Chapter Sixty: Battle!

Clang!

The shrill sound of metal colliding pierced the air as Camus and Hawkeye clashed. Their battle left the onlookers utterly dumbfounded, the speed of their blows so great that afterimages flickered everywhere.

“Their speed...!” gasps of astonishment rose from the crowd at intervals, marveling at the velocity on display. In their eyes, only the afterimages of Camus and Hawkeye could be discerned, and only when their blades met could their true positions be glimpsed.

Aboard the seafaring restaurant Baratie, Zoro leaned against the wall, enduring the pain wracking his body, his eyes wide open as he watched the duel intently.

“So this is the strength of the world's very best?” Zoro murmured, his heart tumultuous. He was still far too weak. He would have to work much harder in the future!

Robin seemed to have caught Zoro’s whispered words. She turned her head with a gentle smile. “Heh, are you scared already? Those two are holding back—you haven’t even seen a tenth of their true power.” Robin mentally calculated that the fight was sure to continue for some time.

Clang!

Another ring of metal. The two fighters retreated simultaneously, only stopping after a hundred meters had separated them. Everyone’s attention was riveted by the spectacle, intermittent exclamations of awe breaking out.

Waves surged across the sea; though the battle had just begun, the spray already soared over a meter high. Robin stood on the ship’s edge, and as if the waves feared her, they calmed as they neared, becoming placid as a still pond before reaching the hull. This odd phenomenon drew attention even as the crowd’s eyes were drawn back to the two combatants, a fleeting glance at the formidable, mysterious woman sufficing.

“Mihawk, let me see the full extent of your power!” Camus gripped the Purple Emperor tightly in his right hand, his expression turning grave. Though only a fraction of his strength was on display, he was determined to fight seriously. He must hold his blade firmly.

Hawkeye Mihawk gazed at Camus in the distance. After their initial exchange, he knew he was no match for this opponent. It was time to go all out—to see just how vast the gap between himself and the mysterious purple warrior truly was.

“Here I come!” Hawkeye murmured, his eyes flashing with ferocious fighting spirit.

He raised his supreme-grade black blade, hesitated for a split second, then brought it down with a mighty slash.

A colossal wave of green sword energy exploded forth. When it erupted, it was as if the world itself was ending, the sky paling in comparison. The vast sea was split in twain, and the savage green energy crashed toward Camus, who stood unflinching upon the water.

Camus narrowed his eyes. Though he was concealing ninety percent of his strength, what remained was still overwhelming. Thanks to Camus’s guidance, Hawkeye’s cultivation had progressed much faster than in the original timeline—his strength now several times greater, nearly on par with Whitebeard, who, with Camus’s help, remained at his peak. Camus, however, was now about twice as powerful as Whitebeard, so there was no need to evade this attack.

He held the Purple Emperor horizontally before him, meeting the enormous green sword energy without hesitation.

Screech!

The friction of the collision screamed out. Camus poured his true essence madly into the blade, which emitted a faint violet glow, entirely blocking the sword energy. Even atop the open sea, he did not retreat a single step.

Not far off, Hawkeye’s lips twitched involuntarily, inwardly marveling at Camus’s monstrous strength. His all-out attack had been blocked, and Camus hadn't even budged—was this really just for show?

This scene left the distant spectators stunned as well. When the green energy exploded, Zoro’s eyes widened in shock. The force that split the sea was a powerful stimulus—such strength was something he had to attain, something he must surpass. When Camus blocked that wild energy, Zoro was left speechless, cheering himself on silently. He had to one day surpass them.

Robin stood with nonchalance, keeping the waves at bay from the ship. Watching the Straw Hat crew’s reactions, she noticed especially Luffy—his face exaggerated, but his fists clenched tightly. Clearly, he yearned for such power. Only with such strength could the dream of becoming Pirate King be realized. Though we could not know his exact thoughts, given his usual disposition, this battle would surely have a profound impact on him—and on everyone.

As for Zoro, after the initial shock and awe, his gaze grew calm and focused on the duel. Yet his heart was anything but calm—the gap between himself and these men was enormous. World’s Greatest Swordsman? That was the greatest in the world, not just in a village or a sea. His path was long. Only by fighting, winning, and constantly surpassing himself could he become the strongest. There were no shortcuts—only effort, effort, and more effort.

Usopp, on the other hand, fared much worse. He cowered in a corner, hugging his head, trembling all over. No one could help him—only by overcoming his fear of battle and death could he become a warrior of the seas.

Sanji leaned against the wall, watching the distant duel as Camus and Hawkeye fought atop the waves, plunged beneath the surface, and sometimes soared into the sky. His curved eyebrows twitched, but his face remained calm. Was this the power of the world’s elite? Such immense sword energy could surely destroy an island. The air quivered at their clashes, the thunderous noise battering Sanji’s senses, and the massive waves sent up by the fight killed fish outright from sheer pressure. Sanji closed his eyes, lips moving in a murmur: “All Blue, I will find you.”

Robin did not bother to disguise her strength, though as long as she didn’t use it, there was nothing to reveal. Amid the raging storm, Baratie was like a tiny leaf upon the ocean, yet it did not wobble at all. Standing as if on solid ground, the others were deeply shocked by the woman beside them. At times, sword energy clashed and scattered, but when it shot toward Robin, it struck an invisible membrane a couple of meters in front of her, sending ripples across it but failing to break through.

Clang!

The two swords met again with a tremendous crash, the force pressing the sea beneath them down dozens of meters, forming a circular depression.

“It’s over.” Suddenly, Camus’s clear voice reached Mihawk’s ears, startling him, his brows knitting together.

Camus darted back, and Mihawk did the same.

Steeling himself, Mihawk raised his black blade high, gathering all the true energy in his body into it until the blade sang, as if it could barely withstand the pressure.

Camus, in the distance, did likewise. The Purple Emperor, slightly modified by Camus, was now even harder and sharper—there was no suspense to the outcome.

Both unleashed what they believed to be their mightiest strikes.

Boom!

Violet and green sword energies collided, and the world seemed to lose its color. The sea raged as if in fury, waters churning wildly, the clouds above long since shredded by the sword energy and swept away to who knew where.

The shockwave from their clash was terrifying beyond words, the tremendous noise nearly deafening the spectators.

Screech! Screech!

For several seconds their energies vied, the sound grating before erupting in a thunderous explosion. At the moment of impact, Robin steered the Baratie farther from the blast.

Watching the storm unleashed by the collision of energies, Robin raised her own power several degrees higher. The mighty blast wave swept over them like a nuclear explosion, but when it struck her protective barrier, it only sent out ripples, unable to breach the invisible defense. Behind Robin, the others were pale-faced, sitting down involuntarily during the explosion—Luffy included. Only when calm returned did they get to their feet and look toward the center of the battle. By now, none cared who had won or lost. These two could only be worshipped.

As for Camus, he was now walking back to Baratie, dragging an arm—Mihawk’s arm, to be precise. Mihawk had already passed out, while Camus appeared utterly unscathed, leaving the crowd speechless with awe.

...

Yesterday I was too tired, couldn’t finish more than a few hundred words, so I went to sleep. Sorry for the lack of updates—this chapter counts for yesterday. There will be another one soon!

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