One Piece: I Am The Greatest Swordsman

A/N: Don't use your brain too much when reading 😉

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Waves crashed fiercely against the crumbling reef, a violent rhythm echoing the intensity of the battle taking place.

A battle so fierce—yet only one spectator was able to witness it.

Clang!

Two blades, cloaked in Armament Haki, collided with a deafening crash. The air itself trembled, streaked with black lightning-like patterns. Steel clashed against steel, the ringing of metal resounding across the vast ocean.

Their clash summoned sword intent so fierce that the sky had begun to churn—lightning danced through the clouds, now tinged with black due to the Haki's influence. Thunder roared above as the two combatants turned this reef into a battleground of destruction.

Suddenly, Weiss lunged, his blade thrusting straight toward Bogard's face. The latter deflected just in time, countering with a dazzling sword strike that burst like fireworks, blocking the deadly attack.

"That was a fine strike," Weiss said.

"You're not bad yourself," Bogard replied.

"It's been a long time since I met someone who can match me in swordsmanship. Coming to the East Blue... that was the right decision," Bogard said, sounding surprisingly cheerful despite the danger.

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Cling! Another sword clash.

"You didn't challenge Hawkeye for a duel?" Weiss asked mid-swing.

Bogard didn't answer with words. Instead, he responded with a ferocious slash—faster, more violent than anything he'd unleashed before. It came crashing down like a tiger pouncing on its prey.

Weiss didn't need a verbal answer. That attack said everything: Bogard had already fought Hawkeye... and lost.

There was no denying it.

"Just a basic strike."

Weiss stepped forward without any buildup. His sword moved so fast it blurred, unleashing a massive arc of sword energy.

The slash tore through the air, causing the sea itself to churn violently. Splintered water droplets twisted and danced in the sky like they had a life of their own.

Boom!

Two slashes collided with thunderous force, merging midair into a single massive wave of sword intent. Under their control, it soared upward, cutting a rift through the sky.

"Look—up there!"

Back on the warship, unaware of the battle's details, sailors looked up and gasped. A vast tear had split open the clouds, cleaved apart by the strikes of two master swordsmen.

Thunderclouds were shredded, the sky gradually clearing.

Even though they couldn't see the fight, the aftermath was obvious. Had Garp not intercepted a few stray sword slashes earlier, their ship might've been sunk.

The Chris, lacking such protection, had retreated further out to sea. From its crow's nest, the distant battle was barely visible.

Yet even from afar, the destructive power of their sword intent shocked Jack.

"So this... this is what a real battle between strong warriors looks like?" he muttered, awe in his voice. "Such overwhelming power... I can feel the sword aura from here!"

And at that moment, Jack knew—his decision to follow Weiss across the world had been the right one.

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Two hours passed. The reef was now nearly gone, only a few scattered rocks remained as footholds for the duel.

Weiss frowned. His sword, reinforced with Armament Haki, was showing signs of stress. It had been forged years ago by the old blacksmith on Twin Swallow Island. Without his mastery of Haki, the blade would've shattered the day he stepped into the realm of the greatsword masters.

Though swordsmanship in the world of pirates emphasized agility and flow, once one grasped the art of flying slashes, it became more primal—direct, violent. Illusions and feints faded. Every clash pushed the blade closer to breaking.

In the end, swordsmanship became a race—to kill faster than your opponent could react.

Bogard glanced at the gashes on his shoulder and side—wounds from failing to block Weiss's strikes. His opponent was simply too fast. If not for years of honing his Armament Haki, that last blow would have been fatal.

Such was the nature of a swordsman's duel. Injuries were rare, but once they came—they were devastating.

"We've been going at this for a while now," Weiss said, gripping his sword. "Time to wrap it up. We've still got a voyage ahead."

"Yeah," Bogard agreed, though his breathing was heavier now. "If we keep going, there won't be much left of this place to stand on."

In truth, the match was already decided. Weiss remained at peak condition. Bogard, though formidable, had taken damage. He was no longer at his best.

But Bogard had seen something—a glimpse of a breakthrough. He couldn't stop now.

Their blades clashed again.

Bogard's expression shifted. Faster... he's gotten even faster! Was he still holding back?!

Weiss followed the path of the Quick Blade, believing in the principle: "Nothing is unbreakable, only speed is unbeatable."

If you're fast enough, your opponent won't even realize they're dead.

Even in a world where swords met head-on with brute force, Weiss's speed overwhelmed all—leaving enemies no time to react.

It was this philosophy that made his strikes lethal from the moment he set sail. That—and most of his opponents were too weak to withstand even one blow.

Now, Bogard was caught in the storm.

Weiss's sword danced like a hurricane—rain couldn't fall, and water parted before his strikes. Bogard's senses screamed. His blade met every slash, but only barely. There was no time to counter—he wasn't guiding his sword; Weiss was dictating the rhythm of the fight.

Across the sea, Weiss pressed the assault. Bogard retreated, defending desperately, leaving behind streaks of black in the air.

Spurt!

A shallow cut appeared on Bogard's arm. His Observation Haki had failed to predict that strike. Forced to use both hands, he gritted his teeth.

"Just a little more... What is that he's doing?!"

"Just a little more!"

Bogart panted heavily. The continuous barrage, paired with two hours of previous fighting, had drained him. His stamina was running low.

Whether he could even continue was now in question. But surrender? That wasn't an option. Not between swordsmen.

Weiss exhaled quietly, his breath steady. He hadn't fought this freely in ages.

Since becoming a great swordmaster, even sparring with his teacher felt like one-sided punishment—not a real duel.

Bogard, like Weiss, was still new to the realm of the true swordsman. That's what made him a worthy opponent.

"You're strong, Marine," Weiss said, standing atop a stone, sword lowered. "But still a step behind me. Let's end it here."

Bogard didn't reply. His sharp gaze remained fixed on Weiss.

Weiss sighed. "Fine. I have one more move. But if I use it—"

He raised his sword slowly.

"You might die."

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Currently at chapter 170 on Ko-Fi

https:// ko-fi.com/sami27