At the critical moment, Mihawk's pupils contracted. With a low shout, a terrifying aura suddenly burst forth from him. His speed surged, allowing him to escape Kaguya's attack range. He swung his arm, and the black blade slashed out like lightning.
Clang!
A sharp metallic clang rang out as Liuli collided heavily with the black blade, releasing a brilliant shower of sparks.
Kaguya's eyes, calm like autumn water, narrowed.
She had thought it would end there, but unexpectedly, at such a dangerous moment, Mihawk managed to break through himself.
Interesting.
A smirk appeared on Kaguya's lips.
After his breakthrough, Mihawk erupted with immense combat power. His strength and speed doubled, and his sword strikes were swift as thunder and fierce as lightning—powerful, yet carrying a sharper edge.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Gripping the black blade tightly, Mihawk unleashed a rapid series of slashes, each one gleaming with cold light, turning into a storm of strikes, each fiercer and heavier than the last, like a torrential downpour.
Clang clang clang!
In the rain of ringing impacts, the black blade struck Liuli over and over, scattering sparks in all directions.
Moments ago, Mihawk had been at a disadvantage, but now, bursting forth with new strength, he was faintly gaining the upper hand.
"Haaah!"
Mihawk let out a low cry. Holding the black blade with both hands, he brought it down with thunderous force. A green blade of energy split the air and roared toward Kaguya.
Slash.
This was a technique Mihawk originally used during the Marineford War. Yet now, after his breakthrough, he had unexpectedly grasped it.
With his breakthrough, Mihawk's power had doubled. He had never felt this strong before. Strength surged from his body endlessly, giving him the illusion of being invincible.
If before, he had no hope of defeating Kaguya, now he was full of confidence.
But just as the slash was about to hit Kaguya, she raised her head and smiled. "You think this is enough to defeat me?"
Mihawk froze, then his eyes suddenly widened.
Kaguya casually swung her sword.
Clang!
The slash was easily deflected.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out. The ground cracked, rocks flew everywhere.
The small mountain on the island split in half like tofu under the force.
Impossible.
That was his strongest move.
Yet it had been deflected so easily.
Mihawk's heart was in turmoil.
"Now then," Kaguya spun her sword in a flourish, smiled gently, and said, "It's time for class, Mihawk-kun."
As soon as she spoke, Kaguya stepped forward, her figure bursting through the air like lightning, leaving afterimages behind.
So fast.
Mihawk was startled and quickly gripped his black blade.
But in the blink of an eye, Kaguya was already in front of him. With a casual swing, Liuli turned into a streak of cold light and slashed.
Shocked, Mihawk hastily retreated and swung his sword to block.
Clang!
A deafening clang echoed, shockwaves rippling out, even causing his eardrums to ache faintly.
Mihawk's arm went numb, and his pupils shrank.
What overwhelming power.
That seemingly delicate body contained such explosive strength.
Mihawk had no time to think—another slash came right after.
Clang clang clang!
Sparks flew.
Liuli and the black blade clashed fiercely, producing dazzling bursts of fire.
Mihawk gritted his teeth and kept swinging his black blade, but the relentless storm of sharp strikes poured down like a hurricane, leaving him barely able to defend. The immense power behind each blow made his arms go numb, and he could barely keep hold of his sword.
Mihawk was horrified.
Could it be that she had been holding back the whole time? Was this now her true strength?
"You've indeed improved quite a bit."
A gentle and melodious voice suddenly echoed.
"But it's still far from enough."
A flash of light shot forth—Liuli came crashing down with overwhelming force.
Clang!
Sparks flew.
Mihawk's hands split at the palms, unable to hold on any longer. His black blade flew from his grip.
Damn it.
His pupils shrank sharply.
"Someone capable of defeating me," Kaguya said loftily with a smirk, "does not exist."
A faint snort perfectly displayed her confidence.
As soon as she finished, she swung her arm, and the blade in her hand erupted with dazzling light. Like a pillar of radiance piercing the sky, it burst upward and transformed into golden brilliance that filled the heavens. The sheer pressure of the power generated a violent gale, and the scorching heat instantly vaporized the surrounding seawater.
What is this?
Mihawk stared, mouth agape in shock.
"Let me show you what true power is."
"Excalibur."
With a low cry, the golden light exploded, engulfing Mihawk completely.
Some time later—
Clang.
"Class dismissed."
Kaguya sheathed Liuli. Despite the fierce battle, her appearance remained pristine, not even a tear in her clothes.
Mihawk, on the other hand, looked miserable. His clothes were in tatters, his body covered in scars and burns. He lay on the ground, drenched in sweat and gasping heavily.
Yet the pain in his body couldn't compare to the blow dealt to his spirit.
Was the gap in their strength really so vast?
Mihawk clenched his fists.
He had thought that after years of rigorous training, even if he couldn't defeat her, he wouldn't be too far off. But now, he realized he had been completely wrong.
Even after ten years of bitter training, he still wasn't her match. The gap between them hadn't changed at all—she was still as untouchable as ever.
What difference was there from ten years ago?
Back in the restaurant—
Freshly washed and dressed in clean clothes, Mihawk was preparing to leave.
"Aren't you staying to eat with us?" Kaguya asked while popping a piece of veal into her mouth.
"No," Mihawk shook his head. "You made me realize how much I still lack. I need to return to my training."
"Is that so," Kaguya replied.
Mihawk nodded and turned back with a firm look. "But one day, I will surpass you."
"You wouldn't be the first to boast like that," Kaguya shrugged. "One more doesn't make a difference."
Mihawk paused, snorted, and turned to leave.
"Wait a minute," Kaguya suddenly called out.
Mihawk turned around. "What is it?"
Kaguya stepped up to him and extended her hand. "Tuition."
"Tuition?" Mihawk asked in confusion.
"Of course. Since you came to learn from me, naturally you have to pay," Kaguya said matter-of-factly. "Don't tell me you thought the School of Overlords was free."
"..."
Mihawk was at a complete loss for words. He'd just been brutally beaten by her, and now she had the nerve to charge him for it.
...
After Mihawk left, everyone's expressions changed.
The rumbling from that tiny island had been loud and clear, and not long before, a pillar of light had pierced the sky. That dazzling brightness even outshone the sun, and the resulting tsunami had left everyone stunned.
Fortunately, the sea restaurant was itself a remodeled ship and quite stable. Only because of that did it escape being overturned.
Just what kind of intense battle could have caused such a terrifying scene?
Regardless, everyone now looked at Kaguya with completely different eyes. To defeat a powerful Warlord of the Sea—her strength had far exceeded their imagination.
"It's about time to go," Kaguya said, wiping her lips with a napkin as she stood up. "Nana, pay the bill."
"Why do I have to pay?" Perona grumbled in protest. "And stop calling me Nana!"
"Okay, Nana."
"Hey hey, did you even hear what I said, idiot?!"
"Mhm, I heard. Nana is an idiot."
"Aaaahhh!!"
At that moment, a group of people swaggered into the restaurant and sat down without any courtesy.
"Hey! I'm starving here, bring the food already!"
"Yeah! What are you all waiting for? Get moving!"
"Tch, don't you see big shots from Marine Headquarters are here?"
"Hurry it up, you bunch of idiots!"
These men wore marine uniforms, but they were sloppy and disheveled, with thuggish auras. They looked more like street punks than proper navy soldiers.
"Those guys again... Damn it."
"They never pay for their meals."
"They're supposed to be marines, but they're worse than pirates."
"Sigh... what can we do? They're from Marine Headquarters. We can't afford to cross them."
Nearby, Sanji gritted his teeth in anger, clenching his fists. Just as he was about to charge out, a sharp-eyed chef beside him quickly grabbed his collar.
"What do you think you're doing, Sanji?"
"I'm going to teach them a lesson! Eating without paying?!" Sanji said furiously.
"Idiot!" the chef said anxiously. "They're from Marine Headquarters! We can't afford to mess with them."
"So just because they're from Headquarters, they can dine and dash?" Sanji said in frustration.
"You're still young. You don't understand yet," the chef sighed.
At that moment, the commotion attracted the attention of the marines.
One of the thuggish-looking marines stepped out and mocked, "So what if we eat for free? Us eating here is doing you a favor. Don't get cocky, you little punk."
As he spoke, he spat a thick wad of phlegm on the floor.
"Bastard!" Sanji shouted angrily.
"Hah? You dare curse at us? You got a death wish, brat?" the marine said, cracking his knuckles with a sneer. "Let me tell you something—we serve under the Marine Inspector. With just one wave of her hand, your shabby little restaurant will be shut down."
"Inspector...?!" The chefs inside the restaurant were all shocked.
There was only one Inspector appointed by the World Government. If they weren't mistaken, it could only be that person.
They knew of her—a big name in the Grand Line. Even out here, far from the Grand Line, they had heard of her.
In the Grand Line, people described her as a symbol of overwhelming power. Countless powerful pirates had fallen at her feet.
If these men were truly under that bigshot's command, then this was serious.
Even on the Grand Line—even in the New World—she was a top-tier powerhouse. If she wanted to deal with them, it would be effortless.
For Zeff, who had once sailed the Grand Line, the implications were even clearer. Others might not fully understand, but he knew what it meant: the kind of strength that could wipe out an entire nation.
"What's wrong? Scared now?"
"Then hurry up and bring us food! We're starving over here."
"Or maybe we'll just tear this place down."
Seeing that their threats had worked, the marines smirked in triumph. The others joined in, jeering loudly.
At that moment, a pleasant voice suddenly rang out.
"Move."
The marine froze and frowned, turning around and cursing, "Who the hell dares to tell me to move? Don't you know I'm from Marine Headquarters—"
Before he could finish, he stopped. His eyes widened.
"Hey, what's wrong? Don't tell me you froze up because you saw a pretty girl, hahaha!"
His fellow marines burst into laughter. But before they could laugh much longer, they finally got a clear look at the silver-haired girl in front of them.
Their smiles vanished. One by one, they wore expressions like they'd seen a ghost.
The air went completely still.
"Damn it, are you bastards planning to lay a hand on a lady?!" Sanji shouted angrily, stepping forward.
But before he could make a move, something unexpected happened.
The marines scrambled into formation, stood at attention, and saluted loudly. "Greetings, Inspector-sama!"
"Oh?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow. "You know who I am?"
"Yes!" The previously arrogant marine now looked meek as a lamb. "I serve at Marine Headquarters. I was fortunate enough to see you once. You might not remember."
Kaguya gave a small nod. "And what are you all doing here?"
"We're acting under orders from the Fleet Admiral to monitor pirate activity in this area," the marine said quickly.
"Oh?" Kaguya said. "As far as I know, there aren't any major pirates around here."
"Yes, that's true," the marine replied, "but Marine Headquarters instructed us to keep an eye on a place called Foosha Village."
Foosha Village.
Kaguya blinked. Wasn't that where Luffy first appeared?
Why was it already being watched?
Was something changing?
"Then what are you doing here?" Kaguya glanced at them. "Were you planning to dine and dash?"
The marines panicked, frantically waving their hands. "No, no! It's all a misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding!"
"Oh? A misunderstanding?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow and gave them a long look.
Swept by her autumn-water-like gaze, the marines went pale, as if plunged into an ice bath. Cold sweat poured down their backs.
They knew who this woman was. She stood on equal footing with the Marine Admirals—possibly even stronger. Normally, small fries like them would never cross paths with her. Their earlier bravado was nothing more than empty boasting to inflate their own egos.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven