Pressure!!!
That was the first thing everyone present felt in their hearts.
If the former [Hawk Eyes] only gave them a subconscious sense of oppression—a vague awe inspired by his reputation—
Then the current Mihawk was like a supreme blade about to be unleashed.
Even without using his Conqueror's Haki, the sheer killing intent from the World's Strongest Swordsman made everyone break into a cold sweat.
It was killing intent that came from the strongest sword in the world!!!
It was easy to imagine—if Mihawk wasn't satisfied with Zoro's answer, what awaited him next would be the world's most powerful slash!!!
Standing before the imposing [Hawk Eyes], whose presence alone felt like an immovable mountain, beads of sweat slid down Zoro's face.
But the pride of a swordsman—and the will to never yield, even in death—made him raise his head solemnly.
"This blade, [Yami Karasu], was entrusted to me by my swordsmanship teacher, Orin!!!"
In Zoro's fierce eyes burned an unshakable conviction.
"I will definitely carry this sword and become the world's number one swordsman!!!"
"..."
Mihawk looked at the "weakling" before him—someone sweating under his mere presence—and yet this man had just spoken Orin's name.
That sparked his interest.
After all, they had known each other since their youth. Mihawk knew Orin very well.
Back when they met, Orin's saber had already changed from his old sword to "Ace," yet Mihawk could still recognize Orin's childhood blade—enough to show how deep their bond went.
And precisely because of that, he was even more astonished that Orin would hand his former sword to such an "unknown rookie."
Others wouldn't understand, but Mihawk did. He knew exactly what that meant—
It was a true acknowledgment from the World's Strongest!
"Interesting... a promise with Orin?"
Mihawk's expression finally showed a flicker of amusement. He looked at the blade clutched between Zoro's teeth, a faint smile curving his lips.
"That black sword isn't something just anyone is worthy to wield!!!"
"Let me test your mettle, then!!!"
While the two swordsmen on the battlefield exchanged words, the rest of the crew erupted into chaos.
"Eh?! Zoro's cool-looking sword was given to him by Orin-san?! He never said that before!!!"
Luffy's mouth hung wide open, his not-so-bright face filled with shock.
"Orin-san? You... you actually know him?!"
Usopp's long nose almost went limp with fright when he heard that name. He remembered it all too well—
"That's the world's strongest sniper... the insurmountable mountain standing before every sharpshooter..."
Usopp didn't dare continue. After all, that was the man who had defeated his own father—a terrifying figure who crushed any dream of surpassing him!!!
Unlike the original story, however, Nami hadn't yet taken the ship to escape. She was still biding her time, waiting for the fight to heat up so she could slip away in the chaos.
But then she suddenly heard a familiar name and froze, every nerve on edge.
Orin?
That name... she'd heard it plenty.
The pirate who ravaged her homeland, who threatened her family's lives and left them burdened with immense debt—
His name's abbreviation was AOS.
And now, to think that Luffy and the others actually knew him—that he might be one of their own—made Nami's expression darken in an instant.
Especially when she heard Sanji speak.
"You guys... you all know my father?"
Another strong fighter???
Sanji's hand, holding his cigarette, paused midair, disbelief written across his face.
His question made not only Luffy, Usopp, and Nami freeze, but even Mihawk turned his gaze toward him in surprise.
Orin's... son?
That blond kid didn't look the part at all.
"What the hell, you damn cook—you're the son of my teacher?!!!"
Zoro looked annoyed, while Luffy seemed delighted. He hadn't expected the chef he'd invited to be Orin-san's son.
Usopp was in utter shock, and Nami's face twisted with hatred.
But one thing they all shared—this whole thing felt unreal.
Seeing their reactions, Sanji was briefly stunned, then realized what they'd misunderstood.
"No... I'm not his biological son. Orin-san is my adoptive father."
Hearing that, Mihawk finally understood.
That made sense.
That guy Orin always loved taking in kids... he even went and got himself a little Perona.
Still...
For this rookie pirate crew—barely out at sea—to all have connections with Orin? Knowing him, things definitely weren't as simple as they seemed.
Which was why—
He wanted to test them.
And coincidentally, Zoro's promise with Orin was to defeat [Hawk Eyes] and become the world's strongest swordsman!
Zoro adjusted his three swords into position, eyes locked on the man before him.
But Mihawk's expression remained calm as he drew the tiny cruciform dagger hanging from his neck.
"Hey!!! What are you doing?!!!"
Zoro saw this all-too-familiar scene and had a bad feeling creeping up his spine.
"Even if you've once been guided by Orin, that doesn't mean you're worthy to stand beside him..."
"I am not one of those foolish beasts who must use full strength to chase a weakling."
"Unfortunately..."
"Sorry. I don't have a smaller blade than this."
Zoro's eyes widened.
The man holding the tiny dagger before him... overlapped with the figure in his memory who once held a small wooden stick.
A fire ignited in his chest.
"Don't joke with me—I'm not that kid anymore!!!"
With a burst of power, Zoro lunged forward.
"Three-Sword Style—Oni Giri!!!"
Clang—!!!
The small dagger effortlessly intercepted the combined strike of three swords. Zoro's eyes widened, cold sweat tracing down his nose.
"H-how... is this possible?!!!"
He had trained relentlessly, learned directly under Orin's tutelage. He thought he had at least caught up a little to the footsteps of the strongest—but now...
How could reality be so cruel?
The gap shouldn't be this huge!!!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Zoro swung his blades furiously, again and again, but the man before him blocked every strike with ease—using only that small dagger.
"I've trained so hard to ensure I'd never be humiliated by a toy blade again—and now... you've gotta be kidding me!!!"
Mihawk's face stayed composed as he watched Zoro's fury.
"What a ferocious sword..."
"Even in those simple slashes, I can see traces of many swordsmen's techniques. As expected from a disciple taught by Orin."
"Orin, Silvers Rayleigh, Shanks... and—"
"Myself."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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