The sea stretched endlessly, silent except for the rhythmic crash of waves against the hull of the Silver Dragon. After five long days of sailing, Ritter and his crew finally found an uninhabited island small, rugged, and eerily quiet.
Mihawk didn't wait for the ship to anchor. The moment the island came into view, he leaped ashore, his black cloak billowing behind him like a shadow. He had been waiting for this moment for days. Ritter's constant teasing, smug grin, and mischievous antics had tested his patience to the limit. The man was infuriating and yet, his strength demanded respect.
Ritter followed him to shore, expression serious for once. He unsheathed Oblivion, its silver blade gleaming under the afternoon sun. All trace of humor vanished from his face. "A duel between swordsmen," he said quietly, "should always begin with respect."
Mihawk gave a faint smile. "Agreed."
He drew Yoru, the massive black blade that had earned him the title of the World's Greatest Swordsman. In one smooth motion, he swung downward, releasing a pitch-black wave of energy that tore through the air toward Ritter.
Ritter's feet shifted lightly against the sand. With a graceful retreating step, he raised his sword, sending a silver crescent slash to meet Mihawk's attack. The two forces collided in midair with a thunderous crack, sending shockwaves rolling across the island.
Ritter didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his sword moving in intricate arcs, each swing sharp and precise. Mihawk countered every strike with flawless form, the clash of metal ringing like thunder. The ground beneath them split with each impact, and the surrounding trees bent from the sheer force of their blows.
As their blades met again, Ritter suddenly leaped high into the air. His figure blurred, vanishing from Mihawk's sight. It wasn't teleportation it was something far more refined. Ritter had created his own sword technique: Piercing Point.
The technique focused on explosive acceleration so fast that the human eye could barely follow. In the blink of an eye, Ritter appeared right before Mihawk, his blade already descending.
Mihawk's pupils contracted sharply, but his instincts as the world's top swordsman did not fail him. He lifted Yoru in a cross-guard, dark energy swirling around him like a storm. The ground beneath his feet cracked from the sheer pressure.
Their blades collided light and darkness erupting in a flash so bright it illuminated the sky.
For a moment, it seemed neither would yield. But then Mihawk's defense faltered. The immense force behind Ritter's strike sent him flying backward like a broken kite, blood spraying into the air. He crashed hard into the sand, his black coat shredded, a deep wound bleeding across his chest.
Mihawk coughed violently, forcing himself to stand. His grip on Yoru trembled. "Such… overwhelming power."
Ritter lowered his sword slightly. "You've lost, Mihawk."
Mihawk laughed weakly, shaking his head. "Not yet. I still have one technique left. If you can withstand it then I will admit defeat."
He raised Yoru before him, his eyes blazing with renewed determination. Dark energy gathered around the blade, forming a whirlpool of pure destructive will.
"Sword Art: Cross of the Abyss!"
With a roar, Mihawk swung his sword in an 'X' pattern, unleashing a massive, spinning cross of black energy that ripped through the air, tearing apart everything in its path.
Ritter didn't move at first. He sheathed Oblivion, closing his eyes and exhaling slowly. The world seemed to still. Sand froze midair, wind stopped blowing the entire island held its breath.
Then, in a single motion, Ritter drew his sword. A flash of silver brighter than the sun cut through the sky.
The world resumed motion.
The sea roared. The island split. The ground shattered like glass beneath their feet. Mihawk's black cross disintegrated under the overwhelming force of Ritter's strike, and a wave of blinding light carved through the island, slicing away nearly half of it.
When the light faded, Mihawk stood trembling, his body covered in bleeding cuts. He barely managed to stay on his feet. "That technique…" he rasped. "What do you call it?"
Ritter turned away, sliding his sword back into its sheath. "Ultimate Art Skyhunter's Judgement."
Mihawk gave a faint smile, then collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.
"Damn it!" Ritter hurried forward, panic replacing his cool façade. "Don't tell me I actually killed him!"
He knelt down and sighed with relief upon feeling Mihawk's faint pulse. "Still breathing. Good."
He quickly pulled a healing pill from his system inventory and fed it to the unconscious swordsman. The bleeding stopped almost instantly. Satisfied, Ritter carried Mihawk back to the Silver Dragon.
When they returned, Big Pan's eyes were shining. "Captain! That final strike was incredible! You were so cool!"
Ritter grinned, chest puffed out. "Heh, not bad, right?"
"Ritter, are you hurt?" Felina asked anxiously, her sea-blue eyes full of worry.
Ritter waved her off. "Please, that guy couldn't land a hit even if I fought him with one hand tied."
The injured Mihawk groaned, rolling his eyes weakly. "You're insufferable…"
"Teach me that move!" Fiona said, eyes sparkling with excitement. "It looked amazing!"
Ritter chuckled. "Sorry, that's my personal technique built from my swordsmanship and spatial mastery. Not something you can just learn overnight."
Fiona pouted, disappointed.
That evening, Chiyo prepared a lavish feast to celebrate Ritter's victory. Ritter, ever the showman, brought out several crates of Moutai liquor, earning cheers from the crew. Everyone drank merrily except Mihawk, who sat bandaged in a corner eating a quiet bowl of soup.
Over the next few weeks, Mihawk recovered aboard the Silver Dragon. Despite his aloof nature, the crew quickly warmed to him. Big Pan and Felina constantly pestered him to share tales of his adventures, and though he pretended to be annoyed, he told his stories anyway. Even Ritter joined in, laughing boisterously at Mihawk's grumpiness.
A month and a half passed in peace. Mihawk had long since healed, but he lingered on the ship partly for the company, partly for Ritter's unbeatable wine stash.
Eventually, though, the day of parting came. When the Silver Dragon stopped by a mid-sized island, Mihawk stood at the bow of his tiny coffin-shaped boat.
"Ritter," he said solemnly, "when my swordsmanship reaches new heights, I'll challenge you again. Until then, the title of World's Greatest Swordsman is yours."
Ritter laughed. "You're welcome to try anytime but beating me? That might take you a lifetime."
Mihawk smiled faintly. "We'll see."
Fiona stepped forward, eyes shining. "Next time we meet, I'll defeat you, Mihawk!"
Mihawk's lips curved slightly. "You have great potential. Don't disappoint me."
As he prepared to leave, Ritter tossed him a small wooden token engraved with intricate runes.
"A farewell gift," Ritter said with a grin. "You know how to use it."
Mihawk caught it, eyes widening. It was a Dream Exploration Token, capable of storing items in a personal space an invaluable tool for a wanderer like him. Inside, he found not just storage space but several crates of Moutai.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. For all Ritter's arrogance, the man had a good heart.
As Mihawk's coffin-boat drifted away across the waves, Ritter turned to his crew, raising his sword toward the horizon.
"Alright, everyone," he said, smiling. "Let's keep sailing. Our real adventure starts now."
"AYE, CAPTAIN!" his crew shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the sea.
_________________________________________________
Already sailing with Eli on this fog-shrouded journey?
Drop your thoughts and reviews every word keeps this grand voyage alive! And for every 300 Power Stones, a bonus chapter will set sail, bringing Eli's wild adventure closer to its next storm!
The seas are vast, the dreams are boundless, and Eli Winters' legend is only just beginning. Stay aboard One Piece: I'm Just an Adventurer, and let's ride the tides toward freedom, laughter, and the greatest treasure of all!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a