Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Day the Broken Sword Is Forged Anew

Invincibility is a kind of loneliness.

But let me ask—how many can truly achieve invincibility?

To be invincible is to conquer mountain after mountain before you, just as "Hawkeye" in the original pirate tale did; his title as the world's greatest was not earned by chance, but forged upon a road paved with countless fallen foes and blood, step by step ascending to the summit of the pirate world.

Surely, the path forward for "Hawkeye" could not have been smooth. In the days when his swordsmanship was still immature, "Hawkeye" must have had goals he longed to challenge but could not defeat.

Yet, when Chu Yi met "Hawkeye's" gaze, he understood at once: "Hawkeye" must have overcome that difficult period.

At least in recent years, "Hawkeye" has truly been invincible, and so he feels the weight of solitude.

It was precisely the suppressed loneliness in those eyes that made Chu Yi abandon the idea of defeating "Hawkeye" with the power of his fruit.

First of all, this was a rare and excellent opportunity to hone his swordsmanship.

To cross swords with the world's greatest swordsman from the original tale—even if "Hawkeye" had not yet claimed the title—would surely grant Chu Yi, whose own swordsmanship was still "immature," a breakthrough. Was this not the chance for Chu Yi to take his second step as a great swordsman?

Moreover, Chu Yi now possessed too much knowledge and skill; he lacked a worthy adversary to help him integrate all he had mastered.

But as for the likes of Aokiji, Akainu, or Kizaru—encounters with them would only end in battles to the death. In contrast, "Hawkeye" was likely drawn by the thrill of the hunt, coming to spar and exchange blows, making him the ideal "whetstone" for Chu Yi's blade.

Lastly, for anyone who has achieved something in swordsmanship, who would not covet the title of number one?

Even if it meant defeating the future world's greatest swordsman, Chu Yi’s vanity would be satisfied.

Given these three reasons, how could Chu Yi use the power of his fruit, or any dishonorable means, to defeat "Hawkeye"?

Thus, resolved to win through swordsmanship alone, Chu Yi used "Shave" to appear before "Hawkeye," determined not to let the fact that he wielded only a wooden sword shake his own spirit.

Then—

Boom!

In an instant, Chu Yi transformed into an Asura, harnessing the true peak of physical prowess.

As his transformation completed and his body reached its apex, Chu Yi bit down and carefully controlled his strength. When he swung the Blade of Asura, the sharp light that flashed in "Hawkeye's" eyes made it clear he was impressed.

"I knew it. I did not come in vain."

"You are indeed a worthy opponent!"

A faint smile curled at the corner of his lips. The loneliness that had once pressed upon "Hawkeye's" gaze now vanished completely, replaced with unmistakable excitement.

Someone like Tiger, ignorant of swordsmanship, might not have noticed the essence of Chu Yi’s strike.

But a master like "Hawkeye" could hardly ignore its profundity.

The technique—

Double Wave!

It was a sword move Chu Yi had invented on a whim while training with his shadow clones.

Currently, when Chu Yi suppressed the clones’ physical prowess to that of ordinary people, he could not grant each clone the mastery to cleave a wave with a single stroke.

However, if he slightly enhanced their physical abilities…

Then each shadow clone could cleave a wave with a single stroke!

If that were possible, why not consider his true body—when transformed into an Asura at peak strength—as the sum of countless shadow clones combined?

Every ounce of strength within his body became a shadow clone.

By wisely distributing the power within him, the mastery that once allowed him to cleave a wave with a single sword could now be multiplied!

The technique Chu Yi now unleashed—Double Wave—was precisely the result of this careful allocation of strength, combined with his own sword intent, unleashed in a single strike.

And this strike greatly satisfied Chu Yi.

For as he let loose the attack, he realized that the power of Double Wave was indeed far greater than that of "Wave Cleaver."

"If… if I could now create shadow clones at my limit, each capable of cleaving a wave with a single stroke, then I would not be unleashing merely Double Wave, but Hundredfold Wave, Thousandfold Wave, Ten-Thousandfold Wave!"

"If Double Wave alone already far surpasses Wave Cleaver in might, then if I could reach Thousandfold or Ten-Thousandfold Wave…"

"Surely my swordsmanship would reach the second step of a great swordsman, and I too could shatter ships with a single stroke, just like Rayleigh!"

The flawless execution of Double Wave filled Chu Yi with new confidence, clarifying his direction in swordsmanship.

Yet, though Double Wave was indeed more powerful than Wave Cleaver, unfortunately…

It was still not enough to overturn "Hawkeye’s" sword!

Swish!

As Double Wave surged forth, "Hawkeye" suppressed his excitement and answered with a single stroke.

No elaborate flourish, no sophisticated technique—

Returning to the origin—that was the level of "Hawkeye’s" swordsmanship now. Every strike he unleashed was the strongest possible.

Even wielding nothing but a simple wooden sword, the sword energy that followed its arc dissolved the force of Double Wave completely. What’s more, after fully neutralizing its power, "Hawkeye" had spent only the sword energy he unleashed with the wooden sword—the threat of his blade remained undiminished.

To suppress an opponent by sheer mastery is no shame.

As Chu Yi himself mused, when there is a simple way to win, why choose the complicated one?

So, as "Hawkeye’s" wooden sword came ever closer and the hairs on his neck stood on end, Chu Yi had no choice but to raise the Blade of Asura to parry.

In contrast, "Hawkeye"—

Upon seeing Chu Yi use such a crude, brute-force method to block his descending wooden sword, the excitement in his eyes faded, replaced by disappointment.

"Did you think you could block my sword?"

"Naive!"

He uttered his words of disappointment, and the next instant, "Hawkeye’s" wooden sword collided with Chu Yi’s Blade of Asura.

Crack—

A low hum resonated along the crimson blade, and under "Hawkeye’s" sharp gaze, the Blade of Asura that Chu Yi had forged shattered into two the moment it met the wooden sword.

The breaking of the Blade of Asura marked Chu Yi’s defeat.

Yet, as Chu Yi had expected, "Hawkeye" had come only to spar, not to kill.

For this reason, knowing that the broken blade meant Chu Yi’s loss, "Hawkeye" sheathed his wooden sword and turned to leave.

But just as "Hawkeye" was about to walk away, wooden sword in hand—

Crack!

Another crisp sound split the air.

Staring in disbelief at the wooden sword in his palm, and as his sharp pupils narrowed, Chu Yi’s calm voice echoed beside "Hawkeye’s" ear.

"This time, let’s call it even."

"When the day comes that we both reforge our broken swords, shall we duel again?"