The once-flat training ground was instantly ravaged by the clash between the two.
The bluestone floor was plowed with bottomless trenches by sword energy, the ground collapsed, and dust filled the air.
If not for Garp and the others standing at the periphery of the training ground acting swiftly to block the spreading shockwaves, the surrounding Marine soldiers observing would have likely been caught in the aftermath, suffering heavy casualties.
On a nearby high platform, Sengoku sat in his chair, his originally calm expression gradually turning grave.
At first, he thought the two were merely sparring lightly, holding back. But as he watched the increasingly fierce battle unfold before him, Sengoku could no longer remain seated.
He abruptly stood up, a majestic aura erupting from within him. Golden light surged from his body, gradually turning his hair golden.
His form continuously expanded, ultimately transforming into a golden Buddha statue over ten meters tall.
"Outrageous!" The golden Buddha's voice boomed like a great bell, echoing throughout Marineford. "It was agreed this was just a spar! Who gave you permission to fight for real!"
Before his words faded, the golden Buddha slowly raised a massive palm, carrying world-shattering force, and swung it toward the two.
This strike targeted neither individually; it simply used overwhelming power to forcibly blast both of them from Marineford's training ground out toward the distant sea.
"If you want to fight, go do it at sea! Don't cause trouble at Marineford!"
Sengoku's furious roar followed.
After this, the golden Buddha slowly retracted its palm, the golden light around it gradually fading as it returned to human form.
Facing Sengoku's attack, neither Ivan nor Mihawk resisted, allowing the immense pushing force to send them out to sea.
The two halted above the ocean, each using their own means to hover in the air.
After a brief pause, they moved again.
No unnecessary words—only the clash of sword against sword, the collision of sword energy against sword energy.
Mihawk's Black Blade Yoru was drawn once more. This time, he held nothing back. Black Blade Yoru swept horizontally, unleashing a colossal sword energy that cut across the sea surface.
"Night Raven: Horizontal Severance!"
The giant sword energy swept over the sea, instantly cleaving the rolling waves in two. The ocean surface was plowed into a bottomless trench, seawater rushing in frantically with a roar-like sound.
Ivan's expression turned grave, not daring to be the slightest bit careless. He raised his black blade high overhead:
One Sword Style・Black Azure・Sky Sever!"
Dark sword energy erupted once more, even more ferocious than before, meeting Mihawk's massive flying slash.
When the two colossal sword energies collided, an even more terrifying shockwave exploded forth!
The sea surface shook violently, seawater over a vast area was thrown skyward, forming a wall of water that blocked everyone's view.
Sword energy flew wildly; the two blade auras intertwined over the sea. Each collision was accompanied by deafening roars.
Mihawk's sword, each move carried absolute precision. Black Blade Yoru in his hands seemed to possess a life of its own.
Meanwhile, Ivan's swordplay was grand and sweeping, yet never lacking in accuracy.
Thus, the two began an ultimate contest of skill.
On the sea surface, their figures continuously intersected, sword shadows weaving like fabric.
Seawater was shredded by sword energy, mist enveloping the ocean surface.
At distant Marineford, all the Marines stared intently at the battlefield ahead, faces filled with astonishment.
They had never witnessed such a terrifying duel before; even battles between Navy Admirals might not have given them such immense shock.
After all, while an Admiral's destructive power was formidable, it lacked a sense of beauty.
In contrast, the clash between two Great Swordsmen was equally devastating, yet the collision of their blades painted an extraordinarily beautiful scene.
Time passed bit by bit, and as the battle grew more intense, both men's breathing gradually became labored, and wounds of varying severity appeared on their bodies.
It was then that the onlookers finally noticed an unbelievable fact.
In this pure contest of swordsmanship, the one gaining the upper hand was not Mihawk, but Ivan!
Ivan's sword grew faster and sharper, the transitions between his moves increasingly fluid.
Each of his strikes precisely dismantled Mihawk's attacks while launching fierce counterattacks.
Mihawk's movements gradually slowed, and for the first time, a look of solemnity appeared on his face. His swordplay remained precise, yet he was steadily being suppressed by Ivan.
Finally, in a fierce exchange, Ivan's Black Blade struck Mihawk's Black Blade Yoru with pinpoint accuracy.
A tremendous force surged through, numbing Mihawk's wrist and nearly causing Yoru to slip from his grasp.
Seizing the advantage, Ivan swung Snowfall once more, sending a sharp blade of energy hurtling toward Mihawk.
Mihawk barely managed to raise his sword to block, but the force of the strike sent him stumbling backward again, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth.
This scene left all the spectators stunned, plunging the area into dead silence.
Standing on the shore of Marineford, Akainu's eyes were filled with disbelief.
"How is this possible? That guy Mihawk is actually being suppressed in swordsmanship… and he's on the verge of losing?"
Akainu was also a Great Swordsman, so he naturally understood just how terrifying Mihawk's swordsmanship was.
Yet the sight before him completely overturned his understanding.
Sengoku stood beside Akainu, his expression equally grave.
"This Ivan has hidden his abilities far too well. His swordsmanship has already reached such a level that he can even suppress Mihawk…"
He had once believed that no one in the world could surpass Mihawk's swordsmanship, but Ivan's appearance shattered that notion.
If even Sengoku and Akainu were so shocked, one could only imagine the reactions of the others.
The surrounding Navy officers were utterly dumbfounded, and murmurs gradually began to spread.
"My god, Mihawk is actually being suppressed?"
"Ivan's swordsmanship is terrifying!"
"Is the title of the world's greatest swordsman about to change hands?"
Even Vice Admiral Tsuru, who had remained calm throughout, showed a flicker of surprise in her eyes. Gently stroking her chin, she mused thoughtfully,
"Ivan's talent in swordsmanship may even surpass Mihawk's…"
On the sea, Mihawk steadied himself and wiped the blood from his face.
He looked at Ivan, his expression a complex mix of emotions—frustration, astonishment, but above all, an undeniable excitement.
Throughout his life of battles, aside from his early years, he had never been suppressed in pure swordsmanship.
Ivan's appearance rekindled a long-lost fighting spirit within him, the thrill of meeting a worthy opponent surging through his entire being.
"You are strong," Mihawk's voice carried a hint of breathlessness but remained resolute. "If I don't go all out, I might truly lose."
Ivan sheathed Snowfall, casually resting it on his shoulder, and replied in a relaxed tone,
"Oh, so that wasn't your full strength just now. I thought the world's greatest swordsman was nothing special."
Upon hearing this, Mihawk tightened his grip on Black Blade Yoru:
"You should know that the strongest fighters on the seas must master Conqueror's Haki Infusion, and the same goes for the greatest swordsmanship!"
The moment his voice fell, a vast and imposing aura erupted from within him.
In the next instant, black and red lightning enveloped him—precisely Conqueror's Haki refined to its utmost limit!
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