One Piece: One Punch Man

Since Byakuya isn't here, sparring with these two Marines who've received his swordsmanship training might give me some insight into his style, Mihawk thought. 

However, as his sharp gaze lingered on Ain and Tashigi, Fergus noticed and immediately stepped in front of the two women, shielding them without a second thought.

Ferguson's sudden action broke Mihawk's train of thought, prompting him to dismiss the idea. 

It wasn't that Mihawk feared Fergus—far from it—but he no longer felt inclined to act. 

To match his skill against Marines trained by Byakuya, especially female swordswomen, felt like overkill. 

It would have been more appropriate if a student of his had faced them, but Mihawk didn't have a disciple. 

If he did, the closest thing would be the monkeys on Kuraigana Island, who occasionally mimicked his training.

Mihawk had considered testing Ain and Tashigi mostly out of curiosity. 

Other than Shanks, Mihawk hadn't encountered a swordsman in years who could rival him. 

Witnessing Byakuya's swordsmanship reignited his interest, and he wanted to understand Byakuya's style. 

Unfortunately, with Byakuya away, this plan seemed fruitless.

As Mihawk prepared to leave, Tashigi suddenly said, "Mihawk, I want to challenge you."

Fergus's expression shifted to panic as he turned to her. 

"Tashigi, are you insane? You know you're no match for him! Challenging him is tantamount to throwing your life away!"

Ain grabbed Tashigi's arm and shook her head, urging her to reconsider. 

However, Mihawk, without even turning his head, said flatly, "Your level of swordsmanship is too weak. I have no interest in fighting you."

Shing! The sound of a blade unsheathing echoed as Tashigi drew Shigure, her expression resolute. 

"As a swordswoman, I may only have one chance in my life to face the World's Greatest Swordsman." 

"I must consider whether this could be my only opportunity. I cannot let it slip by."

"Please, allow me to see the gap between myself and the strongest swordsman in the world."

Tashigi's greatest dream was to collect all the legendary blades from villains' hands, but without sufficient strength, how could she ever achieve it? 

Though she rarely expressed it, she trained tirelessly, her dedication to swordsmanship far beyond ordinary. 

Ain, who spent the most time with her, understood this better than anyone.

After hearing Tashigi's reasoning, Ain finally grasped why she had issued the challenge. 

While both were swordswomen, Tashigi's pursuit of swordsmanship was more intense than hers. 

Ain sighed and released Tashigi's arm, smiling faintly. 

"If that's the case, I'll join you. Let's both witness the gap between us and the World's Greatest Swordsman."

Ain also drew her blade, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Tashigi. 

She resolved not to use her Devil Fruit powers in this duel, fighting Mihawk purely with her swordsmanship.

Mihawk turned to face the two women as they pointed their swords at him. His cold, impassive face betrayed no emotion. 

For a swordsman, drawing a blade signified a challenge. 

Earlier, Mihawk had refrained from fighting them, deeming it unfair, but now, avoiding the duel was no longer an option.

Moreover, Mihawk admired Tashigi's determination. A true swordsman must possess the courage to draw their blade, even against overwhelming odds. 

Removing the cross-shaped pendant from his neck, Mihawk revealed a small, slender dagger hidden within. 

"I don't wish to bully you two too much, so I'll face you with this knife."

Though Mihawk's choice of a tiny dagger might seem insulting, Ain and Tashigi understood the reality. 

If Mihawk had used his famed Yoru, they wouldn't last even a single exchange. 

Exchanging a glance, they silently agreed and launched their attack.

Two light blue sword arcs tore through the air as the women unleashed simultaneous slashes, followed closely by their use of Soru to close the distance. 

Despite the synchronization, it was clear that Ain's strike was faster, surpassing Tashigi's by a body length. 

However, Tashigi's slash, though slower, carried an exceptional sharpness that fully embodied the essence of the word "cut."

With just those two slashes, Mihawk discerned the core elements of Byakuya's swordsmanship. 

Truly deserving of the title "World's Greatest Swordsman."

Mihawk raised his small dagger, unenhanced by Haki, and precisely struck the weakest points of both slashes with lightning speed. 

The sword arcs disintegrated instantly, leaving Ain and Tashigi exposed.

Ain lunged forward, delivering a flurry of rapid thrusts, while Tashigi swung her blade in a powerful downward strike from Mihawk's right.

Both women attacked with their full strength, knowing they didn't have the luxury of holding back.

Still standing, Mihawk effortlessly parried their strikes with his tiny dagger. 

Clang! The clash of blades echoed as the two women circled him, their swords flashing and clashing in a whirlwind of movement. 

Sparks flew, sword energy scattered in all directions, creating an intense spectacle.

Despite the flurry of action, it was clear that their attacks posed no real threat to Mihawk.

With nothing but a small dagger, Mihawk effortlessly blocked all of Ain and Tashigi's attacks. 

The skill gap was evident, but it wasn't just about technique. There was an undeniable physical disparity between male and female swordsmen, especially in raw strength, a limitation that couldn't be overcome through training alone.

After exchanging blows with the two women, Mihawk clearly understood Byakuya's swordsmanship, which only heightened his desire to face Byakuya in a duel. 

However, this match had run its course. 

Mihawk increased the force behind his blade ever so slightly, and both Ain and Tashigi faltered, unable to withstand it.

Clang! Clang! Two crisp sounds echoed as their swords were knocked out of their hands and plunged deep into the ground. 

From beginning to end, Mihawk hadn't taken a single step. 

Calmly, he returned the small dagger to its place within the cross-shaped pendant hanging around his neck.

Mihawk said in his usual detached tone, "Among swordsmen, your skills are not weak. Even some men would struggle to gain any advantage against you."

Fergus was relieved that Ain and Tashigi were unharmed and quickly thanked Mihawk. "Thank you for holding back!"

Ain and Tashigi clutched their trembling right arms with their left, their bodies still reeling from the clash. 

During the fight, they felt like they had been facing Byakuya himself—every attack they attempted was effortlessly neutralized. 

If it had been a battle to the death, they might not have had the chance to draw their blades. The immense gap in power was disheartening.

Yet Tashigi felt no despair. She had anticipated such an outcome when she challenged Mihawk and had steeled herself for defeat.

"When Byakuya returns, I'll come back to challenge him again," Mihawk said, leaving behind these words as he turned to depart. 

Although his goal of facing Byakuya hadn't been fulfilled, gaining insight into Byakuya's style was still worthwhile.

As Mihawk approached his small coffin-shaped boat, he noticed a ship speeding toward G-5 at an astonishing pace. 

The ship moved like a cannonball, sending waves cascading across the sea.

Mihawk's hawk-like yellow eyes fixated on the ship cutting through the waves. 

A glimmer of anticipation crossed his face as he muttered, "Is Byakuya returning?"

Before Fergus could explain, Mihawk bent his knees and sprang forward with explosive force, launching himself toward the approaching ship like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Watching Mihawk disappear into the distance, Ferguson slapped his thigh in frustration. 

He knew from earlier communications that Byakuya wasn't aboard the ship—it was Vice Admiral Issho returning. 

If Mihawk attacked, Issho likely wouldn't stand a chance. And if Mihawk accidentally killed Issho, things would escalate disastrously. 

Would Byakuya then hunt Mihawk across the world for revenge?

Fergus wasn't worried about Byakuya's ability to defeat Mihawk. 

Ever since he met Byakuya, he had never seen him lose a fight, no matter the opponent. 

But what happened next made Ferguson realize his fears were unfounded.

Eager to witness Byakuya's swordsmanship, Mihawk drew Yoru, his black blade, mid-flight. 

He raised the sword and unleashed a massive green-blue slash toward the Ship. 

The slash swept over the sea like a spectral flame, igniting the ocean and surging toward the ship with terrifying speed.

The Marines aboard the Ship were thrown into chaos at the sight of the incoming attack. 

Some scrambled to adjust the rudder, others tried repositioning the sails, and a few even contemplated abandoning the ship.

"Stop panicking. I'll handle this," a steady, commanding voice cut through the chaos, silencing the frantic crew.

Issho, fully aware of the value of this warship, a ship crafted in Water 7 at Byakuya's request, leapt from the deck with his signature cane sword in hand. 

Facing the colossal slash, he called out, "Gravity Blade: Fierce Tiger!"

With a soft yet resolute chant, Issho imbued his blade with gravitational force, releasing it in a horizontal wave as he swung. 

The massive pressure generated by gravity created towering waves over a thousand meters high, as though they would crush everything in their path.

The spectral slash clashed with the tidal wave, exploding seawater into the sky. 

The surrounding sea seemed to rain violently as the clash's shockwaves echoed across the waters. 

When the waves subsided, Mihawk's ghostly slash had vanished.

Fergus, Ain, and Tashigi stood stunned, witnessing the scene. 

They had never imagined the unassuming, blind middle-aged man could wield such overwhelming power.

"I thought the stories about Vice Admiral Issho defeating 'King the Wildfire' in a single strike were exaggerated," Fergus muttered, still in shock. 

"But now… I see they were true."

For Fergus, Ain, and Tashigi, this was their first time seeing Issho in action, and his incredible display of power left them speechless. 

Not only had Issho successfully neutralized an attack from Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman, but his strength rivalled that of a Marine Admiral.

Yet, here he was, stationed in the G-5 branch as a vice admiral. 

This realization bewildered Fergus and the others, their minds swirling with questions.