One Piece: Starting at the War of the Best

"World Sever!"

Before anyone could see the final outcome, Katie's voice echoed from within the ruins.

"As expected of Hawkeye."

Although it was only a voice, the emotion contained within was clear—this was an all-or-nothing final strike. It was evident Hawkeye had won the previous exchange. No one was surprised by this result; after all, the title of "World's Greatest Swordsman" isn't something casually earned.

A powerful aura surged into the sky, dispersing the remnants of chaotic energy, and at last, those watching could see the scene clearly.

Hawkeye stood there just as he had at the start—calm and composed, with no hint of emotion on his face. By contrast, Katie looked to be in a much worse state.

A massive wound, nearly half a meter long, stretched from his shoulder to his abdomen. Blood gushed from the injury, soaking his body and staining the ice beneath his feet a glaring red.

Though his expression was hidden, the aura emanating from him was feral, a desperate resistance akin to a beast making its final struggle.

"Aokiji, Kizaru—cover me in a bit."

Though Akainu didn't say it outright, both men understood his intent perfectly—he planned to ambush the weakened Katie.

They weren't fond of Akainu's tactics, but in war, there was no need for sympathy toward an enemy. Besides, Katie had brought great shame upon the Navy, and for once, Aokiji agreed with Akainu's approach.

"Aren't you going to act?" Whitebeard asked softly, glancing at the shadows nearby.

"We're allies, not comrades. We have no obligation to step in. Everyone faces danger. If he can't survive this, it simply means he's not qualified. You should understand better than us what consequences await him—for the Navy, or the World Government."

The cold voice drifted with the wind, heard only by Whitebeard.

"Heh… Still the same as ever. The Aloof Crimson."

"Haha. If you've got time to worry about that brat, better start thinking about your own situation. Even someone like you won't be able to walk away from this unscathed. You really think the Navy will just let you go?"

Whitebeard didn't respond to the Aloof Crimson's mockery. His eyes looked into the distance, unfocused, before he turned to Marco and the others beside him.

"No matter what happens next, you must go and help that brat. Understood?"

Even if those two wouldn't act, Whitebeard wouldn't just sit by. After all, he still owed Katie a great favor.

"Yes, Pops!"

No one objected—they had no reason to. If Katie hadn't stepped in, it might've been Ace standing against Hawkeye right now. They didn't understand everything that happened, but one thing was clear: Katie had helped them. That alone meant they couldn't ignore his plight.

Elsewhere, Katie had completed her charge. Strength, spirit, and will—everything was now focused into one final blow.

This strike—she was betting everything on it. After this, she would have no strength left.

Under the gaze of countless onlookers, Katie moved.

Herbright foot stepped forward as her right hand swept the sword "Poqong" through the air. The silver-white blade gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, so bright it hurt to look at.

"Slash!"

As her voice rang out, the blade came to a stop. A massive sword energy, dozens of meters long, formed in an instant and shot toward Hawkeye. Its sharpness could be felt even through the screen.

But Katie wasn't done.

Shifting her weight forward, she brought her back foot up and stepped again, following through with a swing from her other Hakuken blade.

The gleaming blade sliced through the air, forming a near-perfect arc—just one last stroke and the second slash would be complete!

But at that exact moment, something strange occurred. Katie's figure vanished—completely, utterly gone. No trace of him remained—no silhouette, no aura—and even the nearly-formed sword energy disappeared along with him.

In that instant, Hawkeye's long-dormant danger instinct flared violently. Before he could locate Katie's presence, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and a tearing sensation pierced through his clothing, stinging his skin.

Though unseen, Hawkeye knew: Katie—and that sword energy—were now behind him. He understood Katie's intention. Two slashes—one after another—were set to converge on him from front and back, forming a deadly pincer attack.

He had to admit—he had underestimated this young woman. Though he'd already realized Katie's sword intent involved spatial manipulation, Hawkeye hadn't believed the girl had yet mastered such a profound level of ability.

But reality forced him to reevaluate Katie's monstrous talent. Her sword techniques didn't just ripple space—they now incorporated spatial teleportation. That alone made this strike troublesome even for him. Both attacks were now arriving simultaneously—there was no time to dodge, no room to evade. A mere sword energy clash could no longer resolve this crisis.

Hawkeye wasn't the only one stunned. Everyone present, upon witnessing this moment, was left speechless. None of them could tell how Katie had done it. Although the distance and suddenness dulled their senses, this feat was something few—if any—could replicate.

"Akainu, maybe I should be the one to make a move," said Kizaru, usually indifferent and uninvolved, now breaking from his norm after witnessing Katie's outburst. He sensed danger from Katie—a faint but real threat he dared not ignore.

"Forget it. I'll handle it. Your Armament Haki still isn't strong enough. If you fail to kill her in one strike and she escapes by turning into her elemental form, it'll become a problem."

Akainu rejected Kizaru's offer outright. Determined to ensure a one-hit kill, he insisted on doing it himself.

"…Fine. But make sure your aim is accurate. Don't mess it up," Kizaru said, giving up with a reluctant warning, clearly still uneasy.

"Swallow Return!"

At that moment, Hawkeye used a sword technique he hadn't called upon in a long time.

His movements appeared no different than usual—calm and precise. Just before the frontal attack reached him, Hawkeye released a burst of sword energy. However, the strike from behind was arriving at the exact same time, about to land directly on him. Even for him, there wasn't enough time to turn and release a second slash.

Katie's eyes were locked on Hawkeye, analyzing her every movement. Although things didn't look good for Hawkeye, Katie believed this wouldn't be enough to defeat him.

Then, she saw something unbelievable.

Hawkeye hadn't withdrawn his blade—he merely gave it a slight vibration, and instantly, another wave of sword energy erupted.

The ultimate strike Katie had poured everything into… was neutralized—just like that.