20 Facing the Swordsman, Part 1
Page 1/3
Saria descended from midair, landing softly on the snowy ground. The thick snow beneath her feet creaked and crunching with each step. She gave her ordinary sword a firm flick, the blade ringing with a crisp, metallic snap as it flexed and bounced back.
“How does it sound? Pretty, isn’t it?”
“You really are a delicate little baby sword,” Saria said affectionately, gazing fondly at the blade in her hand. Then, with a hint of sorrow in her eyes, she glanced toward Hawkeye’s treasured sword, “Night.” “Soon, my poor little baby sword will be bullied by some ruthless sword that knows no honor.”
Hawkeye was speechless. Suddenly, he wanted to sheath his sword and retreat. Coldly, he aimed at Saria’s position and slashed. The immense force split the snow on which she had just stood, carving a deep furrow.
“Hey! Why’d you attack without warning again?!” Saria dodged sideways, narrowly escaping the strike. Using her telekinesis, she gathered the snow into a large snowball, which floated high above Hawkeye’s head.
She chuckled darkly, “Hawkeye, if you attack me suddenly again, I won’t hold back.”
Page 2/3
“Oh? Then let’s fight,” Hawkeye said flatly, devoid of emotion. He thought this woman must have some problem—truly an unreasonable and troublesome character.
“I wasn’t finished,” Saria said with a teasing smile. “Be patient, Hawkeye.”
Hawkeye’s pressure visibly dropped. “Speak quickly.” It was just a sword duel, yet she was taking her time. From one perspective, a person’s character could reflect their swordsmanship. This woman, like that Shanks fellow, was one hell of a difficult personality.
Hawkeye thought perhaps he had overrated her sword skills because of her smooth words. Seeing that Hawkeye seemed genuinely annoyed, Saria stopped joking around. She casually tossed the large snowball aside.
It crashed onto the snow with a sharp thud, scattering powdery snowflakes onto some nearby members of the Red-Haired Pirates.
Saria then earnestly explained her condition: “For the upcoming sword duel, we may only imbue our weapons with Haki. Besides that, no one can use Devil Fruit powers or Haki anywhere during the match.”
Page 3/3
“If someone strikes a vital point on the opponent, does that count as victory?” Hawkeye agreed without much hesitation.
A sword was a lethal weapon. For Hawkeye, every challenge he issued to fellow swordsmen was a wager with his very life, all in pursuit of the highest realm of swordsmanship.
If he could witness exquisite sword skills and refine his own, walking the path toward the pinnacle of sword mastery—even if it cost him his life—he would deem it worthwhile.
“Then let’s begin!” Flames of fierce determination ignited in Saria’s eyes. She coated the surface of her ordinary, mediocre-quality sword with her Armament Haki, instantly boosting its attack and defense.
A woman’s body was comparatively petite but also more agile and nimble. Moving with incredible speed, she swung her sword toward Hawkeye’s eyes, her style brutal and ruthless from the very first strike.