Quote from true_grave_unit
Was Luffy using Haki when he predicted that his arms would get cut off if he attacked Hawkeyes? Or was that just him utilizing his battle experience? Anyhow, Hawkeyes truly deserves that title of the world's #1 swordsman if he cut a frozen tidal wave without any apparent effort. I'm looking forward to seeing if Whitebeard or Luffy have up their sleeves to get out of this new bind or if they'll simply use brute force to win (it's worked so far, after all).
I think its Hawkeyes swordsman aura is what Luffy saw. And, for Luffy was able to read it, is quite a feat. Even Mihawk acknowledged it when he said Luffy is actually quite "calm". I guess you can say he has grown in battle experience as well... He has met so many strong people he is able to gauge the strength of an opponent and read their attacks better. But remember, Mihawk is rumored to fight on equal terms against Shanks, so its safe to say that his aura is similar to Shanks.
Also, the funny thing about Luffy, he always knows who he should fight. I think even Zoro mentioned this once in Enies lobby when Luffy was fighting against the leopard guy, Rob Lucci. He knows Mihawk is not his opponent, because he saw him own Zoro (too powerful as of now), also because he is a swordsman (not really compatible with a brawler like Luffy who has rubber DF abilities) and to top it off, he needs to save Ace!
I completely agree with you on the fact that Mihawk is the most powerful swordsman! He is my favorite anti-hero (wont really call him a bad guy) and one of my favorite characters in OP.
Also, notice that even the fifth division of WB can fight on equal terms with a Shichibukai like Mihawk. That truly says something about the WB crew!
Overall, nice chapter. Especially when reading it after a week of exams!
![smile](emoticons/beigesmile.gif)