The Going Merry glided over the waves, Baratie now a fading speck on the horizon. The scent of the sea was familiar, but my mind was restless. The events that had just unfolded played over in my head like a broken record.
I had witnessed firsthand the arrival of Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman. I had watched Zoro challenge him and lose—brutally. And in that loss, I had seen something terrifyingly beautiful: conviction.
Zoro had faced death and smiled. He had no regrets.
I wasn't sure I could say the same for myself.
The Baratie Incident - Recounting the Chaos
The Baratie had been nothing short of chaos.
We had barely set foot in the floating restaurant before trouble started brewing. First, Fullbody strutted in like he owned the place, only to be humiliated by Sanji's unyielding attitude and footwork.
Then came the storm—Don Krieg's fleet.
A massive warship had emerged on the horizon, ragged and barely afloat, its sails torn and crew desperate. At first, I had thought it was some lucky break for us. A dying ship, a dying crew. Nothing to worry about.
Then he had arrived.
Dracule Mihawk.
His small coffin-boat sliced through the ocean with a stillness that was almost unnatural. No waves dared to disturb his path. When he moved, it wasn't with haste—it was deliberate, like a beast that knew it was at the top of the food chain.
And then he destroyed Don Krieg's fleet.
One swing. One. That was all it took for Mihawk to slice Krieg's flagship into floating debris. The precision, the elegance—it was something beyond human.
Zoro had known, too.
I remember his gaze locking onto Mihawk, his jaw tightening, his fists clenching. And before I could stop him, before anyone could stop him, he was already leaping forward.
"I challenge you!"
Mihawk had looked at him with amusement.
"Very well."
The battle had been over before it even started.
Zoro was relentless. He pushed, he slashed, he screamed. His three swords blurred through the air, but Mihawk didn't even bother drawing his actual weapon. Instead, he wielded a tiny dagger.
And he still won.
Every swing from Zoro had been met with effortless deflection. Mihawk hadn't counterattacked—he had waited. Waited for Zoro to realize the gap between them was an endless abyss.
And then Mihawk had struck.
Three slashes, deep but precise. Not enough to kill—but enough to leave a permanent mark.
Zoro, bleeding, had refused to fall.
"I will never lose again," he had sworn, arms spread wide. "Not until I defeat you."
For the first time, Mihawk had smiled.
"Good," he had said, before finally cutting him down.
Zoro had collapsed, but before Mihawk could turn away—
I stepped forward.
Facing Mihawk - A Fool's Gamble
"What do you want?" Mihawk's golden eyes locked onto me, his curiosity piqued.
I exhaled. My grip tightened on my sword. This is stupid. I should walk away.
But I didn't.
"I want to fight."
Mihawk tilted his head. "Another fool seeking death?"
I smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I just want to see how far I can go."
For a brief moment, the world was silent. Then Mihawk moved.
The dagger flashed toward me faster than I could react—no, that wasn't right. I reacted.
[Observation Haki: Basic]—Activated.
My vision expanded. The moment slowed. I could see the blade's trajectory, feel the weight of Mihawk's killing intent pressing against my chest.
I moved. Barely.
The dagger's edge kissed my cheek, drawing blood. I lunged forward, my blade glowing faintly with cursed energy.
Cleave.
The air split as I swung, the force strong enough to tear through solid steel. Mihawk raised an eyebrow—and countered.
With one casual motion, he knocked my sword aside, his strength overwhelming.
"Interesting," he murmured. "You have talent. And something… else."
I staggered back, breathing hard. The gap between us was absurd. My body was faster, stronger than Zoro's at this stage, but Mihawk wasn't just strong—he was untouchable.
But I wasn't done.
I adjusted my stance, tapping deeper into the Sukuna template. Energy crackled around me as I dashed forward, my movements sharper, more refined.
For a brief moment, I tapped into Reverse Cursed Technique. The wound on my cheek knit itself back together.
Mihawk's eyes flickered with interest. "Regeneration?"
Then he smiled—and drew Yoru.
One swing. I barely dodged. The wind pressure alone tore into the deck.
I was outmatched.
I was laughing.
And then he struck me down.
[System Notification: Synchronization with Sukuna Template Increased—22%]
Gintoki Joins the Chat—The Multiverse Reacts
[Multiverse Chat Group]
[Gintoki]: "Oi, oi. Why the hell am I here? I didn't sign up for another crossover episode!"
[Gol D. Roger]: "HOHO! ANOTHER STRONG WARRIOR JOINS!"
[Jiraiya]: "Wait. Is this the samurai guy from Gintama? The one who barely pays his rent?"
[Kakashi]: "…He's actually quite skilled, despite his laziness."
[Gintoki]: "EXCUSE ME?! I am a respectable samurai who—ow, ow, Kagura stop throwing things at me!"
I grinned. This was perfect.
[Gintoki]: "Anyway, I just read this Naruto thing. Kid, what the hell?! Why is every child in this world a trained killer?! I was out here dodging my landlord for rent, and they're out here dodging DEATH!"
[Jiraiya]: "We've all been asking that."
[Whitebeard]: "Hmph. They have the will of warriors."
[Gintoki]: "You mean the will to DIE? What kind of parenting is this?!"
I chuckled, feeling exhaustion settle into my bones.
Mihawk had left. Zoro had found a new resolve. Luffy was still an idiot.
And now, Gintoki was here.
Yeah… this was going to be fun.