebrow.
"I want to know..." Shanks took a deep breath and looked directly into Mihawk's eyes.
"How much do you know about this Holy Grail War?"
Mihawk's hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly: "Not much... As far as I know, the news has already spread far and wide."
Shanks threw off his cloak and slowly raised his right arm.
"What a pity, I was hoping to ask how I was chosen."
With his eyes level with the back of his hand, three bright red Command Seals shone in the howling sea breeze.