The world is vast, filled with legends and myths born from countless cultures across the seas.
The Kamaitachi is a creature of folklore, a phantom that moves unseen, leaving only a sudden whirlwind in its wake. Those unfortunate enough to be caught within its gusts would find their bodies slashed by invisible blades.
Cavendish's alternate personality attacked much like the Kamaitachi—swift, unseen, and deadly as a storm.
Because of this, the Marines dubbed Cavendish's alternate persona the "Kamaitachi of Rommel."
With such an elusive and devastating attack style, nearly every target marked by this persona met an instant demise.
Only powerful pirates with massive bounties, like Borsy the Fanged Sword, could withstand the relentless Kamaitachi strikes for even a short time.
That had always been the case.
Yet now, Maude had effortlessly pinned Cavendish's sword to the ground with a single step, sending an unprecedented surge of crisis through Cavendish's alternate personality.
Even so, the killing intent in his white, vacant eyes did not wane in the slightest.
"Keh..."
Cavendish let out a short, eerie laugh and immediately activated Armament Haki, coating Durandal in its dark gleam.
Then, he attempted the same trick again, forcefully twisting his wrist.
The moment Maude's foot pressed down on Durandal, the blade emitted a faint tremor.
Empowered by Armament Haki, the sudden rotation of the blade unleashed a powerful force, directly impacting Maude's foot.
"Tch."
Maude's eyes flickered with intrigue as the unexpected force propelled him into the air. However, he swiftly adjusted, landing smoothly on his feet.
"So, you can use Armament Haki."
Maude looked at Cavendish with growing interest.
Despite sharing the same body, the original Cavendish did not know how to use Haki, whereas his alternate persona wielded both Armament and Observation Haki with skill.
The contrast was striking, as though two completely different souls resided within him.
"Interesting."
Maude's curiosity was piqued. He wondered what would happen if he were to sever Cavendish's shadow.
Having freed himself from Maude's hold, Cavendish turned his cold, murderous gaze toward him and launched another attack without hesitation.
Whoosh!
Cavendish vanished from sight, leaving behind a sharp gust of wind surging toward Maude.
Maude's eyes gleamed red as he tracked Cavendish's rapid and deadly attack trajectory with his Observation Haki.
Impressive.
Such a fierce, lightning-fast offensive exhibited a level of swordsmanship that made him seem invincible to anyone without keen Observation Haki.
"With this level of skill, Cavendish could easily carve out a name for himself in the New World..."
While pondering, Maude casually raised his arm and swung his black blade, Shusui, against the incoming assault.
Clang!
The strike created a burst of sparks in the empty air.
After the initial clash, Maude swiftly repositioned and struck upward, intercepting Cavendish's unseen rapier once more, creating another burst of sparks before they separated again.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their blades clashed hundreds of times in mere seconds.
From the moment Maude pinned Cavendish's sword with his foot to the instant he swiftly dispatched Borsy with a single thrust, and now, their current dazzling exchange—it had all occurred in less than a minute.
The watching crowd was left utterly speechless.
At the roots of Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Rayleigh and his companions remained focused on the battle.
Brook, watching in awe, couldn't help but marvel at Cavendish's terrifyingly swift swordplay.
Such relentless, whirlwind-like attacks were something he could only dream of achieving.
As someone who specialized in speed-based swordsmanship, Brook had always concentrated his speed into a decisive, singular strike.
Even with his current lightweight skeletal body, he couldn't replicate Cavendish's continuous barrage.
"This man is unbelievably strong!"
Brook was shaken, his worry for Maude growing.
He glanced at Gaya and the others, noting their calm demeanor, and chose to remain silent.
While Brook was in awe of Cavendish's rapid swordplay, Cavendish himself was in turmoil.
"I can't land a hit!"
His mind reeled.
No matter how much he increased his attack speed, he couldn't break through Maude's defense.
In this brief half-minute of combat, he felt like he was up against an insurmountable mountain.
A feeling he had never experienced before.
"Impossible, this is impossible...!"
Cavendish refused to accept it.
The thrill of the hunt, the ecstasy of killing—none of it stirred within him in Maude's presence.
If he couldn't indulge in slaughter, then there was no meaning in his control over this body.
Suddenly, his killing intent surged.
Fueled by bloodlust, his attacks grew even faster.
Yet, Maude remained unfazed, effortlessly deflecting every strike.
"Why... why can't I hit you...?!"
After countless failed attacks, Cavendish's frustration boiled over.
His flawless offensive began to falter, slight openings appearing in his movements.
Maude seized the moment, sidestepping an incoming strike before bringing his blade down, knocking Durandal toward the ground.
Then, in a smooth motion, he raised his foot and stomped it down on Cavendish's sword once more.
Boom!
The impact cracked the ground beneath them.
Cavendish's figure finally became visible again.
This time, the manic glint in his eyes was laced with fear. His body trembled ever so slightly.
For the first time in his existence, the persona that thrived on bloodshed had come to understand true fear.
"What's wrong? Are you afraid?"
Maude's presence exuded a chilling aura, as if steeped in blood. His calm gaze locked onto Cavendish, who struggled to suppress his fear.
Under Maude's Observation Haki, even the faintest tremble was as noticeable as a star in the night sky.
His words struck Cavendish's core like a spear.
He was afraid.
Because he realized Maude had not even been fighting at full strength.
And yet, he had already pushed himself to the limit, only to be humiliated again, his sword crushed underfoot.
Faced with Maude's overwhelming power, both his body and spirit had been utterly crushed.
Then, in a sudden act of self-preservation, Cavendish's alternate persona surrendered control of the body back to his original self.
The moment the true Cavendish regained control, still unconscious, his body collapsed.
Maude raised an eyebrow but chose not to deal a finishing blow. Instead, he grabbed Cavendish and walked toward the tree roots where Rayleigh and the others watched.
Brook, staring in disbelief, muttered, "To think that incredible speed was nullified twice in the same manner... That means..."
A complex expression crossed his face.
In contrast to Cavendish's skill, Maude's power had become even more apparent.
To serve under such a captain... Brook couldn't help but think—it was a stroke of fortune.
Meanwhile, the watching crowd remained silent as Maude carried Cavendish away like a mere sack of potatoes.
How many Supernovas had already fallen at Maude's hands?
They watched his retreating figure, eyes filled with reverence and fear.
On a massive tree root some distance away, the captain of the White Whale Pirates, Marcus Haus, and his vice-captain, Gant, were also watching in silence, their expressions grim.
"We severely underestimated Maude's strength."
Haus' tone was heavy.
Gant's lips moved slightly before he nodded, equally serious. "This guy… He's a monster. We should just head straight for the New World."
Haus wordlessly agreed.
Having witnessed Maude's overwhelming battle against Cavendish's dual personalities, any lingering thoughts of seizing an easy opportunity had completely vanished.
Time to scram…
Maude tossed Cavendish's unconscious body onto a tree root before nodding slightly toward Rayleigh and the others. Then, with a light step, he launched himself into the air using Moonwalk.
Three Supernovas still remained on the island.
Two of them were positioned just two numbered groves away. Naturally, Maude had no intention of letting such prime prey escape. Without hesitation, he used Moonwalk to propel himself toward Haus and Gant.
The moment Maude executed Moonwalk, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Those who spoke up had clearly recognized the technique—one of the Navy's Six Powers, Moonwalk!
Among the crowd, a hooded figure stood quietly, her face hidden beneath layers of fabric.
Robin tilted her head slightly, her deep eyes reflecting a glimmer of intrigue as she watched Maude stride effortlessly through the air.
On the roots of Grove 15—
The members of the White Whale Pirates, who had just been preparing to retreat, quickly noticed Maude soaring toward them.
They had already abandoned the idea of taking Maude's head for fame and glory.
But now, Maude was coming for them.
In an instant, the White Whale Pirates' expressions tightened.
"Shoot him down!"
Haus didn't hesitate for a second before barking the order.
The crew instantly responded, raising their guns and aiming at the airborne Maude before pulling the trigger.
Bang! Bang!
A barrage of gunfire erupted, and the battle began anew!
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