Although the number of participants had been drastically reduced, the second round of the Swordsmanship Tournament still lasted a full month. Over the course of these relentless battles, countless sword masters refined their skills, sharpened their instincts, and broke through long-standing limits.
Among all of them, one figure shone the brightest.
Shanks.
At only twenty years old, he stepped into the realm of a Great Swordsman, a feat so rare on the high seas that it left countless veterans stunned into silence. Such talent in swordsmanship was nothing short of monstrous, and even seasoned fighters could not help but feel a trace of shame when compared to him.
By the end of this grueling month, the final 128 qualifiers had been decided.
Every single one of them stood at the peak of their respective tiers. Aside from the Great Swordsmen, the remaining participants were all top-class swordsmen, individuals who could be considered powerful even within the harsh environment of the New World.
Among these 128, there were fifty-nine confirmed Great Swordsmen, nearly half of the total.
Only now did the world begin to grasp the true scale of hidden strength within the seas. For many ordinary people, the concept of a Great Swordsman had always been vague, almost mythical. In their eyes, even an ordinary swordsman was already a formidable figure, yet this tournament had revealed dozens upon dozens of individuals who stood far beyond that level.
And this number only accounted for those who had exposed their abilities.
Among the remaining participants, who could say how many were still concealing their true strength?
Even the Night Pirates could not possess perfect intelligence on every single individual.
At the same time, discussions surrounding the title of "World's Strongest Swordsman" reached a fever pitch.
Aside from the three early favorites, Dracule Mihawk, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and the mysterious Slaughter Swordsman, several other Great Swordsmen had emerged as potential contenders.
Among them, the most widely acknowledged favorite was Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Throughout the entire tournament, he remained undefeated.
More than that, he defeated his opponents with overwhelming ease, his blade carrying a terrifying intent that seemed capable of erasing everything in its path. Many swordsmen, upon facing him, abandoned the fight before it even began, unable to withstand the sheer pressure of his presence.
He had spent over twenty years refining his path as a Great Swordsman, reaching a level far beyond most of his peers. Compared to him, Mihawk, who had only entered this realm a few years prior, still lacked the same depth of experience.
Yoriichi had even clashed with Shiki the Golden Lion in the past. Though he ultimately lost, that record alone proved his standing as a true powerhouse of the seas.
Taking all factors into account, many believed Mihawk's chances of defeating him were no more than thirty percent.
Then there was the mysterious Slaughter Swordsman, a figure who stirred both fear and disgust.
Known only by the codename "Gentleman," he was, in truth, a hidden agent of CP0.
His brutality left a deep impression on all who witnessed his battles. Unlike most participants, he showed no restraint, cutting down his opponents mercilessly without giving them the chance to surrender.
Of the dozens of deaths that occurred throughout the tournament, at least half were attributed to him.
His reputation grew darker with every match.
Eventually, some of his scheduled opponents simply refused to appear, choosing forfeiture over certain death.
Yet despite his cruelty, his strength was undeniable.
It was precisely because of him that another hidden powerhouse was brought into the spotlight.
A blind swordsman.
This man, known as Issho, had long wandered the world as a gambler, frequenting casinos across the seas. To most, he was nothing more than an eccentric drifter.
No one expected him to possess such terrifying strength.
A Great Swordsman who wielded a powerful Devil Fruit ability, Issho's mastery of gravity completely altered the battlefield. His presence restricted movement, suppressed speed, and even neutralized incoming slashes.
When he clashed with "Gentleman," the battle became one of the most intense spectacles of the tournament.
In the end, it was the Slaughter Swordsman who chose to withdraw.
Not because he was defeated, but because continuing the fight would yield no meaningful result.
His true goal had never been the title. It was the cursed blade, Shichiseiken.
As long as he remained alive, there would be opportunities to seize it after the tournament. With his own strength and the backing of CP0, obtaining it was merely a matter of time.
Issho's rise to fame was immediate.
A hidden powerhouse from the common populace, his name spread across the seas, and his existence caught the attention of the Marines. Unlike the Slaughter Swordsman, who was immediately placed on their blacklist with a bounty of 300 million Berries, Issho was seen as someone worth recruiting.
Ironically, the Marines had no idea that "Gentleman" was one of their own allies under the World Government.
Nor did "Gentleman" show any restraint. Two unlucky Marines crossed his path during the tournament and were cut down without hesitation.
Had the truth been revealed, the situation would have been absurd beyond words.
The tournament itself had now entered its final structure.
Four rounds in total.
The third round would select eleven individuals from the 128 qualifiers based on total victories.
The fourth and final round would be a round-robin among those eleven. Each would face every other participant once, and the one who achieved ten consecutive victories would claim the title of World's Strongest Swordsman.
The journey had been long.
Half a month for the first round. One full month for the second. Nearly another month for the third.
As the number of participants dwindled, the intensity only grew.
Every battle carried the weight of life and death. Every decision could determine victory or defeat in an instant. At the same time, seasoned fighters knew when to withdraw. Preserving strength for the next battle was just as important as winning the current one.
This was no longer a tournament.
It was war.
At last, the eleven finalists were decided.
They stood at the very peak of the swordsmanship world.
Dracule Mihawk.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
The Slaughter Swordsman "Gentleman."
The blind swordsman Issho.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru of Wano Country.
"Shadow Dragon" Redyat.
Ama Tsuki Takeji of Wano.
"Heavenly King" Rhinos.
Marine Admiral Borsalino.
Kenshin Himura of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū.
And the dual-wielding "Black Swordsman," Kirigaya Suguha.
Among them, two hailed from Wano.
Several, like Issho, Redyat, Rein, and Borsalino, were Devil Fruit users who had seamlessly integrated their abilities into their swordsmanship, creating entirely unique combat styles.
Borsalino's performance, in particular, shocked many.
Known primarily for his Glint-Glint Fruit, he had refrained from relying on speed alone, instead condensing light into a blade and fighting purely through swordsmanship. Even within the Marines, few had realized the depth of his skill.
Meanwhile, Kenshin Himura revealed himself as the fourteenth successor of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, a legendary sword style passed down for centuries. Despite its long history, its practitioners rarely appeared on the high seas, making his presence all the more unexpected.
Kirigaya Suguha, on the other hand, had no prestigious lineage. A lone wanderer who trained at an ordinary dojo, his rise was a testament to sheer talent and relentless effort.
Not everyone made it.
Shanks, despite his breakthrough, was eliminated.
The competition was simply too fierce, and his recent advancement left him lacking the refinement needed to compete at this level. With a few more years, his chances would have been far greater, but in this arena, there were no second chances.
The same fate befell Shiryu, Mostima, and Vista.
Their strength was undeniable, but they had not yet reached their peak.
Even so, the experience gained through these battles was invaluable. Their paths had become clearer, and it was only a matter of time before they broke through to the next realm.
Among the finalists, the youngest were Redyat at twenty-three and Mihawk at twenty-two.
Redyat's strength was enhanced by a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, granting him superior physical attributes and a clear advantage in endurance and power.
Mihawk, in contrast, relied solely on his blade.
He had become a Great Swordsman at the astonishing age of eighteen, honing his craft through relentless challenges across the New World. Though still young, his foundation was solid, and his potential was limitless.
Even so, many could see the gap.
He was not yet ready to claim the title.
In truth, the hierarchy among the finalists was clear.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni stood alone at the top.
The others, no matter how strong, remained a step behind.
Had the tournament taken place five or six years later, the outcome might have been far less certain. Time would close the gaps, and the competition would become far more unpredictable.
But for now, the balance was obvious.
Yoriichi was the overwhelming favorite.
Yet for him, the title itself held little meaning.
What he pursued was not fame, but the ultimate peak of swordsmanship, the legendary realm of a sword god.
Titles could be taken.
Only the path endured.
Still, the tournament's purpose extended beyond a single victor.
The title of World's Strongest Swordsman was not permanent.
It could be challenged.
Claimed.
Stolen.
Even those who fell short today would have their chance in the future.
As the final eleven prepared themselves, tension filled the air.
Even those who knew they could not defeat Yoriichi still had reason to fight. The top three would earn the right to challenge the three witnesses, an opportunity far more valuable than any title.
For warriors, battles against the strongest were the greatest treasure. Under pressure, growth was inevitable.
Three days of rest were granted.
On the largest screen within the Battle Pyramid, a countdown began.
The final stage was approaching.