As the man who had reached the very pinnacle of pure swordsmanship, Mihawk's hawk-like eyes could pierce through any sword technique, no matter how subtle.
And within Zoro's seemingly chaotic swings, he saw faint traces of a familiar style.
It was the instinctive reaction born from Orin's teachings, rooted in the foundation of Orin-style swordsmanship.
Though immature, it still managed to spark Mihawk's interest.
Pssh—
Effortlessly deflecting another fierce strike, Mihawk's cold gaze fell upon Zoro, whose chest was dripping with blood.
Drip... drip...
Zoro stood firm, unmoving, his posture unbroken.
"You want me to pierce your heart like this? Why don't you dodge?"
Zoro's body trembled as he replied,
"Well… I don't really know. I just feel that if I take even one step back here… I'll never be able to come back again."
"Indeed. That's what defeat is."
"Then I can't retreat."
"Even if it means death?"
"Dying would be easier."
Only then did Mihawk truly begin to take this man seriously.
What a powerful will—one who would rather die than lose.
He was no longer merely Orin's junior friend. In that moment, Mihawk recognized him as a true swordsman.
"Boy, state your name!!"
"Roronoa Zoro!!!"
Taking a few steps back, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, Zoro's gaze burned like that of a demon.
Finally, Mihawk acknowledged him fully, drawing his true blade—
The black sword Yoru, the symbol of the world's greatest swordsman.
"I'll remember you… a swordsman strong enough to stir my spirit after so long."
"As a fellow swordsman, I'll honor you with a swordsman's respect—by ending your life with the strongest black blade in the world!!!"
Lifting his sword high, Mihawk's wide-brimmed hat shadowed his face, leaving only one sharp eye visible.
His cloak billowed upward as he leapt forth, wielding the strongest strike in the world with both hands.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Like the spinning blades of a high-speed fan, the three swords in Zoro's hands blurred, leaving behind countless afterimages as waves of air burst outward.
A dazzling technique versus a simple, unadorned strike.
Zoro's flashy move was utterly overwhelmed by the dimension-crushing force of Mihawk—Hawk Eyes whose composure only faltered before Orin himself.
His two swords shattered into pieces, clattering to the ground.
Finally, he removed Wado Ichimonji from his mouth and slowly sheathed it.
So this is the world's strongest swordsman?
Facing Mihawk, he spread his arms wide open.
"What are you doing?"
"A wound on the back… is a swordsman's shame!!!"
"Well said!!!"
Slash—
Blood splattered.
The young swordsman fell into the sea.
"Youthful strength…"
"Go out and witness the world. Grow stronger, Roronoa!!!"
"You're weak. You have no idea how many monstrous beings exist in this world! Orin and I—we'll be waiting for you at the summit of the world!!!"
"Test the limits of your blade! Try to surpass us, Roronoa!!!"
In the end, Mihawk left him alive.
Not just for Orin's sake—but because Mihawk himself wanted to see how far this man with unyielding will could go.
Would he…
…bring a spark of change to Mihawk's lonely life atop the swordsmanship peak?
Unlike before, after easily defeating Zoro, Mihawk didn't leave in satisfaction.
Instead, he turned and walked into the restaurant, quietly sitting down.
It seemed he had no plans to leave—nor to fight anymore.
No one dared show disrespect to the world's strongest swordsman.
He simply sat by the window, sipping red wine with his eyes closed, as though the chaos outside had nothing to do with him.
Whether it was Zoro swearing never to lose again, Luffy and the others battling Krieg, or even their eventual farewell—Mihawk paid no heed.
When it was time to depart, Sanji turned his back to Zeff, standing silent for a moment, unwilling to say any parting words.
The stern old man stood there, watching Sanji's back, and for once in his life, his hardened tone softened.
"Sanji, don't catch a cold."
Just that one sentence—
Sanji froze, then couldn't hold back his tears any longer.
He turned, knelt before the man who had cared for him all these years, and shouted,
"Old man, all these years!!!"
"I'm deeply grateful for everything you've done for me!!!"
"I'll never forget your kindness for as long as I live!!!"
Over the years, Zeff's place in Sanji's heart had gradually become equal to Orin's. Both men were like true fathers to him.
Zeff smiled, though his eyes brimmed with tears.
Among everyone present, the only ones not crying were the carefree Luffy—and the two men sitting inside the restaurant, separated by the window: Mihawk, and the man across from him.
"What a heartwarming scene, isn't it?"
Hearing that voice, Mihawk finally opened his eyes.
He adjusted his hat with one hand, revealing his sharp gaze fixed on the man opposite him.
"Excessive sentiment dulls a swordsman's blade."
"But you're a gentle man yourself, aren't you, Little Hawk~"
The man before him turned slightly, glancing toward the sea where a small boat was sailing farther away—a boy wearing a straw hat laughing with a clenched fist.
As the shadow across his face faded, his appearance was finally revealed—
A handsome face, with eyes glowing crimson and a faint, knowing smile as if amused by everything he saw.
Golden letters and a side-profile smile appeared beside him:
[Next Generation King]
[Black Gun]
Dotor Orin.
Mihawk was already used to Orin's teasing, so he simply closed his eyes and took a sip of wine, choosing not to respond.
Instead, he shifted the topic.
"Since you knew this ship of newcomers was connected to you, why didn't you show yourself?"
Even before his duel with Zoro, Mihawk had already sensed Orin's presence.
But since Orin didn't appear, Mihawk had decided not to expose him either—choosing instead to wait in the restaurant.
He knew that if he waited long enough, Orin would come.
Looking at the man before him, who had changed quite a bit since they last met, Orin raised his glass. Mihawk did the same, and their glasses clinked softly.
"Though it's a bit late to say this…"
"Long time no see."
A faint smile curved Mihawk's lips.
"It really has been a long time. Especially after Shanks lost his arm, I've been looking forward to crossing blades with you again!"
Hearing that, Orin sighed helplessly.
"That kind of thing… let Zoro handle it in the future~"
"Compared to that, though…"
"Hey, Little Hawk—why don't we pay a visit to Alabasta later?"