Chapter 235: Kuraigana Island: Takumi vs Mihawk

The Red-Haired Pirates, along with Enel and Kaku, all placed their bets on who would win between Takumi and Mihawk.

Aside from Enel, Yasopp, and Beckman, everyone else bet on Mihawk to win.

Outside the castle, amidst the ruins.

Shanks glanced at the two who were already preparing for battle and smirked, rubbing his chin. "This might turn out to be quite the spectacle."

"Takumi, you better not lose!" Yasopp and the others joined in, having followed them outside. "I've bet everything I've got on you."

"Huh?" Shanks raised an eyebrow at Yasopp. "You guys are betting? What did you wager?"

Lucky Roux chuckled. "There's always a bet when there's a duel. Captain, you want in?"

"Of course!" Shanks replied enthusiastically. "So, what are the odds? Who's the favorite?"

"Naturally, Mihawk," one of the Red-Haired Pirates grinned. "There's no way a powerhouse like Mihawk could lose to a kid like Takumi."

"Ha, how naive." Enel scoffed, clearly unimpressed.

Shanks thought for a moment before slapping his hands together with a laugh. "Alright then, I'm betting on Takumi to win, hahaha!"

"Captain, you're just giving away money at this point."

"Yeah, one thousand Berries, hand it over first, Captain."

"That's right, pay up front so you don't weasel out of it later."

"Hey, what happened to trust between men?" Shanks looked at Beckman with a sigh. "Beckman, you cover for me."

Beckman shrugged and replied, "Sure."

At the center of the ruins.

Takumi unsheathed his sword, the Lake Toya.

This action drew confused looks from many of the spectators.

"Is Takumi seriously using a wooden sword against Mihawk? Has he lost his mind?"

"What a joke! He's got a real sword, so why is he using a wooden one?"

"That wooden sword must be special... but I don't see anything unique about it."

"You guys just don't have enough experience." Yasopp grinned. "Takumi's got a sharp eye; do you really think he'd use an ordinary wooden sword?"

"Yasopp's right," Shanks said with a smile as he focused on Takumi's Lake Toya. "That sword isn't ordinary at all."

Mihawk's gaze briefly flickered to Takumi's sword before he drew his own—the legendary black blade, Yoru, one of the twelve Supreme Grade swords.

If Mihawk's opponent had been weak, he wouldn't have bothered using Yoru, opting instead for the small cross-shaped dagger he wore around his neck.

However, from the moment he first saw Takumi, Mihawk knew he was strong. That's why he chose to wield Yoru from the start.

"Before we begin, I want to ask you one question," Mihawk said coldly. "Why do you want to challenge me?"

Takumi hadn't answered yet when Shanks, brimming with excitement, spoke up for him. "The kid wants to take your title as the Greatest Swordsman, hahaha! Watch out, Mihawk, this kid's sharp, and he just might beat you."

Mihawk shot Shanks an unimpressed glance before refocusing on Takumi. "I can tell you're not someone who cares about fame or titles."

Takumi shrugged. "And I can tell you're not one for idle chit-chat."

"Hmph." Mihawk smirked coldly. "Arrogant brat. Very well, let's begin."

Seeing that Mihawk wasn't making any move, it seemed he was giving Takumi the chance to strike first. Takumi gripped his Lake Toya, and with a swift motion, unleashed a powerful technique—Divine Departure—sending a wave of Haki-infused sword energy spiraling toward Mihawk.

"It's coming!" Shanks exclaimed with excitement.

Beckman blinked in surprise. "That's... Divine Departure?"

Mihawk's eyes showed a hint of surprise as he quickly swung Yoru twice, effortlessly dispersing Takumi's attack.

"It seems you're stronger than I initially thought," Mihawk said, his gaze sharp as a hawk.

Takumi had expected that, even with his current swordsmanship, his Divine Departure might not be enough to defeat Mihawk. However, he hadn't anticipated Mihawk dispelling it with such ease.

After a brief moment of silence, Takumi vanished, using Shunpo to appear directly in front of Mihawk, swinging his sword down with lightning speed. The attack was so fast that most onlookers couldn't react in time.

But for Mihawk, it was nothing. He effortlessly parried Takumi's strike with Yoru.

Lake Toya and Yoru clashed, their blades locking as the two stood still. However, the impact created powerful waves of sword energy that expanded from the point where their swords met, rippling outward with incredible force.

Some of Shanks' crew members, particularly those with lower strength, were shaken by the invisible pressure, sustaining minor internal injuries.

Even the trunks of nearby trees were riddled with cracks from the sheer force of their clash.

Takumi had hoped to hold out a bit longer, but after just a few seconds, Mihawk's overwhelming sword energy pushed him back several steps.

As Takumi steadied himself, Mihawk had already closed the distance, swinging Yoru horizontally toward him.

Takumi leaped back, dodging the strike.

But Mihawk wasn't finished. The moment Takumi landed, Mihawk's next attack was already upon him.

Relying on instinct, Takumi continued to evade and counter, engaging in a flurry of strikes and parries.

Within seconds, the two exchanged hundreds of blows, their swords flashing with speed that left the spectators in awe.

"To withstand this many of my attacks, your swordsmanship is quite good," Mihawk commented mid-strike. "But your strength is still lacking. Right now, your skills aren't enough to defeat me."

"I know that," Takumi replied, deflecting another attack as he continued to defend and counter. Despite being on the defensive, he remained calm.

As Mihawk forced Takumi back out of the ruins and into a small patch of sunlight breaking through the clouds above Kuraigana Island, Takumi's lips curved into a slight smile. "I never said I was going to beat you with swordsmanship."

As he spoke, Takumi leaped backward, creating a three-meter gap between them.

Mihawk frowned, sensing something amiss. "What did you do?"

"Nothing much," Takumi replied nonchalantly as he sheathed his Lake Toya.

In that moment, Mihawk realized something. Under the sunlight, their shadows had elongated, and Takumi's shadow had connected with Mihawk's.

Suddenly, to the shock of everyone watching, Mihawk began mimicking Takumi's actions. As Takumi sheathed his sword, Mihawk's black blade, Yoru, fell to the ground.