The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

"Your Highness, if you need, the sword in my hand will cut down all for you."

Gion smiled and looked at Luther with tenderness in her eyes.

He truly deserves to be the man she entrusted her life to; it seems he will never disappoint her.

Actually, it's not that she really can't stand these things.

Her thinking was similar to Luther's; precisely because they had fallen completely into darkness, they needed to maintain some basic human boundaries. Otherwise, they would be no different from beasts.

She did what needed to be done, not only for herself, but also for Luther.

"Hey, Luther, for my own safety, shouldn't I say something too?"

The pleasant atmosphere was somewhat dampened by Kizaru's teasing remark.

Meeting their gazes, Kizaru grinned and raised his hands:

"But that has nothing to do with me. Someone else is coming ahead, with a very sharp sword intent. I'm getting a little itchy to fight!"

Chapter 50 The True Swordsman

As Kizaru reported the approaching enemy from afar, Luther and Gion also activated their Observation Haki, sensing the approaching person and the almost tangible sword intent emanating from that person.

"The newly promoted great swordsman is still unable to control his aura."

Gion quickly sensed the other person's presence and directly stated their situation.

"A great swordsman, how terrifying!"

Kizaru let out an exaggerated exclamation and retreated to the side of the ship's wheel.

Clearly, he didn't want to get involved with a great swordsman.

Lone swordsmen are always the most troublesome type of people at sea.

Not only are they extremely powerful attackers, but most of them are also very stubborn. Once you provoke them, you'll be constantly pestered, all under the guise of honing your sword skills.

"A very sharp sword intent, like a newly forged sword, always showing its sharpness, eager to prove itself."

Even Luther, who possessed the skill of a swordsman, could sense something from the person who came from afar.

Even if swordsmen don't meet face to face, they can still sense each other's presence.

Whether it's Luther, Gion, or that swordsman in the distance, it's all the same.

Even though Kizaru seems nonchalant, he is actually a great swordsman who doesn't show off his skills.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to dodge immediately after sensing the message conveyed by the opponent's sword intent.

Only a short while later.

A small boat resembling a coffin came into view, and on it stood a young man dressed as a nobleman, carrying a greatsword with a cross on his back.

"Very young, and his appearance is quite similar to that of the Red Earl. He has the strength of a great swordsman at around 20 years old, which is a very powerful talent."

Gion looked at the person who had come and gave an objective evaluation.

"Jolac Mihawk, nicknamed 'Hawkeye'."

Luther narrowed his eyes and revealed the other party's information.

He never expected that he would run into the future world's greatest swordsman on his way to the Sky Island.

What's even more unexpected is that Hawkeye, who is only 21 years old, already has the strength of a great swordsman.

Unlike Luther and Gion, who rely on Devil Fruits for advancement, Hawkeye is a pure swordsman.

It's not easy to elevate such a person, but once they do grow up, they become the most troublesome.

"Oh, it seems Brother Luther knows him. Dracule Mihawk is quite famous in the first half of the Grand Line. He has a bounty of 3 million, and even the Vice Admiral of the Marine Headquarters can't do anything about him. He's also known as the 'Marine Hunter'!"

Kizaru chuckled as he shared the other party's information.

If the two sides fight, it would be even better if Hawkeye could be taken out; the credit might then go to him.

"Naval hunters, how arrogant."

Gion frowned slightly, clearly not fond of the title.

Meeting Mihawk's hawk-like eyes, Gion, as a fellow great swordsman, pressed down with unwavering aura.

A swordsman whose strength reaches the level of a general can easily become a great swordsman.

However, a great swordsman is not necessarily a general-level powerhouse.

The former is strong, the latter has better talent.

Mihawk may go far in the future, but in front of her, he is still just a junior.

Facing the undisguised aura of a great swordsman from Gion, Mihawk did not back down, but simply raised his head slightly, also unleashing his full power.

Two fierce sword intents collided in mid-air; the mere eye contact between the two great swordsmen caused the once calm sea to ripple.

The two ships drew closer and closer until they were locked in a stalemate for five minutes before Gion broke through Mihawk's aura.

Given his abilities and age, he has already achieved a great deal.

"Gion! Sword name - Kinpira, one of the 21 Great Grade Swords!"

With admiration in her eyes, Gion proactively introduced herself in the manner of a swordsman.

"Jorakel Mihawk! Sword name: Night, one of the twelve Supreme Grade Swords!"

Mihawk also gave his name, but his expression became slightly more serious.

Since witnessing Roger's execution two years ago, this was only the second great swordsman he had ever seen, far stronger than a red-haired friend he had recently met, and far stronger than himself now.

"Shh!"

Gion and Mihawk swung their swords simultaneously.

One deep green, one peach pink, two flying slashes swept across the sea and collided with a deafening roar.

The aftershocks caused the sea to become completely turbulent, instantly creating towering waves.

"This is utter recklessness! Admiral Kizaru, move the ship further away!"

Luther shook his head, his hands turning golden as he gently pushed forward.

The once turbulent sea gradually became still in an instant.

After a brief exchange, Mihawk was drawn to Luther's actions.

He could clearly see that Luther had not calmed the sea, but rather evaporated all the surging waves.

This is also a formidable opponent.

However, for Mihawk, Gion, who was also a great swordsman, was naturally more attractive.

If you want to go further in kendo, you have to keep challenging these seniors!

boom!!

Mihawk leaped from the small boat and charged towards Gion.

Gion also took off from Don Quixote, flapping his bat wings and rushing rapidly toward Mihawk.

Ding!! Ding!! Sizzle!!

The two passed each other, then turned to face each other at the same time.

"Your swordsmanship is good, and your sword intent is sharp enough, but your strength is still lacking. Once you've wrapped your sword in Armament Haki, you can't defend other parts of it."

Gion chuckled softly, flicked the blood off the tip of her sword, and drops of blood dripped from the gold ribbon.

Mihawk, who was walking on the moon in the air, silently stroked the wound on his back. A bloody gash stretched from the back of his neck to his waist, tearing his white shirt and staining it bright red with blood.

"I lost, your sword is faster than mine!"

Mihawk shook his head slightly, readily admitting his defeat.

In the brief moment when the two passed each other, he only managed to block the two sword strikes that Gion slashed from the front.

Immediately afterwards, Gion moved quickly behind him, leaving this scar on his back.

For a swordsman, nothing is more humiliating than being wounded in the back.

Generally speaking, this phrase describes a swordsman who only turns his back on the enemy when fleeing.

But there are also situations like now, where the enemy moves behind you and you don't even have time to react, which is also a disgrace.

"Kill me! It would be my honor to die by your blade!"

Mihawk landed on his small boat, spread his arms, exposing his chest to the enemy, and stared intently at Gion with his eagle-like eyes.

This is the swordsman's pride.

If we lose, we'll be at the mercy of others.

"What is your aspiration?"

Gion landed in front of him and asked calmly.

"The world's greatest swordsman!"

"A good dream!"

Gion chuckled softly, and the golden dagger in her hand slashed out like lightning.

Mihawk did not resist, allowing Kim Pira to carve a deep wound, half a meter long, into his chest.

With just one stab, Mihawk almost fell into a coma.

Even as his body collapsed onto the small boat, he still gripped his knife.

In his fading consciousness, he vaguely heard the words of the female swordswoman before him:

"It's just that your dream may not come true. I promised a man that I would become the world's greatest swordsman for him."

After leaving those words, Gion casually sheathed the Kinpira and flew towards the Don Quixote with flapping bat wings. Her aura seemed even more refined than before.

"How about it?"

In response to Luther's question, Gion smiled slightly and replied:

"He's a decent swordsman, with a better talent for swordsmanship than me, but swordsmanship alone is meaningless; my strength will always be greater than his."