"Encountered Vane?"
Hearing Mihawk's words, the Red-Haired Pirates were stunned. There was no doubt anymore—Vane had beco the most talked-about figure in the world these past few months.
Shanks slowly set down the at in his hand. His easygoing smile vanished, replaced with a sharp seriousness that rarely appeared on his face.
"Mihawk," Shanks asked, "what happened between you and him?"
The crew leaned in, all of them curious. Mihawk had specifically ntioned Vane, which ant sothing extraordinary must have happened.
"I crossed blades with him," Mihawk replied.
"You sparred with him?"
Shanks' eyes lit up in interest. His fingers idly spun the knife he was holding, his curiosity rising higher.
Beckman exhaled a thin trail of smoke, then said, "The world has been calling him a great swordsman. But is that really true? The man already possesses overwhelming strength and multiple Devil Fruit powers. If he's also a true swordsman… that's terrifying."
Shanks nodded. "I don't trust rumors. The world talks too much nonsense. I'd rather hear it from you."
Yasopp chuckled nervously. "It would be terrifying if he really was a great swordsman. There are many strong people in this sea, but only a few ever reach that realm. Not everyone can beco a master just by swinging a blade. And Vane doesn't even use a sword often. It's like shooting—few n in the world can ever match Beckman's marksmanship!"
"No. You're all wrong," Mihawk interrupted, his tone flat but firm.
"Wrong?" The crew fell silent, their eyes narrowing.
"Don't tell …" Shanks muttered.
"That's right," Mihawk said coldly. "He is a great swordsman. Without question."
The cabin erupted into stunned whispers. Even n who had weathered countless storms couldn't hide their shock.
"How is that possible?" soone muttered. "Vane barely uses a sword!"
"And yet, it's true," Mihawk said. "I would never joke about this. I fought him. Only after crossing blades with him did I understand. He is a true great swordsman."
The revelation hit them harder than a cannon broadside. Not only did Vane wield bizarre and overwhelming abilities, but even with a sword—a weapon he rarely used—he stood among the world's strongest.
But Mihawk wasn't done. His next words left them breathless.
"His swordsmanship… is above mine."
The room fell silent. Then the crew burst into a roar of disbelief.
"Above yours?!" Shanks leaned forward, stunned. "Mihawk, are you saying his kendo is greater than yours? Were you… actually defeated?"
All eyes locked on the world's greatest swordsman.
"Yes," Mihawk admitted. His voice was steady, but his eyes carried a rare shadow. "I was defeated. When I faced his blade, I felt sothing I hadn't in decades—fear. And the mont fear enters your heart, you've already lost."
The words struck like thunder.
"Fear… you?" Shanks whispered. It was almost inconceivable. The man known as Hawk Eyes—soone feared across the seas—was admitting that he had felt fear.
"I knew," Mihawk continued, "that he wasn't even fighting with his full strength. His swordsmanship was only partly unleashed. His weapon—the demon blade the world whispers about—wasn't even fully revealed. If he truly let that blade loose…" Mihawk trailed off, shaking his head. "The devastation would be unimaginable."
The crew shivered. They all knew Mihawk's reputation. For him to speak with such weight ant it wasn't exaggeration—it was truth.
"How about that demon sword?" Shanks asked quietly.
"It's called Ryujin Jakka," Mihawk said. "According to Vane, it's a Zanpakutō—bound to his very soul. No one else can wield it."
The crew hung onto every word as Mihawk described the clash in vivid detail, recalling the mont Vane released his blade's first form, unleashing a technique so destructive it seed like hell itself had opened. Mihawk guessed it was the sa devastating attack unleashed on Big Mom's territory during the incident at Whole Cake Island.
The Red-Haired Pirates listened in awestruck silence, their jaws slack as Mihawk painted the scene. His usually curt words carried unusual weight, making it clear just how shaken he had been.
When he finally finished, ten minutes had passed. Even hardened pirates were left pale and silent, unable to fully grasp what they had just heard.
"So… this is the true nature of Ryujin Jakka," Shanks murmured. "And to think, his true strength hasn't even been revealed yet."
He leaned back, his usual grin gone. Reaching into Beckman's case, he pulled out a cigar. After lighting it, he took a slow drag and exhaled, smoke curling into the air. It was the first ti anyone had seen him smoke one.
"How terrifying," he muttered.
The night weighed heavy on the Red-Haired Pirates. Mihawk's account had shaken them to their core. Vane was more mysterious, more dangerous, and more unfathomable than they had ever imagined.
No wonder he had dared to oppose the World Governnt so brazenly. No wonder he stood alongside Kaido in Wano.
Perhaps… Kaido wasn't the ally. Perhaps he was the follower.
____
Updates might co a bit slower for a while.School resud, My final year has started, and I'm currently focused on my project work and defense preparations. I'll still be posting whenever I can, just at a steadier pace for now (ㆁωㆁ)
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