Chapter 181: Mihawk!

As the Prometheus steadily approached the island, Claudius stood on the deck, gazing toward the distant landmass.

Shimotsuki Village. What a coincidence, Claudius thought. He had always intended to visit Shimotsuki Village someday to meet Koshiro, the mysterious swordsman, and see if there was a chance to take Kuina away from the Isshin Dojo.

It was the end of Sea Circle Calendar 1508. By Claudius's calculations, Zoro should already be at the dojo in Shimotsuki Village. After all, Claudius remembered that by the time Zoro was nine, he was already defeating adults in the dojo, while Kuina was eleven during the same period.

Thinking back, Zoro should've just recently joined the dojo by now.

As Claudius pondered, a sudden, powerful slash erupted from the forest on the island, shattering his train of thought.

The slash collided with another in mid-air, the two forces canceling each other out. However, one of the slashes deviated from its original trajectory and hurtled toward the Prometheus.

The slash tore across the calm sea, its residual power still fierce. Even as an aftershock, it carried an aura of strength that clearly indicated the swordsman behind it was no amateur.

"Seriously? What did I do to deserve this stray attack?" Claudius muttered, scowling at the incoming slash.

Despite his annoyance, he didn't move to intercept it. Instead Stussy, who had been lounging in the pool, reacted swiftly.

With a practiced Moonwalk, she leapt into the air, stepping lightly across the surface of the pool before propelling herself toward the oncoming slash. Her movements were graceful yet precise, her long legs glinting with the dark sheen of Armament Haki.

"Tempest Kick!" Stussy called out, her voice sharp.

Rather than sending out a counter-slash, she delivered a precise kick directly to the incoming attack. The clash sent a ripple through the air before the slash was shattered into fragments of dissipating energy. Using the momentum, Stussy landed lightly back on the deck, flexing her leg slightly as she assessed the attack.

"That was quite strong," she remarked, her tone casual. "Even as an aftershock, the slash carried a lot of power."

"It seems two rather skilled swordsmen are having a duel on the island," Claudius murmured thoughtfully.

One of them was undoubtedly Koshiro, but who was the other? That was the question.

As he contemplated, a smile crept across Claudius's face. Loosening the Demon Blade Shindō from his waist, he said, "Well, unintentional or not, it'd be rude not to return the favor."

In truth, Claudius welcomed the opportunity. While he didn't devote all his training to swordsmanship, his natural talent had earned him quite a reputation as a skilled swordsman. Some on the seas had even compared his abilities to those of the legendary Golden Lion.

Coming to Shimotsuki Village, Claudius had toyed with the idea of sparring with Koshiro. But knowing Koshiro's temperament, Claudius doubted the reclusive swordsman would willingly engage him.

Now, however, with this "invitation" delivered straight to his doorstep, Claudius saw no reason not to respond in kind.

Clutching the Demon Blade Shindō, he raised his arm back, the hilt pressed near his ear. The blade was quickly enveloped in Armament Haki, its edge gleaming with dark energy.

"One-Sword Style—Uranus: Storm Slash!" Claudius roared.

With a powerful swing, the blade unleashed a storm-like slash, tearing through the ocean surface. The attack solidified into a razor-sharp arc of energy that barreled toward the island, cutting apart everything in its path.

Meanwhile, deep in the dense forest on the island, two swordsmen were locked in fierce combat. Their blades clashed repeatedly, sending waves of energy rippling through the surrounding area.

When Claudius's slash approached, the two combatants instinctively paused, sensing its immense power. Stepping back, they created some distance between themselves as they turned their attention toward the oncoming storm-like energy.

"It seems that the aftermath of our fight has attracted a dangerous individual," Koshiro said, his voice calm despite the situation.

In his hands, Koshiro held the Wado Ichimonji, one of the twenty-one Great Grade swords. Across from him stood a man dressed like a noble, his sharp eyes resembling those of a hawk. In his hand was a massive black blade—the legendary Yoru, one of the twelve Supreme Grade swords.

This man was none other than Dracule Mihawk, a swordsman who had spent years challenging the greatest swordsmen across the seas. So far, no one had managed to defeat him.

Mihawk's reputation had grown to the point that he was being hailed as "the World's Greatest Swordsman," though the title had not yet been officially claimed. For now, he was content to let his blade speak for itself.

Recently, Mihawk had bested nearly every notable swordsman on the seas, his reputation soaring to incredible heights. His rise was so meteoric that it reminded some of Claudius's own sudden emergence years ago.

Mihawk glanced at the incoming slash, his golden eyes narrowing as he assessed its power. "A formidable swordsman, it seems," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of excitement. "Just what I've been searching for."

With a flick of his wrist, Mihawk raised Yoru and sent out a pale green slash to intercept Claudius's attack. The two slashes collided violently, tearing through the forest before dissipating in a burst of raw energy.

"Not bad," Mihawk said simply. "He's strong, though not quite as strong as me."

Koshiro, standing off to the side, chuckled lightly. "Perhaps. But are you certain he was using his full strength?"

Mihawk frowned slightly at that, then smirked. "You're right. If that wasn't his best, then this is even better."

As if on cue, another slash tore through the air, this one carrying an icy chill. Frost spread along its path, turning everything it touched into glistening white frost.