Chapter 62: Domination

Chapter 62: Domination

Seeing the Red Earl's swordsmanship becoming faster and more precise, Charlotte began to feel a twinge of fatigue.

The Red Earl's attacks were too unpredictable, targeting angles that were difficult for Charlotte to defend. It was a calculated assault that made Charlotte increasingly frustrated.

When the Red Earl's umbrella collided with Charlotte's sword, he could feel his weapon weakening. Small cracks began to form, and Charlotte cursed silently in his mind.

"Don't break! Don't break!"

He prayed internally while continuously reinforcing the blade with Armament Haki.

Clang!

Charlotte parried another attack, holding his sword horizontally. But this time, a sharp crack echoed in the air.

Snap!

Charlotte's sword broke cleanly in two.

"Hmm?"

The Red Earl immediately stepped back, retracting his attack and observing Charlotte with a curious expression.

"Isn't your sword a famous blade?" the Red Earl asked, frowning.

Charlotte glanced at the broken sword in his hand and sighed.

"It's not a famous sword, just an ordinary longsword."

"What about your famous sword?" the Red Earl pressed, not believing that a pirate of Charlotte's caliber lacked such a weapon.

Charlotte smiled awkwardly.

"I don't have one."

"A black blade, then? Surely you've refined one by now," the Red Earl asked again, clearly confused.

Charlotte shrugged.

"I've tried, but battles in the New World leave me no time to properly refine a black blade. I just make do with what I have."

The Red Earl furrowed his brows but said nothing further. He sheathed his umbrella with a disappointed expression.

"If you don't have a proper sword, continuing this fight would be bullying you. When you have a blade worthy of your skill, we'll settle this."

Though he tried to sound impartial, there was a tinge of reluctance in his voice.

Charlotte, however, was having none of it.

"Wait! Did you just say you'd be bullying me? Where do you get the nerve to say that? Who said a broken sword can't be used? Come on, let's continue!"

Charlotte's fiery response surprised the Red Earl, who took a step back, raising an eyebrow.

This entire exchange was captured by Major General Wells on his video Den Den Mushi. Watching from Marine Headquarters, Admiral Kong let out a frustrated groan.

"What a pity," Kong muttered. "Two of the world's greatest swordsmen clashing, only for the battle to end because of a broken sword."

The others in the room shared his sentiment. Battles like these were rare, and every move exchanged held invaluable insights into swordsmanship. This fight could inspire swordsmen for generations.

Back on the island, the Red Earl glanced at Charlotte, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement.

"You can't be serious. A swordsman without a proper weapon—"

Charlotte interrupted him, eyes blazing with determination.

"I'll show you my swordsmanship!"

As he spoke, Charlotte's Conqueror's Haki erupted, sending a powerful shockwave across the battlefield.

The Red Earl narrowed his eyes as he felt the oppressive aura washing over him.

"What are you trying to do?" he muttered, preparing for anything.

Charlotte raised his broken sword, now glowing with blood-red energy. His Conqueror's Haki wrapped around the blade, intertwining with red lightning that crackled ominously.

"You'd better be careful," Charlotte warned with a smirk.

With a powerful swing, Charlotte unleashed a devastating flying slash imbued with Conqueror's Haki. The air itself seemed to split apart as the blood-red slash surged toward the Red Earl.

The Red Earl's eyes widened slightly as he felt genuine danger from the attack. It had been a long time since he had encountered a move that made his blood boil with excitement.

"Hahaha! This is what I've been waiting for!"

The Red Earl grinned maniacally as the slash closed in. He planted his feet firmly and raised his umbrella, preparing to meet the attack head-on.

"The Earl's Sword!"

He swung his umbrella with all his might, releasing a counterattack of his own.

Clang!

The two forces collided in an earth-shattering explosion. Sand and debris flew everywhere, and the sheer impact left a massive crater in the beach.

The Red Earl was thrown back, skidding more than ten meters before regaining his footing. He clutched his chest, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

"Hahaha! I concede. That was extraordinary," the Red Earl said, wiping the blood from his lips. Despite his injuries, his eyes were alight with excitement.

Charlotte smirked, still holding the hilt of his now-shattered sword.

"Serves you right for underestimating me," he quipped.

The Red Earl ignored the taunt, instead focusing on the technique Charlotte had just used.

"What was that move?" the Red Earl asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and awe.

Charlotte, reveling in the moment, leaned casually against what was left of his weapon.

"That, my friend, is Advance Conqueror's Haki ," Charlotte explained smugly. "It allows you to channel your will into your weapon, amplifying its destructive power. Pretty amazing, right?"

The Red Earl nodded slowly, his mind racing with possibilities.

Charlotte, noticing the Red Earl's interest, smirked even wider.

"Want me to teach you? Just ask. I'll make sure you learn it."

The Red Earl rolled his eyes at Charlotte's boastful tone.

"I'll figure it out myself," he said curtly.

Charlotte laughed heartily.

"Suit yourself, but don't come crying to me when you can't figure it out!"

Despite his words, both men shared a mutual respect. For the first time in a long while, they had both found worthy opponents.

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