Ron had only wanted to enjoy his meal while watching a bit of excitement to pass the time.
But to his shock, his body had quietly begun learning the sword techniques unfolding before his eyes — as if guided by an unseen power.
"What in the world is happening to me?" he wondered, startled.
"Could it be… my body truly possesses divine aptitude? Not only am I born unbreakable and monstrously strong, but I can also absorb the skills of others just by watching them?"
He muttered in disbelief.
This revelation felt like an explosion of joy inside him.
He had already been satisfied with his "Natural Destroyer" physique — a talent that rivaled Big Mom herself.
In this world, who could match the power of that woman?
Even with her gluttony and laziness, she sat among the Four Emperors, her innate power alone enough to dominate the seas.
Ron had often imagined living like that — training when he felt like it, eating well, sleeping better, and crushing anyone who got in his way.
If he possessed a body like Big Mom's, becoming Emperor-level would just be a matter of time.
But now, this new discovery — this auto-learning ability — made even Big Mom's gift pale in comparison.
He grinned to himself. "Looks like my body's got a few tricks of its own."
As Ron marveled at this newfound power, chaos erupted on the deck.
Johnny and Yosaku watched in agony as their captain was beaten bloody.
Mihawk's effortless dominance stoked their rage.
Their fists clenched, blood boiling, ready to rush forward to defend Zoro.
But Luffy held them back.
He knew Zoro's dream — he knew this was a battle the swordsman had to fight alone.
Ron smirked, watching the scene unfold.
"Heh. Those two are probably thinking, 'If Luffy wasn't in the way, we'd already have turned that smug hawk-eyed bastard into bird stew.'"
The situation reminded him a little of Garp — letting the young fight their own battles, no matter how hopeless they seemed.
The clash continued.
And soon, victory and defeat were clear.
Mihawk's tiny blade pierced cleanly into Zoro's chest.
The world seemed to go silent.
Blood dripped onto the deck with a rhythmic patter.
Mihawk frowned slightly. "Why do you not step back? Do you wish to die?"
Zoro gave a bitter smile.
"I don't know," he said, voice strained. "But I feel… if I take even one step back here… every promise I've made, every dream I've sworn to chase — will vanish with it."
"Even if it means death," he said, voice trembling yet resolute, "I will not retreat!"
"Until death itself, I'll stand my ground."
Mihawk's eyes flickered.
That raw, unshakable resolve — the will to die before yielding — struck something deep within him.
"Tell me your name, boy," he said quietly.
"Roronoa Zoro," came the proud reply.
Mihawk nodded solemnly.
"I will remember it."
Then, in a tone of rare respect, he said, "As a swordsman's honor, I shall end your life with my true blade — the Black Sword, Yoru."
"It would be my honor," Zoro said.
He knew the gap between them was vast. Yet he had already accepted death.
He crossed his three blades.
"Three-Sword Style: Secret Technique — Three Thousand Worlds!"
Before the attack could even manifest, Mihawk's figure vanished.
A black arc flashed.
Steel shattered.
Crack!Bang!
Zoro's swords splintered like glass beneath Yoru's edge.
The force split the air, shaking the deck.
"This… this is the blade that split a ship in two?" Nami gasped, eyes wide in horror. "That power is terrifying!"
Ron nodded in quiet agreement.
"The Black Sword, Yoru — one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades, and one of only two black blades in existence. Its edge is beyond comprehension."
Before he could comment further, the familiar chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Host has witnessed the duel between Zoro and Mihawk.
You have observed Mihawk's One-Sword Style (Advanced – Iron-Cutting Realm).
Congratulations, Host — skill acquired.
"Iron-Cutting Power?" Ron froze. His pulse quickened.
That was the legendary technique Zoro would one day learn in Alabasta — the ability to cut steel and stone by sensing the "breath" of all things.
A power that required no Haki, no brute strength — only mastery of spirit and intent.
"This is incredible," Ron whispered. "My body can grasp that level of skill just from observation?"
His earlier suspicions were now confirmed.
If he witnessed a technique with enough focus, his body instinctively learned its essence.
Swordsmanship… martial arts… maybe even Haki itself.
A hungry gleam flickered in his eyes.
"If I can make Mihawk use an even higher-level sword technique… what would happen?"
He turned toward the dueling pair, his heartbeat quickening.
But the outcome was already decided. Zoro had lost — yet Mihawk, impressed by his spirit, would not kill him.
Even so, the "Iron-Cutting Power" Mihawk had shown wasn't the peak of his art. Not even close.
If Ron could somehow push him further — if he could make Mihawk reveal the true limits of his swordsmanship — what unimaginable techniques could he learn?
His eyes burned with anticipation.
"But…" he muttered, scanning the others. "Who here could force Mihawk to fight seriously?"
Johnny? Joseph?
Don't make me laugh.
They were spectators, nothing more.
Unless…
A thought sparked in Ron's mind.
He smiled faintly.
"Unless I step in."
He clenched his fists, feeling the power surging beneath his skin.
He already had the body of a natural destroyer — and now, the art of cutting steel itself.
If anyone could draw out Mihawk's full strength… it was him.
And the idea of testing that power sent a thrill down his spine.