Even though Ivan was not a pure-blooded swordsman, he still yearned to face powerful opponents.
Without the slightest hesitation, Mihawk slowly rose to his feet, his Black Blade Night slightly unsheathed:
"I accept, betting on the title of the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
That brief statement instantly ignited the atmosphere in the entire conference room.
Upon hearing this news, the Seven Warlords of the Sea all revealed looks of anticipation.
A playful smile appeared on Doflamingo's face:
"Fufufufufu... Interesting, truly interesting!
White Dove versus the World's Greatest Swordsman, Mihawk—who is stronger?"
This duel was undoubtedly a clash of titans, and he certainly wouldn't miss it.
Moria's massive body swayed slightly as a sharp, mocking laugh rang out:
"Shishishishishi... Although White Dove Ivan is formidable, Mihawk is the World's Greatest Swordsman, with unfathomable strength.
It won't be easy for Ivan to defeat him. This spectacle is getting more and more thrilling."
When Garp heard that Ivan wanted to spar with Mihawk, his face instantly lit up with excitement. His eyes gleaming, he slapped his thigh and laughed heartily:
"Well done, kid Ivan! Teach that brat Mihawk a lesson and show him the might of our Marines!"
As one of the earliest high-ranking Marines to encounter Ivan, Garp was full of confidence in him.
He knew that Ivan was a monster no less formidable than himself, perhaps even surpassing him!
Although Mihawk was the World's Greatest Swordsman, Ivan might not necessarily lose.
He eagerly anticipated Ivan defeating Mihawk and bringing glory to the Marines.
Sengoku looked at the excited Garp, then at the resolute expressions of Ivan and Mihawk, and sighed helplessly before saying in a grave tone:
"Since you've both decided to spar, go to the training grounds at Marineford. No fighting in the conference room, no harming innocents, and keep it to a friendly match. If you dare disrupt our plans, I won't go easy on you!"
"Understood, Fleet Admiral," Ivan nodded slightly.
Mihawk also gave a slight nod without another word, turning first and heading toward the conference room door.
Ivan followed closely behind, his expression calm.
He was prepared to win this duel.
He would use the victory from this match to change others' perceptions of him. White Dove was no ordinary Admiral Candidate.
His strength was sufficient to hold the position of Admiral!
Soon, news of Ivan sparring with Mihawk at the training grounds spread throughout Marineford.
Marine soldiers who were training immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed toward the training grounds, eager to witness this clash of titans firsthand.
In an instant, the streets of Marineford were crowded with Marines heading to the training grounds.
"What? Vice Admiral White Dove is sparring with Mihawk?!"
"My God, this is a clash of titans! One is the rising star of the Marines, an Admiral Candidate, and the other is the World's Greatest Swordsman. Who is stronger?"
"I think Mihawk is stronger. After all, he's the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
"Yeah, yeah. Although Vice Admiral White Dove is powerful and his strength approaches that of an Admiral, he's still just a Vice Admiral. How could he possibly defeat Mihawk?"
"Don't say that. Vice Admiral White Dove is so young yet possesses such immense strength. Perhaps he can truly create a miracle and defeat Mihawk?"
"Impossible. No matter how strong Vice Admiral White Dove is, he can't possibly be Mihawk's match."
Debates erupted one after another, with soldiers holding differing opinions. Some supported Ivan, while others favored Mihawk, but most believed Mihawk would win.
After all, Mihawk's reputation resounded across the seas. The title of World's Greatest Swordsman was not undeserved.
Although Ivan had risen rapidly, he was still relatively inexperienced and, compared to Mihawk, had a certain gap to bridge.
Soon, everyone arrived at the training grounds of Marineford.
It was a vast open space with a floor paved with hard rock, usually used for Marine training and large enough to accommodate thousands.
At this moment, the area around the training grounds was already packed with Marines, densely crowded and bustling with activity.
Everyone stood on tiptoe, their eyes fixed intently on the center of the training grounds.
Apart from them, the Seven Warlords and high-ranking Marines also found elevated spots to sit, awaiting the start of the duel.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ivan and Mihawk slowly walked to the center of the training grounds, standing opposite each other.
Neither spoke, nor made any unnecessary movements, simply gazing quietly at one another.
Even so, immense auras erupted from both of them. Two terrifying pressures collided, and though it wasn't Conqueror's Haki, it still made the vast majority of Marines tremble uncontrollably, unable to move.
"Is... is this the presence of the top-tier powerhouses of the seas?" one Marine stammered, staring at his trembling legs. "It's truly terrifying!"
His superior glanced back at him and laughed heartily:
"This is nothing. If you'd ever witnessed a clash of Conqueror's Haki, that's what you'd call formidable.
Unfortunately, we won't see a clash of Conqueror's Haki today, since Vice Admiral Ivan hasn't awakened it.
But even so, this is still an astonishing battle. Watch closely and learn well. Just absorbing a bit of experience can greatly enhance your strength!"
"Yes!"
As Ivan and Mihawk faced off, the area around the training grounds gradually fell into a deathly silence.
All debates and clamor vanished without a trace, leaving only the heavy breathing of the crowd.
An invisible tension spread wildly between the two.
The duel was about to erupt!
The surrounding Marines held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the two, their hearts pounding wildly.
They all wanted to know how this clash of titans would ultimately conclude.
Would the World's Greatest Swordsman, Mihawk, successfully defend his title, or would the rising star of the Marines, Ivan, stage an upset victory?
"Begin," Mihawk's voice was calm on the training grounds. As soon as he spoke, his figure moved like a ghost. Hawk Flash・Single Slash!"
Without any unnecessary preamble, Black Blade Night was instantly unsheathed. With a soft sound, a sharp Flying Slash shot toward Ivan's face.
Ivan's eyes narrowed. Instead of retreating, he advanced, his wrist turning as a pitch-black sword aura met the attack. He uttered a low shout:
One Sword Style・Black Azure・Sky Sever!"
The moment the pitch-black sword aura collided with the silvery-white one, a sharp, clashing sound erupted.
A violent shockwave centered on the two, sweeping outward in all directions.
Their figures intersected, sword shadows flying so fast that the trajectories of their moves were impossible to discern.
Mihawk's wrist dipped slightly as Black Blade Night swung horizontally. The sword aura condensed into a broad, black blade of light, slashing through the air toward Ivan.
Black Blade・Sky Break!"
"Here it comes!" Ivan shouted, a snow-white sword aura suddenly erupting. "One Sword Style: White Dawn: Horizontal Slash!"
The snow-white sword aura collided with the black blade of light, the deafening roar shaking the air.
Another violent shockwave spread out, instantly shredding the training equipment at the edges of the grounds. The alloy target range collapsed with a thunderous crash.