Mr. 1 raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised. "You know who I am?"
"That makes things easier," Bai Yu replied coolly.
"Turn around and leave—I'll act like I never saw you."
His voice carried weight, thick with unspoken threat.
Hoo, hoo...
Bai Yu exhaled slowly, then drew a massive novice sword from his back. With a sharp swing, the blade cut through the air with a thunderous whoosh, kicking up dust around him.
"A bounty of 75 million," Bai Yu said, his tone calm but edged. "Try not to disappoint me."
He pointed his sword directly at Mr. 1.
"Hmph," Mr. 1 scoffed, his pride unmistakable. "I've never been cut by a swordsman."
He wasn't exaggerating. After consuming the Dice-Dice Fruit, Mr. 1 had gained the terrifying ability to turn any part of his body into blades—razor-sharp, steel-hard edges that could slice through stone. Even his internal organs were now hardened, making him impervious to most physical attacks, including standard bullets from marine muskets.
"Then I'll be the first," Bai Yu replied, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
The two warriors fell into silence.
An oppressive stillness took over the desert scene.
BOOM!
Mr. 1 launched first. With both feet slamming into the sand, he propelled himself forward like a cannonball, kicking up a cloud of grit behind him.
Ka-ka-ka!
As he moved, a metallic screech sounded—his arms transformed instantly into gleaming, deadly blades.
In a blur, Mr. 1 was already upon Bai Yu, arms slicing inward from both sides like a guillotine.
Clang!
At the last second, Bai Yu ducked sharply.
The twin blades clashed over his head, missing him by inches and clanging against each other, sending sparks flying.
Bai Yu slid back with his right foot and gripped the hilt of his tachi with both hands.
Power surged through his frame.
Clang!
Chirp-chirp!
With a swift, fluid motion, he slashed diagonally across Mr. 1's chest.
Another eruption of sparks burst out from the metal hide.
But Bai Yu didn't stop.
His sword continued sliding across Mr. 1's torso, sending a high-pitched shriek of steel-on-steel echoing across the dunes.
Clang!
Mr. 1 stumbled back, the sheer force of Bai Yu's attack forcing him to retreat.
He looked down.
Where the blade had struck, his chest had already morphed into solid steel, but it wasn't enough.
A deep gash marred his chest—so deep, it had nearly cracked through the armored blade-flesh.
Lifting his gaze, Mr. 1's expression shifted. The arrogance had vanished.
Now, there was caution. Doubt.
"The next strike," Bai Yu said, raising a finger mockingly, "will shatter your turtle shell."
Tch!
Humiliated, Mr. 1's eyes burned with fury.
He surged forward again, blades forming under his feet to propel him faster than before.
Buzz-buzz!
His arms morphed once again, now covered in countless spinning blades, whirling violently and emitting a menacing metallic hum.
This was Mr. 1's strongest move: the Spiral Guillotine.
But Bai Yu didn't flinch.
He inhaled steadily, calming his mind, drawing every ounce of focus inward.
As Mr. 1 closed the gap, Bai Yu lifted his sword high over his shoulder—
—and slashed downward with crushing force.
CLANG!
Steel met steel.
The powerful swing of Bai Yu's sword collided with the bladed whirlwind of Mr. 1's arms.
The clash rang out like thunder.
Sparks exploded between them.
A burst of wind howled from the impact, scattering sand and stone.
Their weapons locked in a violent struggle—neither side giving ground.
CLACK!
And then—it happened.
A clean, crisp crack rang out.
Gasps erupted from the watching marines nearby.
"No way…"
"Mr. 1's blades… cracked?!"
"Tch, I told you," Bai Yu muttered.
With a sudden surge of force from his trembling grip—
BANG!
Mr. 1's spinning blades shattered into fragments.
Tear!
Without their steel defense, his arms were helpless against the tachi.
Bai Yu's sword bit into flesh.
A vicious wound tore across both of Mr. 1's arms, blood spilling out in waves.
"Arghhhh!"
Mr. 1 screamed in agony, his strength wavering.
"It's over."
But Bai Yu wasn't finished.
He stepped forward and slammed a brutal kick into Mr. 1's chest.
Boom!
Mr. 1's body flew backward, skidding through the sand, coughing blood.
Hum...
Bai Yu raised his sword once more.
A silver glow danced along its edge, a hum of pure sword intent filling the air.
With a single motion, he unleashed a mighty slash.
Hoo-boom!
A turquoise half-moon of sword energy surged forward, howling through the desert wind.
"Don't even think about it!"
Mr. 1 roared, summoning the last of his strength.
With a flash of steel, he turned his entire body into solid blades—his final defense.