He's in One Piece, but he's also part of the Phantom Troupe.

Chapter 38 So...so embarrassing

"How...is this possible?!"

The members of the pilgrimage group beside the ship were just as surprised as Nobunaga.

"How did you do that?" Feitan asked, looking astonished.

"Did you clearly see the moment the opponent made their move?"

Finks, standing to the side, shook his head with a serious expression.

Was Nobunaga the strongest fighter among the crew? Obviously not...

Whether it's Uvogin, who is at the "pinnacle of physical strength," or Feitan and Phinks, who possess terrifying Nen abilities, in terms of destructive power alone, they are all superior to Nobunaga.

However, when it comes to one-on-one speed, none of the members can match Nobunaga.

Yet, his full-force attack, despite possessing such terrifying speed, was easily intercepted.

"Is this the level of the pinnacle of the Dark Continent...?"

At this moment, everyone in the group felt an unusual heaviness in their hearts.

Nobunaga, at this moment, felt it even more directly.

His famous sword, Shigure, was completely blocked by that ridiculously small knife, unable to advance an inch.

"I can't move... I can't move!"

"My sword-drawing slash was actually blocked by this nail clipper-like thing..."

"No...impossible!"

Nobunaga suddenly looked up and met Mihawk's relaxed expression, as if he were eating or drinking.

"Able to sense the 'breathing' of objects." Mihawk nodded, giving a positive assessment of the attack.

"You've reached the level of 'Slicing Iron,' huh? You've already achieved the skill of a swordsman!"

His relaxed and carefree demeanor only fueled Nobunaga's anger. However, he still remembered Chrollo's instructions and first recited that shameful line:

"The world...the world can't be that far away!"

"Stop looking down on me!"

He charged forward again, his blade flashing like a waterfall!

"Iai·Yueliu!"

"Iai·Hata!"

"Iai·Kasaya Kiri!"

"Iai·Zhushoutu!"

.......

Nobunaga unleashed a variety of moves one after another, the air between the two was pushed aside, replaced by incomparably sharp blade light, and the wreckage of the sailboat beneath their feet was slashed and cut with mirror-like smooth cuts.

However, Nobunaga's face was covered in more and more cold sweat.

The opponent... with that small knife, was able to track the trajectory of each of his strikes and accurately hit the weak points of the cuts, blocking all his attacks.

"impossible......"

"impossible......"

"Impossible!!" Nobunaga stared blankly at the blade in his hand, his expression finally turning to rage:

"Iai·Shifangiri——"

With his incredibly fast sword-wielding speed, four phantom images of Shigure swords appeared in front of Nobunaga, and he simultaneously slashed down at Mihawk in front of him!

These four slashes came simultaneously from the top, bottom, left, and right, cutting off all of Mihawk's escape routes.

"Let's see how you dodge this attack—!"

"Pfft—"

The blood pumped open, splattering into the air... but the blood didn't come from Mihawk, but from... Nobunaga.

Nobunaga stared blankly down at his chest, where a small knife was embedded... while Mihawk, who held the knife, remained expressionless.

"Pfft........"

Blood flowed down Nobunaga's lips.

The members of the Phantom Troupe watching from afar were seething with rage, but Kuroro remained solemn as he observed the scene.

"Whether we succeed or not depends on this... Nobunaga."

"How...did you do that?" Nobunaga's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"As long as it pierces your chest before all your strikes land, your attack will be rendered useless," Mihawk explained calmly.

"Why not return it?"

Here we go again.....

"I...I just feel that if I take a step back here, all those important vows and promises made so far...will disappear." Nobunaga said with a hint of shame.

"That's right, that's called defeat."

"Heh...heh, then I definitely can't back out!" It's getting more and more embarrassing...

"What a powerful heart." Mihawk looked at Nobunaga before him, his admiration growing stronger.

"Would I rather die than be defeated...?"

Mihawk drew his dagger, sheathed it, and then took out the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru from his back, pointing it at Nobunaga.

"Kid, I approve of you. State your name—"

Nobunaga held Shigure horizontally in front of him, reversed his grip, and said, "Nobunaga Hatsuma..."

Mihawk's expression was solemn: "I will remember you, my long-lost strongman."

"Then, to show the respect due to a swordsman, I will use this world's strongest black sword to send you to your doom at sea—"

Nobunaga's expression turned serious again, and he gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands. "I couldn't ask for more."

"Iai·Batsuke·Yokoichimonji——"

"Level A - "

"Clang—!"

With a flash of swords, the two figures separated in an instant.

The next second, the famous sword, Shigure, shattered into pieces.

Nobunaga had a gruesome wound on his abdomen.

"As expected... we lost."

Nobunaga's expression showed no sign of defeat or frustration; instead, it was one of extreme shame.

He turned to face Mihawk, opened his arms, his eyes darting around, and slowly began to speak:

"The scars on the back are a swordsman's shame—"

Mihawk's admiration reached its peak as well, "Incredible—"

Swah——

The black blade swung down again—

"Nobunaga—"

The members of the convoy on board roared at the top of their lungs.

Kuroro subtly shoved Bonney, threatening in a low voice, "You shout too, hurry up and shout louder! Or you won't get any food!"

Bonnie looked at the chicken leg in her hand with a horrified expression, and finally succumbed to her tyranny, reluctantly speaking:

Nobunaga

Nobunaga was cleaved in an unbelievable wound in the chest by this sword and fell into the sea.

Without being told, Feitan and Phinks jumped into the sea with two splashes, pulled him out, and laid him flat on a plank of the ship.

Their gazes were more solemn than ever before: "Is this the power of the Dark Continent?"

Kuroro's eyes lit up at the sight; finally, it was my turn...

"Ahem..." He cleared his throat, then his expression instantly turned furious, and he shouted, "Nobunaga!"

Then, with a flash, he crossed the sea and headed straight for Mihawk—

Mihawk looked calmly at Kuroro. "So you're that young swordsman's companion?"

"Thank you for watching until the end."

His gaze was fixed on Nobunaga in the distance. "Don't worry, that man is still alive."

Mihawk crossed his arms, looked at Nobunaga in the distance, and said expectantly:

"You're too young to die—"

"I am Jolacol Mihawk."

"See yourself clearly, understand the world, and become stronger—"

"No matter how many years pass, I will always be waiting for you in this prime position... Surpass this sword... Surpass me..."

"Nobunaga Hatshepsut—"

With Mihawk's admiring gaze and Kuroro's subtle hints,

Nobunaga lay flat on the deck, covering his face, raising his short sword high, his shame reaching the heavens, and shouted:

"Kuroro... Can you hear me—"

"Did I make you worry? You must be quite troubled if I didn't become the world's strongest swordsman..."

"I...I won't lose again..."

"I will never lose again until I defeat him and become the Great Swordsman—"

"Do you have a problem with that?!"

One Piece—

Kuroro caught a glimpse of the faint smile on Mihawk's lips and was overjoyed:

"It's done—"

At this moment, Nobunaga, who was covering his face, was thinking:

So embarrassing... Someone please save me!

.........