Someone from Krieg's ship shouted as it sinked to the sea after being cut in half.
"It's the MONSTER.....the monster that cut our fleet into nothing!"
"Did he just say that one man managed to sink a dozen of their ships?" Nami asked confused.
Kon watched as Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, stepped off his small boat onto the deck that was in front of Baratie for people to dock their ships.
Zoro without saying anything rushed towards Mihawk with determination in his eyes.
Zoro stepped in front of Mihawk, "Mihawk, I challenge you to a duel. I came to the sea to become the strongest swordsman and you are currently in the way of my dream." He turned to the crew, his gaze firm. "Don't interfere. This is my fight. "
His dream of becoming the greatest swordsman was on the line.
Mihawk's hawk-like eyes studied Zoro and the three swords that Zoro had equipped himself with, and he nodded, drawing a small knife from his belt instead of his massive sword, Yoru. "Very well. This should be enough for you considering how weak you are."
'This boy's ambition is amusing,' he thought, twirling the knife.
Usopp's jaw dropped. "Woah, this guy really knows how to insult an opponent."
'A knife against three swords? That's cold,' he thought, hiding behind a crate.
Luffy who was getting bandaged by Nami shouted, "Show him, Zoro!"
'My swordsman's gonna kick his butt,' he thought, pumping his fist despite the pain.
Kon watched Mihawk intently, 'This guy feels strong,' he thought, his eyes narrowing.
The duel began, Zoro charging with his three swords in his signature Oni Giri stance. Mihawk parried effortlessly with his knife, the metal clanging.
Zoro swung again, his blades a blur, but Mihawk sidestepped, slicing with precision. A crack echoed as two of Zoro's swords shattered, fragments falling to the deck. Zoro stumbled, blood seeping from a gash across his chest. He muttered, "I lost… I never imagined he'd be this strong."
'He's on another level,' he thought, his pride stinging more than his wound.
Zoro turned, opening his arms in defeat, facing Mihawk's next strike. "Finish it," he said, his voice steady.
Mihawk paused, his eyes curious. "Why did you turn back?"
Zoro grinned, blood dripping. "Scars on the back are a swordsman's greatest shame."
Mihawk smiled, "Very well, I will give you the honour of falling at my blade."
Mihawk raised Yoru and slashed at Zoro.
Luffy, Nami and Usopp shouted in shock,"ZORO!!"
Before Yoru could strike, Kon appeared in front of Zoro,his staff blocking the massive sword with a clang, the force making his arms shake.
"Oi, oi, who do you think you are to hit my underling?" he shouted trying to push back against Mihawk's blade.
Zoro, clutching his wound, glared. "What're you doing, Kon? And what do you mean, your underling?"
'This kid's gonna get himself killed. He is no match against Mihawk. Not after what he has just shown me,' he thought, wincing.
Kon stood tall, smirking. "I'm the vice-captain, and you're a crewmate, so you're my underling. It's my job to keep you safe."
'That's how it works, right?' he thought, puffing out his chest.
Zoro's eye twitched. "But that means you're Luffy's underling."
'This kid's logic is insane,' he thought, exasperated.
Kon looked at Zoro like he was an idiot. "No, Luffy's my friend. Why would I be his underling? Are you stupid, Zoro?"
'He's not getting it,' Kon thought, shaking his head dramatically, making Goku who was on his shoulders nod in agreement.
Zoro opened his mouth, then closed it, speechless. "Why… why are you interfering? I told you it's my fight!"
'He's ruining my honor,' he thought, clutching his wound tighter.
Kon grinned, twirling his staff. "I just don't like this guy. He insulted you with that knife during your duel. Sparring's supposed to be fun, not insulting!"
'This Mihawk guy's too cocky,' he thought.
Mihawk raised an eyebrow, intrigued. 'This boy's bold,' he thought, lowering Yoru slightly.
Luffy, bandaged and leaning on Nami, shouted, "You tell Eagle Eyes, Kon! Show him you don't mess with the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Kon spun his staff, his voice eager. "Besides, it's been a while since I fought someone strong. My instincts tell me this guy's strong."
'This'll be fun,' he thought, his eyes gleaming excitedly, "Hey, Goku, take care of Zoro, would you?"
Goku nodded, hopping off Kon's shoulder and scampering to Zoro, tugging him toward Nami with his four arms to get him treated.
Mihawk eased the pressure on Kon's staff, stepping back. Kon, noticing the strain on his weapon, realized it might break like Zoro's swords.
'I can't let that happen. He clearly has better weapon and better skills. I would have to use my bending to fight this guy,' he thought, strapping the staff to his back and taking a bending stance, his feet planted, arms raised.
Mihawk's eyes widened slightly. "That stance… so you're a bender."
Kon had a surprise look on his face as Mihawk was the first person to know about benders that he had met in the world below.
'Interesting,' he thought, gripping Yoru. "I met one, a fire bender. Well, not met, per se—I saw him fight when I was a boy. He was strong. Very strong I'd have loved to fight him now. Perhaps you'll be a challenge."
Kon's mind raced. 'Is he talking about Old Man Iroh?' he thought, his heart skipping. *I promised Rick not to tell anyone about him, so I can't ask.'
He took a deep breath, focusing his Chi. 'Gotta stay calm and fight.'
Mihawk studied him, his voice calm. "I see the same spirit in your eyes as in Roronoa Zoro and your captain. Tell me your name."
'So he has been watching Luffy fight? But we did not see him. Wait, can he used observation haki? That would explain how he easily defended against Zoro's attacks.' Kon thought
Kon grinned as the air around him stirred, "My name's Kon D. Ryūkami. You better remember it after I beat your ass."
'So he is not a bastard. But a real bender. A relative Ryūkami in the flesh.' Mihawk thought
'Let's show Luffy and the others how cool I am.' Kon took a deep breath.
With a raise of his hands, the sea around the Baratie churned.
-------Author Notes------
Thankyou Toyo for supporting me!
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