29 Chapter 29

[Conqueror's Haki synergized with Draconic Energy becoming Draconic Conquerors Haki.]

The appearance of Hakai's Conqueror's Haki changed, showing the illusion of a giant dragon above him.

"You have lost. Accept your defeat."

"I have not." Hakai turned off his weighted rings around his ankles and wrist, doubling his speed.

He grasped his sword and disappeared, appearing beside Mihawk and surprising him with his new speed as he swung his sword at him.

Mihawk was shocked by Hakai's speed and he wondered how he got so fast. The sudden attack by Hakai actually caught him so off guard that he got hit.

Across Mihawk's chest was a slash similar to the one that he gave to Hakai.

Mihawk had to finish this somehow since it was clear that as the fight went on, he might actually lose.

Mihawk backed away. He knew that there was a chance that he could lose, but not today, not right now. Hakai might've been strong, durable, and fast, but there's one thing that Mihawk beats him at, and that was his swordsmanship.

Mihawk had been living for far longer than Hakai and even though Hakai had the cheat ability of having the knowledge of expert and master swordsman, Mihawk was still better than him at swordsmanship.

Just then, Mihawk stood still. He was planning to end it with this one attack. If this didn't work then he would lose, and Hakai would take his title.

Mihawk closed his eyes, using observation haki to sense his surroundings. In his perspective, time slowed down, but it wasn't static. Time kept slowing down to the point that it looked like time stopped.

Finally, opening his syes, he stared at Hakai and swung his sword.

Although it looked like time was stopped, his sword moved ever so gracefully, slashing Hakai's chest a second time.

It was a blade that transcended time. The blade that could cut anything.

(AN: Hyperbole people! Mihawk's blade didn't actually move in stopped time. It moved in time that was so slowed down that it looked like time was stopped. Also, as far as I know, Mihawk cannot slow down time. His perception of time has just been slowed down.)

This was what separated them.

Mihawk's nose leaked out blood as his perception of time came back to normal.

He looked at Hakai which was knocked out on the ship decks, blood around him.

The force of Mihawk's blade had immediately knocked him out despite his durable body. In fact, he couldn't even react to the attack.

Mihawk put his sword away and wiped his nose as he grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a note for Hakai.

Once done, he left on his boat, the winner of their duel.

---

Waking up, Hakai woke up in his bed with Kaya tending to his wounds.

"What happened? Where did Mihawk go?" Hakai asked.

"I don't know. Me and Makino were watching your duel, when we were suddenly knocked out, but seeing the note he left behind, I think you lost."

Hakai placed his hand at the back of his head. "Ahhh, I lost, huh. Where's the note. I want to read it."

Kaya grabbed the note and gave it to Hakai.

/Hakai, you are a formidable opponent, but like I said I am the winner. I have no doubt that you will become stronger especially with your young age, but for now, I am the strongest, waiting for your next challenge./

Hakai smiled as he threw the note away. "Aghh, just you wait, I'll come for you. What the hell was that last attack anyway? I couldn't even see it."

"Stay down, Hakai, your wounds might open up," Kaya warned him.

"So how long have I been out?" Hakai asked.

"Not too long, just 1 day. Makino said we should be arriving at our destination today."

"That's good," Hakai said, drinking some water. "So when can I move around, doc?"

"Not anytime soon!" Kaya said sternly making Hakai chuckle.

"Don't worry about it, Kaya. I heal fast." Hakai stood up despite Kaya's warnings as he stretched his body.

[New Quest:] Become recognized as the World's Strongest Swordsman.

'Hmm, it's a shame that I lost, but that battle was a good gauge of my current strength in the One Piece world.'

Going above deck, Makino greeted Hakai with a smile and a hug. "You worried me so much! What would you do if I got wrinkles?"

Hakai chuckled. "It's fine. I'm harder to kill than you think. Also, wrinkles or no wrinkles, you're still beautiful."

Makino blushed at her comment. "Shut up!"

Hakai smiled. "So how much longer to our destination?"

"A few hours max, we should get there soon."

---

After a few hours, the crew arrived at their destination, the Conomi Islands.

"Let's dock the ship here. This village seems to be abandoned..." Hakai ordered.

They dropped the anchor and got off the ship, exploring the ruined village that for some reason had all the houses flipped upside down.

As they walked through the destroyed village, a little kid appeared.

"I thought you guys were fishmen for a second. What are you guys doing here?" the kid asked.

Hakai was about to answer when the kid suddenly screamed. "Ahhh! Fishman!"

Behind Hakai appeared a big Fishman, his mouth wide as he showed a toothy smile.

"You 3, come over here! I'll protect you and take my revenge!" the kid pulled out a knife but was stopped by a blue haired woman who punched him on the head.

"Owww! Why'd you do that?"

"Don't harm the fishmen. How many times do I have to say that?" the woman said.