One Piece: With Sign-in System
Chapter 235: The World’s Strongest – Stepping onto the Throne of Swordsmen

Chapter 235 - 235: The World's Strongest – Stepping onto the Throne of Swordsmen 

After eliminating the Dyna Stone threat and delivering a devastating blow to CP0, Ron and his crew arrived at Punk Hazard.

As soon as they set foot on the island, Kuina couldn't help but ask Ron a question.

"Why did you choose this island as our rendezvous point?"

Ron glanced at her and calmly explained:

"Two reasons. First, this island is at the perfect distance from the Red Line—not too close, not too far. It allows us to advance, retreat, and position our forces effectively."

"And the second reason..."

As they spoke, a massive red dragon that resided on Punk Hazard suddenly spread its enormous wings and soared into the sky, heading straight for them!

SWOOSH!

A brilliant golden blade light streaked through the air.

In an instant, Kuina smoothly unsheathed her Wadō Ichimonji.

The gigantic artificial dragon, mid-attack, had its fiery breath split apart—and in the next moment, its massive body was cleaved into three clean sections—head, torso, and tail.

THUD! The severed remains of the dragon crashed onto the ground.

"Whoa! That's a huge dragon! It looks delicious!"

A sparkle of excitement gleamed in Bonney's eyes. Without hesitation, she grabbed Enzo by the arm and dashed toward the fallen beast.

"W-Wait! Why are you dragging me along, Sister Bonney?!"

"Duh! That thing's way too big for me to carry alone!"

Bonney, drooling at the sight of the massive dragon, sprinted forward with Enzo in tow.

Ron ignored the chaotic scene and continued speaking to Kuina.

"The second reason is that this island lies along the sea current route from Fish-Man Island to the deeper parts of the New World. This makes it the perfect place to intercept and escort anyone arriving from Fish-Man Island."

Kuina nodded in understanding. "That makes sense."

...

A short while later—

"Captain, help!!!"

Hearing the sudden cries, Ron and the others turned their heads.

They saw Bonney and Enzo sprinting toward them in panic, carrying a huge chunk of dragon meat on their shoulders.

But that wasn't all.

Chasing after them was a horde of strange, green, slime-like creatures!

"Enemies?"

Conis narrowed her eyes activating her Devil Fruit powers. Sharp metallic spikes formed around her body, ready to strike.

"Wait."

Robin stretched out an arm, stopping Conis before she acted.

Standing beside Robin, Nami squinted at the approaching creatures, her face uncertain.

"Those things... are they releasing some kind of purple gas?"

Kuina's fingers instinctively tightened around her sword hilt.

Ron's gaze turned sharp as he immediately identified the creatures.

"Do NOT attack. Those are Smiley slimes. They release lethal poison gas when struck, and if broken apart, they'll release even more toxins."

The crew's expressions tensed.

"Tch. That bastard Caesar is still causing trouble,"

Ron sighed in mild annoyance.

"Looks like we need to completely cleanse this island."

As he finished speaking—

He lifted his hand toward the sea.

In an instant—

Tens of thousands of tons of seawater surged up from the ocean.

Under Ron's control, the massive current twisted into the shape of a colossal river—

And crashed down onto Punk Hazard, flooding the entire island and washing away every last trace of Caesar's lingering toxins.

...

Two days later.

The dragon meat still hadn't been fully eaten.

But a visitor had arrived.

A lone figure approached their base.

Dracule Mihawk.

The world's greatest swordsman.

He had come looking for Ron.

For a duel.

Back in the East Blue, their first battle had merely been a test of skill—a glimpse into each other's strength.

Their true duel was meant to happen during Marineford's great war, a clash to determine who truly deserved the title of World's Strongest Swordsman.

But too much had happened back then.

Their blades never crossed that day.

Now, with the war of the century looming on the horizon—

Mihawk had followed his Vivre Card to this very place.

Because before that war began—

He and Ron would finally settle the question of supremacy in the way of the sword.

...

That very day—

Dracule Mihawk and Ron unleashed their full strength in an earth-shattering duel on Punk Hazard.

A battle between swordsman and swordsman.

A battle beyond imagination.

...

Kuina was the only swordsman in the world privileged enough to witness this clash with her own eyes.

And what she saw—

Defied all reason.

Each strike they unleashed, infused with unparalleled Haki, ripped open the skies and split the sea beneath them.

Kuina had never seen such breathtakingly brilliant sword slashes before—

A single swing of the blade, and the sky was painted with countless crimson streaks, falling like a meteor shower.

She had never witnessed such unimaginably heavy slashes—

A mere wave of sword pressure was enough to sweep away clouds, summon hurricanes, and raise tsunamis.

Crimson and deep green sword auras clashed as the Blood-red Blade and the Black Blade collided, sending shockwaves that pierced the heavens and cleaved the earth.

Their dark-purple Haki crackled as it intertwined and exploded, producing deafening booms that reverberated across the island.

Both of them had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

Their every swing, though executed casually, was so refined and pure that it resembled the ultimate secret techniques of lesser swordsmen—techniques considered legendary by the world.

But when swordsmen of this caliber truly wielded their sword techniques—

The sheer destructive power of their clash was beyond comprehension.

Even though both Mihawk and Ron made a conscious effort to control the trajectory of their slashes, it was inevitable—

Punk Hazard's landscape was carved apart.

Entire portions of the island—simply ceased to exist.

...

In the final exchange, Ron overpowered Mihawk with his superior Haki and unmatched physique.

One decisive strike—

And Mihawk was sent flying off the island.

In that instant—

The title of "World's Strongest Swordsman", which Mihawk had held for over a decade,

Was taken.

The throne of the greatest swordsman—

Had changed hands.

From this moment onward—

Ron stood at the pinnacle of the Way of the Sword.

...

Yet, despite his defeat—

Mihawk remained completely composed.

It was as if losing the title meant nothing to him.

Perhaps—

That was the truth.

Hoisting his legendary Black Blade, Yoru onto his back, Mihawk stepped forward and spoke to Ron.

"On my way here, I ran into Red-Haired Shanks."

"It seems... he wants to talk to you."

Mihawk gave Ron a location.

Hearing this, Ron's eyes flashed with a sharp glint.