Tobirama was about to head for the royal palace.
Suddenly—
He stopped.
The Rinnegan in his eyes flickered faintly as he looked toward the broad river at the edge of the city.
"Oh?"
"We just killed a crocodile, and now an eagle shows up?"
"What kind of day is this—did Lady Luck decide to send me a grand gift?"
On the river.
A small boat of bizarre design drifted silently.
It was shaped like a pitch-black coffin, with eerie green flames burning on either side, completely out of place amid the desert heat.
A man sat upon it.
He wore a burgundy patterned shirt and a black top hat trimmed with white fur. On his back rested a massive black sword, shaped like a cross.
Sharp, hawk-like golden eyes stared across the water, locking onto Tobirama from hundreds of meters away.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
The world's greatest swordsman.
" Hawkeye " Mihawk.
Whoosh!
Mihawk lightly tapped the coffin boat with the tip of his foot.
His body soared into the air like a black falcon, carving a sharp arc across the sky before landing steadily on the shore—directly in front of Tobirama.
"Uchiha Tobirama."
His voice was deep and magnetic, cold and distant.
One hand slowly rested on the hilt of the Supreme Grade Sword on his back.
"I felt it."
"A power that erupted here just now… one that shook the world."
"You did this, didn't you?"
"The news of Crocodile has gone silent."
Mihawk's gaze sharpened, as if it could pierce straight through Tobirama's soul.
"I'm only interested in you."
"Draw your sword."
"Let me see how strong the legendary 'Emperor' truly is—when it comes to swordsmanship."
Direct.
Pure.
This was Mihawk—a man who could cast aside everything for the sake of the sword.
Tobirama looked at the swordsman before him, his battle intent surging like a blazing tide.
A satisfied smile curved his lips.
How convenient.
He had just acquired the Sand-Sand Fruit, expanded his forces, and now a Supreme Grade Sword was practically being delivered to his doorstep.
Whether kept as a trophy or used to upgrade Kuina's equipment, Yoru was a priceless treasure.
"Challenge me?"
Tobirama kept both hands in his pockets, not even touching the Kusanagi sword at his waist.
He stood there casually—yet perfectly composed, as if no flaw existed in his stance.
"Mihawk."
"I admire your courage."
"I'll give you a chance."
He raised three fingers, his tone arrogant, like a god bestowing mercy.
"I will not draw my sword."
"I'll give you three moves."
"If you can force me to take even one hand out of my pocket…"
"Then this head of mine is yours."
"What?!"
Mihawk's pupils shrank to pinpoints.
For the first time, genuine fury surfaced on his perpetually cold face.
Insult.
This was the ultimate insult to the world's greatest swordsman.
In this world, even Red-Haired Shanks or Whitebeard would never dare claim they wouldn't draw their swords against him—let alone grant him three moves!
This was trampling his pride into the dirt.
"Arrogant!"
"You will pay for this arrogance!"
Mihawk laughed in fury.
Without another word, he drew the black blade from his back.
The jet-black sword gleamed with a chilling luster that made the air itself tremble.
"First move!!"
"Since you seek death, don't blame me for being merciless!"
Boom!
Mihawk gripped the sword with both hands and brought it straight down.
No flashy technique—just a simple, devastating slash.
The world's strongest basic attack.
A colossal emerald Sword Qi erupted instantly, tearing apart the air and carving a bottomless ravine into the ground!
Faced with a strike powerful enough to split a warship in two—
Tobirama did not move.
He didn't even blink.
Buzz!
Just as the terrifying Sword Qi was about to touch his face—
An invisible yet razor-sharp chakra barrier appeared three inches in front of him.
Clang!!
A deafening crash echoed.
Mihawk's black blade stopped cold.
It was as if it had struck an invisible diamond wall!
Sparks flew in all directions.
"How is this possible?!"
Mihawk felt intense numbness in his arms—the recoil was terrifying.
No Armament Haki.
No physical blade.
Just… pure Qi?!
"Too light."
Tobirama shook his head.
"So this is the world's number one?"
"You can't even break through my protective Sword Qi."
"Two moves left."
"Damn you!!"
Mihawk retreated rapidly, widening the distance.
His pride as a swordsman would not allow him to accept this result.
"If your defense is this strong…"
"Then take this!"
He raised the black blade high, his aura condensing to its absolute limit.
The surrounding space distorted. Countless fine Sword Qi cut deep cracks into the ground.
"Secret Art—Slash That Severs the World!!"
Boom!!!
Mihawk unleashed his strongest attack.
A terrifying emerald slashing wave, hundreds of meters high and thousands of meters wide, surged forward!
This was the very strike that once cleaved through an iceberg at Marineford!
Even Diamond Jozu had been forced to block it with everything he had!
"Split open… for me!!"
The massive slash crashed toward Tobirama like a tsunami.
The entire Rainbase trembled under the pressure.
Facing this apocalyptic blow—
Tobirama still did not draw his sword.
He simply extended two fingers from his pocket.
Only two.
Index and middle finger pressed together, wrapped in faint chakra containing the principle of severing all things.
"Catching it with bare hands?"
"No…"
"This is blade destruction."
Tobirama gently pinched the incoming slash.
Snap.
The scene froze.
That hundred-meter slashing wave—capable of cutting an island apart—
Was caught between two fingers.
Just ten centimeters from his brow.
No matter how violent the energy, it solidified instantly.
"Is that all?"
Tobirama applied slight pressure.
"Break."
Crack!!
Rumble!!!
Before Mihawk's horrified gaze, the colossal slashing wave shattered like glass, breaking into countless points of light and vanishing completely.
"…This…"
Mihawk nearly lost his grip on Yoru.
His breathing quickened, cold sweat pouring down his face.
Defeat.
Total defeat.
No sword drawn.
No Haki.
Not even a step taken.
His strongest attack—crushed with two fingers.
This was no longer a gap in strength.
This was a difference in dimensions.
Like a child who had just learned to swing a sword challenging a true god of the blade.
"One move left."
Tobirama looked at Mihawk calmly.
"Will you continue?"
Mihawk fell silent.
The sharp, eagle-like eyes were now filled with confusion—and something else.
A blazing desire to glimpse a higher world.
"…No. That's unnecessary."
He slowly lowered the black blade.
His expression was complicated as he looked at Tobirama.
"I understand now."
"You weren't humiliating me."
"You were showing me… what true 'strength' really is."
Mihawk took a deep breath, then plunged Yoru into the ground.
The proud, aloof swordsman—who had never bowed to anyone—lowered his head slightly.
"Uchiha Tobirama."
"I admit it. I'm not even qualified to make you draw your sword."
"But—"
He looked up sharply, eyes burning with unwavering resolve.
"I am a swordsman."
"My life's pursuit is the ultimate realm of the blade."
"Even if it costs me my life…"
"I want to see it."
"The way you draw your sword."
"I want to know… what kind of scenery lies atop that peak I cannot reach."
"Please."
"Use your full strength."
"Use your strongest sword strike."
"Kill me."
This was the final request of a pure martial seeker.
Better to die gazing at the heavens—
Than to live forever at the bottom of a well.
Hearing this—
The mockery in Tobirama's eyes faded.
In its place appeared a trace of respect.
"A commendable level of enlightenment."
"Far better than those cowardly marines and pirates."
Tobirama finally took his hand out of his pocket.
He slowly gripped the hilt of the Kusanagi sword at his waist.
"Since you're so eager to face death…"
"Then I'll grant your wish."
Clang—!!
The Kusanagi sword was drawn.
In that instant, the world changed.
The sky above Alabasta darkened, as if all light had been swallowed by the blade.
"Watch carefully, Mihawk."
"This sword strike is called—Divine Sky Severance: Dimensional Slash."
"It transcends time and space."
"It can even sever karma itself."
"The Sword of God."
Tobirama raised his blade high.
The sword tip pointed straight at the heavens.
"Are you ready…"
"For your end?"