The green slash tore violently through the ice, while the explosive crimson magic on the opposite side also shattered everything in its path.
In the next instant, the two forces collided head-on, releasing an even more terrifying shockwave. The ice surface within a radius of several hundred meters — and even the ice layers tens of meters below — collapsed and exploded on the spot.
Gale-force winds and raging waves surged outward in all directions like a tsunami, making it impossible for anyone to approach.
The green slash clashed with the crimson explosive magic. From the moment of contact, it became clear that Mihawk's slash was being steadily forced back by Elior's mysterious power.
Although the suppression was not instantaneous, it was undeniable.
Elior's power remained firmly in the dominant position.
This deadlock did not last long.
About forty seconds later, Mihawk's slash finally collapsed completely. Elior's explosive magic surged forward without mercy, striking Mihawk head-on and blasting him away.
"The gap… is too great."
As his body was sent flying, Mihawk felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart. He could clearly sense Elior's power.
That power was far beyond his own.
Puff!
A violent discomfort surged through Mihawk's abdomen and internal organs. His chest tightened, heat rushed to his throat, and he spat out blood — three mouthfuls in rapid succession.
His body then crashed heavily onto the ice several hundred meters away.
Yet the moment Mihawk hit the ground, Elior descended from the sky, landing more than ten meters in front of him.
With Elior's current strength — and Mihawk's condition — it would have been effortless to finish him off.
But to Elior, Mihawk was still a man worthy of respect.
He would not let Mihawk die in a miserable, disgraceful manner like Garp and the others.
Instead, Elior intended to give him a dignified end.
Nevertheless, Mihawk had to die.
After all, he was Elior's enemy.
Though Elior felt genuine regret.
He had once considered recruiting Mihawk—but that was clearly impossible.
More importantly, Elior desired Yoru.
That alone made Mihawk's death inevitable.
Without Mihawk's death, Yoru could never be taken.
Compared to swords like Enma or Ame no Habakiri, Elior valued Yoru far more.
At this moment, Mihawk forced himself to stand.
His body was covered in wounds, blood seeping from countless gashes. The injury from Elior's previous blow had left him severely weakened.
"As a swordsman… I should fight with the sword."
An ice blade formed in Elior's hand.
In an instant, it was coated with advanced Armament Haki making the ice blade incomparably hard.
Dark crimson energy surged around the blade, violent and unstable.
Though it was merely a sword of ice, its presence rivaled that of a Great Grade blade.
"Shanks… it seems I won't be able to avenge you…"
Mihawk's voice was low and heavy.
He knew his condition was poor — while Elior remained at full strength.
And fundamentally, Elior was stronger than him.
There was no hope of victory.
"What a shame. If you weren't my enemy, I would have spared your life."
Elior shook his head slowly, pointing the ice blade at Mihawk.
"Mihawk. Let us begin."
The moment Elior finished speaking, Mihawk stepped forward and vanished.
He charged straight at Elior.
Both hands gripped Yoru tightly as emerald-green energy wrapped around the black blade.
It wasn't a large-scale slash — but it carried terrifying lethality.
In his heart, Mihawk silently recited the name of this final technique.
When he was less than a meter away, Mihawk swung his sword.
The slash traced a near-perfect arc, forming a crescent that seemed to cut through space itself. Green energy surged violently, tinting even the surrounding space green.
The pressure alone caused Elior's clothes and hair to whip violently. The ice beneath his feet shattered instantly.
Elior could clearly feel the power of the strike.
Though smaller in scale than before, this blow was undeniably stronger.
This was Mihawk's strongest attack.
Perhaps even Kaido would not emerge unscathed from it.
Blunt force might fail — but a slash was different.
"What a terrifying strike…"
Shiryu, rushing over, was stunned.
As a swordsman, he could fully comprehend the depth of Mihawk's sword intent. This was far stronger than any attack Mihawk had previously used against him.
The clash between Elior and Mihawk drew countless eyes.
One was the acknowledged World's Greatest Swordsman — though could Mihawk still claim that title?
Rumors claimed Elior's swordsmanship had already surpassed Mihawk's.
Yet now, Elior was meeting him blade to blade.
Who would win?
The world watched in awe.
Elior had no intention of dodging.
He advanced instead.
The ice blade collided directly with the crescent slash.
Crack!
Violent lightning-like energy tore through the air.
Mihawk's slash stopped abruptly, trembling violently under Elior's blade, unable to advance even an inch.
"Asura Path."
Elior murmured silently.
Dark, violent power surged along the ice blade.
Faint, horrifying roars echoed—those of wrathful Asura spirits.
Only Elior, Mihawk, and Shiryu could hear them.
Mihawk's eyes widened.
Shiryu was even more shocked.
Black energy erupted from Elior's blade, forming a terrifying slashing tornado that surged toward Mihawk.
Within it, countless hellish figures appeared — roaring, clawing, charging forward.
Mihawk's ultimate slash was completely erased.
The tornado struck Mihawk directly, passing through his body.
Strangely, no external wound appeared.
Yet Mihawk's eyes went wide as his body convulsed violently. His expression twisted in agony.
It felt as though something vital had been torn away.
"No wounds…?"
"But Mihawk's end is clearly here!"
"What just happened?"
Shiryu was stunned, unable to comprehend it.
Mihawk staggered back several steps.
He looked deeply at Elior one last time.
Then his body collapsed.
The moment he fell, Mihawk's life came to an end.
The life of the man once known as the World's Greatest Swordsman ended here.
And in his final moments, his thoughts were still with Shanks.
His only true friend.
With endless regret and sorrow, Mihawk's consciousness faded completely.