Pressure.
That was the very first feeling in everyone's heart.
If the earlier "Hawk Eyes" had only given them an unconscious sense of oppression, something shaped by reputation and imagination, then the Mihawk standing here now was like an unrivaled blade about to be unsheathed.
Even without releasing Conqueror's Haki, he still made everyone break into a cold sweat.
That was killing intent.
The killing intent of the world's strongest swordsman.
It was easy to imagine: if Zoro's answer displeased Mihawk, what awaited him next would be the greatest slash in the world.
Facing "Hawk Eyes," whose mere presence felt as heavy as a mountain, sweat began to bead down Zoro's face.
But a swordsman's pride, and a will that would rather die than lose, forced him to speak solemnly.
"This blade, 'Underworld Crow,' was entrusted to me by my master who taught me swordsmanship, Ozz!"
In Zoro's ferocious gaze was a conviction that would not waver even a hair.
"I will carry this blade and become the world's number one great swordsman!"
…
Mihawk stared at the "weakling" before him, someone trembling under his aura and sweating cold, yet daring to speak Ozz's name.
It sparked a trace of interest.
They had been friends since their youth. Mihawk understood Ozz very well.
When they first met, Ozz's personal blade had already become "Ace," and yet Mihawk could still recognize this sword from Ozz's younger days. That alone spoke volumes about their bond.
And precisely because he understood Ozz, Mihawk was even more shocked.
Ozz had actually handed his former personal blade to an unknown nobody like this.
Others might not know what it meant, but Mihawk did.
This was true acknowledgment from someone who stood at the peak.
From "the strongest in the world."
"Interesting… a promise with Ozz?"
Mihawk finally heard something worth caring about.
He looked at the sword clenched between Zoro's teeth, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"That black blade isn't something just anyone is worthy of."
"Let me test what you're made of."
While the two swordsmen spoke, the others around them exploded into chaos.
"Huh?! Zoro's cool sword was a gift from Uncle Ozz?! He never mentioned that at all!!!"
Luffy's mouth hung open, his not too bright face filled with shock.
"Uncle Ozz? You know him?!"
Usopp's long nose practically went limp. The name Ozz was carved deep into his memory.
"That's the world's strongest sniper, the mountain every sniper will never be able to cross…"
Usopp didn't say the rest.
Because that was the man who had defeated his own father, so terrifying that Usopp couldn't even imagine surpassing him.
And unlike the original timeline, Nami hadn't immediately stolen the ship and fled. She was still waiting for the right moment.
Once the fight turned chaotic, she would slip away in the confusion.
But now, as she watched from the shadows, she heard a familiar name and instantly tensed.
Ozz?
She had heard that name plenty of times.
Buggy, the pirate who had thrown her hometown into turmoil, who threatened her family's lives and saddled them with crushing debt, had an abbreviated name that was AOS.
She never expected Luffy's group to be connected to that man, to be "on the same side."
The discovery made Nami's expression turn cold.
Then she heard Sanji speak.
"You guys… you all know Father?"
Another expert?
Sanji's cigarette hand froze. His face was full of disbelief as he blurted the question out.
The moment those words landed, not only Luffy, Usopp, and Nami, but even Mihawk shifted his gaze over, eyes widening slightly.
Ozz's… son?
This blond guy didn't look like him at all.
"What the hell? You perverted cook, you're Master's son?!"
Zoro looked annoyed.
Luffy, on the other hand, looked happy. He hadn't expected the cook he invited to be Uncle Ozz's son.
Usopp was still in shock.
Nami's eyes were burning with hatred.
But they all shared the same feeling.
This was unreal.
Seeing their reactions, Sanji blinked, then realized they had misunderstood.
"No… I'm not his biological son. Ozz is my godfather."
Hearing that, Mihawk finally understood.
That made sense.
That guy Ozz loved collecting kids everywhere, he even took in a little Perona for himself.
Still…
This rookie pirate crew had nearly everyone connected to Ozz in one way or another. And Mihawk knew Ozz well enough to be certain.
Things were never that simple.
So…
He wanted to test it.
And perfect timing.
Zoro's promise with Ozz was to defeat "Hawk Eyes" and become the world's strongest swordsman.
Zoro set his stance, all three swords ready, staring at the man before him with absolute seriousness.
And then, Mihawk's face remained calm as he reached up and took down the small cross-shaped knife hanging from his neck.
"Hey!!! What are you doing?!"
Zoro's face darkened. He'd seen this scene before, and the guess forming in his mind made his blood run cold.
"Even if Ozz once guided you, that doesn't mean you're qualified to be mentioned in the same breath."
"I'm not like some foolish beast that has to go all out just to chase a rabbit. Unfortunately…"
"Sorry. I don't have a smaller knife than this."
Zoro's eyes widened.
The figure holding that tiny blade slowly overlapped with a memory, a figure holding a small wooden stick.
In that instant, a fire ignited inside Zoro's chest.
"Don't mess with me. I'm not that kid from back then anymore!!!"
He surged forward, muscles coiling with power.
"Demon Slash!"
Clang!
A tiny knife rose in front of Mihawk, steady as a mountain, and blocked the combined assault of three swords.
Zoro's eyes nearly popped out. Sweat slid down the bridge of his nose.
"H-how is that possible?!"
He had improved at a terrifying speed. He had been taught by Ozz. He thought, at the very least, he could catch a glimpse of the world's strongest.
But now…
How could something this ridiculous exist?
The world couldn't be this far away.
No matter what, it shouldn't be this impossible.
Thud thud thud!
Zoro swung wildly, relentlessly, but the man before him casually deflected everything with that small blade.
"I trained and swung my sword so I'd never be humiliated by something this tiny again, but now…"
"What kind of joke is this?!"
Mihawk remained calm, watching Zoro's fury like he was studying a storm.
"What a savage sword…"
"Simple swings, yet I can see the shadows of many swordsmen in them. I should've expected it. A disciple taught by Ozz…"
"Ozz… the Dark King Rayleigh… Shanks… and…"
"Me."
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