CHAPTER 99

"Do you still want to continue fighting me?" asked the revenant-possessed Van der Decken IX, narrowing his eyes. He assumed Rin would falter in confidence after taking damage from his sword aura a mistake he was about to realize.

"Hahahaha! It's been far too long since I met someone who could push me this far. Congratulations you've rekindled my fighting spirit!" Rin's laughter echoed through the water, defiant and wild. Contrary to Van der Decken's expectations, Rin wasn't discouraged he was exhilarated. Aside from Koshiro, the revered dojo master of Shimotsuki Village and father of Kuina, no swordsman had ever matched Rin in skill. But this revenant, now animating the body of Van der Decken IX, was the opponent he had longed for the one who could truly challenge his swordsmanship and ignite the fire he carried.

"What a madman. Young one what's your name? I see in you the shadow of the swordsman I once was." The revenant, speaking through Van der Decken IX's form, was caught off guard by Rin's undaunted spirit. But it made sense a swordsman capable of wielding lightning-infused blades and enduring deep-sea combat would naturally have a formidable will. As the spirit watched Rin, memories from centuries ago stirred. Though his true past had long blurred in the haze of undeath, the emotions his thirst for strength, his relentless pursuit of the sword's pinnacle still echoed clearly. In Rin's burning eyes, filled with unshakeable confidence, he saw a mirror of his forgotten youth.

"Listen well my name is Rin Pandora. And I am a sword hao!" Rin declared boldly, his voice cutting through the sea like a blade, his eyes blazing like storm-charged clouds.

"Rin Pandora… a fine name. Very well defeat me here and now, and I will follow you. I'll join your crew and wield my blade under your flag!" said the revenant, his voice resolute. He saw something powerful within Rin the kind of force that changes tides and reshapes the world. Perhaps, if Rin were to master the revenant's swordsmanship, he could surpass the legends of the Grand Line. But all that hinged on one thing: Rin's victory.

"Wait before we continue… what's your name?" Rin asked, narrowing his eyes. Despite the heat of battle, he hadn't learned his opponent's true name.

"My name?" the revenant chuckled, a hollow sound soaked in regret. "That was lost long ago erased with time and blood. This blade," he raised the blackened, eerie weapon, "is called the Bone Erosion Knife. From now on, just call me Bone Erosion."

"Bone Erosion, huh? Then I'll call you Uncle Bone Erosion!" Rin grinned, lifting his thunder-charged blade. "Uncle Bone Erosion let's finish what we started!"

"Hahaha! Uncle Bone Erosion?! You're bold, brat. Come!" With laughter still on his lips, Bone Erosion surged forward, his cursed blade trailing black mist.

"Cross Chop!" Rin unleashed his signature cross-shaped sword wave, lightning trailing behind it.

"Thousand Slashes!" Bone Erosion responded with a style Rin had never seen before. He swung the Bone Erosion Knife with terrifying speed, so fast the blade disappeared into a whirlwind of motion. A black mist erupted from it, and from within flew countless waves of dark sword aura, each infused with bone-eroding energy. The mist carried a curse the kind that didn't just cut flesh, but consumed it.

"Iaijutsu – Flash Draw Slash!" Seeing the barrage incoming, Rin immediately sheathed his Thunder Calamity Blade, drawing it in a blink. The burst of energy neutralized many of the incoming slashes. His cross chop had already dealt with part of the Thousand Slashes, but now his Iai technique swept away the rest. Even so, Rin didn't stop—he dashed through the mist, blade drawn, straight toward Bone Erosion.

"Sakura Devouring Art!" Bone Erosion whispered, and suddenly, ethereal sakura petals began to fall through the sea's depth, swirling unnaturally. Rin's attack—mere feet away was suddenly caught in a vortex of drifting petals. They swarmed around his Iai slash, absorbing its energy before vanishing like mist into the abyss.

"W-What?! How?!" Rin stared in disbelief as the petals devoured his powerful technique. There was no wind underwater.how did they appear? What were they?

"Hmph. You've yet to see a fraction of my sword art. Give up now, boy, or you'll suffer worse wounds next time," Bone Erosion said coolly. To him, Rin was talented, yes but still young. A child in the realm of masters. Someone who hadn't yet felt the weight of decades of swordplay and pain.

"Then I'll show you the true essence of my blade.the final truth of my style!" Rin said, stepping back. He began channeling everything.his years of training, his defeats, his victories. It all surged into the hilt of the Thunder Calamity Blade. This wasn't a technique he used lightly. It was his Ghost Slash, the finishing move he'd refined through 370 recorded battles. The energy began gathering.large enough to engulf a dozen football fields. Even the seabed quaked.

"The real truth, you say?" Bone Erosion raised an eyebrow. There was something ominous in Rin's tone.something ancient and deadly. For the first time, the revenant felt a flicker of unease. Rin still had cards he hadn't played.

Ryugu Palace – Audience Chamber

Meanwhile, in the throne room of Ryugu Palace, King Neptune sat speaking with Enel and Artoria. The conversation was focused on Rin his journey, his goals, and his curious connection to legendary swordsmen of the surface world.

Suddenly, the door slammed open.

"Your Majesty! Urgent report!" shouted Guard B, panting as he knelt before the king.

"What is it now?! Can't you see I'm in the middle of an audience with these noble guests?" King Neptune frowned, his voice thick with frustration. Interruptions during diplomatic talks were not taken lightly, and if this was some trivial matter, the guard would surely feel the full wrath of the Sea King.

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