Chapter 87: Copycat Pirate · Wood

Currently, Shiki, having just escaped from Impel Down, naturally didn't have his famed swords "Oto" and "Kogarashi" in hand. Instead, he wielded two ordinary longswords that he had grabbed from the guards in Impel Down.

However, even with ordinary longswords, this did not change the fact that Shiki was a Great Swordsman.

Since they were on a naval ship, both Wood and Shiki were cautious not to unleash their sword energy in a way that could slice the only ship they had in half. So, when Wood saw Shiki charging at him, he immediately used Moonwalk to jump into the air, distancing himself from the ship and his opponent.

Seeing Wood leave the ship voluntarily, Shiki, who shared the same concerns, grinned wickedly and used his Float-Float Fruit ability to chase after him.

Not only did Wood want to avoid damaging the ship and risking the lives of Rus and the others, but Shiki had the same intention.

"Slash Wave!"

As soon as they were a safe distance from the ship, Shiki single-handedly slashed at Wood, sending a massive sword energy wave flying toward him. The massive sword energy cut through the sea surface at incredible speed, slicing hundreds of kilometers ahead.

Faced with this attack, Wood didn't choose to block it head-on. Instead, using his Observation Haki, he easily evaded it, combining Moonwalk and Shave to perform continuous "air shaves," avoiding the slash while simultaneously appearing behind Shiki.

Engaging in a head-on clash of sword energy would be foolish. Shiki was a Great Swordsman who could slice through steel, while Wood was only at the level of cutting iron as a swordsman.

Regardless of Wood's skill level, in terms of raw power in sword energy, there was no comparison between him and Shiki.

To defeat Shiki, Wood had to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses. By combining Moonwalk and Shave, he could maintain high-speed movement even in the air.

Though the Float-Float Fruit allowed Shiki to fly, it didn't grant him high-speed mobility. Moreover, with Shiki's legs recently severed, he likely hadn't fully adapted to his new condition, which would significantly impact his speed.

"Three-Sword Style: Raging Wind Scythes!"

Using his incredible speed, Wood suddenly appeared behind Shiki and unleashed three wind-infused slashes with his swords, "Tenko" and "Frostfall."

The reason why it was a three-sword style with three slashes was that two came from "Tenko" and "Frostfall," while the third was a wind blade formed by Tempest Kick.

The three slashes, carrying deadly winds capable of tearing through flesh, shot toward Shiki's vital points.

Though Wood had Observation Haki, Shiki, being a pirate on par with the Pirate King, naturally possessed Haki as well. The moment he saw Wood dodge his slash, Shiki activated his Observation Haki too. What surprised him, however, was that Wood, a swordsman, resorted to a sneak attack from behind.

"Kid, you were wasted in the Navy. I've fought hundreds of swordsmen, but you're the first to attack me from behind."

Most of the "swordsmen" on the Grand Line hail from Wano, a place that highly values the Bushido spirit. Generally, a swordsman wouldn't resort to backstabbing.

"You don't understand. This is called an assassin-style swordsman. In a fight, it's either you die or I die. Swords are killing tools, and using any means necessary to win is the rule of this survival-of-the-fittest world. If you believe in fair duels according to Bushido, then how fair is it for a renowned pirate like you to face a young Navy grunt like me?"

While the concept of a swordsman's honor might mean something to someone like Gion, who is serious and old-fashioned, Wood didn't buy into that at all.

Swords are weapons designed to kill. There's no need for convoluted rules; as long as it kills the opponent, any method proves to be the correct one.

Some wield swords with unyielding determination, some hide in the shadows, and others wield their swords to protect. Stubbornness will only lead to stagnation.

Wood didn't care how others viewed him. His sword existed solely to cut down the enemies before him, by any means necessary!

"Lion's Thousand Cut Valley!"

Facing the three wind-infused slashes, Shiki gripped his two swords tightly. In the next second, he rapidly swung his arms, unleashing a barrage of slashes as fierce as a torrential storm.

Each slash carried power comparable to his previous Slash Wave, easily slicing through hundreds of kilometers of sea surface with terrifying force.

Although both were releasing sword energy, the power of a "swordsman's" slash was fundamentally different from that of a Great Swordsman.

Despite Wood's skill surpassing most "swordsmen" and Shiki's current physical condition being poor, the slashes released by Shiki easily shattered Wood's Raging Wind Scythes.

Even as the slashes collided, sending massive waves crashing, Shiki's relentless golden slashes continued to surge toward Wood.

Seeing the oncoming barrage of slashes like a relentless storm, Wood reactivated his Observation Haki.

Under his enhanced Observation Haki, the previously fast-moving golden slashes seemed to freeze in mid-air as if someone had hit the pause button.

With the slashes appearing to move almost in slow motion, Wood quickly analyzed their trajectories and responded accordingly.

"Swish—swish—swish—swish!"

One after another, the golden slashes whizzed past Wood's body, each one narrowly missing him as they cleaved massive trenches into the sea behind him.

Despite the sheer density and power of the slashes, they failed to even graze Wood.

Floating in the distance, Shiki, who had been watching with the intent to mock, was stunned by what he saw.

In their brief exchange, Shiki had already gauged Wood's general level of swordsmanship. Based on that, Wood shouldn't have been able to dodge his Lion's Thousand Cut Valley.

Yet not only had Wood dodged all of them, but what he did next nearly caused Shiki's jaw to drop.

To his shock, Shiki saw Wood, dual swords in hand, mimicking a stance all too familiar to him. In the next moment, golden slashes erupted from Wood's "Frostfall" and "Tenko."

"Lion's Thousand Cut Valley!"

Although the power of these slashes was slightly weaker than Shiki's, the fact that this kid had copied his technique after seeing it just once was unbelievable!

Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 200+ at patreon.com/Betek.