With a low shout, Mihawk swung Yoru, the black blade, slicing a dark green arc straight at Ezra.
But Ezra, calm and collected, met the strike with Rengoku in one hand.
"Not bad," he murmured with a faint smile.
Mihawk's expression didn't change. If this single strike could defeat Ezra, he wouldn't have spent all these years preparing for this fight.
With a deft twist of his wrist, Mihawk avoided the collision, angling Yoru downward. An upward slash shot from the tip, a devastating move.
Ezra tilted his body slightly and planted his right foot. The green slash skimmed past him harmlessly.
"Good opening," Mihawk noted, eyes narrowing. He stepped back and retreated, swinging Yoru through the air.
"Black Blade Cross Slash!"
Two slashes intersected in midair, forming a massive cross-shaped attack.
Ezra lifted Rengoku with ease, smiling.
"When I broke this move years ago, I didn't teach you anything. Today, I'll show you, point by point."
A streak of crimson flashed along Rengoku.
"[Sword Spirit Fire]!"
Rengoku surged forward as a wave of spiritual energy coursed along Ezra's arm, converging at the blade's tip.
A sharp whistle cut through the air. The massive cross slash shattered, vanishing without a trace.
The swordsmen watching from nearby gasped.
"That… that cross slash can actually be countered?"
"Stop overthinking. To counter it, you need to be someone exceptional!"
"Hey, what do you mean by that?! Could you unleash a strike like that Navy officer?"
"No."
"Exactly. That's the point. You'd need to learn it first. Can you?"
"No, you can't."
The spectators buzzed with excitement, acknowledging that Ezra truly had something special.
Mihawk, however, remained unshaken. He knew Ezra's strength. His eyes hardened as he made a silent decision.
"Admiral Vale, the warm-up ends here."
Ezra flicked his wrist, Rengoku resting at his side, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Come, Mihawk."
With a shout, Mihawk lunged, Yoru slicing toward Ezra in an instant.
The duel erupted, unpredictable and fierce. Every strike from Mihawk brimmed with sword intent, growing denser with each swing.
The entire island seemed to vibrate with their energy. Even the calm sea around them roiled with massive waves. Mist rolled across the island as the atmosphere thickened.
Mihawk's eyes, sharpened by endless practice, were penetrating as ever.
Another slash descended.
"Black Blade Slash!"
The green arc from Yoru tore through the surroundings, obliterating everything in its path.
Ezra's lips curved slightly. He tapped the ground with his right foot, holding Rengoku at the ready.
"Fire Slash!"
A scorching strike burst forth. Their blades collided, sending a deafening roar echoing across the island for kilometers. The sword intent of both clashing techniques rippled outward, shaking nearby ships.
"These two… are they even human?!"
"Such sword intent… spreading this far?!"
"No wonder this is a duel for the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
The crowd's excitement was palpable. They instinctively sensed that whoever won this battle would not be an ordinary swordsman.
On the island, both duelists moved with absolute focus slash, thrust, parry, and feint. Their movements were so precise, so beautiful, that even the spectators could learn from them.
Whitebeard's gaze remained fixed on Ezra, cloaked in the aura of justice.
"This battle will last at least two full days to determine the victor."
"What? Two days? Really, Father?"
Whitebeard merely shook his head. He had already noticed Ezra wasn't using his full strength. In many ways, he was guiding Mihawk, teaching him through the duel.
Mihawk realized it too. Every block from Ezra was perfectly measured. Every strike Mihawk launched was just within his own limits.
"Admiral Vale," Mihawk said, a twinge of frustration in his smile.
Years of preparation, and now he was being taught by the man he sought to defeat! Yet he did not stop his assault such an opportunity to learn was too valuable to waste.
Mihawk's attacks accelerated, and Ezra noticed immediately.
"Good, Mihawk. Keep attacking!"
For three days and nights, the duel raged on. Every observer was exhausted but exhilarated. Back-and-forth exchanges of devastating strikes kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
The interwoven sword intents formed a spectacle beyond comprehension, a pinnacle of martial artistry.
Ezra once again sent Mihawk flying. This time, Mihawk didn't charge back immediately but retreated, gasping for breath. Three days of nonstop combat had taken its toll.
With his strength waning, each of Ezra's strikes pushed Mihawk further. He exhaled deeply, realizing he could not prolong this battle.
He fixed his gaze on Ezra.
"Admiral Vale, now I will unleash my strongest technique. Let us settle this in a single decisive strike."
Ezra twirled Rengoku, raising an eyebrow.
"Fine."
Mihawk's aura exploded, fully enveloping Yoru in Busoshoku Haki. His hawk-like eyes locked on Ezra.
"Black Blade: Endless!"
With that, Yoru descended in a lethal, intent-filled strike.
Ezra's lips curved into a confident smile.
"All things in creation turn to ash, Rengoku!"