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"Challenging me?"
From the very beginning, Mihawk had already noticed Zoro.
Though he wasn't yet a Great Swordmaster like Gion (Momousagi), Zoro had already reached the pinnacle of the Swordmaster level—just one step away from becoming a true Great Swordmaster.
What caught Mihawk's attention even more was the unique quality of Zoro's sword aura.
There was… a faint trace of demonic energy embedded within it.
That was no small feat. After all, imbuing sword aura with attributes was something only Great Swordmasters could do.
It was practically an ironclad law of swordsmanship.
And yet, here Zoro was—still only a Swordmaster—already integrating demonic energy into his aura.
It was faint, yes, but it was there. He had done it.
Coupled with the fact that Zoro wasn't even twenty yet, Mihawk had high expectations for his future.
But to challenge him now?
Still far too early.
"You're not ready yet. Come back when you've become a Great Swordmaster."
Mihawk shook his head and said this calmly.
But was Zoro someone who could be dismissed with just a sentence?
Obviously not.
He slowly drew Wado Ichimonji and clenched it between his teeth.
Then, he drew the other two blades—both top-grade swords forged by Sato.
Finally, he took his stance before Mihawk.
"I know I'm not your match yet… but I need to know exactly how far I am from the world's strongest swordsman!"
Mihawk had already turned to leave, intending to check out the library Luo Lan had mentioned.
But at those words, he stopped.
He turned back, eyes sharp as his swordplay, and stared at Zoro.
"If you challenge me now—you'll die."
"Maybe. But I still won't back down."
Zoro's expression didn't waver for even a moment.
Mihawk said no more, but in his heart, his recognition of Zoro deepened.
To walk the path of the sword, one must be unbending. Even in death, never yielding.
Without such a will, no matter how great your talent, you'll never reach the peak of the sword.
Fear death?
The moment such a thought arises…
Your path to the top closes forever.
So while Zoro's challenge may have looked foolish on the surface, Mihawk respected him even more for it.
He removed the Black Blade – Yoru from his back.
But instead of using it, he thrust it into the ground.
Then, he turned to Luo Lan.
"Can I borrow a sword from one of your soldiers?"
Mihawk had already noticed that every soldier under Luo Lan's command carried a blade.
Zoro was promising, but he still had much to learn. Today…
Mihawk would teach him a lesson.
"Of course," Luo Lan nodded, then called over a nearby soldier.
The soldier respectfully removed his sword and handed it to Mihawk with both hands.
The moment Mihawk unsheathed it—he was stunned.
"You sure this is a standard-issue sword?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Who the hell issues skillful-grade blades as standard gear?"
For once, Mihawk was speechless.
This wasn't just any high-quality sword—it was the pinnacle of the skillful-grade category, nearly on par with the Great Grade blades.
And you're telling me every soldier under Luo Lan's command carries one of these?
Honestly, Luo Lan was innocent.
It wasn't his fault that their smithy had passive traits that drastically boosted weapon quality.
Even if they forged a grade blade, it would still get bumped up to skillful-grade after enhancements.
And with master smiths and top-tier materials?
It was practically impossible to produce anything subpar.
Adding those passive boosts, peak-level skillful-grade swords became the norm.
If Satou himself forged one by hand, it might not even need enhancements to reach that level. And with enhancements?
It could rival the Great Grade swords.
Of course, Satou didn't have time to handcraft bulk-issue blades…
Mihawk sighed.
Whatever. Skillfull-grade sword it is.
"Don't waste time—come at me with your strongest technique."
He turned around and raised the borrowed sword in both hands.
"Gladly."
Zoro's eyes sharpened instantly.
His entire presence shifted.
Thick, visible demonic energy began pouring out of him.
The air turned cold and eerie, filled with an oppressive sense of dread.
People instinctively shivered with unease—some even felt their skin crawl.
It was similar to Conqueror's Haki, but not quite.
Mihawk's eyes narrowed slightly.
Such a dense concentration of demonic aura—how did Zoro manage this as just a Swordmaster?
For a Great Swordmaster, adding elemental or special attributes to sword aura was common.
But demonic energy?
That was different.
In over 800 years, few swordsmen had awakened it.
Let alone mastered it.
In fact, among swordmasters, demonic energy was often referred to as the sword-path equivalent of Conqueror's Haki.
Mihawk had thought Zoro had merely awakened it.
That alone had shocked him.
But now?
This wasn't just awakening—Zoro could already control it to some extent.
And he was still only a Swordmaster.
How?
Mihawk couldn't comprehend it.
But one thing he knew for sure—
He'd have to go all out.
Yes, even 30% of his strength would be enough to defeat Zoro.
Maybe even just 20%.
But that wasn't the point.
This fight had to end in a one-move knockout.
Not to humiliate Zoro—but because Mihawk believed in him.
He wanted Zoro to go further.
And to teach that lesson properly—
He had to strike with everything.
But once he did…
Zoro's survival would depend entirely on his own luck.
Surrounded by the swirling demonic energy, Zoro's form began to change.
At first, onlookers thought their eyes were playing tricks.
But then…
Zoro grew three heads and six arms.
He had activated Asura.
His three-sword style became nine-sword style.
Even Luo Lan, watching from the side, couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration.
He hadn't checked on Zoro's progress in a while.
Turns out—
Zoro could already use Asura.
Well, it made sense. Demonic aura was much like Conqueror's Haki, both fueled by sheer willpower.
And Zoro's will—thanks to their training—was stronger now than it ever was, even two years later in the original timeline.
So awakening and using demonic aura to this extent wasn't too surprising.
But still…
Could he now use that technique?
The one that wounded Kaido in the original story?
If he unleashed that now—and Mihawk wasn't going all out—then…
Mihawk might actually lose.
That thought briefly crossed Luo Lan's mind.
But in the very next moment—
He realized he'd been overthinking it.
Because Mihawk's aura erupted with explosive intensity.
Just standing near it made you feel as if your body was being shredded.
Luo Lan knew—
Mihawk was getting serious.
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