"You bumped my scabbard, do you know what that means "The man asked
"It can only mean one thing "Zoro said as he began unsheathing his blade .
'A battle to the death ' they both thought in unison.
This would be a tough battle , Zoro could feel and sense the heavy presence this man was giving off
Kagaya and the others paused and looked to see what was going on . They saw Zoro and another man unsheathing their blades preparing to battle.
One of Don Kriegs man who was standing by the door and saw who the man besides Zoro was , in fear he yelled out .
"DON KRIEG!!! THE MAN WHO DESTROYED THE CAMP IS HERE !!!"
Everyone outside and inside the restaurant heard what he said and they were in shock . Zoro even more so .
"That bastad , so he's come for my head huh ?"Don Krieg stood up from his seat in the restaurant.
'Wait ,this means that this man is ...Mushashi Miyamoto the greatest swordsman ' Zoro swallowed his saliva, he remember what Johnny said earlier about about how Don Krieg and his entire camp was destroyed by one man ,he was filled with anticipation.
"Are you Mushashi Miyamoto the greatest swordsman?"Zoro asked in anticipation
"Yes I am , what of it "the now identified Mushashi asked
"Then no doubt about it , I challenge you to a deul " Zoro said with his hands resting on his blade .
"A deul? even after knowing who I am you still wish to challenge me ? Is this courage or foolishness?"
"Zoro " Kagaya and Amane called out in concern
"Big bro!" Johnny and Yosaku wanted to rush in and help him but Kagaya stopped them . He told them that Zoro had to do this .
Zoro and Mushashi moved away from the restaurant standing at a small clearing . At this point everyone in the restaurant had gone out the restaurant to watch the deul that was about to take place .
"A ronin hunter "Don Krieg scoffed. Having just arrived outside the restaurant.
'What could this runt do if I myself couldn't do anything, this just gives a chance to jump Mushashi once he's tired ' he thought to himself
On one side was Zoro, his green hair ruffled by the wind, three swords gleaming at his waist. His chest rose and fell with sharp breaths, but his stance was unshaken. He had chased this moment across the seas, and he would not back down now.
Opposite him stood Mushashi, draped in navy blue, a figure who seemed less man and more shadow given form. His fierce eyes pierced the younger swordsman without effort, the sheer weight of his presence making even seasoned fighters shiver.
"Draw your weapon," Zoro demanded, his voice strong though his blood burned with nerves and excitement. "If I fall here, let it be against your true strength."
Mushashi tilted his head ever so slightly. Then, with deliberate calm, he unsheathed—not a katana —but his wakizashi . Its polished edge glinted faintly in the sunlight.
The crowd gasped. To face three swords with so small a weapon was an insult, yet Mushashi's movements carried no arrogance. Only certainty. (A/N:Mushashi specialty was playing with the minds of his opponent's before fighting so he can have an advantage...)
Zoro's jaw tightened. Rage simmered, but deeper than rage was awe. This is the mountain I've been chasing… if I cannot climb it, I'll be crushed beneath it.
With a roar, he lunged.
Steel screamed. Sparks leapt. Zoro's three blades lashed out in a storm, each stroke fast, precise, born of years spent breaking his body in pursuit of strength. But every strike met the dagger—parried with a flick of the wrist, brushed aside with an ease that made his efforts feel weightless. Truly a skilled swordsmen even with a small blade is still a skilled swordsmen
Inside Zoro's head, thoughts clashed as fiercely as steel.
'Impossible… he isn't even trying. Is this the gap between me and the greatest?'
His attacks grew faster, wilder. Dust picked up from all the moving , yet Hawke stood unmoved. His dagger danced, each motion so small it looked lazy, but every deflection was flawless.
At last, Mushashi's calm voice cut through the air.
"You are strong. Your spirit is fierce. But your blade carries no weight. The burden of countless battles, countless defeats—that is what forges a true swordsman. You are still a cub, you have yet to deul opponents stronger than you ."
The only opponents zoro has faced ever he's begun his travels were bandits to which he was stronger , he has in fact yet to deul a stronger opponent who wielded a sword
The words struck harder than steel. staggered back, his arms marked with shallow cuts, his chest heaving. But his eyes burned brighter.
"This isn't over!" he bellowed, gathering everything he had left. His three swords crossed, forming a strike born not just of training but of his very soul—his ultimate attack.
Memory from the past (flashback)
"Promise me that one day ,one of us will become the greatest swordsman " a young zoro said to kuina . They shook their hands under the gaze of the full moon
"Its a promise "they both said simultaneously
Later
Zoro stared at the coffin that laid in front of him with shock , the water from the rain cascading down his face . No words, no tears came out of him ,the shock was to much, his mind had yet to process what happened.
He channeled all his grief ,sadness and pain towards training. He trained like a madman for a week with no rest
A week later
Zoro knelt before Koushirou his sensei and also the father of his late best friend. Tears threatening to spill out from his eyes
"I ask that you let me have that sword ,im going to get stronger than she ever was ,strong enough that my name reaches up to the heavens .
I am going to be the greatest swordsman . I promised her ... i promised her "
Koushirou turned his body and faced Zoro and said nothing . He took the sword at his side wado ichimonji and handed it to zoro with a smile
"You can have kuina's sword "
The tears Zoro had been holding in finally came out pouring like a river .
"He will be the greatest swordsman even if it kills him"
For the first time, Mushashi's eyes narrowed with interest. The wakizashi slipped back into its sheath. His hand reached for his side.
The air grew heavy.
From its scabbard, the blade emerged. Just by glancing at it one can tell that it was a work of art and greatness, its edge radiating an aura that seemed to press down on every living being present. The air itself stilled, as though holding its breath.
Then came the clash.
Zoro placed his swords in front of him connecting them to each and began spinning them
'Will i be the greatest swordsman or ... will it be death '
"Big bro stop this please!!" Johnny called out trying all his best to stop himself from interfering.
"Three sword style secret technique: 3000 worlds"
Ronan's strike met the black edge. For one instant, the world shook. The young swordsman poured everything into that moment, his pride, his oath, his life.
And then his blades shattered.
Two swords broke apart, fragments scattering like falling stars. Blood burst from his chest as he was hurled back across the deck. His body crumpled, trembling, yet he forced himself onto one knee.
'I've lost , never in my life did I think I would lose '
Shards of broken steel lay at his feet, but one blade remained. Zoro drove it into the deck and used it to rise , He sheathed the blade and turned to face Mushashi who had yet to sheath his blade . A deul is to the death after all.
He spread his arms offering no resistance for Mushashi to cut him . Mushashi was greatly shocked and asked why he would such a thing
"Scars at the back of a swordsman are a shame "
"Magnificent " Mushashi said . He gripped his blade with both hands and slashed diagonally at Zoro . Time froze . Zoro's blood painted the air red .
"Zoro!" Kagaya and Amane yelled out in concern
"You shouldn't rush these things young man "Mushashi said as he watched Zoro's figure fly through the air before landing on the ground
"Big bro!! " Johnny and Yosaku yelled out in concern as they rushed to Zoro's side to aid him
"So this is the strength of the greatest, not even the mighty Zoro stood a chance " a bandit said
Kagaya and Amane rushed up to Zoro to see how he was doing .
"Don't worry , you're friend is not dead ."Mushashi said and Zoro began violently coughing.
"Come on big bro ,stay with us " Johnny said as they moved Zoro's body toward the carriage
"We have some supplies" Amane said as she brought out supplies from the carriage.
Kagaya looked at Zoro with concern , Zoro was his friend, his relationship with Zoro was not like any other demon slayer .
Mushashi wiped the blood from his sword and sheathed it . He folded his arms and looked to where Zoro was
"Its still far to early for you to die ,My name is Miyamoto Mushashi !, you're strong but you have much to learn, no matter how many years it takes it will hold this title as the greatest and I will wait for you , until that day you must hone you're skills ...
Then ..SEEK ME OUT RORONOA ZORO"
"To be acknowledged by the greatest swordsman, amazing zoro"Kagaya said to himself. The corps along with him had tried recruiting Mushashi but he never accepted any of their invitations . Ultimately they ended up accepting that he just didn't want to be a demon slayer for some reason .
Zoro took his remaining sword with great pain and unsheathed it and pointed to the heavens . Johnny, Yosaku and Amane tried to stop him but seeing the determined look his face they stopped and listened to hear what he had to say .
"Kagaya ...can you hear me ?" Zoro asked with hard breather in between his sentences
"Yes I can hear you " Kagaya replied in concern
"Im sorry for disappointing you , I know you need nothing less than the greatest swordsman ... ive let you down ... Please forgive me " He tried to continue speaking but began coughing up blood which further worried Johnny, Yosaku and Amane
"Okay okay you can stop saying things now "Yosaku cried out
"Big bro!! "
"I solemnly swear that from this day forward I will never lose again " tears leaked as Zoro held his sword with conviction. Kagaya stood still without a word to say . Mushashi smiled it had been a while since he's come across someone of such strength
"Until the day comes when I defeat him and take his title , I will never be defeated...IS THAT OKAY KAGAYA ,KILLER OF MUZANN!!"
Kagaya smiled a bright smile . He's glad he brought Zoro to his side .
"Whats a muzan "one of thr bandit asked
"Couldn't tell you , this guy has probably lost a few screws after this battle "
"Yep thats fine with me "
Johnny and Yosaku carried Zoro and placed him on the carriage, he had fallen unconscious.
Mushashi turned to face Don Krieg and his bandits.
"I hope to see you all someday "he said to kagaya .
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