As the Prometheus steadily approached the isnd, Cudius stood on the deck, gazing toward the distant ndmass.

  Shimotsuki Vilge. What a ce, Cudius thought. He had always inteo visit Shimotsuki Vilge someday to meet Koshiro, the mysterious swordsman, and see if there was a ce to take Kuina away from the Isshin Dojo.

  It was the end of Sea Circle dar 1508. By Cudius's calcutions, Zoro should already be at the dojo in Shimotsuki Vilge. After all, Cudius remembered that by the time Zoro was nine, he was already defeating adults in the dojo, while Kuina was eleven during the same period.

  Thinking back, Zoro should've just retly joihe dojo by now.

  As Cudius pondered, a sudden, powerful ssh erupted from the forest on the isnd, shattering his train of thought.

  The ssh collided with another in mid-air, the two forces g each other out. However, one of the sshes deviated from its inal trajectory and hurtled toward the Prometheus.

  The ssh tore across the calm sea, its residual power still fierce. Even as an aftershock, it carried an aura of strength that clearly indicated the swordsman behind it was no amateur.

  "Seriously? What did I do to deserve this stray attack?" Cudius muttered, scowling at the ining ssh.

  Despite his annoyance, he didn't move to intercept it. Instead Stussy, who had been lounging in the pool, reacted swiftly.

  With a practiced Moonwalk, she leapt into the air, stepping lightly across the surface of the pool before propelling herself toward the oning ssh. Her movements were graceful yet precise, her long legs glinting with the dark sheen of Armament Haki.

  "Tempest Kick!" Stussy called out, her voice sharp.

  Rather than sending out a ter-ssh, she delivered a precise kick directly to the ining attack. The csh sent a ripple through the air before the ssh was shattered intments of dissipating energy. Using the momentum, Stussy nded lightly ba the deck, flexing her leg slightly as she assessed the attack.

  "That was quite strong," she remarked, her tone casual. "Even as an aftershock, the ssh carried a lot of power."

  "It seems two rather skilled swordsmen are having a duel on the isnd," Cudius murmured thoughtfully.

  One of them was undoubtedly Koshiro, but who was the other? That was the question.

  As he pted, a smile crept across Cudius's face. Loosening the Demon Bde Shindō from his waist, he said, "Well, uional or not, it'd be rude not to return the favor."

  In truth, Cudius weled the opportunity. While he didn't devote all his training to swordsmanship, his natural talent had earned him quite a reputation as a skilled swordsman. Some on the seas had even pared his abilities to those of the legendary Golden Lion.

  ing to Shimotsuki Vilge, Cudius had toyed with the idea of sparring with Koshiro. But knowing Koshiro's temperament, Cudius doubted the reclusive swordsman would willingly engage him.

  Now, however, with this "invitation" delivered straight to his doorstep, Cudius saw no reason not to respond in kind.

  Clutg the Demon Bde Shindō, he raised his arm back, the hilt pressed near his ear. The bde was quickly enveloped in Armament Haki, its edge gleaming with dark energy.

  "One-Sword Style—Uranus: Storm Ssh!" Cudius roared.

  With a powerful swing, the bde unleashed a storm-like ssh, tearing through the o surface. The attack solidified into a razor-sharp arc of energy that barreled toward the isnd, cutting apart everything in its path.

  Meanwhile, deep in the dense forest on the isnd, two swordsmen were locked in fierbat. Their bdes cshed repeatedly, sending waves of energy rippling through the surrounding area.

  When Cudius's ssh approached, the two batants instinctively paused, sensing its immense power. Stepping back, they created some distaween themselves as they turheir attention toward the oning storm-like energy.

  "It seems that the aftermath of ht has attracted a dangerous individual," Koshiro said, his voice calm despite the situation.

  In his hands, Koshiro held the Wado Ichimonji, one of the twenty-one Great Grade swords. Across from him stood a man dressed like a noble, his sharp eyes resembling those of a hawk. In his hand was a massive bck bde—the legendary Yoru, one of the twelve Supreme Grade swords.

  This man was her than Dracule Mihawk, a swordsman who had spent years challenging the greatest swordsmen across the seas. So far, no one had mao defeat him.

  Mihawk's reputation had grown to the point that he was being hailed as "the World's Greatest Swordsman," though the title had not yet been officially cimed. For now, he was tent to let his bde speak for itself.

  Retly, Mihawk had bested nearly every notable swordsman on the seas, his reputation s to incredible heights. His rise was so meteoric that it reminded some of Cudius's own sudden emergence years ago.

  Mihawk g the ining ssh, his golden eyes narrowing as he assessed its power. "A formidable swordsman, it seems," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of excitement. "Just what I've been searg for."

  With a flick of his wrist, Mihawk raised Yoru a out a pale green ssh to intercept Cudius's attack. The two sshes collided violently, tearing through the forest before dissipating in a burst of raw energy.

  "Not bad," Mihawk said simply. "He's strong, though not quite as strong as me."

  Koshiro, standing off to the side, chuckled lightly. "Perhaps. But are you certain he was using his full strength?"

  Mihawk frowned slightly at that, then smirked. "You're right. If that wasn't his best, then this is eveer."

  As if on cue, another ssh tore through the air, this one carrying an icy chill. Frost spread along its path, turning everything it touched into glistening white frost.