Chapter 485: Chapter 485: Phantasm Dracule Mihawk (3)
"Pattern?" Ben asked.
"Yes, Captain. It seems like when Phantasm Mihawk disappears for the vanish attack and appears, he for some reason stops for a few seconds, like he is recharging his stamina. Even when he attacks, he stops for a second before moving," Robin explained.
"I did notice that as well," Mikita agreed.
Ben thought for a second as well. He thought she was right. "Yes, everyone listen up Robin has figured it out. When Mihawk does any attack he loses his stamina. The vanish and appear attack he loses the most stamina and that is when he is the most vulnerable," Ben explained.
"Hina thinks so as well," Hina agreed.
"We would need to overwhelm him then strike," Zala said.
"That is going to be a bit difficult," Raki commented.
"But we are up to the challenge," Ben said. They all nodded. "Let's go," he ordered.
Ben flew toward Phantasm Mihawk. His wings flared as dark energy crackled around him. "Demon Barrage," he said as he summoned an array of small, dark energy projectiles that orbited his body before launching them.
Phantasm Mihawk moved Yoru left, right, and center. The blade intercepted every projectile, cutting through them as though they were no more than falling leaves.
Kaya hovered, her radiant wings gleaming in the light. "Angel Wing Slash," she said. Her wings glowed brighter and brighter until she released an arc of golden energy, the radiant crescent soaring toward Mihawk.
"Night Wind Splitting Waves," Phantasm Mihawk said as he unleashed a number of long-range slashes. The wave of golden energy collided with the slashes, resulting in an explosion of force that shrouded the battlefield in a dense cloud of smoke and dust.
Alvida charged forward, her kanabo raised high above her head. "Kanabo Crusher," she said as she brought the massive weapon down in a vertical strike.
Mihawk raised Yoru, halting the kanabo in its tracks. His piercing gaze locked onto Alvida, but before he could counter, Ben descended from above.
"Demon Abyssal Chains," Ben said as dark chains of energy erupted from his palms and snaked towards Mihawk.
"Crusader's Strike," Mihawk countered, his blade flashing downward. The chains shattered, dissolving into wisps of dark energy. Without hesitation, Mihawk turned his attention back to Alvida. "Crusader's Cross," Mihawk added as he executed a swift combination of two intersecting slashes on Alvida. The sheer force sent her hurtling backward. She crashed into a nearby tree with a gasp of pain. She panted as she looked at him.
Ben spun on one leg, channeling dark energy into his opposite limb. "Demon Inferno Kick," he said. The black flames engulfed his leg as he delivered a powerful kick aimed at Mihawk's face. The attack connected, the fire searing Mihawk's cheek and leaving a visible mark.
Mihawk's response was immediate. With a flick of Yoru, he executed a rapid counter-strike, slashing Ben across the chest. Ben staggered, blood spilling from the wound as he collapsed to the ground.
At that moment, Raki charged into the fray, her serpentine tail whipped forward like a hammer. Mihawk pivoted, using Yoru to block the attack. Raki followed up, trying to claw him. However Mihawk blocked the attack.
Just as Mihawk raised his blade. Tashigi leapt into the fight, her blade gleaming with green flames. "Mystic Fire," she said as she scraped her sword against the ground. The friction created a green-colored flaming projectile. Phantasm Mihawk swung his blade and stopped the attack.
"Breath of Basilisk," Raki said as she exhaled a plume of grey, mystical breath. The vapor went towards Phantasm Mihawk.
"Silent Night Hunting," he uttered. In an instant, his figure vanished, dissolving into a blur of spectral speed. Before Raki could react, Mihawk reappeared, executing a devastating blitz attack. The slash struck, cutting through her. A sharp cry escaped her lips as blood splattered from the wound across her chest. She staggered backward, clutching at her injury, before she collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
Ben pushed himself to his feet, his chest heaving from the effort. He lunged at Phantasm Mihawk, wrapping his arms tightly around the swordsman in a hold.
"Once Fleur," Robin said. In an instant, eleven arms sprouted across Phantasm Mihawk's body, each strategically gripping his wrists and arms. Robin's hands tightened like iron restraints, attempting to immobilise the master swordsman.
Honey created a flowing stream of purple liquid and shaped it into a whip. "Liquid Whip," she said. With a sharp crack, the whip lashed out, striking Yoru. The force knocked Mihawk's black blade from his grasp.
Robin then helped to keep Phantasm Mhawk in place. Despite Mihawk's attempts to break free, Ben held firm. "Tashigi, everyone, now's your chance," he said.
"Slash Gale," Tashigi said as she slashed downward aimed directly at Phantasm Mihawk`s chest. A large cut appeared where her blade connected, leaving a mark.
"Shave," Kalifa said as she blurred into motion, appearing to Mihawk's flank. "Bendy Finger Pistol Whip," she added, pulling her arm back. She then whipped her arm forward. Her finger connected with Mihawk's side in a sharp jab. She penetrated him, leaving a bloody wound. The impact sent a ripple through his body.
"Shave," Maya said as she also vanished. She reappeared directly in front of Mihawk. She could feel that it was really tiring. "Cess Slice," Maya added as she gripped her sword tightly and brought it down in a sharp vertical slash. The blade cut across Mihawk's chest, leaving a thin yet visible gash. Blood left from the wound.
"Iron Punch," Hina said as she extended an iron rod from her palm and slammed into Mihawk's shoulder. The strike connected with a resounding clang.
Phantasm Mihawk's eyes glinted coldly. In a flash, he drew his smaller blade from its sheath. Without hesitation, he drove it into Ben's lower stomach with a ruthless stab. Ben's breath hitched, his grip around Mihawk loosening as pain surged through his body.
Mihawk yanked Yoru free from the ground. "Black Blade of Infinity," he said as he unleashed a relentless barrage of slashes.
The first wave of slashes tore through the space toward Maya, who barely had time to raise her sword in defense. The impact sent her flying backward, her weapon clattering to the ground as she crashed hard against the earth.
Kalifa's whip lashed out in an attempt to deflect the incoming strikes, but the speed and power of Mihawk's attack overwhelmed her. A diagonal slash connected with her side, sending her spinning through the air before she hit the ground.
Tashigi got hit with the flyings slash. The force of the blow hurled her backward, her body skidding along the ground as went flying back.
Hina extended her iron rods in an attempt to block the incoming assault but the sheer intensity of Mihawk's attack overwhelmed even her. She was sent tumbling back, crashing into the dirt with a loud thud.
Ben dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach as blood seeped through his fingers.
Phantasm Mihawk turned his cold eyes toward Kaya. "Night Wind Slash," he said as he sent a long-range, razor-sharp wave towards her with blinding speed.
Kaya narrowly evaded the attack. "Angel Heaven's Arrow," Kaya said. A glowing, radiant arrow materialised in her hands. She hurled it with tremendous speed at Mihawk.
Mihawk raised Yoru and brought it down. "Crusader's Guillotine," he remarked as he cleaved the arrow in two. Mihawk disappeared into a blur of motion. "Silent Night Hunting," he said, reappearing in front of Kaya in an instant. His blade flashed, striking her with a ruthless, lightning-fast attack. Kaya cried out in pain as the blow sent her spiraling down from the sky.
Ben reacted in the nick of time, rushing forward and catching Kaya before she hit the ground. "Kaya!" he called out. Kaya had a wound on her chest however it was recovering. Her clothes had some blood stains.
Phantasm Mihawk landed gracefully.
"Sunfire Talon Strike," Conis said as she charged towards him, flames erupted from her taloned hands. Her fists glowed with solar energy. She leapt forward and delivered a punch, the flames exploding on impact. The sheer force of the strike sent Phantasm Mihawk skidding back.
Alvida didn't hesitate, using the opening. "Kanabo Reaper," she roared, swinging Seraphina in a wide, devastating arc. The blow connected with staggering force, hurling Mihawk across the battlefield.
"Moonwalk," Nojiko said, propelling herself into the air with kicks. She soared across the battlefield. "Lightning Blast," she said as she formed a dark storm cloud in her palm. A powerful bolt of lightning shot forth. The bolt hit Mihawk squarely, the blinding flash illuminated the field. He was blasted backward, electricity surging around him as he crashed into the ground with a thunderous impact.
Phantasm Mihawk rose from the ground. He looked at Conis. He leapt towards Conis and closed the distance in an instant. "Holy Cleave," he said as he slashed upwards. Conis tried to react, her talons glowing with flames as she raised them in defense, but she was a fraction too slow. The slash connected. Conis let out a gasp of pain as the force of the attack sent her sprawling to the ground.
Phantasm Mihawk turned towards Nojiko. Without hesitation, he said, "Night Wind Slash." A razor-sharp air blast erupted from Yoru, streaking through the air. Nojiko saw the attack coming and tried to move, however she was also too late. The slash struck her cleanly, across her midsection. The force of the attack knocked her down. Blood seeped from her wound as she crashed to the ground.
"No more," Vivi said as she transformed into her hybrid form. Her fingers elongated, her nails sharpening into sleek, black claws. From her back, a pair of large wings sprouted. A long, black tail emerged from the base of her spine. On her head, two small, curved horns began to form on her forehead. Her eyes which were red, were now a deeper shade of red. Her chest grew large.
Ben also transformed into his beast form. His body continued to grow and his height shot to 28 feet. His limbs elongated and thickened with muscle. His legs became longer and more muscular. His tail grew larger and wider. His crotch had a cocoon like shell. His fingers extended into sharp, claw-like talons. The air around him seemed to thrum with an ominous energy.